1. Whole Foods

From antibiotic-free free, organic, non-GMO Project verified and GAP-rated turkeys to wine pairings, Whole Foods has the people and recipes to help. You can order full gourmet Thanksgiving dinners from any of the Seattle Whole Foods stores for day-of-pick-up. They also provide vegan, gluten-free and paleo options! This healthy and easy option gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your family, instead of rushing to the grocery store this weekend, spending days prepping, and getting stuck in the kitchen all of Thursday. Whole Foods uses the freshest and most quality ingredients resulting in a nutritious and delicious dinner. 

Celebrate Thanksgiving with delicious feasts on November 26th.

Diners are invited to relieve seasonal stress this year and let a professional take care of the cooking (and cleaning) duties for holiday feasts. Several of Seattle’s favorite restaurants will be open and serving delicious Thanksgiving dinners on November 26. Menus range from traditional American holiday dishes, including turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, to delicious turkey day alternatives, such as smoked salmon, shepherd’s pie and specialty pastas. Restaurants will offer kid-friendly menus, gluten-free options, vegan dishes and more.

Building an online platform to host virtual event experiences.

FitFam, a Seattle-based startup, creates and hosts virtual event experiences that inspire people–of all ages and athletic abilities–to live healthy and active. Participants commit to a fitness goal, connect with hundreds of others in a nationwide online community, get exclusive event merchandise, win awards and prizes, and benefit worthy causes. FitFam launched on November 10th, 2015 and everyone can now sign up for FitFam’s first official event, the FitFam Challenge.

Access your inner girly and treat yourself to some glitter.

All year long, Goodwill stores in the Seattle area save all the donated glitter and designer name brand clothing and accessories for THIS EVENT! More than 2,360 shoppers flocked to the Seattle store for the 2014 Glitter Sale. Last year’s sale was a huge success and raised $241,850 for job training and education.

5th Annual Cider Taste Fundraiser benefiting the 2016 harvest.

City Fruit is hosting their annual Cider Taste Fundraiser on Thursday, November 12th. City Fruit is a Seattle non-profit that promotes the cultivation of urban fruit to nourish people, build community, and protect the climate. Urban fruit trees are all over Seattle, but the fruit often goes unused because people don’t know when to harvest or how to use it. City Fruit is reclaiming the “urban orchard” by showing people how to harvest what they need and to share the rest with others.

5 happenings around Seattle to celebrate, starting this weekend.

1. 50TH ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PARADE

50th Anniversary Vets Day LogoThe purpose of Auburn’s Veterans Day Parade is to positively focus on honoring our country’s veterans and active military personnel for defending our freedom around the world. Through our parade, we focus recognition on congressionally-recognized Veteran Service Organizations and their auxiliaries, the military and reserve military, National Guard and ROTC.

Bringing Seattle film lovers the very best of short films from around the world.

Seattle Shorts Film Festival returns for the fifth year with twice the number of exceptional films to showcase for local and visiting audiences. After record breaking submissions, filmmaker attendance, and sold out screenings last year, the festival has expanded to two days, November 14th and 15th. The weekend will be bring film lovers together through Q&A’s, networking events, and an awards ceremony on Sunday the 15th.

Early bird tickets are on sale now through November 8th!

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience (SWFE) is back February 20-21, 2016 with two epicurean events: POP! Bubbles & Seafood (Saturday, Feb. 20) and the Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting (Sunday, Feb. 21). Tickets are now on sale. Early bird tickets purchased before Sunday, November 8th are $5 off! 

Woodland Park Zoo’s fourth annual WildLights.

This electrifying, after-hours event runs nightly from 5:30 – 8:30 pm from Friday, November 27th through Sunday, January 3rd. Guests will be transported to a festive winter wonderland complete with lights, treats, animals and more. Over 600,000 energy-efficient LED lights illuminate the paths of Woodland Park Zoo through dazzling displays of wild animals and exotic destinations  including