Get in the spirit with ballet, festive brews, even fresh-baked cookies & milk.

Even if you’re already watched umpteen interpretations of The Nutcracker over the years, nothing says  Christmastime like a night out at the ballet among excited families and groups of friends decked in their seasonal best. Since 1983, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Stowell & Sendak Nutcracker has helped usher in the holiday season.

The vibrant, imaginative production, created by PNB Founding Artistic Director Kent Stowell and author/illustrator Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), features 200-plus dancers, gigantic moving sets, magical “snowfalls” and Tchaikovsky’s score performed live by the talented PNB Orchestra. Through December 29, performances take place at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets range from $25-$130; discounts offered to groups and to youngsters through the Teen Tix programs.

EverGreen Escapes delights adventurous souls year-round on their eco-friendly, comfortable, lively tours in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. But during this month only, the knowledgable and fun EverGreen guides mix local cheer and “cheers!” on their Brews and Bulbs Holiday Escapes. Each tour transports a small group, via bedazzled luxury van, to three local breweries (venues vary) that allow participants to sample beer, nibble on snacks, take informative, behind-the-scenes wanders and chat with owners and brewmasters.

A recent expedition took tour goers to three distinctive Seattle neighborhoods–Schooner Exact Brewing Company (located a mile and half south of the stadiums), across the bridge to West Seattle’s Elliott Bay Brewing Company and to the recently opened space at Fremont Brewing in, you guessed it, funky Fremont. In between beer stops, the group enjoyed taking in scenic views and displays of holiday lights, including one particular house in West Seattle that sets the bar for all luminary attempts hereafter.

Tours hop to it Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and last about five hours; pickups take place at Seattle hotels or from downtown’s Columbia Sportswear retail store. Tours cost $95 + tax.

Looking for a little staycation this season? Cozy into Kimpton’s Alexis Hotel Christmas Suite, where guests can still feel as though they’re home for the holidays. The room features a fireplace where stockings have been hung with care, a fully dressed Christmas tree (with wrapped “gifts” underneath), festive decorations like garland strung throughout the space and, to top it all off, milk and cookies. ‘Tis the season to treat (and be treated)!