Great Figgy Pudding competition, Urban Craft Uprising, comedy shows, more Seattle weekend events

Seattle is ushering in another weekend full of holiday activities, comedy shows and the return of Emerald City Comic Con.

If you need a break from shopping — or the family — keep reading for our roundup of weekend events. 

Lights: Christmas tree lighting ceremonies

Another round of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies will be taking place this weekend.

On Friday, the SeaTac Community Center will be hosting the city’s Christmas tree lighting event. Enjoy free hot dogs and music before the ceremony at 5:45 p.m., followed by visits with Santa.

Elvis will be making a rare appearance on Saturday during West Seattle’s Hometown Holidays tree lighting event at Junction Plaza Park. The King will help emcee the event from 3 to 7 p.m. which includes a Holiday Night Market on Alaska Street with goods made by more than 40 artisans and makers. The tree lighting begins at 6 p.m.

Bona Fide Bellevue is inviting one and all to the Light Up Bellevue event on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue. In addition to the tree lighting, the event will offer live music, trackless train rides, a gingerbread house competition and pictures with Santa.

Held at Silver Creek Family Church in Lynnwood, the city’s Saturday tree lighting event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. It will feature live jazz music, a coffee cart, food vendors and, of course, meet-and-greets with the big guy himself.

Woodinville’s Winterfest kicks off Saturday with fun activities at four different venues beginning at 3 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at DeYoung Park at 5:30 p.m. Other events include wreath and ornament making, a holiday fair, s’mores at the fire pit, farmer’s market, a car show, wine tasting, live music, light displays and selfies with Santa.

In Lake Stevens, the mayor will begin the city’s tree lighting event on Saturday at North Cove Park at 5:15 p.m. followed by live music, a free photo booth and more.

A different kind of event will be lighting up the night on Sunday. Calligraphy artist Karim Jabbari has created an interactive, multi-room light installation at AXIS in Pioneer Square. Complimented by musician Essam and poetry readers, “From the Light” will be lit from 5 to 10 p.m. 

Film: Shakespeare at the Cinema

Seattle’s Thornton Place Stadium Theaters and Bellevue’s Lincoln Square Cinemas are a part of dozens of theaters across the country presenting a free screening of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” on Sunday at 1 p.m. Written and directed by Joel Coen, this Shakespeare at the Cinema event stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Both Coen and McDormand will livestream a Q&A after the film. Screenings are free, but are first come, first served.

Theatre: Festive comedy rules the weekend

It may take a village to raise a child but only a trio of women to talk about it. “My Name is Not Mom” is a stage show put together by three internet stars each with their own brand of humor. Tiffany Jenkins of Juggling the Jenkins, Meredith Masony of That's Inappropriate, and Dena Blizzard of One Funny Mother will tell their tales of woe from the sleepless nights of the toddler years, to middle school meltdowns and the “occasional temptation to physically attack their high schoolers.” The three will be yucking it up for one night only at The Moore Theater on Friday at 8 p.m.

“The most ridiculous fun you’ll have this holiday season” is how Broadway World describes Mark Siano’s “A Very Die Hard Christmas” which debuts this weekend at the Seattle Public Theater. Yes, it is just what it sounds like – a musical parody of the original 1988 “Die Hard” movie. The show continues through Dec. 26.

Also debuting this week is the annual “Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker” at the Triple Door. Lily Verlaine returns as the Sugar Plum Fairy along with favorite acts like Babette La Fave’s light-juggling, the Snowflake dancers and the “swingiest band in the land” led by Jasper McCann. Land of the Sweets continues through Dec. 29.

Music: Now bring us some figgy pudding

After going virtual with last year’s Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Night, it is welcome news that the event is going through with a live presentation Friday at Pike Place Market. Traditionally, this event is held in Westlake Center, but for its 35th anniversary, seven caroling teams will be performing under the Public Market Clock & Sign beginning at 6 p.m. Proceeds from Figgy Pudding support the Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank.

Stage: Whitney Cummings and Thundercat

Best known for starring in the NBC comedy series, “Whitney” and co-creating CBS’ “Two Broke Girls,” Whitney Cummings shares her stand-up routine Saturday at The Neptune Theatre with shows beginning at 7 and 10 p.m. Meanwhile, over at The Paramount Theatre, Stephen Lee Bruner (aka Thundercat) will be on stage sharing music from his most recent album, “It Is What It Is” at 8 p.m. His special guest will be Channel Tres.

Art: Urban Craft Uprising is back

Urban Craft Uprising, a free Pacific Northwest indie maker event, is back this weekend taking over the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Created in 2005, the show carefully curates the best mix of over 150 vendors selling their wares that include a wide variety of hand-crafted goods, clothing, and more. Swing by any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday or 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets: Upcoming events to plan for now

"My Fair Lady" plays Dec. 28–Jan. 2 at the Paramount Theatre

Cirque Du Soleil: Alegria plays Jan. 18-Feb. 13 at Marymoor Park

Jo Koy plays Jan. 22 at Climate Pledge Arena

Harlem Globetrotters play Jan. 27-29 in Kent, Everett and Seattle

Kane Brown plays Jan. 28 at Climate Pledge Arena

War 50th Anniversary Tour playsJan. 29 at the Pantages Theater in Tacoma