That was just part of the crowd – likely 2,000+ strong – that ran into and out of Puget Sound all along Alki Beach at 10 am sharp. Biggest crowd yet, as estimated by some practiced eyes – the beach was full of scenes pre-swim that resembled tailgate parties. The food-donation bins put out by organizer Mark Ufkes and family were getting filled, too, adding an expression of giving spirit to the ever-more-popular occasion.

ADDED 11:50 AM: Mark and wife Lois Schipper, a longtime public-health professional now living with early-onset Alzheimer’s (as Mark mentioned in this year’s swim announcement), went into the water from mid-beach

(WSB photos from here by Dave Gershgorn)

But first he had to do the countdown!

Pre-plunge, Mark told WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen – who recorded the video above – that it’s amazing to see the community come out every year… this year the water temperature (mid-40s) was considerably warmer than the air temperature (mid-30s), which makes going in less shocking, “at least that’s the theory! But we never truly get used to it.” Going into 2026, he encouraged people to truly care for each other and encourage each other because “they need it more than we’ll ever know.” Many were there with friends, family, as Dave Gershgorn‘s next 12 photos for WSB show:

ADDED 12:55 PM: Other sights:

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

No fewer than three mobile saunas were there – a microbusiness trend around here – as part of a group of wellness enterpreneurs who set up at and near the Bathhouse, along with the Alki Community Council, whose president Charlotte Starck and vice president Zak Nyberg walked the beach handing out mylar blankets – like the one modeled here by Alki Beach Pride‘s Stacy Bass-Walden:

(WSB photo by Tracy Record)

Shortly after arrival, we passed a family whose littlest member could be heard asking their parents, “Why are there hundreds of people?” We didn’t hear the answer but ultimately it could be – why not? Happy 2026!

(Reader photo, foggy New Year’s Eve at Solstice Park)

Welcome to 2026! We hope this info will be helpful on your New Year’s Day holiday:

WEATHER ALERT: Dense Fog Advisory this morning. Besides visibility challenges, beware of frosty streets.

BUSES: Metro‘s on the Sunday schedule. (Free rides were just for New Year’s Eve, so fares ARE being collected again as of a few hours ago.)

WATER TAXI: Not running today.

FERRIES: Weekend schedule on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route – check for alerts here.

MORE TRANSPORTATION NOTES: No charge for street parking in areas of the city with pay stations … West Seattle-relevant traffic cameras are here; see all cameras citywide via this SDOT map.

COFFEE AND RESTAURANT/BAR HOURS: This year, we made lists, though closures for New Year’s are far fewer than for Christmas; open/closed coffee shops are listed here, open/closed restaurants/bars are here (scroll past the Christmas info to get to the New Year’s info).

GROCERY HOURS TODAY: A few changes today – our list is here.

NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: As they do every year, the Emerald City Wanderers are hosting New Year’s Day walks, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church. The 5- or 10-kilometer walks are noncompetitive, starting between 8:30 and 11:30 am. There is no fee, though contributions to help cover costs are welcome. Hot soup will be available after the walks. St John’s is at 3050 California SW.

ALKI POLAR BEAR SWIM + FOOD DRIVE: You’re invited to join in the annual tradition of running into Puget Sound with more than a thousand others at 10 am sharp, from the beach across from Do Si BBQ, or really, anywhere along the sand – this year, bring a nonperishable-food donation if you can – here’s here’s our most-recent reminder.

OTHER THINGS TO DO: See our Event Calendar – the West Seattle Book Club‘s special holiday edition at 7 pm is a highlight!

OTHER NOTES: Seattle Parks closure info is here … Libraries (city and county) are closed … Solid-waste pickups are on one-day delay for the rest of the week.

If you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we appreciate your tips 24/7/365!

Thanks to Steve Pumphrey for sending the photo! On New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle will put on a light show before the fireworks and drones, and those looking that way across Elliott Bay got a preview tonight. Here’s the official schedule for Wednesday night:

10:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
10:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:00 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:30 PM – Light-only pre-show (10-minute performance)
11:53 PM – Show begins
12:00 AM – Happy New Year!
12:09 AM – Show ends

If you don’t have, or don’t want to go out and find, a view of the Space Needle, you can watch it live via KING or KONG, as also explained here.

