A classic holiday escape: Leavenworth

Leavenworth is its own unique holiday attraction, every square Germanic inch of it, from the "Willkommen" sign on Highway 2 to the countless nutcrackers in shop after shop after shop. It's especially popular during the Christmas Lighting Festival over the first three weekends in December.

Shopping tips

• Kris Kringl, 907 Front St. This shop screams Christmas, all year long. New this year are a number of items by famed ornament designer Christopher Radko under the banner of "charity awareness." Buy an ornament called "Quilt N Claus" (for $75), for example, and a portion of that sale goes toward AIDS awareness. www.kkringl.com or 888-557-4645.

• Die Musik Box, 933 Front St. We are captivated by an ostrich-egg replica carousel, with lights, music, horses, the works. It's on sale (!) on the Web site for $399.95. www.musicboxshop.com or 800-288-5883.

• Nussknacker Haus, 735 Front St. What would this holiday be without a chance to see, oh, something like HUNDREDS OF NUTCRACKERS! We developed a particular fondness for the Mayor of Emerald City nutcracker (no relation to Seattle's own). He's on sale on the store's Web site for $130. www.nussknackerhaus.com or call 800-892-3989.

Cozying up

It's easy to find cozy in Leavenworth but not easy to book cozy in crowded December. You may want to start your accommodations search through the visitor center: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org. Maybe try for a weeknight at one of these:

• Mountain Home Lodge, 8201 Mountain Home Road. Quintessential mountain lodge. 800-414-2378 or www.mthome.com.

• Run of the River Inn & Refuge, 9308 E. Leavenworth Road. 800-288-6491 or www.runoftheriver.com.

• Hotel Pension Anna, 926 Commercial St. In town, easy access to shops, restaurants. Comfortable and well-appointed B&B. 800-509-2662 or www.pensionanna.com.

Ho, ho, ho time

Three big weekends — Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 — feature the village's annual Christmas Lighting Festival. Saint Nicholas arrives on Friday evening (no lights on Fridays). On Saturdays and Sundays, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus arrive at noon, with entertainment throughout the afternoon and the lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m., when visitors gather at the downtown gazebo to sing "O Tannenbaum."

Budget bliss

The public events during the Lighting Festival are all free.

More info: 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org

Bus tours to Leavenworth are offered by a variety of companies. Check travel agents or the contacts above for information. Among the tours departing Seattle are:

• Clipper Vacations: 800-888-2535 or 206-448-5000, www.clippervacations.com

• Alki Tours: 206-935-6848 or 800-895-ALKI, www.alkitours.com. The Alki Tours Snow Train runs one-day round-trips to Leavenworth the first three weekends of December.

— Terry Tazioli