Artisanal ramen restaurant Kayava will open its second Seattle/US location on Jan. 16, expanding to Belltown in the former List Restaurant space (2226 1st Ave). The brand is owned/operated by Japan's Plenus Group, which also runs the Hotto Motto bento take-out and Yayoi Ken chains.

Blue Ridge Coffee House will open Sunday just north of Ballard, after completing a build out of the former Blue Ridge Realty office (9925 15th Ave NW).

It's the first Casual Friday of 2026, and I joined author Geraldine DeRuiter on Seattle Now from @kuow.org to talk about our resolutions for the new year, Gen Z homeowners, and an absolutely unhinged edit of "It's a Wonderful Life" on Amazon. Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy new year, and a 2026 filled with moments of joy.

New Year's Day is a Discover Pass Free Day, with no pass needed Thursday to park at state public lands.

Admission is free today at the Seattle Art Museum (open until 8 p.m.), the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and at MOHAI from 5 to 8 p.m., with a limited number of venues open on First Thursday.

A Quebec-based chain of nordic spas filed preliminary plans with the City of Seattle earlier this week to convert the former Hard Rock Cafe downtown (116 Pike St). Strøm currently operates five locations across the province.

New Year's Day is a Discover Pass Free Day, with no pass needed Thursday to park at state public lands.

Reminder: Rides are free Wednesday on King County Metro and the Water Taxi, Sound Transit (with extended 1 Line Link light rail service hours) the Seattle Streetcar, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and Pierce Transit.

Admission is free on New Year's Day at the Seattle Art Museum (open until 8 p.m.), the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and at MOHAI from 5 to 8 p.m., with a limited number of venues open for the holiday. Several other venues will have their monthly free day later in January.

The minimum wage in Seattle will rise to $21.30/hour on Jan. 1 for all businesses, up 54 cents to reflect the rate of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area.

Rides are also free Wednesday on King County Metro and the Water Taxi, the Seattle Streetcar, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and Pierce Transit.

Sound Transit says 1 Line Link light rail service will run until around 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve, with the last trains Lynnwood and Federal Way shortly before 2 a.m. Buses and trains will operate fare-free on Dec. 31.

Joe Nguyen has been named the next president and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, leaving his role as head of the state Department of Commerce.

No word on a potential opening date, but signage has gone up for Gloom Coffee Bar in Pioneer Square, in the former Elm Coffee Roasters space (240 2nd Ave S, #103).

The PWHL Takeover Tour stops in Dallas on Sunday, as the Seattle Torrent take on the New York Sirens at 3 p.m. PT. Stream the game for free on YouTube at the link below.

You also didn't ask for honorable mentions, but! Lord Huron - Used To Know Say She She - Cut & Rewind NoSo - Nara Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory - Afterlife Indigo De Souza - Crush HAIM - Cry Anna of the North - Since You Wednesday - Townies

New Year's at the Needle returns to Seattle Center on Wednesday night, with light shows on the half-hour starting at 10 p.m., and a drone show leading into the largest structurally launched firework display in North America.

You didn't ask for it, but here it is! My 2025 Top 10 in music: 10. Polica - Dreams Go 9. Hatchie - Lose It Again 8. Sam Fender - Crumbling Empire 7. Lorde - Broken Glass 6. CMAT - When A Good Man Cries

Thai Siam in Ballard (8305 15th Ave NW) will provide its annual free Christmas turkey dinner for those in need from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday. www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for parts of Western Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts from 50 to 60 mph are expected. forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatx...

The Seattle Torrent finish out their first-ever PWHL home stand as they take on the Montréal Victoire at 7 p.m. PT at Climate Pledge Arena. Stream the game for free on YouTube at the link below.

Maddy's Bakeshop will open a brick-and-mortar retail space in Lower Queen Anne (177 Western Ave W) in February, expanding on its farmers market and retail wholesale business.

Rides will be free on New Year's Eve on King County Metro and the Water Taxi, the Seattle Streetcars, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and Pierce Transit.

The Seattle Torrent go for their third straight victory as they host the undefeated Boston Fleet at 2 p.m. PT at Climate Pledge Arena. Stream the game for free on YouTube at the link below.

Nudibranch Coffee has announced it will take over the former Mighty-O Donuts location in Capitol Hill (1400 12th Ave), opening Seattle's first Thai coffee shop next year following a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Thai Siam in Ballard (8305 15th Ave NW) will provide its annual free Christmas turkey dinner for those in need from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday. www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

FOX 13 will move its broadcast and newsroom operations to the Axis9 building in the Denny Triangle. The station expects to begin broadcasting from the new facility next November.

Outfielder Brennen Davis says on Instagram he is now with the Mariners organization. A second-round pick of the Cubs in 2018, the now-26-year-old was a consensus top-100 prospect but has missed significant time with injuries each of the past four seasons. www.instagram.com/_bigb_/

Seattle leads Ottawa 1-0 after the first period from Climate Pledge Arena. Stream the rest of tonight's PWHL game on YouTube at the link below:

Sounders FC has signed defender Ryan Sailor for the 2026 season, with a club option through June 2027. The UW product was taken with the 9th pick in the 2022 draft by Inter Miami, where he has spent the past four seasons.

Coffee TAB has opened its second location in downtown Seattle, taking over the former Custom Smoothie space (719 2nd Ave). The non-profit operates a barista apprenticeship program for underserved youth.

Ghostfish Brewing has taken over the former Pike Brewing facility in Georgetown, as it expands production of its gluten-free beers.

Sounders FC has signed Federal Way native and longtime Minnesota United midfielder Hassani Dotson through the 2027-2028 season, with a club option for 2028-2029. The 28-year-old appeared in 176 matches for the Loons across all competitions.

Lowlander Brewing and Un Po Tipsy from Chef Renee Erickson's Sea Creatures restaurant group have opened in Pioneer Square, taking over the former FX McRory's space (419 Occidental Ave S).

Fans can welcome home the national champion Washington men's soccer team outside Husky Stadium at 3:45 p.m. this afternoon.

The Washington Huskies are the 2025 NCAA men's soccer champions.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is streaming for free today on Apple TV+.

Through Dec. 14, Pagliacci Pizza gift cards are 15 percent off with the code GIVEPIZZA (up to $100 each).

Help the uncompensated care fund at Seattle Children's hit its $500k goal. give.seattlechildrens.org/campaign/smo...

Washington men's soccer will face NC State on Monday in the College Cup final, looking to bring the program's first national championship back to Montlake.

FEMA has confirmed President Trump approved an emergency declaration request in response to historic flooding impacting Washington state.

Seattle-based management and technology consulting firm Slalom has signed a long-term lease extension for 76,000-square-feet inside the Hawk Tower in Pioneer Square, across from Lumen Field.

Two Seattle restaurants earned spots on the New York Times' rundown of best dishes across the U.S. in 2025, with the dungeness crab rice at Tomo in White Center, and the lamb neck korma pie at Little Beast in Ballard making the list.

Gov. Ferguson says President Trump has signed Washington state's request for an emergency declaration.

Collin Snider has signed with the Cubs, per his agency. The 30-year-old right-hander appeared in 66 games over the past two season with the Mariners.

That is, in fact, Kraken hockey baby.

Washington Gov. Ferguson says up to 100,000 residents statewide may face evacuation orders with rivers expected to hit historic levels by early Thursday https://www.factal.com