Seattle Center's Winterfest focuses on the season, not the holidays

Starting today, Seattle Center puts on its free, monthlong Winterfest with dozens of activities and concerts, from the massive holiday train set to aerial acrobatics, and bonfires and singing outside.

"It's the people's festival," said Julia Colson, managing artistic director of Winterfest. "There's something wonderful there for people to discover. There's truly something there for everybody."

The entire Seattle Center campus will be illuminated each night with thousands of twinkling lights leading to various Winterfest events.

Winterfest officially gets under way with a performance by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra at 11 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony with the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band accompanied by the Marian Webb School of Highland Dance.

Throughout the first weekend, Winter Worldfest showcases some of the best ethnic entertainment, from bagpipes to Native American storytelling, Indian dance, music from the Andes and West Africa, Irish step dancing, flamenco dance and Bavarian folk dancing.

The Winter Train and Village is open inside the Center House from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The miniature 19th-century village has several running trains, dozens of buildings, lots of lights and a new train depot that's a miniature replica of Seattle's King Street Station.

Colson says the train setup changes every year "so people can see and discover something new."

The carousel and ice rink are open every day inside and outside Fisher Pavilion (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Jan. 4). The carousel costs $1 per ride. Ice skating is $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12, free for under 5 with a paying adult. Skate rental is an additional $2 (cash only).

The bonfires are back for the second year, outside Fisher Pavilion on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. through Dec. 27. Colson says a focus group from a couple of years ago told Seattle Center officials that they really wanted events that embraced the winter season but also incorporated lots of light. Colson says a bonfire fit the bill nicely, especially since the Center already had a special fire pit from the millennium celebrations.

Different artists, mostly acoustic, as well as storytellers, will perform each night. Colson says the focus is not on traditional Christmas carols but simply music that a family can enjoy listening to and singing. There's even a Hawaiian group this year, Ole Kani ukulele group and hula dancers (Dec. 6). And, really, who hasn't dreamed of lying on a beach at Christmas time?

"For us," Colson said, "Winterfest is more about celebrating the whole season and not a particular holiday."

Also outside Fisher Pavilion on Saturdays from 12-2 p.m. is ice sculpting by some award-winning artists.

The Winter Solstice Fire Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 20-21 at the International Fountain features fire "sculptures" with music and dance.

"Some are interactive and it's right next to the ice rink," Colson said. "We hope it really takes off. We're really excited about it."

Inside the Center House, Circus Contraption with the Aerialistas once again sets jaws dropping with their high-in-the-air performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 to 30.

Winterfest features a number of musical performances, too many to list here. Check out seattlecenter.com for the complete schedule. Here are just a few:

Some of Washington's best college dancers and musicians will perform inside the Center House at various times from Dec. 1 to 7.

Seattle Girls Choir, Prime Voci, and Seattle Women's Chorus perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 5.

Northwest Boychoir will perform at 2 p.m. Dec. 6.

The older members of Seattle Girls Choir, Allegra (10 years and older) will perform at 3 p.m. Dec. 6.

Woodinville Concert Band will play at 5 p.m. Dec. 6.

"Lift Every Voice" at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 celebrates culture through song, and features vocalists from various cultural groups in Seattle, including Correa Aereo: Music and Song of Latin America, and Srivani Jade: Classical Song of North India.

Looking for a place for the kids to let off some steam just before St. Nick's arrival? From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 23, they can play games and take part in some Mad Science, and meet The Reptile Guy and The Noise Guy.

Kwanzaa will be celebrated 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 with Adefua African Music & Dance celebrating the principle of Ujima (collective work and responsibility).