What to do around Seattle this week: Julefest, Cranksgiving

What’s Happening Nov. 18-24

Come one, come all, to a Nordic Christmas Market right in Ballard!

The National Nordic Museum will transform into Julefest Nov. 19-20, a festive holiday market that resembles the festivals that “have been going on in Northern Europe since almost medieval times and have been hugely popular up in the Scandinavian countries for hundreds of years,” said Rosemary Jones, the museum’s spokesperson and director of marketing.

The 45th annual Julefest is the National Nordic Museum’s biggest event of the year, welcoming thousands of visitors to the grounds of the museum.

This year, visitors can find more than 30 local artists in the Nordic Christmas Market, live entertainment and musicians, kids programs, crafts, photos with Santa, traditional holiday fare (like aebleskivers, a fried Danish dough, which Jones said volunteers made over 7,000 of last year) and more.

For those over 21, there’s even Julefest After Dark, hosted by Skål Beer Hall. The party will continue with discounts on food, drinks and swag just up the road.

“[Julefest] is a nice kickoff to Ballard’s holiday events. We’re very much part of the Ballard community and always have been,” Jones said, adding that last year’s turnout “was a really nice pick-me-up after two very difficult years for a lot of the vendors.”

After the National Nordic Museum closed during the pandemic, the return of Julefest served as a way to move forward with the year in a positive way, Jones said.

“It helps conclude our year on a strong note … . We really appreciate everybody who comes out and everybody who works with us.”

Julefest takes place Nov. 19 and 20 at the National Nordic Museum (2655 N.W. Market St., Seattle). Find more information and a full list of vendors online at nordicmuseum.org/events/julefest.

What else is happening

Here are some other events happening Nov. 18-24 in the Puget Sound area. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, please email your event details to weekend@seattletimes.com.

Put Your Hands Together — Nov. 17-20

Comedians Pearl Lam and Woody Shticks can’t stop high-fiving each other in
this delirious double bill of new queer comedy at the 18th and Union Performance Space. Purchase tickets online; $10-$50. 1406 18th Ave., Seattle; 206-937-6499; 18thandunion.org

Seattle Fashion Film Festival — Nov. 18

The seventh annual Seattle Fashion Film Festival includes film screenings, refreshments, festive decorations, arts and crafts and more starting at 3 p.m. Films being screened are PG suited with a few exceptions, which will be announced before their screening. Purchase tickets online; $5-$10. 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton; filmfreeway.com/SeattleFashionFilmFestival

Seattle Butoh Festival 2022 — Nov. 18-19

DAIPANbutoh Collective presents the Seattle Butoh Festival 2022: Emergence at 8 p.m. This year’s festival features DAIPAN members Kaoru Okumura, Joan Laage, Helen Thorsen, Alycia Scott Zollinger, Robyn Bjornson, Sheri Brown and Dhyana Garcia. Purchase tickets online or at the door; $20-$40. 1621 12th Ave., Seattle; daipanbutohcollective.com

Eastridge Church’s Annual Turkey and Grocery Giveaway — Nov. 19

More than 1,000 turkeys and bags of groceries will be donated to those in need beginning at 9 a.m. (while supplies last) at two locations in Issaquah and Seattle. The 1,500 dinner packages will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance. Free. 24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, Issaquah and 4500 39th Ave. S.W., Seattle; 425-270-6300; eastridgetoday.com/turkey

Cranksgiving — Nov. 19

Enjoy this food drive scavenger hunt by bike for Byrd Barr Place Food Bank, Rainier Valley Food Bank and University District Food Bank from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Free. 722 18th Ave., Seattle; seattlebikeblog.com

BARN Bazaar — Nov. 19

Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network hosts the sixth annual BARN Bazaar 10 a.m.-3 p.m. With hundreds of handcrafted gift items from jewelry to wood arts, basketry to weaving, it’s an annual celebration of the creativity that happens at BARN. Free. 8890 Three Tree Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island; 206-842-4475; bainbridgebarn.org

Fabulous Furoshiki – A New Twist on an Old Idea! — Nov. 19

Since ancient times, Japanese people have used a simple square cloth called a furoshiki to wrap and carry everything. In today’s environment of maximizing use and minimizing waste, the furoshiki is making a strong come back. Learn more about this versatile and eco-friendly answer to plastic bags and wrapping paper with King County Library System at 11 a.m. Register online; free. kcls.org

Holiday Bookfest — Nov. 19

Meet two dozen of your favorite Pacific Northwest authors, get signed copies of their books for yourself or holiday gifts and listen to readings 2-4 p.m. Free. 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; fb.me/e/3UW5VY1eO

Ski Season Kickoff Party & TGR Movie Viewing — Nov. 19

Join this ski season kickoff party from 6-10 p.m. including a showing of Teton Gravity Research’s latest movie, giveaways (including an Epic or Ikon Pass), live music and pizza and beer for purchase. Free. 1875 N.W. Poplar Way, Issaquah; facebook.com/groups/skithenorthwest

Pan-Afrikan Marketplace at Wa Na Wari — Nov. 19-20

Join Wa Na Wari for a pan-Afrikan Marketplace 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Find unique jewelry, bags, scarves, clothing, unconventional artist materials, home décor, quilts and more. Free. 911 24th Ave., Seattle; wanawari.org

Science, Nature, and a Biscuit | Graham Taylor – Let’s talk Grizz — Nov. 20

Come learn about the challenges facing the grizzly bear species and current efforts to bring the bears back to their wild mountain habitat 2-4 p.m. Graham Taylor will present and take questions about the role the National Parks Conservation Association has had, in partnership with the Friends of the North Cascades Grizzly, to restore the last missing species to North Cascades National Park. Register online; free. 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle; 206-652-2444; sewardpark.audubon.org