Magic at the Market, Westlake tree lighting, comedy shows, more happening in Seattle this weekend

The holiday season is officially upon us, and Seattle is getting into the spirit this weekend with several holiday-themed events.

From Christmas concerts, to comedy shows, to tree lighting ceremonies, keep reading for a roundup of things to do around the Emerald City in the coming days. 

Lights: Tree lighting ceremonies

If you're planning to head downtown for holiday shopping, be sure to stop by Westlake Park on Saturday where there will be holiday music and activities. Beginning at 5 p.m., the annual tree-lighting celebration will take place complete with the return of the Holiday Star (which used to light up the sky from Macy’s).

The City of Edmonds will hold its tree-lighting event on Saturday at Centennial Plaza. Beginning at 3 p.m., enjoy treats and beverages followed by Christmas caroling and a magical visit from the jolly old elf.

The City of Everett is begining its Wintertide festival on Saturday with a kickoff party. Peruse the outdoor Holiday Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and watch as the Colby Tree and all of downtown is lit up at 5 p.m. Cocoa sipping and visits with Santa will follow.

Santa will be riding into the city of Snohomish with a fleet of ... llamas on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and then resting at the Riverfront Gazebo until 1 p.m. The annual Christmas tree lighting event with live music begins at 5 p.m. on 1st Street.

On Sunday, Chabad of Kirkland will celebrate the first day of Chanukah at the Marina Park pavilion. Beginning at 4 p.m., the event will feature live holiday music, refreshments, gelt drop and a giant Menorah lighting ceremony.

Festivals: Magic at the Market

The Pike Place Market is celebrating its annual Magic at the Market event on Saturday. Beginning at 11 a.m. the day will be filled with special activities, live busker music from the Market Farm Truck, sculpting and glass blowing demonstrations, and meet-and-greets with Santa and the Market’s Mascot, Crafty. The first 200 kids will receive gift bags from Crafty’s Crafts. This all leads up to the Market’s lighting ceremony at 5 p.m.

Theatre: Scrooge? Is that you?

Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” is a beautiful story of redemption, but if that isn’t your style, then you might prefer Unexpected Productions’ “A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol” which debuts Friday. A Seattle holiday favorite since 1985, the story starts out the same with good ol' Ebenezer Scrooge but quickly changes with hilarious twists and turns thanks to the more than 30 suggestions from the audience. Every performance is different and unique as a snowflake.

Comedy: Trevor Noah, Alton Brown, more

It’s going to be a funny weekend in Seattle. First off, “The Daily Show” host, Trevor Noah is making a stop at Climate Pledge Arena for his Back to Abnormal World Tour on Friday at 8 p.m. Then on Saturday, choose from seeing Alton Brown and his Beyond the Eats show at The Paramount at 3 and 8 p.m., psychic comedian Peter Antoniou (who you’ve seen on “America’s Got Talent”) at Tacoma’s 18th & Union at 7 p.m., or standup comic Brendan Schaub at the Historic Everett Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Music: Trans-Siberian Orchestra rocks Climate Pledge Arena 

The music event of the weekend happens twice at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories concert tour continues what Paul O’Neill dreamed of doing years ago: creating a band that can’t be described with one genre. This concert features talented musicians, singers, lasers, and pyrotechnics while still keeping things Christmassy. Performances are at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Other concerts to consider this weekend:

Mayer Hawthorne: Friday at The Showbox

San Holo: Saturday at The Showbox 

Seattle’s Tribute to The Last Waltz: Friday at The Neptune Theatre

Beabadoobee: Saturday at The Neptune Theatre

Misterwives: Saturday at The Showbox

Tickets: Upcoming events to plan for now

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

Jo Koy: Jan. 22 at Climate Pledge Arena

Kane Brown: Jan. 28 at Climate Pledge Arena

War 50th Anniversary Tour: Jan. 29 at the Pantages Theater

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