In the late afternoon on Saturday, December 10, an estimated 10,000 people are expected to enjoy the free Annual Green Lake “Pathway of Lights” event. On Sunday morning, no less than 13,000 children and adults will brave the cold as they gather near Westlake Park and prepare to participate in the Jingle Bell Run and Walk for Arthritis. Monday’s afternoon commute will be heavier than usual with the addition of 67,000 fans swarming into the CenturyLink Field in the SODO district when the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Saint Louis Rams at 5:30 p.m.

For more details about these and other activities with potential traffic impacts, please see the schedule below. To help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages event-goers to consider leaving the car behind and trying one of the many alternate modes of transportation available - Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or even walking, if feasible.

Saturday, December 10
“Pathway of Lights” Annual Green Lake Lighting: 4:30 – 8 p.m.
Pedestrians will stroll along the path around Green Lake following candles that light the way
10,000 expected
No streets will be blocked off, but motorists may encounter heavy traffic around the lake and on Aurora just west of the lake; parking may be a challenge.

Microsoft (Employees’ Private) Holiday Party: 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Fremont Studios - 155 N 35th Street
1,400 attending
Street closed 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.: N 35th Street between Phinney Avenue N and First Avenue NW
Expect congestion in the area.

Sunday, December 11
Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis: Waves of participants beginning at 8:20, 8:50, 9:10 a.m.
Assemble at Fifth and Pine Street
13,000 participants
Kids’ route: Goes south on Fifth from Pine to Spring Street; makes a u-turn and then moves north on Fifth to Pike Street; east on Pike to Sixth Avenue; north on Sixth to the finish line at Pine Street.
Adult 5K Run and Walk: Heads south on Fifth from Pine to the Columbia Street on-ramp to the I-5 express lanes; goes north on the I-5 express lanes to approximately Mercer Street; then makes a u-turn and heads south on I-5 express lanes taking the I-5 exit at Ninth Avenue and Pike Street; the participants then move north on Ninth to Pine Street; west on Pine to finish at Sixth Avenue.
Special Note: The I-5 Express Lanes will be closed from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

Monday, December 12
Seattle Seahawks vs Saint Louis Rams: 5:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
67,000 attending
Plan on extra heavy traffic during the afternoon commute with congestion in the Pioneer Square, SODO and downtown business district, and on the freeways approaching the stadium area.
King County Metro Transit has plenty of regular service to CenturyLink Field. Metro will not be offering its special Seahawks shuttles from park-and-ride lots for that game as most all of its buses will be deployed for regular commute-time service. Bus commuters should be aware of possible delays through the above-mentioned areas. To plan a transit trip to the game, use the convenient Online Trip Planner, or call Metro’s Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000. Be sure to plan your trip home after the game as well, since service and schedules later in the evening may be different than during commute times.

Occupy Seattle and West Coast Port Demonstration
More information will be provided as it becomes available.