Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region

Here’s our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are commercial displays with an admission charge.

Many Christmas light displays go up Thanksgiving Weekend. Most are lit by the first weekend of December and a few begin in mid-December. Most Christmas light displays stay up through New Year’s Eve. So you can enjoy the season for several weeks and visit a new neighborhood every week.

Free Christmas Light displays opening Thanksgiving Weekend

(Listed going roughly north to south in the Puget Sound region. Note this list include FREE Christmas Light displays. See below for a complete list of free and paid Christmas light displays running through New Year’s.)

Bothell. Kenner Christmas Lights. Usually lit Friday after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Over 500,000 lights in the display. Also acts as a food drive for HopeLink, so bring a few cans. You’ll see the donation drop when you drive through the 15-foot high arch on the circular driveway. Kenner Christmas Lights, 16504 112 place NE Bothell, WA 98011.

Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights operates nightly beginning Saturday after Thanksgiving thru December 30 from 4:30pm to 9:00pm. Garden d’Lights features over half a million sparkling lights formed into the whimsical shapes of plants, flowers, birds, animals, and cascading waterfalls set amid the natural beauty of the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Tickets: $5 per person. Children 10 and under are free and do not need a ticket. Buy in advance online to avoid long lines at the door. Tickets are good for any night.

Bellevue Snowflake Lane runs nightly from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. Rush to the sidewalks between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place to witness a magical evening performance for the entire family that will brighten your spirits and warm your heart with the spirit of the holiday. The nightly parade features falling snow, colorful street performers, and animated floats, transforming the city of Bellevue into a winter wonderland for all-ages with joyful sing-a-longs, snow princesses and twinkle lights. Bellevue Way between NE 8th Street and NE 4th Street, Bellevue WA.

Kirkland and Seattle. Argosy Christmas Ships visit Seattle and Eastside waterfront communities nightly from Friday after Thanksgiving thru December 23. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances, broadcast on a state-of-the-art sound system. From the flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the Seattle winter holiday season. To find out when they’ll be at a public park near you, visit the Christmas Ships schedule: https://www.argosycruises.com/christmas-ship-festival-schedule/. Here are the locations of departures and public performances for Thanksgiving Weekend:

Friday, November 23, 6:30 PM departure from Lake Union Park in Seattle
Saturday, November 24, 6:30 PM departure from Kirkland City Dock
Saturday, November 24, 6:40 PM performance at Kirkland Marina Park
Saturday, November 24, 8:05 PM performance at MOHAI at South Lake Union in Seattle
Sunday, November 25, 5:00 departure from Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton
Sunday, November 25, 5:30 PM performance at Pritchard Island Beach in south Seattle

Seattle Center Winterfest operates daily from Friday after Thanksgiving thru the first Sunday in January. 10am-6pm. Closed at 4pm, Dec. 24; closed, Dec. 25. Five weeks of free and affordable, fun-filled activities and live performances await those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit and delightful diversions aways from the hustle and bustle of the holiday routine. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.

Menashe Family display is usually lit Sunday after Thanksgiving and runs every night through January 1 from 5pm-11pm in the 5600 block of Beach Drive in West Seattle (Google map). The Menashe’s have close to 340,000 lights that consist of both LED and incandescent. There are nearly 100,000 lights on the giant oak tree that is the centerpiece in the front yard. Estimated Seattle City Light bill for 340,000 lights $18,904 vs. $442 for LED (Note to self: replace regular bulbs with LED!).

West Seattle and Maple Valley. Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular lights up the night from Thanksgiving Night (7:00pm) until New Years Eve. Donations requested online for several local charities. Listen to the soundtrack at 101.9 FM while you’re near the displays, now in TWO LOCATIONS:

West Seattle Lights: 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower (Google map)
Maple Valley Lights: 22629 SE 263rd Place (Google Map)

Spanaway. Fantasy Lights is a drive-through Christmas light display located just south of Tacoma. It’s lit Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Day and is the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. The beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable lakeside tradition for the entire family. Tip: Weeknights there is less traffic and you can usually cruise through. Also, remember to turn off your lights so people in front of your car can see clearly into the night. Spanaway Park, Military Road and 152nd Street, Spanaway, Washington 98387.

Christmas Light Displays in Seattle

(Seattle neighborhoods listed going north to south)

Olympic Manor neighborhood on north Seattle’s Crown Hill typically has many decorated homes by mid-December through New Year’s. Some say it’s not as spectacular as it used to be in either number or detail. Many say it’s still a beautiful way to enjoy a December evening. The entrance is on NW 85th St. and 22nd/21st Ave NW or at NW 90th and 24th Ave. NW. (Google map)

Candy Cane Lane neighborhood near University of Washington usually lights up the first Saturday in December through January 1. The neighborhood is north of the University of Washington, off of Ravenna Boulevard on Northeast Park road, just past 20th in Seattle, WA 98105. (Google map).

