MerryMapThe Best Christmas Lights in Seattle
The Puget Sound season is public and mostly free. Seattle Center Winterfest, Redmond Lights, Renton’s Clam Lights, the Tacoma Light Trail, and the Google campus display in Kirkland all cost nothing, and the ticketed standouts (WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, Garden d’Lights in Bellevue, Zoolights at Point Defiance) are walk-throughs rather than drive-thrus. There are fewer synchronized home shows here than in most metros, so the parks and waterfronts carry the season. Below are the displays worth the trip, Seattle to Tacoma.
46 displays mapped · 2026 season · updated September 26, 2026
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Light walks, waterfronts & public displays
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WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo
Phinney Ridge · 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103
A ticketed evening walk through Woodland Park Zoo lined with giant illuminated lantern sculptures of animals, organized into themed zones with an interactive area.
Ticketed showTicketed4–9pm daily (closed select dates); Nov 14, 2025–Jan 18, 2026View on the map -
Seattle Center Winterfest Lights
Seattle Center · 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109
Seattle Center strings its campus with holiday lights for Winterfest, alongside a free train and village display, ice sculpting, and Armory performances.
Park / publicFreeDaily; Nov 20–Dec 31, 2025View on the map -
A Very Merry Downtown
Downtown Seattle
The Downtown Seattle Association's holiday festival lights Westlake Park's tree and the Pine Street corridor, with family activities at several downtown plazas.
Park / publicFreeNov 28–Dec 21, 2025View on the map -
Google Lights
Feriton Spur Park · 509 6th St. S., Kirkland, WA 98033
A colorful lights display fills Feriton Spur Park through the holidays, kicking off with carolers and festivities; non-perishable food donations are welcomed.
Park / publicFreeDec 5, 2025–Jan 9, 2026View on the map -
Garden d'Lights
Bellevue Botanical Garden · 12001 Main St., Bellevue, WA 98005
Volunteers twist more than half a million lights into flowers, animals, and waterfalls along a walking path through the Bellevue Botanical Garden, ticketed with a scavenger hunt.
Park / publicTicketed4:30–8:30pm select nights (closed Christmas Day); Nov 29–Dec 31, 2025View on the map -
Redmond Lights
Downtown Park · 16101 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052
A month-long light-art festival fills Redmond's Downtown Park with public installations, kicking off with live entertainment, food vendors, and a lantern promenade.
Park / publicFree5–11pm nightly; Dec 6, 2025–Jan 5, 2026View on the map -
Renton's Clam Lights
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park · 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton, WA 98056
Trees and shrubs along Renton's waterfront park are strung with lights for a free walkable display, opening with Santa photos and a passing boat parade.
Park / publicFree5–9pm nightly; Dec 6, 2025–Jan 4, 2026 (opening night Dec 5)View on the map -
Evergreen Christmas Lights
A Bothell church covers its building in hundreds of thousands of music-synced lights, with light tunnels, a model train, a movie screening, and free cookies inside.
Ticketed showFree6–9pm nightly; Dec 1–24, 2025View on the map -
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Point Defiance · 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98407
A ticketed evening walk through Point Defiance Zoo lit by more than a million lights, with recurring local scenes like a giant octopus and a Sasquatch.
Ticketed showTicketed4:30–10pm (closed Dec 24–25); Nov 28, 2025–Jan 4, 2026View on the map -
Tacoma Light Trail
Tollefson Plaza / Hilltop · 1548 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402
A free downtown Tacoma light-art festival that opens New Year's Eve and stretches into the Hilltop neighborhood, with nightly illuminated installations and performances.
Park / publicFreeNightly; Dec 31, 2025–Jan 11, 2026View on the map -
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park
1000 Military Rd. S., Spanaway, WA 98387
A two-mile drive-through of roughly 300 lit scenes winds along Spanaway Lake, with holiday music synced to AM 1700 for the car ride.
Ticketed showTicketed5:30–9pm nightly; late Nov–early JanView on the map -
The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach
Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center · 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood, WA 98292
A large drive-through light festival north of Seattle with a radio-narrated route, plus optional walk-in stops for a Christmas market and Santa's Village.
