From simple to spectacular, holiday light displays are one of the most festive and fun ways to celebrate the season. We’re focusing more on the spectacular with a roundup of lights that would give Clark Griswold a run for his money. Some are free, others require admission or accept donations – you’ll find the details below. Don’t forget your camera!
SEATTLE AREA
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.
November 23-December 23, 2024. Open nightly, times vary.
Location: Various beaches
Cost: Free for watching from land, costs if you board the ship. $35-$76.
Nearly every night through Dec. 23, the brightly lit Christmas Ship and its flotilla of lighted boats stops at a different waterfront community while a choir performs for everyone on board and on land to enjoy. You can find a listing of scheduled stops here, plus ticket information if you want to ride aboard the ship.
GloCone Holiday Lights at Phinney Center
Saturday, November 30, 2024. 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Phinney Center and Brick Building, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Cost: Free
All ages
The air raid tower will be lit aglow with their annual GloCone holiday lights installation! This bright tree is made of over 3,200 programmable LED lights that change patterns and colors throughout the evening. Come by for carols, hot cocoa and community.
December 7-January 5, 2025. 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. nightly
Location: Gene Coulon Memorial Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056
Cost: Free
Renton’s holiday light display shines 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly from December 7 through January 5th, 2025. Join them on opening night for the lights (with new-and-improved lighted Ivar’s Running Clams), music, parade of boats, Santa, and a special appearance by Ivar’s Santa Clam. Opening night will start at 6:15 p.m. with the arrival of Santa and lighting and end at 8:40 p.m. with the Argosy Christmas Ship.
December 7-January 1, 2025. 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sun-Thur, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Fri/Sat
Location: N.E. Park Road, off of N.E. Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle (Ravenna)
Cost: Free, donations are welcomed
Neighbors on this charming street have been decorating with lights for some 60 years, with lovely displays on just about every house. Consider parking nearby and walking through to cut down on emissions (and to get a better view). Non-perishable food donations are welcomed. Pedestrian exclusive nights will be 12/7, 12/10, 12/15 and 12/19.
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.
EASTSIDE
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.
Snowflake Lane at The Bellevue Collection
November 29-December 24, 2024. 7 p.m. Open daily.
Location: Bellevue Square, 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004
Cost: Free
Snowflakes fall to the ground as a parade of costumed characters and magical floats glide down the street, spreading holiday cheer. Stake out your favorite viewing spot early in the season and show up well before showtime. The parade starts at 7 p.m. every night and you can watch on the sidewalks along Bellevue Way between Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square.
December 1-January 3, 2024. Daily. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: 14301 Railroad Way NE, Duvall, WA, 98019
Cost: Free
All ages
Embark on a winter wonderwalk this Yuletide season. Transport your imagination to the enchanted North with illuminated Nordic tales featured under the stars. Discover characters such as: Jack Frost, King Winter, the Yule Goat, and many more.
Google’s Musical Holiday Lights
December 6-January 7, 2025. 5:30 p.m.
Location: Feriton Spur Park on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, 509 6th St South, Kirkland, WA 98033
Cost: Free
On Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m., 10,000 LED holiday lights will be switched on for Google’s Musical Holiday Lights. The lights are synchronized to holiday music, and custom-programmed by Google Kirkland engineers. As part of the festivities, there will be carolers cookies, a photobooth, and a petting zoo. This free, family-friendly event is an annual highlight, showcasing the creativity and holiday spirit of the Kirkland community. The lighting ceremony is only on December 6, but the illuminations will be available for viewing every evening until January 7, 2025.
NORTH SOUND
Lavender in Lights – Arlington
November 15 – December 29, 2024. Open on weekends: Friday-Sunday, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Arlington Lavender Farm, 20129 Tveit Rd Arlington, WA 98223
Cost: Free, donations are welcomed
All ages
Make a beautiful family tradition and visit the ‘Lavender in Lights’, over 1,400 lavender plants all aglow. Walk the farm and enjoy a magical setting featuring a hot cocoa/coffee station and special treats available, family Christmas photo ops (with a snow machine!), and holiday shopping at the farm stand.
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 1-31, 2024. Open daily. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (weather permitting)
Location: Keener’s Christmas Lights, 16504 112th PL NE, Bothell, WA 98011
Cost: Free, donations are welcomed
See the Keener family’s home decorated with more than 100,000 lights and other displays. Tune your radio to 91.7 FM for accompanying music. Free, donations welcomed for Roc Solid Foundation (helps kids fighting cancer).
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.
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.
SOUTH SOUND
Thursday, November 28, 2024 (opening day) at 4:30 p.m.
Location: Maple Valley Lights, 22629 S.E. 263rd Pl, Maple Valley
Cost: Free, donations are welcomed
See a 25-minute synchronized light show (tune your radio to 101.9 FM) and taking donations of dry food goods and or cash for Maple Valley Food Bank and Vine Maple Place. Schedule will be coming soon, stay tuned on their facebook page.
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 lights, 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 cocoa.
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.
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.
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.
FARTHER AFIELD
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.
Read more:
Holiday lights all around Seattle guide
Holiday events and festivities happening in the Seattle area