You still have an hour-plus to get over to Bear Island – the creativity hub in what used to be the Admiral Church basement – and help Lori Kothe and friends old and new celebrate Almost Day. You can even write up what almost happened to you this year – good, bad, otherwise – and hang it on the Almost Tree:

Or just have a baked potato – Lori says they bought 50 and still have some waiting for late drop-ins:

Lori had the “Almost Day” idea recently after learning about Bear Island – and she said its spirit inspired her to contribute an end-of-year gathering to help people connect, something so many are yearning to do in this otherwise-siloed, as evidenced by the turnout at the recent West Seattle Joiner Jamboree. So this is about as low-key a party as you’ll find, with some crafting, some chatting.

As we reported earlier this year. Bear Island is a “just show up and see what happens” kind of place; the old church marquee currently reads, “Maybe All Magic.” Until 9 pm, you can stop by, make a suncatcher or write down your “almost,” sit and chat or just sit and observe (and ask Lori about her backyard-bird book!).

(Of course the Space Needle has fireworks and drones again. Above, January 1, 2019 photo by Robert Spears)

Just two days until New Year’s Eve. All the info we have is in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – including two big parties in The Junction:

MASQUERADE at Revelry Room/Jet City Labs (info here)
THE FINAL TOAST with West Seattle Supper Club at Phoenecia (info here)

We’ve also previewed West Seattle’s only NYE parade and NYE/NYD walks, plus of course the Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s morning. And we’ve even found a library branch celebrating 2026 twelve hours early.

What are we missing? Not too late to add. westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen from 2024 Not-So-Silent Night Parade)

If you’re still finalizing New Year’s Eve plans – or open to changing them – here are two ways to walk it out, so to speak, in West Seattle on Wednesday night, as featured in our Holiday Guide:

EMERALD CITY WANDERERS: This group is presenting its annual New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day walks in West Seattle. On New Year’s Eve, you can start from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW; WSB sponsor) any time between 3:30 and 6:30 pm – in other words, choose your own start time – and head out on either a 5K or 10K route. Snacks and hot soup await you afterward. (And they’re offering two different routes for walkers on New Year’s Day too (departing between 8:30 am and 11:30 am). Free, but donations are appreciatedDetails are on the ECW website.

NOT-SO-SILENT-NIGHT PARADE: West Seattle’s only New Year’s Eve parade, starring you! Highland Park Improvement Club has been organizing this since the late ’00s. While their building site is in transition (here’s our recent update), the gathering place is Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). All ages, all outfits; bring lanterns, noisemakers, hopes and dreams, and join the walk through nearby HP neighborhoods to bid 2025 farewell, starting at 6 pm. (We counted 100+ participants last year!)

(WSB photo from Christmas Eve)<

Merry Christmas and happy Thursday! Here’s info we hope will be useful on this holiday:

BUSES: Metro‘s running on the Sunday schedule.

WATER TAXI: Not sailing today.

STATE FERRIES: The third boat tied up early Wednesday because of crewing – check the alerts page for status today.

MORE TRANSPORTATION NOTES: No charge for street parking in areas of the city with pay stations … West Seattle-relevant traffic cameras are here; see all cameras citywide via this map.

COFFEE SHOPS OPEN TODAY: We found 10+ – here’s our list. (Plans can change after our research, so if you encounter a change, please text or call us – 206-293-6302 – thank you.)

RESTAURANTS AND BARS OPEN TODAY: 15+ restaurants and five bars are on our list – see it here. (And please let us know of any changes!)

GROCERY STORES OPEN TODAY: Again this year, as noted in our Holiday Guide, only the three Safeways (Roxbury, Admiral, Jefferson Square) are open (8 am-5 pm) – all other West Seattle grocery stores are closed until tomorrow.

CHURCH SERVICES TODAY: Several of the churches on the list in our Holiday Guide have Christmas Day services.

OTHER NOTES: Trash/recycling pickup is delayed one day for the rest of the week (next week too) … Seattle Parks closure info is here … Libraries (city and county) are closed.

TAKE A NATURE WALK: Meet on the Lincoln Park shore at 9:30 am for this guided walk – details are in this preview.

SEE A MOVIE: The Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) is open this afternoon/evening – first screening of the day, 2 pm.

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show continues tonight on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, opening at 5 pm. Timed tickets and info here.

OTHER LIGHTS TO SEE: Scroll through our archive to see the local homes we’ve shown all month!

If you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we appreciate your tips and collaboration every hour of every day and night!

