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.
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Christmas Light Displays in Seattle
(Seattle neighborhoods listed going north to south. Locations outside Seattle are listed below.)
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 the 1st Sunday in January. (Closed December 2, 3, 9, 10, 24, 25 in 2019.). 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+) $16.95; Children (3-12) $12.95; Toddlers (0-2) FREE. Discount: Save $2 -$3 on advance tickets purchased online thru November 28, 2019. 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.).
Lumaze Lost in Lights in Seattle at Pier 91 Smith Cove. Friday after Thanksgiving thru the first Sunday in January. (Closed Christmas Day.) A magical family-friendly indoor wonderland with interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, kids playground, train rides, and daily live entertainment. Shop the vendor market, showcasing the best local artisans and boutique businesses, alongside delicious food and drink options under the twinkle of a million lights. Tickets: weekdays $19.99, weekends & holidays $22.99, season pass $49.99. Discount: Receive 20% off tickets for select dates using code Seattle20 at checkout. Prices are approximately $2 more per person at the door, if tickets are available (most dates sell out in advance).
Seattle Center Winterfest operates daily from Friday after Thanksgiving thru the first Sunday in January. 10am-6pm. Closed early 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.
Enchant Christmas Light Maze & Market at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Weekends, Fri-Sun Nov 22 – December 1. Daily Dec 3-29, 2019. 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 (18-64) $32.99, youth (14-17)/senior (65+) $25.99, child (4-13) $23.99, free admission for children ages 3 and under. Military/First responders $29.69. Family pass (2 adult/2 child) $89.99. Discounts: $19.99/adult: Dec 3 and 10. $29.99/adult: Dec 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16-19. 20% off family pack (2 adult, 2 youth/child).
Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association SANTA’S LIGHTS TOUR aboard a historic bus. Cancelled for 2019. 🙁
West Seattle Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular is dormant as of 2019. 🙁
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!).
(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/
Find more Christmas Light displays near you at ChristmasLightFinder.com.
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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.
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 charity drive (usually food), so bring a few cans or a bit of cash. You’ll see a donation drop when you drive through the arch on the circular driveway. Kenner Christmas Lights, 16504 112 place NE Bothell, WA 98011.
Marysville. Cedarcrest Golf Course Tour of Lights. 2019 dates: Dec 11-14, 18-21, and 23 from 5:30 – 9:30pm or until sold out. 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, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292. 2019 DATES: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 18-23, 26-29 from 5-10pm. The largest holiday festival in the Pacific Northwest with over ONE MILLION lights, five entertainment stages, children’s activities, food, and more! Opening the day after Thanksgiving and running 21 nights through December 29, 2019. Tickets: $18 ages 13-59, $14 seniors/military, $13 ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. Purchase online or at the event. Activities included with the price of admission: Train Ride, Pony Ride (ages 6 and younger), Petting Farm, Bruce the Spruce the talking tree, Santa Claus (until Dec. 23), and the Light Maze. Pay What You Can Nights: Want to experience the festival but can’t afford the full price of admission? On Pay What You Can Nights, you can set your own price for Festival admission. On December 5, 12, and 29, when you come to the ticket booth, your bill will be tallied at the regular price. However, you pay only as much as you can. No minimum payment required. This gives everyone the opportunity to experience The Lights of Christmas festival.
Woodinville. Woodinville Wonderland is closed forever. 🙁
Find more Christmas Light displays near you at ChristmasLightFinder.com.
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Christmas Light Displays in Bellevue and Eastside communities
(Listed alphabetically by city)
Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights operates nightly beginning Saturday after Thanksgiving thru December 31 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.
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. Usually lit every night in December.
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.
(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/
Find more Christmas Light displays near you at ChristmasLightFinder.com.
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Christmas Light Displays in Tacoma and other cities south of Seattle
(Listed alphabetically by city)
Federal Way. Wild Waves “Holiday with Lights” is not scheduled for 2019.
