Few traditions light up the season quite like piling into the car, bundling up for an evening stroll, or watching your kids’ faces glow under thousands of twinkling bulbs. This year, Seattle and the surrounding communities offer everything from major spectacle shows to intimate neighborhood favorites. Whether you’re looking for Christmas lights in Seattle, drive-thru holiday displays, garden paths, or free community celebrations, here’s your 2025 guide to the region’s best holiday lights.
Wild Lanterns at Woodland Park Zoo
Many families still search for “Seattle Zoo Lights,” but the Woodland Park Zoo’s holiday event is now called Wild Lanterns, featuring new illuminated displays each year.
Wild Lanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo | November 14-January 18, 2026 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle | Prices vary by day, peak weekend is $40.95/adult and $35.95/child (3-12), 2 and younger free. Buy tickets here. | The creators of Wild Lanterns have put together a brand-new show this year and the event promises to dazzle visitors with large light displays and interactive areas. See the website for hours and more details.
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo
Also knownn as the Tacoma Zoo Lights, the long-running Zoolights display transforms Point Defiance Zoo into a glowing winter wonderland with over a million lights.
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo | November 28-January 4, 2026 | 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407 | Cost: $14-$40, children 2 and younger are free. Buy tickets here | With over a million, the Point Defiance Zoo transforms its exhibits and pathways into a sparkly winter wonderland with lighted classics like the octopus, flame tree, and tiger face. Don’t forget to meet the groovy goats, then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Large Light Shows & Fairgrounds Events
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park | November 28, 2025 -January 4, 2026 | Open daily 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Spanaway Park, 14905 Bresemann Boulevard South, Spanaway 98387 | Cost: $15-$20 per vehicle. Watch for $10 discount days | Cozy up in your car as you drive through more than 300 elaborate displays with thousands of sparkling lights. Choose a weekday, early in the season, to avoid crowds.
Lights of Christmas at Stanwood | November 28-December 28, 2025 | Select nights. | Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood 98292 | $20 – $40 per car, find admission information here | Located an hour north of Seattle, this drive-thru light show in Stanwood is a must. As you drive, turn on the radio and listen to the display guide, Bruce the Spruce, as he takes you through each light display. Many activity stops along the route, including Joyland and Santa’s Village, which offer fun activities for the whole family, photo opportunities, and snacks.
Holiday Magic at The Fair | December 5-23, 2025, select days | Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371 | $22.50/adult, $17.50 for ages 3-12 and free for kids 2 and under, purchase tickets online for the best pricing. | Purchase your tickets to the Holiday Magic event at Washington State Fair Events Center and enjoy interactive exhibits, light displays, an ice rink, festive food, shopping, and more.
(Image courtesy Washington State Fair Facebook)
Parks, Gardens & Outdoor Holiday Displays
Swanson Nursery Holiday Festivities | November 8, 2025 – January 1, 2026, open daily | Swanson Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle 98117 | Free entry | Visit Santa, pick up your tree and home decor, plus see Swanson’s annual model train village for your family train outing! Don’t miss the Santa’s Yurt, an interactive kids’ space. Plus all of the usual holiday fun, including Santa Photos by appointment, holiday décor and ornaments, Christmas trees, and a special golden ticket promotion in the café.
Bonsai Solstice | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 South 336th St, Federal Way 98003 | Free | Take an evening stroll amid the soft holiday lights surrounding the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s collection of trees. Stay for holiday treats and enjoy free hot chocolate, listen to holiday music and view the Bonsai trees twinkling an array of lights. This is a family-friendly tradition that warmly embraces the generous spirit of the holidays.
Bellevue Botanical Garden presents Garden d’Lights | November 29-December 31, 2025. Select days | 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main Street, Bellevue | $10/person, children 10 and younger free. Buy tickets here | As you follow the pathways through the garden, you’ll discover a variety of brightly lit displays, plant and animal shapes, rock formations, butterflies, bees, and birds. Be prepared: It’s a 1-mile walk. Watch for $5 nights, weekdays, during the show’s first two weeks.
Green Lake Path of Lights | Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Green Lake Park, 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle 98115 | Free, donations are welcome | Enjoy the annual seasonal event at Green Lake, this year with a special hot air balloon display (4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.). Walk the inner path around the lake, lined with thousands of luminaries. Dress for the weather.
Evergreen Christmas Lights | December 1-24, 2025 | Open every night | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Evergreen Church, 3429 240th St SE, Bothell 98021 | Free | A Bothell tradition: Hundreds of thousands of lights will cover an entire church building and will be synchronized to music. Stop into the pavilion for warm cookies, treats, a winter village, and a train exhibit.
Garden D’Lights (Image: Ellie White / Seattle’s Child)
Neighborhood & Community Lights Around Seattle
Candy Cane Lane | December 6, 2025 – January 1, 2026. Sun to Thurs: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Fri & Sat: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Park Rd NE and NE Ravenna Blvd, Seattle 98105 | Free | Visit this neighborhood light show in Seattle and enjoy the beautiful lights! Pedestrians are welcome on any night, but this year, there will be four pedestrian-only nights when the streets will be closed off. The Pedestrian Nights in 2025 are December 6, December 7, December 10, and December 12.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies | Rain or shine, head to your local tree-lighting ceremony. Watch a parade, sip hot chocolate, and catch the magic of holiday displays. Arrive early to stake out a prime spot for viewing. Dates and locations vary. FREE. Here’s a short list of events:
- Pike Place Market – November 29, 2025
- Snohomish – November 29, 2025
- Mountlake Terrace – December 5, 2025
- Auburn – December 6, 2025
- Bellevue – December 6, 2025
- Bothell – December 6, 2025
- Kent – December 6, 2025
- Lakewood – December 6, 2025
- West Seattle – December 6, 2025
- Woodinville Tree Lighting – December 6, 2025
The start of something magical … (Image: Jillian O’Conner / Seattle’s Child)
Day Trip: Leavenworth Christmas Lights
Village of Lights: Christmastown in Leavenworth | November 27-February 28, 2025 | Open daily | See website for hours/days | Downtown Leavenworth, 820 Front Street, Leavenworth, 98826 | Free | Drive over to Leavenworth, where the town celebrates the holidays with over half a million lights, music and entertainment, holiday characters, kids’ activities, roasted chestnuts, Santa photos, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Lights in Seattle
Q: Where can I see Christmas lights in Seattle in 2025?
A: Popular spots include Wild Lanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, Green Lake Pathway of Lights, Garden d’Lights in Bellevue, and neighborhood shows like Candy Cane Lane.
Q: What happened to Seattle Zoo Lights?
A: Woodland Park Zoo’s former “WildLights” event is now called Wild Lanterns, but many families still search and refer to the old name when planning visits.
Q: Are there drive-through Christmas lights near Seattle?
A: Yes — Fantasy Lights in Spanaway and Lights of Christmas in Stanwood both offer drive-thru holiday experiences. Candy Cane Lane in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood is quite short, but also can be driven through.
Q: What are the best free holiday light displays?
A: Green Lake Pathway of Lights, Candy Cane Lane, Evergreen Christmas Lights, and many city tree-lighting ceremonies are free to the public.
Q: When do Seattle holiday lights usually start?
A: Most major displays begin mid to late November, with peak viewing between Thanksgiving and mid-December.