Seems like almost everyone is working harder than ever these days – longer hours, more demands. And on this Christmas Eve, a West Seattle writer is pondering what could happen if Santa’s elves and reindeer also decided to rebel against overwork. Writer Sue Barry‘s twist on Clement-Clarke Moore‘s 1823 poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” was featured by West Seattle journalist/author/historian Clay Eals in a holiday spotlight on the website he co-publishes, Seattle Now & Then (a companion site to his Seattle Times Magazine features with Jean Sherrard). He mentioned it to us, and tonight we are publishing it with permission, and with Clay’s photo of the author (who happens to be an Admiral District neighbor of his):

‘TWAS THE PLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
By Sue Barry

‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through the shop,
the Elves were on countdown, with no time to stop.
Their stockings were twisted. Their tempers were high.
They hadn’t had lunch and they wanted to cry.
“We’re working too hard!” fumed a frustrated Elf.
“The pay is too small! I’ve no time for myself!”

They loudly complained as the hours flew past,
till all of their projects were finished at last.
All hands had been washed. They had changed to clean clothes.
Then Rudolph stomped in with a cold in his nose.

“What’s wrong?” cried the Elves. “You are not looking well!”
“I ab dot!” sniffled Rudolph. “My dose caddot sbell!
But here’s the real reasod I’b cubbing to you:
Our deers have all had it. They’ve quit aad they’re through!”

One Elf gave a whistle. Another one cheered.
Another just nodded and fingered his beard.
The rest of them mumbled and grumbled and frowned:
“We all should just quit when next year rolls around!”
“As if warming temperatures aren’t bad enough, our products aren’t trendy, like all the new stuff.
Our toys are old-fashioned. Our staff is old, too. We’ve failed to keep current. We’re toast! It’s so true!
We wonder how Santa can keep keeping on?
Just how do you think he would cope … if we’re gone?”

Well, that was a question too sad to invite
on an evening like this, with no reindeer in sight.
They closed up the shop with its now-empty shelves.
“We’re out of here, Santa! Good luck!” snapped the Elves.

The hour was late — it was more than half-past.
Poor Santa was stranded. He had to think fast.
“I’ll switch to my wagon?” he muttered. “My van? My old motorcycle?!” That seemed the best plan.
He strapped on his helmet and zipped up his jacket.
“Merry Christmas to all!” he yelled over the racket.
To his sleigh packed with toys, Santa hitched his bike tight,
then stomped on the pedal and roared out of sight.

‘Twas at four Christmas morning when Santa returned.
His sleigh again empty – a good rest was earned.
The trip was exhausting for dear old St. Nick.
His poor feet were aching, his poor heart was sick.
“Oh, where is the happiness? Where are the joys?
Has Christmas lost meaning for these girls and boys?”

“It’s different for children,” his wife counseled him.
“They’re glued to their screens. And each notion and whim gets met by their parents, indulged by their friends.
Their hungers for ‘things’ have no limits, no ends.”

“You know, Mrs. Claus,” sighed that once-jolly fellow,
“I wish for the old days, when life was more…mellow.
Before there were tablets and instant smartphones, wild video games, TikTok, Star Wars, and drones,
before there was NOW! Instant gratification!”
(Perhaps, thought his wife, Santa needs a vacation!)

“When children hung stockings and hoped I would stop
to bring them one doll, or one ball, or one top.
When real trees were trimmed with crisp popcorn on strings,
with cranberries, candles and (yawn) carved wooden things….”
The thoughts were so painful. He nodded. Then slept,
recalling those years when his Christmas was kept.
*****

The Elves stayed through winter, then planned their last day.
Their minds were made up — they were quitting come May.
Though Santa implored them, they wouldn’t back down.
“We’re finished!” they glared. “We’ll get good jobs in town!”

Claus Factories closed at the North Pole right then.
No toys could be fashioned without those small men.
So months followed months. There was nothing to pack:
No toys for his journey, no gifts for his sack.
He sat by his stove as he fought back the tears:
“I’m losing my job! It’s the worst of my fears!”
Mrs. Claus couldn’t listen. She climbed to the door
of the old family attic atop the fourth floor.
“Up here!” she was shouting. “These toys — they’re not new!
They’re broken and dusty. They’ll just have to do!”

And that was how Christmas-time happened at last:
with old-fashioned playthings and gifts from the past.
Santa emptied the attic, repaired all those toys,
to take them with love to a few girls and boys.

This year, thought poor Santa, my trip will be short.
But suddenly hoofbeats! And then a loud “Snort!”
In the wide-open door grinned his famous deer friend,
the one with the nose that glowed red at its end.
And behind him were all of the other reindeer —
they were smiling and stamping and bringing good cheer.

