Skip to content

The Pulse: What’s Happening Around Seattle

Holiday shows, local gift guides, Black Santa, and a free resource for teens

By Sarah Stackhouse December 20, 2024

The Pike Place Market is full of holiday cheer.
The Pike Place Market is full of holiday cheer.
Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle

How are you holding up? December is flying by. It’s a blur of to-do lists and pretty lights, but it’s also a great time to pause and enjoy the little things — such as snacks, holiday parties, and just finding a quiet moment with something good to read.

PCC has eco-friendly gift-wrapping tips that pair nicely with last year’s Ridwell guide on reducing holiday waste.

These apple rose pastries are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Redmond’s Lena Khalaf Tuffaha recently won a National Book Award for Something About Living. Her poetry is stunning, and this win is so well-deserved.

If you haven’t checked out Girlfriend Collective yet, now’s the time. This local clothing brand is known for its sustainable styles, and the puffer jackets are dreamy. That lavender one is going straight on our Christmas list.

Burke-Gilman Brewing has seasonal releases ready to put a little extra cheer in your step — perfect for sipping while you brave the chilly evenings.

Have you tried the eggnog potholes at Top Pot? And the hot chocolate is big enough to share.

True Loves brings its funk-soul magic to Nectar Lounge on Dec. 28, fresh off a European tour. If you’ve never seen the group live, make it a priority — it’s one of Seattle’s best. Get your tickets now.

Still shopping? Check out Capitol Hill’s Chop House Row holiday gift guide. The Washington State Parks gift guide is another fun one.

Have you seen our guide to holiday shows in Seattle? There are only a few weeks left to catch them!

Good news for teens: Seattle’s free Talkspace therapy program is up and running. It’s an important resource, especially during the holidays.

And if you’re looking for a little extra magic and some last-minute shopping, Black Santa will be snapping pics tonight, Dec. 20, at Acts On Stage’s Holiday Market from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

What’s catching your eye this week? Let us know on Instagram @seattlemag.

Follow Us

Fave Five: Little Winter Escapes

Fave Five: Little Winter Escapes

Places to go when the weather turns cold.

Winter is a time to reset. The holidays vanish overnight, leaving frigid mornings and fewer lights in the windows. And it’s almost as if the sun has a lampshade over it—which I don’t mind. We all need a break from the bright overheads. Still, we are fighting the urge to hibernate. Maybe that means tea…

Seattle Businesses Rally Support for Minneapolis Ahead of National Shutdown

Seattle Businesses Rally Support for Minneapolis Ahead of National Shutdown

More than 30 local businesses are donating proceeds to help Minneapolis businesses close this Friday in solidarity with a nationwide economic blackout.

If you’re looking for something concrete to do right now, this is it: eat out, grab coffee, or shop local on Thursday, Jan. 29. Across Seattle, dozens of businesses are turning an ordinary day of commerce into a way to support Minneapolis businesses that plan to close on Friday, Jan. 30 as part of a…

When the News Feels Like Too Much

When the News Feels Like Too Much

A moment to pause and take care of ourselves right now.

The recent news out of Minneapolis has been hard to watch. No matter where you live, it’s heavy and destabilizing. Staying engaged when things start to feel hopeless—and when it feels like there’s nothing you can do—is really difficult. At our staff meeting today, we talked about how many of us are feeling this same…

Thanks, Seattle

Thanks, Seattle

A note of gratitude to everyone who supports our work.

As we head into the holiday, we’re feeling grateful for everyone who makes Seattle magazine what it is. To our readers and subscribers, thank you for showing up for local stories, sharing them, and reminding us why this city is worth covering with care. To our advertisers, partners, and the many PR teams who help…