Woodland Park Zoo “WildLights” shine nightly beginning Friday after Thanksgiving thru January 5, 2019. (Closed Dec. 12, 24, and 25). 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The holiday tradition features wild animals and wild places recreated in hundreds of thousands of sparkling LED lights. Experience amazing indoor and outdoor light displays, have a faux-snowball fight with your family, and enjoy carolers singing the joy of the holiday season. Tickets: ADULTS (13+) $14.95; Children (3-12) $11.95; Toddlers (0-2) FREE. Discount: Save $2 -$3 on advance tickets purchased online thru December 13. Two entrances:

West Entrance: 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle WA 98103 (Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th St. & N. 56th St.)
South Entrance: 550 N 50th St, Seattle WA 98103 (N. 50th Street & Fremont Ave. N.).

Enchant Christmas Light Maze & Market at Safeco Field in Seattle. November 23 – December 30, 2018. Closed on select Mondays: November 26, December 3, and December 10. See millions of dazzling lights in the world’s largest light maze and Christmas tree. Glide around the ice-skating trail. Stroll through the Enchant Christmas Market with over 85 vendors. There’s also Santa’s Workshop and storytime with Mrs. Claus, live entertainment at the music stage, and food and beverage vendors. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 4pm – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 4pm – 11pm. Tickets: Weekend admission: adult (14-64) $32.99, child (4-13)/senior (65+) $23.99, free admission for children ages 3 and under. Military/First responsders $29.69. Family pass (2 adult/2 child) $89.99. Discounts: First 3 Mondays (Nov 27, Dec 4 & 11) are lowest price tickets & passes: $19.99-$69.99. Weekday tickets & passes are lower priced than weekends: $21.99-$79.99. Season passes offer unlimited visits: $49.99-$69.99.

Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association SANTA’S LIGHTS TOUR aboard a historic bus operates one day, Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 7:00PM. Santa Claus himself takes time out from his busy schedule at the North Pole for a 3-hour tour of Seattle’s best Christmas lights. Bus departs from 2nd Ave. S. and S. Main St., across from the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters. Fares are $5 for everyone, children age 5 and under are free. ORCA, Metro transfers, tickets, or passes are not accepted. Please, no food or beverages onboard the historic bus.

West Seattle. Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular lights up the night from Thanksgiving Night (7:00pm) until New Years Eve. Donations requested online for several local charities. Listen to the soundtrack at 101.9 FM while you’re near the displays, now in TWO LOCATIONS:

West Seattle Lights: 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower (Google map)
Maple Valley Lights: 22629 SE 263rd Place (Google Map)

(Multiple locations) Argosy Cruises Christmas Ships visit Seattle and Eastside waterfront communities nightly from Friday after Thanksgiving thru December 23. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances, broadcast on a state-of-the-art sound system. From the flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the Seattle winter holiday season. To find out when they’ll be at a public park near you, visit the Christmas Ships schedule: https://www.argosycruises.com/christmas-ship-festival-schedule/

Christmas Light Displays north of Seattle

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Bothell. Evergreen Lights. December 1-24, 2018. 5:00pm – 10:00pm. (Christmas lights continue December 25 – January 1, 2019, but the train display, hot cocoa, & FREE cookies end on December 24th.) One of Seattle’s best Christmas light shows. 200,000 Christmas lights dancing to music creating a stunning light show for the entire family to enjoy. Come inside the viewing pavilion and enjoy our enlarged Train display, have a cookie and hot cocoa. Take a stroll through the walking path lights or get a quick selfie at the Light Tunnel.

Marysville. Cedarcrest Golf Course Tour of Lights. 2018 dates: Friday-Saturday Dec. 7-8, Wednesday-Saturday Dec. 12-15, Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 19-22 from 5:30 – 9:30pm. An after-dark winter wonderland when the golf airways are transformed into a showcase for dazzling light displays. Board the Tour of Lights Train for an enchanting 20-minute ride through the rolling hills of the golf course. Along the way pass through polar bear forest, minion village, march of the penguins and other festive holiday displays. Enjoy music elements at the “Depot Train Station” and Santa’s Workshop and you may even get to visit with Santa. New for 2018: the Elf Excavator donated by Reece Construction, Flash the Dog and House donated by Real Estate Rockstars, enhanced lighting in several areas and more. Be sure to bring your camera and take a keepsake photo at the family photo backdrop. Then relax on the deck, sip hot cocoa and roast a marshmallow. Or make a night of it with dinner at Bleacher’s Grill, offering nightly specials throughout December. Tours run even in the rain and snow. Space is limited. Tickets are issued day of show only in the pro-shop on a first-come, first-serve basis. Free admission, donations accepted. Suggested $5 per adult, $3 per youth, or $20 per family.

