So U2 won’t be in Seattle until June of 2010, but considering how wildly popular past concerts have been, tickets are on sale now. Gives scalpers plenty of time…

U2 360º Tour comes to Seattle June 2010

Black Friday in Seattle offers more than just insane shopping. The day after Thanksgiving is when the huge holiday tree in downtown’s Westlake Park gets lit up, the downtown streets fill for the annual holiday parade and Santa shows up in the Macy’s windows.

The Macy’s Holiday Parade begins at 8:45 am at 7th and Pine, takes a few turns and then runs north on 4th Ave from University St to the Macy’s store.

The holiday season is upon us

On Tuesday, December 15th at 4:30 pm the doors will open at the WaMu Theater for the 2009
Deck The Hall Ball put on by radio station 107.7 The End. Better start getting your excuses ready for calling in “sick” to work on Wednesday, December 16th.

Muse will headline the 2009 Deck the Hall Ball

Whoever came up with the idea to combine a 5K race with an eating competition ought to be given a medal. The first annual Green Lake Gobble 5K and Mashed Potato Munch Off is a brilliant pairing of running and walking off calories and then putting them back on with a mashed potato eating contest. You can’t lose.

The 5K run/walk will be held on Sunday, November 22nd. You can register or pick up race packets starting at 8 am, the Kid’s Dash starts at 9:10 am, and the general run starts at 10 am. The run/walk will start and end in the southwest corner of Green Lake near the crew house. Cost to register is $25 if you do it before the day of the race. It’s $35 if you register on race day. You can register online or through several sporting goods stores.

The post-race festivities start at 10 am and you’ll be given a chance to buy raffle tickets for a dollar each. What do you get if you win? A chance to be one of eight contestants in the Mashed Potato Munch Off sponsored by the Greenlake Bar & Grill.

Get a chance to beat John Curley

While you’re at it, take time to sign up for a chance to beat John Curley in the Green Lake Gobble. If you do beat him, he just might write a big check to the charity of your choice. But then, do you really need more incentive than just being able to say, “I beat John Curley?” I thought not.

Finally, bring a can of food or two for Wallingford’s FamilyWorks Food Bank. It’s usually tough around the holidays, but even worse this year with the recession. Help people out. There will be a tent near the stage where you can drop off donations.

Go on, admit it. You go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Think of all those screaming deals. And you can walk off all that pumpkin pie you ate, right? Well, go for it, and while you’re at it, check out CraftsGiving in the Greenwood neighborhood for something a little different. By different, we mean avoid the free-for-all be-careful-you-don’t-get-trampled-to-death-and-we-mean-that-literally kind of shopping you’ll find at many of the big box stores.

CraftsGiving day after Thanksgiving sale in Seattle

What you’ll find at CraftsGiving is “a unique market geared towards burning man culture, Steampunk wears, and the underground art scene. There will be winter wear by local designers, gifts, epic gems, Hand warmers, inspirational local Art, and more.”

It’s being held at SPACE at 7601 Greenwood Ave. N on Friday, November 27th from 2 pm to 6 pm. You don’t even have to get up at the crack of dawn to find unique, handmade gift items, and support some local artists and crafters. Plus, it doesn’t cost anything to attend and take a look around.

Check them out on Facebook.

The 2010 Sasquatch Music Festival at the Gorge 5/29/10 - 5/31/10

It’s never too early to start thinking about the annual Sasquatch Music Festival held over Memorial Day weekend at The Gorge Amphitheatre. Right?

If you agree, head over to Ticketmaster starting at 10 am, Saturday, November 7th to pick up a three day pass for $170. The offer is good until December 31st.

The Sasquatch Music Festival will be held from Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31st, 2010. The full lineup will be announced in February.

Follow Sasquatch on Twitter to get all the news and announcements. Including this one.

Bon Jovi will be playing Key Arena in February but tickets go on sale to the public Monday, November 9th. Of course there will be a ticket presale starting Thursday, November 5th at 10 am that lasts until 10 pm Sunday, November 8th.

Bon Jovi's new album 'The Circle'

Although The Cranberries never actually used the words “breaking up,” they certainly haven’t released a new album in eight years – the last being ‘Wake Up and Smell the Coffee’ in 2001 – or been on tour together for the last seven years.

Irish band, The Cranberries

While each band member has had plenty to keep them busy with new projects and solo acts, apparently the time is right for some kind of new iteration of The Cranberries. Lead singer Dolores O’Riordan has been quoted as saying, “I’ve decided to reunite with my former band members in The Cranberries and we will be writing new songs and performing tracks off my new album as well as our greatest hits during the shows.”

The new tour brings them to Seattle to perform at The Moore Theatre on December 7. Tickets are $33 and can be bought through STG Presents.