Suncadia Winterfest 2026: The Saturday Schedule, Tree Lighting, Christmas Market & Dec. 19 Drone Show
From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, Suncadia goes all in on the holidays. Winterfest brings tree lightings, a Christmas Market, Santa, and seasonal dining and spa treats to the resort. This year a lot of that happens at Suncadia Social, the resort’s village. Here’s how the Saturdays work, how to plan the big day on December 19, and how easy it is to walk over if you’re staying nearby.
Staying at Elkwood House? The house is in the Suncadia Social neighborhood, about 100 yards from the village, so you can walk to every event in this guide. See the house →
What’s new this year
The celebrations begin on Saturday, November 28, with the annual Lighted Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Suncadia invites families to gather for holiday entertainment, explore the shops at Suncadia Social, and watch thousands of lights come on. If you can’t make opening night, Suncadia says the tree lighting festivities continue on Saturdays throughout December, so a December weekend still gets you the lights. The biggest Saturday of the season is December 19, with Journey to the North Pole in the afternoon and a Holiday Drone Show after sunset.
A Graham Group preview published November 5, 2026 — not an official Suncadia schedule — says this is the first Winterfest since Suncadia Social opened over Summer Solstice weekend, and that the tree lighting, Christmas Market, and Santa have moved to the village instead of being spread across the resort.
The Saturday rhythm: Christmas Market, Santa photos & tree lighting
A Winterfest Saturday builds from an easy afternoon in the village to the tree lighting after dark.
- Christmas Market at Suncadia Social. Local makers and artisans sell handcrafted goods and festive treats. It’s the easiest way to get some holiday shopping done without leaving the resort.
- Santa’s Workshop. Families can stop by for complimentary photos with Santa and holiday story times. Bring your list. Santa’s mailbox, for letters, is in The Lodge Great Room.
- The tree lighting. Grab something warm to drink, find a spot in the village, and watch thousands of lights come on. On November 28 the evening also includes the Lighted Santa Parade.
Want a sit-down holiday meal? Throughout December, Breakfast and Dinner with Santa at The Inn offers a festive buffet and time with Santa, a nice way to start or end a Winterfest day.
Hour by hour: planning December 19 and the holiday drone show
December 19 is the day to circle. Suncadia says Journey to the North Pole brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to Suncadia Social for an afternoon of festive crafts, entertainment, and holiday fun. Then you stick around as the sun sets for the Holiday Drone Show, with hundreds of lit-up drones flying holiday displays over the resort.
Suncadia hasn’t posted official clock times yet. Here’s the order we’d plan the day around. Check each time on Suncadia’s events page before you go.
- Late morning: settle in. Grab coffee in the village and get your bearings. (Time to confirm)
- Early afternoon: Journey to the North Pole and Santa photos. Crafts and entertainment with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Suncadia Social. Santa’s Workshop is the place for photos. (Time to confirm)
- Mid-afternoon: Christmas Market. A Graham Group preview (not an official Suncadia schedule) lists December 19 as the last Christmas Market Saturday before the holiday. Suncadia has not posted official market dates, so confirm before you go, and shop while the makers are still set up. (Time to confirm)
- Late afternoon: head back for layers. December evenings in the Cascades get cold quickly. If you’re staying close by, run home for hats, gloves, and a thermos.
- Around sunset: tree lighting and the Holiday Drone Show. Get back to the village before dark for the lights and the drone show. (Times to confirm. The show is planned for after sunset.)
- After the show: an easy walk home and an evening by the fire.
Walking over from a Suncadia Social home
Staying in the Suncadia Social neighborhood makes Winterfest simple. From a home like ours it’s about 100 yards to the village. That means no parking, no shuttle, and no loading the car with a sleepy kid after the drone show. You can watch the tree lighting, walk home to warm up, and come back for the next event.
Cutters Point Coffee and Roslyn Grocery are both at Suncadia Social. Pick up coffee before the market, or grab cocoa supplies and snacks for later. Out West Trading Co. and Forage Home are good places to look for gifts and cold-weather gear. Check each shop’s hours for the day you’re going.
Practical notes: tickets, reservations & checking the schedule
- Free: Suncadia describes the Santa’s Workshop photos as complimentary.
- Book ahead: Some holiday extras are reserved separately, like Breakfast and Dinner with Santa at The Inn, elf deliveries to your rental, and Santa’s Workshop craft sessions at The Inn. Check prices and reserve through Suncadia.
- Holiday dining: The Source Plates & Pours hosts a Thanksgiving Buffet on November 26, with Thanksgiving To-Go if you’d rather eat at home. There’s also a Christmas Day dinner, New Year’s Eve chef specials, and a New Year’s Day brunch.
- Check before you go: Times, locations, and ticketing can change, especially with mountain weather. Look at Suncadia’s Winterfest page and events calendar the week of your trip, or ask the front desk.
- Driving up: Check WSDOT’s Snoqualmie Pass conditions and traction requirements before you leave. See our FAQ for more on getting here.
For more ideas between Saturdays, like the pool and hot tub, trails, and trips to Roslyn and Cle Elum, see our things to do near Suncadia guide.
Plan your stay
Winterfest is the best time to come up for a weekend. Do the market and Santa in the afternoon, watch the lights at night, and walk home to a fireplace. Find the full lineup on Suncadia’s official Winterfest page: Experience the Wonder of Winterfest at Suncadia.
Staying at Elkwood House? Our modern two-bedroom chalet in the Suncadia Social neighborhood sleeps six, with a gas fireplace and the village about 100 yards from the front door. Take a look at the house.
Either way, Suncadia’s rental team manages your stay. This site never takes bookings or payments.
Elkwood House is an independent site not affiliated with Suncadia. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Suncadia Resort. Event details are set by Suncadia and may change.