7 things to do this weekend: December 15-17

Boat Bash: Christmas Ship 3rd Annual Parade of Boats Night – Friday, December 15, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Experience a parade on the water when more than 60 boats will cruise from Lake Union going west with lights. The decorated boats with display an array of the holiday season. The viewing fun begins at Evanston Plaza in Seattle. Follow this link for details.

Music Magic: Handel's Messiah – Friday to Sunday, December 15-17. From site: A triumph of music and text, Handel's Messiah is a matchless December tradition. The exquisite choral writing and the exultant "Hallelujah" chorus — featuring the Seattle Symphony, Chorale and a strong cast of soloists — honor Handel's greatest work. This event will be at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium – Benaroya Hall. Follow this link for details.

Seasonal Sassy: Holiday Salsa Party! Featuring Mambo Cadillac – Saturday, December 16, 3–6 p.m. From site: Known for their high-octane Salsa and Latin jazz groove, it's difficult NOT TO dance to the Afro Cuban world fusion rhythms of Mambo Cadillac, Don't know how to Salsa dance? No worries. My World Salsa instructors Pam Johnson and Peter Blaustein will teach a free Salsa lesson from 3:00-3:30 p.m., followed by the Salsa dance party with Mambo Cadillac. This event takes place at 843 Hiawatha Pl S, Seattle. Follow this link for details.

Moving Music: Mark O'Connor's "An Appalachian Christmas" – Saturday & Sunday, December 16-17. From site: O'Connor and the O'Connor Band will perform an unforgettable evening of Christmas classics, fiddling and bluegrass from his album, An Appalachian Christmas, as well as songs from his recent Grammy-winning album Coming Home. This event will be at the Meany Center on the campus of the University of Washington. Follow this link for details.

Ballet Moves: Nutcracker Sweets – Saturday, December 16. Performances at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. These performances will at the Shorewood Performing Arts Center in Shoreline, WA. Students from the ARC School of Ballet will be performing. From site: Designed with young audiences in mind, the show has roughly an hour-long running time that features beautiful music, gorgeous costumes, and exciting dancing. Follow this link for details.

Light Show: Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - It runs until January 1, 2018. Attendees can expect animal light displays and see other animals up-close at the zoo's Kids' Zone. The adventure will also include a view of massive sharks and so much more. Zoo Location: Tacoma, WA. Follow this link for details.

Festive Fun: Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth – Friday through Sunday, December 15-17. From site: On Friday evenings, the lights are all on! Live musical performances of your favorite Christmas songs fill the streets, interrupted briefly at 4:30 p.m. for the arrival of St. Nickolaus at the Front Street Gazebo, who welcomes children young and old with the story of his legacy and "gold" for the good boys and girls! Please note: There is no Lighting Ceremony on Friday's! On Saturdays and Sundays, the festivities kick into full gear at 12:00 p.m. with the Arrival of Santa and costumed holiday characters in a march from the Festhalle to the Gazebo! Follow this link for details.

KIRO