Ticketed showTicketedSelect nights; Nov 28–Dec 28, 2025View on the map -
Tulalip Lights & Ice
Tulalip Amphitheatre
Millions of lights cover the Tulalip Casino entrance and amphitheater, including large orca-shaped water features, with an on-site ice rink for an added fee.
Park / publicFreeNov 22, 2025–Jan 11, 2026; skating ticketed separatelyView on the map -
Port of Everett Winter Lighting
Pacific Rim Plaza · 1398 Seiner Dr., Everett, WA 98201
The Port of Everett's waterfront plaza and esplanade light up for the season with illuminated salmon and wave sculptures and a lit fountain display.
Park / publicFreeMid-November through Feb 16, 2026View on the map -
Lavender in Lights
Arlington Lavender Farm · 20129 Tveit Rd., Arlington, WA 98223
A lavender farm strings its fields with lights for winter weekends, with snow and bubble machines, hot cocoa, and a holiday gift shop.
Park / publicFree3–8pm Fri–Sun; Nov 14–Dec 28, 2025View on the map -
Winter Brilliance at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Seattle Center · 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109
A ticketed indoor light-and-music installation surrounds roughly 700 hand-blown glass sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass, with an onsite bar for after.
Ticketed showTicketedMuseum hours daily, through Feb 28, 2026View on the map -
Swanson Nursery Holiday Festivities
Crown Hill · 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
A neighborhood nursery decorates for the season with a model-train village, a Santa-visit yurt, and lit holiday trees and decor for sale.
Park / publicFreeDaily; Nov 8, 2025–Jan 1, 2026View on the map -
Bonsai Solstice
Pacific Bonsai Museum · 2515 South 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
A single free evening at the Pacific Bonsai Museum lights the collection's trees for an evening stroll, with hot chocolate and holiday music.
Park / publicFreeDec 13, 2025, 4–7pmView on the map -
Green Lake Path of Lights
Green Lake · 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
A free annual evening event lines the inner walking path around Green Lake with thousands of luminaries, plus a hot air balloon display.
Park / publicFreeDec 13, 2025, 4:30–7:30pmView on the map -
Holiday Magic at Washington State Fair Events Center
110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
A ticketed indoor-outdoor holiday event at the fairgrounds combines light displays with an ice rink, interactive exhibits, and festive food and shopping.
Ticketed showTicketedSelect days, 4:30–9:30pm; Dec 5–23, 2025View on the map -
Astra Lumina Seattle
Seattle Chinese Garden / South Seattle College · 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
A ticketed one-mile nighttime walk through the Seattle Chinese Garden pairs light installations with music along a celestial-themed path.
Ticketed showTicketedEvenings; typically Nov–Jan, check current datesView on the map -
Arlington Hometown Holidays
Downtown Arlington
Downtown Arlington decorates for the season with lights, carousel and wagon rides, carolers, and hot cider through the month.
Park / publicFreeAll of DecemberView on the map -
Auburn's Lighted Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Auburn · 25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Downtown Auburn's Main Street hosts a lighted evening parade ending at City Hall's plaza for the annual community Christmas tree lighting.
Park / publicFreeDec 6, 2025, parade and tree lighting from 4pmView on the map -
Woodinville Holiday Fair & Tree Lighting
Deyoung Park · 13680 NE 175th St, Woodinville, WA 98072
Downtown Woodinville hosts a free holiday fair culminating in the lighting of the community tree at Deyoung Park.
Park / publicFreeDec 6, 2025, 3–6pm; tree lighting at 5:30pmView on the map -
Kent Winterfest Tree Lighting
Town Square Park · 115 2nd Ave S, Kent, WA 98032
Downtown Kent's Town Square Park hosts a free family festival culminating in the city's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Park / publicFreeDec 6, 2025, 2–7pmView on the map -
Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting
Lakewood City Hall · 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
A lighted evening parade travels toward Lakewood City Hall, ending with the ceremonial lighting of the city's community Christmas tree.
