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MUST GET FESTIVE

Seattle Center’s Winterfest
(11/29-12/31) A month might not be long enough to explore all the festivities on offer at Seattle Center’s annual winter celebration. From magic shows to model train exhibits, four Saturdays of ice sculpting to a skate night with drag queens, you’ll find affordable seasonal activities for fun lovers of all ages. Times and prices vary. Seattle Center, Lower Queen Anne; seattlecenter.com

MUST RELIVE THE GLORY

Mrs. Doubtfire
(11/26-12/29) In 2002, Seattle went nuts for Hairspray in its pre-Broadway trial run, anticipating its smash success, and that enthusiasm has made our town a favorite for producers of new musicals. (We saw Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Story: The Musical and Aladdin before NYC did, to name only three.) This season’s roll of the dice is an adaptation of the 1993 Robin Williams-in-drag vehicle; will Seattle again springboard it to glory? (Previews begin November 26; official opening night is December 13.) Times and prices vary. 5th Avenue Theatre, downtown; 5thavenue.org

MUST EXPERIENCE CHOCOLATE

Cocopop!
(12/4) A self-described “pop-up chocolate wonderland” featuring live-spun chocolate cotton candy, torched s’more sundaes and even a ball pit, Seattle Chocolate Company’s jcoco line brings a night of chocolate, cocktails and more chocolate. The multi-sensory event will include interactive installations and live music from Seattle-trio The Flavr Blue. A portion of the proceeds will benefit hunger relief agency, Northwest Harvest. This is a 21-and-older event. 7 p.m. Prices vary. AXIS, Pioneer Square; seattlechocolate.com

MUST LOOK BUT DON’T EAT

27th Annual Gingerbread Village #ElfLife
(Through 1/1/2020) Benefitting the Northwest Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Sheraton Grand Seattle hosts the 27th annual Gingerbread Village, which has raised over $1 million for JDRF since its inception. Tasked with this year’s theme of #ElfLife, five teams of Sheraton Grand Seattle Hotel chefs paired with top local architecture firms will compete in the spirit of charity to bring resounding displays of the holiday season. The displays are free to view, but $5 donation to JDRF is recommended. Times vary. Free. Sheraton Grand Seattle, downtown; gingerbreadvillage.org

MUST RUN & FUND

Thanksgiving Day Apple Cup 5K
(11/28) Earn your gravy and pie at this annual 5K turkey day run/walk. Your strides are for a good cause, supporting Northwest Harvest, the only statewide hunger relief agency. Canned food or other nonperishable food items will be accepted and donated to Northwest Harvest. So, tie on those sneakers and get going. 9:30-10:45 a.m. Prices vary. Green Lake Park; hi5k.com

MUST DIVERGE

In Plain Sight
(Through 4/26/20) This exhibit’s ironic title refers to visual art and performances by an international array of artists that evoke experiences and communities (in many senses: racial, sexual, economic) still obscured from the mainstream. Among the works are Los Angeles artist Andrea Bowers’ confrontational yet celebratory photos of transgender activists of color. Henry Art Gallery, University District; henryart.org

Coming up:
These events are weeks away but are bound to sell out—get your tickets now.

MUST LAUGH

Trevor Noah: “Loud & Clear” tour
(12/13) As a biracial South African, the Daily Show host provides a unique perspective on America’s racial tensions that other late-night hosts, however trenchant their one-liners, can’t match. Being booked into an uncommonly huge stand-up venue like the Tacoma Dome testifies to his success. 8 p.m. Prices vary. Tacoma Dome, Tacoma; tacomadome.org

MUST NOT MISS

Brandi Carlile
(6/6/2020) A three-time Grammy Award winner and one of our Most Influential People of the Year, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile returns home from an international tour to bring a night of music to the middle of our great state. Sharing the stage with  Sheryl Crow and English sensation Yola, Carlile promises to light up the night in a kick-off to summer you’ll be talking about until fall. 6 p.m. Prices vary. Gorge Amphitheatre, George WA; livenation.com

MUST EMBRACE THE ’20S

New Year’s Eve Meow Meow
(12/31) No one loves Strauss waltzes more than I do, but there can be more to a New Year’s Eve concert than that timeworn tradition. Australian cabaret artiste Melissa Madden Gray, aka Meow Meow, is the Seattle Symphony Orchestra’s guest for this year’s gala. Imagine the brain of Dame Edna transplanted into Liza Minnelli’s body and you come close to envisioning her magic. Champagne and dancing until midnight follow! 9 p.m. Prices vary. Benaroya Hall, downtown; seattlesymphony.org