This year, Santa Bags brimming with free goodies are back for Burien's Winterfest, a holiday celebration for the whole family on Saturday, Dec. 4.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., browse holiday-bedecked streets packed with free activities such as horse-and-carriage rides, holiday crafts for kids, hayrides, hot treats and photos with reindeer or Father Christmas, even for the family pooch.

Festival-goers have a chance to win one of about a dozen Santa Bags, each stuffed with items from approximately 12 businesses. Each Santa Bag features a combination lock. With the correct combination, a festivalgoer gets to take home the bag and its contents.

Possible combinations are provided to shoppers at participating businesses, who will also host a Santa Bag.
Each combination received can be tried on all of the Santa Bags to see if it unlocks any of them. A Santa Bag will also be located at the two drop-off and pick-up points for the horse-and-carriage ride, where event-goers can get one combination without making a purchase.

Santa will spread some holiday cheer by posing for free photos from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at two different locations, one for humans and one for canines. Courtesy of Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, the jolly old elf will provide photo opps for humans in Burien Town Square, 455 S.W. 152nd St. Hounds can ham it up for the camera at The Mark Restaurant & Bar, 918 S.W. 152nd St.

One of Saint Nick's reindeer will fly into Burien for free pictures from noon to 4 p.m. at Goodie Gumdrops, 816 S.W. 152nd St. Santa will also pop back into Goodie Gumdrops for photos from Dec. 8 through Dec. 19 Wednesday through Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

From noon to 5 p.m., kids can try their hands at free holiday crafts at Collins Chiropractic, 619 S.W. 152nd St. Across the street, adults can sample holiday bubbly while listening to free music at Vino Bello, 636 S.W. 152nd St.

Want to save gas, time and money on holiday shopping? Check out the Winterfest in-store specials and gift-wrapping at local shops. Burien's small businesses are stocked with unique presents ranging from affordable fine wines to the best in kitchenware, hand-beaded jewelry, cute and comfortable shoes, facials and more.

Warm up with free hot treats like cocoa and spiced cider at various businesses.

During Winterfest, catch a free ride along Southwest 152nd Street. Hayrides run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. New this year, the horse-and-carriage ride from 2 to 5 p.m. will have two drop-off and pick-up points, one in Olde Burien and one in Burien Town Square.

After traveling one direction, riders leave the ride to enjoy the happenings and businesses at that end. They can hop aboard either the hayride or the horse-and-carriage ride for the return trip.

The sponsors of Winterfest are Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, Sterling Savings Bank and the Discover Burien Association, a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development, promotion and marketing of the city.

The event centers in downtown Burien and in Olde Burien on Southwest 152nd Street between First Avenue Southwest and Tenth Avenue Southwest. For more information on Winterfest, call 206-941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com