Get Out: Eastside Weekend Holiday Events

It’s Friday , and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.
Bellevue Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work, outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars, restaurants and shops to explore.

We know you have your favorites that we missed. So share the goodness in our comment box below.

• Where/When: 2 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the in Bellevue.
• Why Go: Join the International Ballet Theatre as they make their return to Bellevue's Meydenbauer Theater to celebrate the holiday season with their annual production of The Nutcracker. Check out the IBT in action in this 2011 Nutcracker promo clip.

• Pricing: Tickets range between $25 and $50.

• Where/When: 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the .
• Why Go: If you've ever wanted to learn to swing dance, this Sunday might be the best time to try it out. Eastside Swing Dance will host another one of its Sunday Swing Dances at the North Bellevue Community Center this weekend. The dance starts with free group lessons from 7 to 7:30 p.m., and then you'll get to dance the night away. Not sure Swing Dancing is for you? This clip of Eastside Swing Dance in action might change your mind.
• Pricing: $10 (includes lesson)

• Where/When: 4-7 p.m. on Sun, Dec. 11 at the .
• Why Go: Join the Junior League of Seattle as they team up with the Bellevue Arts Museum this Sunday for a one-of-a-kind hands-on family friendly event. Jingle Bell-evue Blvd features private performances from the Snowflake Lane Toy Soldier Drum Line, hot cocoa and cider, photo booths, craft stations, face painting and more.

• Pricing: Admission is free. Donations are appreciated and will benefit the Junior League of Seattle's nonprofit community partners. Regular BAM admission applies to 2nd and 3rd floor galleries.

• Where/When: 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at.
• Why Go: Merrill Gardens at Kirkland will celebrate the holiday season this year with a free Holiday Music Festival, featuring live music throughout the month of December. Saturday’s performance will feature Lyndi Guitar and Piano music.
• Pricing: All concerts are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

• Where/When: 1-3 p.m. on Sat, Dec. 10 at the in Kirkland.
• Why Go: Create a new tradition with a Kirkland favorite, Woodmark’s 3rd annual Santa Tea. Come savor tasty treats and scrumptious holiday sweets while sipping an assortment of teas and hot cocoa. Cheryl Serio and Hans Brimmer of the Kirkland Performance Center will be on hand to provide festive holiday music. Little ones will love the holiday cookie decorating station, and of course, visiting with Santa!
• Pricing: $45 for adults, $29 for children.

• Where/When: 9 a.m. on Sat, Dec. 10 at in Kirkland.
• Why Go: Roll and stroll with Eastside Audubon this Saturday during this wheelchair-accessible tour. Juanita Bay Park is home to a diversity of bird life on the bay, in the marshes, and along the meadow edges. Boardwalks and gently sloping paved trails allow close views. Please bring an attendant if not independent. Binoculars recommended. Dress for the weather. Non-members welcome. No ticket required.
• Pricing: Free.

• Where/When: 7-10 p.m. on Sat, Dec. 10 at in Woodinville.
• Why Go: Do you still have that notoriously ugly Christmas sweater Grandma gave you in 1988? Do you want to help a greater Seattle area this holiday season just by wearing that sweater? Then join Apex at Alder Ridge this Saturday for an evening of laughs, giving and holiday cheer. The event will feature an Ugly Sweater photo booth, live music, dancing and happy hour wines by the glass.

• Pricing: Tickets are $10 per person which will include your first glass of wine and an automatic donation to Wellspring Family Services. Bring in a toy for a child and receive 30% off all wine sales.

• Where/When: 7-10 p.m. on Fri, Dec. 9 at the Seattle Art Museum in downtown Seattle.
• Why Go: Visit the Seattle Art Museum this Friday night for a special Teen Night Out event. The first performances start at 7 p.m. with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in the galleries and at 7:30 p.m. with the Garfield Drum Line in the Brotman Forum. At 8:30 p.m. experience a Mak Fai Lion Dancers performance and then at 9 p.m. be sure to check out local hip-hop sensations, the Blue Scholars!
• Pricing: The event is free to all high-school-aged teens. Attendees much show state or high school ID.

• Where/When: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sat, Dec. 10 at located in the Bella Bottega Shopping Center in Redmond.
• Why Go:  Help make a difference at Coldwell Banker’s 10th Annual “Toys for Tots” toy drive event this Saturday. Bring a new unwrapped toy to the Marines at our collection site and have your picture taken with the Marines and their Humvee!
• Pricing: Free.

• Where/When: 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday at in Redmond.
• Why Go: SecondStory Repertory is proud to present an all-ages production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat just in time for the holiday season. This uplifting musical for the whole family tells the Biblical story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis. With its colorful cast of characters, diverse and catchy musical score this is a show you won’t want to miss.
• Pricing: Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students, seniors and educators.

• Where/When: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at .
• Why Go: Bring in the holiday season with the beautiful sounds from the Sammamish Symphony. Enjoy holiday music featuring the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra and the choruses of Rachel Carson Elementary. Check out this Youtube clip os the Sammamish Symphony in action to get an idea of what you’re in for.
• Pricing: $16 adult, $11 seniors and students age eleven and up. Children ten and under are free.