Over the years, many of our family’s holiday traditions have ebbed and flowed as our children have grown. One tradition that we have maintained since the days of babes in strollers to a house full of teenagers, however, is visiting the annual light display at Bellevue Botanical Garden’s Garden d’Lights. Now in its 31st season of operation, Garden d’Lights has been enchanting Seattle-area families for generations.
Featuring over half a million twinkling lights arranged in whimsical scenes throughout the botanical garden, Garden d’Lights is a crowd pleaser for all ages. Creative light displays are designed and installed by volunteers each year, representing thousands of hours of behind-the-scenes and on-the-ground preparations for the big event. This year’s event is expected to draw over 70,000 visitors, so plan ahead if you intend on visiting.
Photos can never 100% do holiday lights justice .. you’ll have to use a bit of your imagination (and trust us!) (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
What You’ll See This Year
During our walk through this year’s light show, several displays stood out: a scintillating river, a life-size vegetable garden (complete with a sneaky rabbit pulling up carrots!), and even a fire-breathing dragon. Each light sculpture plant is created by hand, taking anywhere from 2 hours for a small flower to over 40 hours for a larger and more intricate plant. The largest light sculpture currently on display is the poinsettia tree that is composed of over 11,000 lights and took over 350 volunteer hours to create.
Peter Rabbit, is that you? (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
What’s New for 2025
Despite having visited Garden d’Lights many times over the years, there is always something new to discover. The 2025 Garden d’Lights has a varied walking path with a new order of light displays, and each display has been upgraded to incandescent lights for brighter, more vibrant colors. Keep your eye out for new additions to the displays, including the cutest baby owl perched next to its mother.
Several special events this year help add to the magic of a stroll through Garden d’Lights. Live musical performances will take place on several evenings in the Aaron Education Center. Musical performances are included with Garden d’Lights admission. Download a free scavenger hunt for kids and see how many light-plants and light-critters they can find along the path (Make sure to search both high and low!). Enjoy Garden d’Lights in a quieter setting on their sensory-friendly night on December 2 (tickets required). The sensory-friendly night will have limited capacity and no live music for a calmer experience.
Mama and baby owl, one of the cutest new additions! (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
Make it a Bellevue Night Out
If you want to dive deep into the holiday spirit, consider adding on a second stop after your visit to Garden d’Lights. Snowflake Lane, a free nightly holiday parade, takes place just down the road between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Center. With the parade beginning at 7 p.m. each evening, this can make a spectacular finish to the evening after an early-entrance viewing of Garden d’Lights.
Whether visiting for the first time or for the 31st time, Garden d’Lights lives up to its moniker: It is an absolute delight for all who enter this enchanting garden. Gather your loved ones and make your own memories at Garden d’Lights this season!
A cherished family tradition. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
Know Before You Go: Tickets, Parking, Hours & Logistics
Dates & Hours
- Open nightly November 29–December 31
- Closed December 25
- Entry times between 4:30–8 p.m.; lights off at 8:30 p.m.
Ticket Info
- General admission (ages 11+): $10
- Discount nights ($5): December 1–4 and 8–11
- Ages 10 and younger: Free (ticket still required)
- All tickets must be pre-purchased online; no gate sales
Parking
- Premium onsite parking: $5 (first come, first served)
- Free parking is available 0.25 miles away at Wilburton Hill Park
Walking Path & Accessibility
- Approximately ¾-mile walking path
- Crushed-gravel surface; sturdy strollers recommended
- Several benches are throughout the route
- Allow at least 45 minutes to enjoy the displays
Weather & What to Wear
Garden d’Lights runs rain or shine, and tickets are nonrefundable due to weather. Dress warmly and bring waterproof layers if rain is expected. Hats, gloves, and hand warmers make a big difference on cold nights. Wear comfortable shoes or boots that can get wet or muddy.
Food & Shopping
- Copper Kettle Coffee (mid-route) offers snacks and warm drinks; outside food is discouraged
- Trillium Store (near the entrance) carries toys, gifts, books, holiday décor, and more
- Both are open nightly from 4:30–8:30 p.m.
More Holiday Lights Around the Seattle Area
Looking for even more festive glow this season? Explore these family-favorite light displays across the region:
- WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. A dazzling after-hours adventure filled with larger-than-life lantern animals, immersive zones, and glowing photo ops at every turn. A top pick for animal-loving kids.
- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoolights. A Tacoma classic featuring more than 800,000 lights, including the iconic Mt. Rainier display, whimsical sea creatures, and a glowing tunnel perfect for family photos.
- Holiday Light Displays Roundup. Our comprehensive guide to the best holiday lights across Seattle, the Eastside, and beyond — from drive-thru shows to neighborhood traditions and big-ticket experiences.
- Evergreen Christmas Lights. A cozy, walk-through forest experience with twinkling lights, warm drinks, and plenty of Northwest charm. Perfect for younger kids and families looking for a calmer outing.
- Candy Cane Lane. One of Seattle’s most beloved neighborhood traditions, featuring block after block of classic holiday décor, vintage displays, and sweet surprises in Ravenna.
- Ballard’s Nutcracker House. A hyper-local gem where one Ballard family transforms their home into a Nutcracker-inspired fantasy, complete with characters, music, and whimsical handcrafted touches.
Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.
