Must List: Winter Solstice Night Market, Wa Na Wari, Crackle Crème Pop-up

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MUST LAST MINUTE SHOP

Winter Solstice Night Market
(12/20-12/21) Enjoy the winter night sky and more than 150 artisan booths and food trucks at this annual night market. Toast to the start of longer days with hearty pints from local breweries at the winter beer festival. Eat, drink and shop all in the same place. 4 p.m. Prices vary. Hangar 30, Magnuson Park; seattlepopupmarkets.com

MUST SEE A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Wa Na Wari
(Through 12/28) It’s no coincidence that the name Wa Na Wari—the arts center opened in a Central District home in April to showcase and nurture black art in the gentrifying neighborhood—literally means “our home” in the Kalabari language of Nigeria. Chantal Gibson, Brenetta Ward, Moses Sun and Storme Webber each contributed an installation to this current exhibit, utilizing media from video animation to fiber arts. Wa Na Wari, Central District; wanawari.org

MUST PARODY WITH TASTE

Britain’s Baking Challenge
(Through 12/20) Jet City Improv adds a twist to its version of cult fave The Great British Baking Show: All the treats (yes, they’ll actually be baked onstage) will need to fit a theme suggested on the spot by the audience. On your mark, get set, bake! 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Jet City Improv Theater, University District; jetcityimprov.org

MUST BREEZE THROUGH TREES

Seward Solstice Run
(12/21) Discover the 100+ acres of old growth forest of Seattle’s secluded-yet-not waterfront park with a 10K or 4.2-mile run. Get the blood flowing early on your New Year’s resolution and experience what the Friends of Seward Park call “The Magnificent Forest.” 9:30 a.m. Prices vary. Seward Park; nwtrailruns.com

MUST SEE ONE LAST TIME

Buttcracker V: The Last Thrust
(Through 12/22) Now in its final year, the modern-dance-meets-hair-metal Buttcracker is going out with all the glory of ’80s rock ’n’ roll, showcasing old favorites, new moves and special guest performers. Times and prices vary. Erickson Theatre, Capitol Hill; theatres.seattlecentral.edu

MUST TRY INTERNATIONAL DESSERTS

Crackle Crème Pop-up
(12/21-12/22) Vancouver, B.C. dessert cafe Crackle Crème is coming to Bainbridge Island for a limited-supply, two-day pop-up. Delightful creations from the cafe include crème brûlées and macarons intricately designed to look like animated characters. You can take your crème brûlée home in its mason jar to be enjoyed later or have it brûléed upon purchase and enjoy right at Ba Sa. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Prices vary for desserts. Ba Sa, Bainbridge Island; cracklecreme.com

MUST BE CURIOUS

Corduroy
(Through 12/29) Adapted from the beloved picture book by Don Freeman, this rendition of a bear’s late-night search for his missing button in the enormous department store will pique the interest of young audiences and warm the hearts of adults. Witness the curiosity of a determined bear and the dreams of a loving little girl, in search of a cuddle companion. Times and prices vary. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center; sct.org

MUST DO THE LOCOMOTIVE

Model Train Festival
(12/20-1/1/20) Drive the freight train simulator, snap a picture with Santa and learn about trains and their history in Washington state at this annual festival celebrating locomotives. Also, make sure to check out the largest permanent, public model train layout in Washington—this isn’t your typical train around the Christmas tree. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Prices vary. Washington State History Museum, Tacoma; washingtonhistory.org

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

MUST DANCE (OR LEARN)

New Year’s Eve 2019 Party
(12/31) Celebrate the new year with dining, dancing and champagne toasting in an elegant Capitol Hill ballroom. Don’t know how to dance? That’s the point! There will be free salsa lessons before the real dancing begins, with one room being salsa and the other OutDancing, a mixture of dance styles loved by the LGBTQ community along with friends and allies. This is a 21-and-older event. Times and prices vary. Century Ballroom, Capitol Hill; centuryballroom.com

MUST DRESS, DRINK & DISCOVER

Strange Brewfest
(1/24-1/25) Dress up and drink up with more than 30 PNW breweries in this 16th annual Port Townsend festival. This Friday and Saturday affair includes live music, five tasting tokens and a souvenir tasting glass. The theme is year is based off the 1980s film Strange Brew—how appropriate. This is a 21-and-older event. $40. Times vary. American Legion Hall, Port Townsend; strangebrewfestpt.com

MUST TRY THE BEST

All Star Truffle Dinner
(1/26) Enjoy an intimate six-course dinner created by some of the Food and Wine Best New Chefs of 2019, including Seattle’s own Mutsuko Soma of Kamonegi. The elegant dinner will feature Pacific Northwest truffles and will have sake pairings available for an additional charge. Get tickets before the 20-seat table sells out. 8:30 p.m. $180. Kamonegi, Fremont. exploretock.com