Many family-friendly activities are starting up around Renton in celebration of the holidays.
Gene Coulon Beach Park lights up the season as it joins Ivar’s Clam Lights for the 20th year featuring a visual display of several dozen trees and shrubs professionally decorated with thousands of lights. Centered at Ivar’s, Kidd Valley, and the water walk at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, the overall decorated paved trail path is a flat walkable loop covering approximately one mile.
The event starting Dec. 6. at 6:30 p.m. features music, a lighting ceremony and the Parade of boats. Be on shore to greet the Argosy Christmas Ship’s annual visit from 8 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. There will also be a covered wagon ride and a community sing-a-long.
Ivar’s Clam Lights is free of charge and there is free parking at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park.
The fun continues at the Piazza with an evening program on Dec. 7, featuring the tree lighting, arrival of Santa, music, singing, refreshments and more.
The Evergreen City Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. After the performance, some of the dancers come out into the lobby in costume to talk and take pictures with attendees. The performances are Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m.
The annual K9 Candy Cane 5K Fun Run and Walk is Dec. 8 at 9:00 a.m. It will start at the Renton Community Center and travel along the Cedar River Trail before looping back to the Community Center. Competitive runners, fun runners, walkers, junior athletes, families (with or without dogs) are all invited.
The Leisure Estates Chorale is performing five Christmas concerts in December.
The concerts are:
• Dec. 5, 11 a.m. – Evergreen place, 1414 Monroe Ave N.E.
• Dec. 11, Highlands Community Church, 3031 N.E. 10th St., noon, potluck dinner; concert at 12:45 p.m.
• Dec. 15, 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene, 850 Union Ave. N.E., everyone welcome.
• Dec. 17, 7 p.m., full concert and refreshments served, Leisure Estates Clubhouse at 210 Union Ave. S.E.
Leisure Estates is a senior adult community in the Highlands.
For more information on holiday events, visit www.rentonwa.gov.