Kent. ChristmasInKent.com 2017 was the last year for this show.
Maple Valley Lights light 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 display at 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, December 6, 2019 through January 1, 2020 from 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. The Argosy Christmas Ship will have afternoon and evening sailings from the nearby Hyatt Regency Lake Washington on Dec. 14 and 15.
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.
Tacoma. LIGHT PLANTASIA! at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. December 10-15, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM you can enjoy the botanical gardens inside the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory lit with the art of light for a stunning and unique holiday excursion. Light Plantasia features various light exhibits by local artists woven directly into the gardens and incredible lighting designed to create an entirely new world after dark. Enjoy a luminous journey through a rainbow of botanical landscapes as we paint the plants with lights! All Ages. Free for kids 3 and under! ADVANCE TICKETS: $12 each. Packages of 5 tickets for $50.
Tacoma. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA. 98407. “Zoolights” nightly Friday after Thanksgiving through the 1st Sunday 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. Parking is FREE. Tickets: $13.00 general admission at the gate (does not include daytime zoo entrance). Discounts: $11 general admission when you buy in advance (online or at Fred Meyer). Members pay $6.50; zoo memberships beings at $70/individual and $145/household. It pays for itself in 3 visits.
Tukwila. Farklezoo sequenced light display, 14480 58th Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168. This family provides Holiday cheer with their award-winning display of 30,000 sequenced lights that includes animated faces that sing to the songs. The hour of sequenced music plays on 107.9 from 4pm to 10pm Daily. Time permitting they also hand out candy canes! Farklezoo has been a neighborhood delight for ~20 years. The display has received awards by City of Tukwila: “Most visible from space” and “Most technical display”. The display is free to see, but they ask you to bring food donations for the Tukwila Pantry and help them reach their goal of 500LBS!
Find more Christmas Light displays near you at ChristmasLightFinder.com.
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Free Christmas Light displays opening Thanksgiving Weekend
Note: this list includes FREE Christmas Light displays opening Thanksgiving Weekend. Scroll down for a complete list of free and paid Christmas light displays running December – New Year’s.
(Listed in order of opening day.)
Maple Valley Lights light 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 display at 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.
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 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.
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.
Bainbridge Island and Seattle. Argosy Christmas Ships visit Puget Sound 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/. It’s always a good idea to check their schedule before you head out in case of schedule changes, but here is where they are expected to be last time we checked:
Argosy Christmas Ship Schedule Thanksgiving Weekend 2019
- Friday, November 29 | 6:30 – 9:00 pm *Opening Night*. Departure: Pier 55. 1st Performance: Seattle Lowman Beach Park @ 7:25 pm. 2nd Performance: Seattle Alki Beach Park @ 8:10 pm.
- Saturday, November 30 | 12:30 – 2:30 pm. Departure: Pier 55. 1st Performance: Seattle Waterfront @ 12:35 pm. 2nd Performance: Seattle Myrtle Edwards Park @ 1:55 pm
- Saturday, November 30 | 6:30 – 9:15 pm. Departure: Pier 55. 1st Performance: Bainbridge Island Waterfront Park @ 7:30 pm. 2nd Performance: Seattle Salty’s on Alki Beach @ 8:40 pm.
- Sunday, December 1 | 1:30 – 4:15 pm. Departing Pier 55. Seattle West Point Lighthouse @ 2:10 pm.
- Sunday, December 1 | 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Departing Pier 55. 1st Performance: Seattle Carkeek Park @ 7:30 pm. 2nd Performance: Seattle Golden Gardens Park @ 8:10 pm.
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.
Maple Leaf Lights in north Seattle. Usually lights Sunday after Thanksgiving. 30,000 lights programmed to music. Sunday – Thursday 5 to 9 PM, Friday – Saturday 5 to 10 PM. Address is 845 NE 88th St.
Menashe Family Christmas Light 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!).
Find more Christmas Light displays near you at ChristmasLightFinder.com.
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