Mountlake Terrace. Mountlake Terrace Christmas Light Display located north of Seattle at 228 St. SW and 42nd Place, has been a holiday tradition for years. Around 25 homes create magical light displays for all to enjoy. Accepts donations for local food bank.

Stanwood. Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach Camp. Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 6-9, 13-16, 19-23, 26-29, 2018; 5-10pm. The Largest Holiday Festival in the Pacific Northwest. Over ONE MILLION Christmas lights, a spectacle spread over 15 acres. Plus live entertainment, children’s activities, food, and holiday shopping. In addition, reservations can be made for Overnight Getaways in holiday-themed lodges and for Dinner Theatre/Sunday Dessert Matinee. Tickets: Adult (13-59) $16, Senior ( 60+) and Military $13, Youth (4-12) $12, Child (3 and under) free. Pay What You Can Nights: On Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 27 and 28. When you go to buy tickets on site, your bill will be tallied at the regular price; however, you pay only as much as you can. No minimum payment required. 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.

Woodinville. Woodinville Wonderland. Usually lit the first weekend in December thru New Year’s Eve. More than 100,000 glowing holiday lights, animated lights, and music. Located just off Woodinville/Duvall Road on a private one-acre corner lot in a beautiful rural setting, about 3 miles west of Duvall and 8 miles east of Downtown Woodinville. 23620 N.E. 183rd St., Woodinville, WA 98072.

Christmas Light Displays in Bellevue and Eastside communities

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Issaquah. Nutcracker Lane neighborhood located east of Seattle along I-90 at 190th Avenue Southeast off Southeast 44th Way, is a winter wonderland. Each house on the cul de sac has a painted nutcracker statue and lights. Residents along Southeast 35th Place also get into the holiday spirit.

Sammamish. Timberline neighborhood in the cul de sac at N.E. 42nd St. and 204th Ave. N.E. Located just east of Seattle in Sammamish, homes, trees and decks are adorned with festive light displays throughout this neighborhood.

Christmas Light Displays in Tacoma and south Sound

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Federal Way. Wild Waves park “Holiday with Lights” is a dazzling display of more than a million lights nightly beginning the first weekend in December thru New Year’s Eve. Enjoy their 25 amusement rides and attractions all illuminated in lights. Visit Toyland and play in a falling snow tent, write a personalized letter to Santa, or make holiday crafts. Join Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer in a festive sing-a-long at 6pm & 8pm every evening. Go to the North Pole and take a photo with Santa on any operating evening until December 23, and make this a holiday to remember! Tickets: $19.99. But take advantage of a discount or buy a season pass Discounts: Buy advance tickets online and save $5. Buy a season pass (as low as $59.99) and enjoy the park through 2019. A pass usually pays for itself in 2-3 visits during summer and the Halloween and Holiday events are essentially free.

Kent. ChristmasInKent.com. 2017 was the last year for this show.

Maple Valley. Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular lights up the night from Thanksgiving Night (7:00pm) until New Years Eve. Donations requested online for several local charities. Listen to the soundtrack at 101.9 FM while you’re near the displays, now in TWO LOCATIONS:

West Seattle Lights: 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower (Google map)
Maple Valley Lights: 22629 SE 263rd Place (Google Map)

Renton. City of Renton hosts “Clam Lights” presented by Ivar’s Restaurant, a spectacular holiday lights display at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. It runs nightly Friday, November 30, 2018 through January 1, 2019 at 5 to 9 p.m. The visual display includes trees and shrubs professionally decorated with thousands of lights throughout the park, centered at Ivar’s, Kidd Valley, and along the paved, flat walkable loop, about one mile total distance. Bonus: Argosy Christmas Ship Parade passes nightly next to the water walk. Free event with free parking.

Tacoma. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium hosts “Zoolights” nightly Friday after Thanksgiving through the first weekend of the New Year. (Closed Dec. 24. Open Dec. 25 and Jan. 1). 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bundle up and stroll Point Defiance Zoo as it comes aglow with more than a half-million lights. Experience a magical world of dazzling animal light displays, including a whimsical 30-foot-wide underwater landscape, hammerhead sharks and sea turtles, carnivorous plants and their insect prey, a majestic polar bear family, and a giant Pacific octopus. You can even wrap up your holiday shopping with some unique gift ideas. There’s always something new to see and do at Zoolights. Tickets: $12.00. Discounts: Member discount. Zoo memberships beings at $70 individual and $145 family. It pays for itself in 3 visits. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA. 98407. Parking is FREE.

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