Ice Rink, Winter Train & Village, Festive Entertaiment Set for Seattle Center's Winterfest 2012, 11/23-1/6

Everything old is new again at Seattle Center Winterfest, with six weeks of festive, fun-filled entertainment, Nov. 23 – Jan. 6, 2013. Visit Seattle Center Armory, dressed for the season and restored to its original grandeur. Here you'll find Winter Train & Village, warm roasted nuts and other fine edibles. Outside, sparkling lights illuminate the center of Seattle Center in its 50th Anniversary year.

Winterfest Ice Rink returns, along with ice sculpting, student showcases and live weekend performances. This annual festival opens with Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and rings in the New Year with dramatic fireworks and The Rhythm Nation. Seattle Center Winterfest is part of Holidays in Seattle. All events and activities are free unless stated otherwise.

Winterfest Ice Rink, Nov. 23 – Jan. 6, 2013, Fisher Pavilion. Closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed on Dec. 25; closes at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. Admission includes skate rental: $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and $2 children ages 5 and under. Cash only. www.seattlecenter.com for hours.

Winter Train & Village, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Nov. 23 – Jan. 6, 2013, Seattle Center Armory/Center House. Peer into the past and take a turn controlling the miniature train as it winds its way around a snowy, turn-of-the-century villiage. Special hours to drive the train: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily. $2 suggested donation. Closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. www.seattlecenter.com

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, 12:30 p.m., Nov. 23, Armory. Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra opens Seattle Center Winterfest with a performance of seasonal works. www.syso.org.

Ice Sculpting, Saturdays, 12 noon, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, Outside Fisher Pavilion. Each Saturday an ice master carves a different design.

Seattle Men's Chorus, 12:30 p.m., Nov. 24, Armory. The world's largest gay men's chorus in a special seasonal performance. www.flyinghouse.org.

There's No Place Like Home, 4 p.m., Nov. 24, International Fountain. Fanciful art installation and site-based participatory performance by Lucia NeareTheatricals. www.lucianeare.org.

Cat Pack with Unexpected Productions, 12:30 p.m., Nov. 25, Armory. Seattle's long-running comedy improv troupe in a musical show inspired by the Rat Pack era. www.unexpectedproductions.org.

Winterfest Student Showcases, Nov. 26 – Jan. 6, 2013, varied times, Armory.
Public and private school students provide seasonal entertainment and share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public. www.seattlecenter.com for a showcase schedule.

The Magic of the Moment: PTSA Reflections, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Dec. 10 – 31, Harrison Street Gallery, 3rd Floor, Armory. The exhibit features selected artwork of Seattle Public School students created within a theme of "The Magic of the Moment."www.seattlecouncilptsa.org.

Bailadores de Bronce, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 15, Armory. Breaking down cultural barriers and building bridges through Mexican folkloric dances. www.bailadoresdebronce.org.

Klez Kidz, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 16, Armory. Intergenerational musicians, singers and dancers in an interactive concert of world Jewish music and mirth. http://www.templebetham.org/music/klezkidz/.

SANCA Youth Performance Company, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 22, Armory. SANCA Youth Performance Company performing original acts in aerial arts, juggling, tightwire, clowning, unicycle and acrobatics. www.sancaseattle.org.

Garfield High School Jazz Band, 1 p.m., Dec. 23, Armory. Seasonal sounds by the esteemed Garfield High School Jazz Band under the direction of Seattle's own jazz great, Clarence Acox. www.garfieldjazz.org.

The Dickens Carolers, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 29, Armory. A quartet of Victorian costumed carolers singing popular seasonal music. www.dickenscarolers.com.