What to do around Seattle this week: Parade of Boats Viewing Party, holiday shows and more

What’s Happening Dec. 9-15

On the night of Dec. 9, a procession of boats from across the region decorated from deck to hull in their holiday best will cruise through the Fremont Cut — and you can watch the parade at the Argosy Cruises Parade of Boats Viewing Party!

“It’s one thing to decorate a house,” said Joanna Mumford, the director of marketing at Argosy Cruises, “but when you have something on the water and a lot of different areas to decorate, it’s really cool to see how creative people are with decorating their boats. It’s very authentic and pretty adorable.”

The Parade of Boats will travel through the Fremont Cut after convening in Lake Union. Music by the PrimeTime Quartet onboard the Christmas Ship will lead the jolly procession.

On the shores, Warm 106.9 will play Christmas music and Warm 106.9’s Shellie Hart will emcee the procession. Chayen Coffee Trailer will provide hot beverages, and visitors can grab a bite to eat from the Born-n-Braised food truck. There will also be holiday prizes and games.

Visitors can vote for their favorite boat to bestow the title of Best at Show at the Argosy Christmas Ship Parade of Boats, Mumford said.

The Christmas Ship Festival, which runs through Dec. 23, has been a ship-to-shore holiday celebration since 1949, sailing to different Puget Sound waterfront communities during the holiday season. Choirs on board the ship perform to guests on board, fellow boaters and communities gathered on shore.

This year marked the first Argosy Cruises Opening Night onshore event with Pier 55 businesses on Nov. 25. This coming weekend’s Parade of Boats Viewing Party will be the procession’s seventh year of sailing by a holiday party at the Cut.

The Parade of Boats onshore viewing party takes place 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Evanston Plaza next to Phenopath Lab on the Fremont Cut. Find more information at: argosycruises.com/parade-of-boats-viewing-party

What else is happening

Here are some other events happening Dec. 9-15 in the Puget Sound area. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, please email your event details to weekend@seattletimes.com.

On/After Boucher — Dec. 9

Join Frye Art Museum and Boren Banner artist Molly Jae Vaughan for a performance and public lecture exploring the work of Francois Boucher and her own project that inserts transgender people into his lavish rococo world. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a Cupcake Royale reception. Register online; free. 704 Terry Ave., Seattle; 206-622-9250; fryemuseum.org

Build Your Own Cheese Board — Dec. 9

Join PCC for an in-person class where participants will learn from a cheese board expert how to craft a soiree-ready spread featuring local cheeses, charcuterie and more. Participants will also enjoy light sips and take home the board they build. Register online; $25. Class offered at multiple locations; 206-545-7112; pccmarkets.com

Ice Skating Rink — Dec. 9-11

Strap on your skates and glide across the Downtown Seattle Association’s ice rink 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Occidental Square. Skates are available to visitors and all ages are welcome. Free. 117 S. Washington St., Seattle; 206-623-0340; downtownseattle.org

Seattle Men’s Chorus Holiday Falala-liday Concert — Dec. 10

This holiday tradition is back with glitter, lights and carols at 2 p.m. Enjoy nostalgia, hilarity, a Christmas conga and an unforgettable singalong. Purchase tickets online; $39-$99. 200 University St., Seattle; 206-388-1400; seattlechoruses.org

Light up Your Holiday — Dec. 10

Kick off the holiday season at Fort Casey State Park and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse for an all-outdoor evening event that includes campfires to roast marshmallows and chestnuts, Christmas carolers, children’s games and other activities 4-7 p.m. A Discover Pass or $10/day parking fee will be required for parking. 1280 Engle Road, Coupeville, Island County; whidbeycamanoislands.com

Green Lake Pathway of Lights — Dec. 10

Presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Pathway of Lights brings neighbors, friends, families and Seattle together to light up the night during one of the darkest months of the year in a celebration of light and the many holidays of December 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free. 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; 206-684-0780; seattle.gov

A Christmas Experience and Live Nativity — Dec. 10-11

Bundle the family up and head to the Enumclaw Expo Center for A Christmas Experience and Live Nativity 4-9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4-8 p.m. Dec. 11. Guests can enjoy festive food, entertainment, an interactive walk-through Bethlehem and live Nativity, a warm dry winter wonderland inside Les Schwab Hall, make-and-take crafts, cookie decorating, photo opportunities and more. Plus, each night at 6 p.m., step outside at the intersection of Expo Main Street and Norther Trail for a special gingerbread house lighting with live Christmas carolers. Purchase tickets online or at the gate; $5, free/ages 2 and under. 45224 284th Ave. S.E., Enumclaw; 360-226-3493; enumclawexpo.com

Gretchen Yanover on Electric Cello at the Renton Highlands Library — Dec. 11

King County Library System presents a concert with Gretchen Yanover at 1 p.m. Using her electric cello and loop sampler, Yanover will build layers of sound to create beautiful instrumental atmospheres. Free. 2801 N.E. 10th St., Renton; 425-277-1831; kcls.org

Bellevue Hilton Public Opera Dinner Concert — Dec. 11

Public Opera presents Ellaina Lewis alongside Gino Lucchetti, Victoria Chaussee and Misha Myznikov for an opera dinner concert at 5 p.m. Call for reservations; $85. 300 112th Ave. S.E., Bellevue; 425-450-4152; publicopera.org

Seattle Mariners Pop Up Donor Center — Dec. 12-14

The Mariners and Bloodworks Northwest are teaming up to transform T-Mobile Park once again into a pop-up donor center and provide an additional location to give blood. No walk-ins, guests or people under age 16 are permitted on-site. Donors are asked to bring a mask. Register online; free. 1250 First Ave. S., Seattle; 206-292-6500; bloodworksnw.org