Whether you have a huge family that celebrates the holidays or you’re just trying to survive the season, you probably have a few seasonal traditions. You might not even be aware of them, but it won’t feel like Christmastime until you’ve experienced them. We have rounded up some Christmas activities in Washington State that are most likely on your holiday list, but if they are not, you may want to add them in!

These are a few examples of Christmas things to do in Washington State:

1. Go to your local tree lighting ceremony.

Nearly every city and town hosts an annual tree-lighting ceremony or some kind of parade to kick off the holiday season. Check your local publications, because quite a few of them will happen as early as mid-November through the beginning of December.

2. Check out a holiday market.

From our small-town craft fairs to our huge holiday markets like ​​Puyallup’s Victorian Country Christmas Festival, nothing will get you into the Christmas spirit faster than a seasonal marketplace.

3. Go to Leavenworth.

If you can make it to the ​​Alpine village in December, you’ll fall in love with it all over again. With the dazzling lights and horse-drawn carriage rides, these Christmas activities in Washington are sure to leave you feeling like you've stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie.

4. Visit the Lights of Christmas in Stanwood.

Head to Warm Beach Camp to see over one million lights on display.

5. Catch a glimpse of the Christmas Ships on Lake Union in the Seattle area.

If you’re on the west side, the Christmas Ship Festival is a must-see.

6. Drive through the neighborhood in town that always goes all out for the occasion.

You know the one. Here are some of our ​​favorite houses that go all out to show off their holiday spirit during Christmas in Washington.

7. Ride the Polar Express.

Washington has several "Polar Express / North Pole" trains, and they’re all awesome. This is a photo of ​​Mt. Rainier's version.

8. Listen to Christmas music on the radio even when you publicly claim to hate it.

Just once, turn up the volume and have a sing-along in your car. No one else has to know.

9. Participate in a holiday-themed 5K or pub crawl (whichever is more your style).

Seattle’s annual SantaCon is typically in mid-December. It’s as awesome as it looks.

10. Watch a classic Christmas movie on cable.

"A Christmas Story," anyone?

11. Bake cookies. Eat way, way too many of them.

EVERY year.

12. Make excuses to keep going downtown because it’s just that beautiful.

Our Main Streets look dazzling in December… and even though they’re constantly crowded, you can’t resist them.

So have you decided to put any of these Christmas activities in Washington on your Holiday Bucket List? Are there any Christmas events in Washington State that we should add to the list? You know there is nothing better than making a list and checking it twice!

Could you use some more things to do at Christmas time? Head to one of Washington's enchanting Christmas towns this weekend. If you want to make it into a road trip, you can visit a few of these enchanting towns, just be sure to check out our ultimate road trip packing guide before you head out so you'll have all the essentials.