“We’re all here to help!” shouted Rudolph with glee.
“Then we’ll bargain with you, represented by me!”
“Great news!” Santa yelled, and he ran for his rope.
“Ho! Ho! Ho! Welcome home! We had given up hope!”

And as he was hitching the deer to his sled,
the Elves reappeared. “We’ve re-tooled!” they said.
“We’ve learned to make gifts that a cool Santa brings,
like Legos and robots and digital things.
We’ve used what’s recycled and healthful and new —
What’s good for the planet, for us and for you!”

The Elves grabbed their baskets of colorful toys.
“Got room for these, Santa? For good girls and boys?”
Now Rudolph’s nose glowed like a halogen cherry,
and Santa’s eyes twinkled, his thoughts growing merry.
They loaded the sleigh and he drove out of sight.
“We can bargain tomorrow! Now, to all: a good night!”

And just as he’d promised, when Santa was through,
he drew up new contracts and signed them all, too.
So that’s how the deer got new beds and fresh hay,
and the Elves got new hours with raises in pay.
Now each Christmas is special, without any doubt,
and sharing with others is what it’s about.
For Christmas is best when your wishes are small,
and your giving is GREAT! Merry Christmas to all!

If you browse Seattle Then & Now’s current crop of Santa-themed “Web extras” on this page, you’ll also find a newspaper story Clay wrote 40+ years ago about a unique Santa visiting a West Seattle elementary school – and a bit about Clay’s own years as a Santa.

(Thanks to Michelle for the photo from ‘near Lincoln Park’)

As with years past, our daily “what’s happening” list for Christmas Eve is mostly a list OF lists, with info we’ve been compiling as Christmas Eve/Day approached.

GROCERY-STORE CLOSING TIMES: Local supermarkets close early today/tonight. This list is in the Christmas Eve/Day info atop our West Seattle Holiday Guide.

RESTAURANT LIST: Many restaurants close early too, or are completely closed. There’s info on many in our list of restaurants open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and/or New Year’s Day.

COFFEE-SHOP LIST: Same goes for the coffee-shop list, which includes early closings for today and who’s open tomorrow.

(Note for the above two lists – businesses may have changed their plans since we gathered this info – if you know of a change, please text 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING: We invited businesses to let us know if they’re open Christmas Eve. We have a few in the Guide. (Not too late to add!)

CHRISTMAS EVE CHURCH SERVICES: All the churches we’ve heard from with services tonight (and beyond) are also listed in the Holiday Guide.

Here’s what else we have – some are regular listings, so, apologies if there are Christmas Eve changes we weren’t notified about – let us know!

LIBRARIES CLOSED: Seattle Public Library has a systemwide closure today and tomorrow. King County Library System too.

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH FESTIVAL OF TREES: On this Christmas Eve morning, you can go see the decorated trees in the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), until noon, and “vote” for your favorite(s) with nonperishable food donations.

COOKIE DROPOFFS FOR THE CHRISTMAS PEOPLE: Baking homemade cookies for The Christmas People to include with holiday meals for people in need? Today’s your last chance to drop them off at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-4 pm

HOLIDAY MUSIC AT THRIFTWAY: 2 pm-5 pm, Alex Baird serenades shoppers at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor)

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER GROUP RUN: Canceled tonight – shop’s closed today and tomorrow.

TRIVIA & KARAOKE: Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) confirms they’re on tonight, 7 and 9 pm respectively.

JET CITY LABS COMEDY NIGHT: 7:30 pm, it’s on! (4547 California SW)

BINGO AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, 21+.

THE REST OF THE CALENDAR: We’re checking on regular features and skipping them for tonight if we can’t confirm they’re still on. Still updating tomorrow too.

Hosting an event, seasonal or otherwise? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar and/or Holiday Guide – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

It’s a café, it’s a concert venue … and it’s even a backdrop for Santa photos. Tonight is the jolly occasion when the north side of Easy Street Records‘ space in The Junction hosts photo ops with Cocoa Cris Cringle.

You still have an hour to get down to Easy Street and get a pic during “foto fun” with Cocoa Cris – hats and props available, as seen with this group:

It’s an annual tradition, with a $25 fee that Cocoa Cris gives to nonprofits.

SIDE NOTE: We’ve kept a Santa-appearance list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide all season – but Santa has to get back to the North Pole, so just two more left, 1:30-4:30 pm Monday and 2:30-5:30 pm Tuesday at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor).