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
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.
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
December 1-31, 2024. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Open Daily.
Location:
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.
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.
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:
- Pike Place Market – Saturday, November 30, 2024
- Snohomish – Saturday, November 30, 2024
- Mountlake Terrace – Friday, Decemeber 6, 2024
- Auburn – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Bellevue – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Bothell – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Kent – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Lakewood – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- West Seattle – Saturday, December 7, 2024
- Woodinville Tree Lighting – Saturday, December 7, 2024
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.
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
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
Holiday train rides and model train villages in the Seattle area
