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Photo credit: Sean O'Neill

Holiday lights all around! Your 2024 Guide

Brighten up your night at these light shows

Seeing the holiday lights is one tried and true way to feel festive – oohing and aahing, enjoying tasty treats and spending time together outdoors. Here are some upcoming displays in and around Seattle. (Remember to book ahead online.)

At the Zoo

 

Wild Lanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo

November 15-January 19, 2025. See website for hours. 

Location: Woodland Park Zoo

Cost: Prices vary by day, peak weekend is $39.95/adult and $34.95/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

November 29-January 5, 2025. 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407

Cost: $7-$20, children 2 and younger 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 and at the fairgrounds

 

Diwali: Lights of India

Saturday, November 2, 2024. 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Armory Food & Event Hall, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Cost: Free

Join in this traditional Indian holiday celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. You’ll find music, food, demonstrations, art, and more at the Armory at Seattle Center. This event is free and open to the public for all ages.

 

Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park

November 29-January 5, 2025. Open daily 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Spanaway Park, 14905 Bresemann Boulevard South, Spanaway, WA 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. 

Photo credit: Google

Lights of Christmas at Stanwood

November 29-December 29, 2024. Select nights.

Location: Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292

Cost: $40 per car

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. Two activity stops along the route Joyland and Santa’s Village include fun activities for the whole family, photo ops and snacks. 

 

Holiday Magic at The Fair

December 6-23, 2024. Select days.

Location: Washington State Fair, 110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371

Cost: Check website for prices and purchase tickets online for the best pricing.

Purchase your tickets to the Holiday Magic event at Washington State Fairgrounds and enjoy interactive exhibits, light displays, an ice rink, festive food, shopping, and more from December 6-23, 2024 on select days. 

 

At parks, gardens, etc.

 

Swanson Nursery Holiday Festivities

November 9 – December 31, 2024. Open Daily.

Location: Swanson Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117

Cost: Free entry

Visit Santa, pick up your tree and home decor, plus see Swanson’s annual model train village for your family train outing! They will have a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed model train this year, which promises to be extra magical and colorful, with favorite characters from the book and movies, plus some other favorite characters (Elsa, Shrek, etc.) visiting the factory! Dont miss the Santa’s Yurt, an interactive kids’ space, which will also have some Wonka additions. 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.

 

Bellevue Botanical Garden presents Garden d’Lights

November 30-December 31, 2024. Select days. 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Location: Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA

Cost: $8/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. November 30, December 1, 6-8, 13-31 (closed on Dec 25). Watch for $5 nights, weekdays, during the show’s first two weeks.

Photo credit: Washington State Fair Facebook

Wintertide Lights

December 1-31, 2024. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Open Daily.

Location: Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd, Everett, WA 98201

Cost: Free, donations are encouraged

Head to the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens in Everett to experience a wealth of twinkling lights. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. This year’s event will include a gazebo luminary installation crafted by artist Cindy Morris and a Solstice Luminary Walk on Thursday, December 21st, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with complimentary luminary bags and story time in the gazebo. 

 

Bonsai Solstice

Saturday, December 14, 2024. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

Location: Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 South 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003

Cost: Free, donation is suggested and welcomed

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.

 

Green Lake Path of Lights

Saturday, December 14, 2024. 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Green Lake Park, 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115

Cost: Free, bring a can of food for donation

Enjoy the annual seasonal event at Green Lake. Walk the inner path around the lake lined with over 1500 luminary bags and enjoy music at 3 stages along the path. Dress for the weather. Please bring a can food donation to support the local food banks.

 

City lights

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:

 

Village of Lights: Christmastown in Leavenworth

November 29-December 24, 2024. Open daily. See website for hours/days

Location: Downtown Leavenworth, 820 Front StreetLeavenworth WA 98826

Cost: 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.

 

Evergreen Christmas Lights

December 1-24, 2024. Open every night. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Evergreen Church, 3429 240th St SE, Bothell, WA 98021

Cost: 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. 

 

Neighborhood Lights

 

Candy Cane Lane

December 7-January 1, 2025. Sun to Thurs: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Fri & Sat: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Location: Park Rd NE and NE Ravenna Blvd, Seattle WA 98105

Cost: Free

Visit this neighborhood light show in Seattle and enjoy the beautiful lights! Pedestrians are welcome any night, but this year, there will be four pedestrian-only nights where the streets will be blocked off.

December 15: Join the third pedestrian night with music performances including:

4:00 pm: Eckstein Jazz Combo
6:30 pm: Sing Sing Sing Barbershop Choir
7:00 pm: Northwest Girlchoir & Roosevelt Caroling Club

December 19: Join the last pedestrian night with music performances including:

6 pm: Roosevelt Jazz Band (Possibly later in the night: Northwest Girlchoir & Roosevelt Caroling Club)

 

More holiday fun

Winter and holiday festivals

Holiday train rides and model train villages in the Seattle area

About the Author

Jillian O'Connor

Jillian O’Connor, the former managing editor of Seattle’s Child, writes the education newsletter The Seattle Spiral (jilloconnor.substack.com)