Park / publicFreeEarly December, evening parade with tree lightingView on the map
Decorated neighborhoods & home displays
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Candy Cane Lane
Ravenna (Park Rd NE & NE Ravenna Blvd)
Homes on this Ravenna block have decorated together since the 1940s; residents suggest parking and walking rather than driving through on busy nights.
Neighborhood streetFree4–9:30pm Sun–Thu, 4–11pm Fri–Sat; Dec 6, 2025–Jan 1, 2026 (some nights pedestrian-only)View on the map -
Olympic Manor
Olympic Manor (Crown Hill)
Midcentury homes along the curving streets of this northwest Seattle neighborhood draw large crowds for their holiday lights; walking is recommended over driving.
Neighborhood streetFreeMid-December through New Year's, eveningsView on the map -
Kerry Park & Queen Anne Lights
Queen Anne · 211 W Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98119
Historic Queen Anne homes decorate for the season along a driving route that ends at the Kerry Park viewpoint overlooking the downtown skyline.
Neighborhood streetFreeEarly December through year's end, eveningsView on the map -
Menashe House
West Seattle · 5605 Beach Dr. S.W., Seattle, WA 98136
A West Seattle waterfront home wraps itself in more than 150,000 lights with an oversized Santa, lit reindeer, and a glowing front-yard tree; donations support the food bank.
Famous houseFree4:30–11:30pm nightly; Dec 1–Jan 1View on the map -
Keener's Christmas
A Bothell home runs a drive-through-only light display collecting charity donations, viewable from the comfort of a car.
Famous houseFree6–10pm nightly, weather permitting; Dec 1–31, 2025View on the map -
The Very Merry Christmas House
A Kent homeowner's annual all-out display runs a music-synchronized light show and collects food-bank donations, with a different theme each season.
Famous houseFreeEvenings; Nov 27, 2025–early Jan 2026View on the map -
Snowflake Lane
Bellevue Square / Lincoln Square
The sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square host a free nightly holiday parade with fake snow, lights, dancers, and drummers.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly at 7pm; Nov 26–Dec 24, 2025View on the map -
Nutcracker Lane
off SE 44th Way & 190th Ave SE
Every house on this Issaquah cul-de-sac pairs a painted nutcracker statue with holiday lights, with a nearby street joining the display too.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Timberline Neighborhood Lights
NE 42nd St & 204th Ave NE
Homes, trees, and decks throughout this Sammamish cul-de-sac neighborhood decorate together for the season, viewable by a slow drive or walk.
Neighborhood streetFreeDecember eveningsView on the map -
Maple Valley Lights
22629 SE 263rd Pl, Maple Valley, WA 98038
A home display synced to 101.9 FM accepts food-bank and charity donations at the curb while cars idle past to watch.
Famous houseFree4:30–11pm nightly; Thanksgiving through New Year's EveView on the map -
Gai Family Christmas Display
West Seattle
A returning West Seattle landmark display on a narrow residential street pairs Christmas lights with a large illuminated Madonna figure.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Anderberg Christmas House
South Ferry St & S 10th St
A corner-lot Tacoma home fills its yard with roughly 70 lighted inflatable figures and light projectors, hard to miss from the street.
Famous houseFreeThanksgiving through New Year's EveView on the map -
Christmas in Big Valley
Big Valley
A single-family home display of roughly 75,000 lights offers a ticketed walk-through, though its longtime elderly owner has said upkeep is growing difficult.
Famous houseTicketed4:30–9:30pm; late Nov–early JanView on the map -
Merrysville for the Holidays
Residents, organizations, and businesses across Marysville decorate their properties as part of a citywide holiday-lights celebration each December.
Neighborhood streetFree5–9pm throughout DecemberView on the map -
Marysville Christmas Lights
near Marysville Golf Course · 7513 72nd Dr. NE, Marysville, WA 98270
A homeowner's synchronized light show broadcasts its soundtrack on 101.9 FM and accepts food-bank donations from visitors driving by.
Famous houseFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Fir Grove Neighborhood Lights
Fir Grove (near Silver Lake Costco)
This Everett neighborhood puts on a coordinated holiday-lights event with a Santa visit and a Salvation Army donation drive.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Irwin Family Lights
10513 27th Dr SE, Everett, WA 98208
An Everett home runs hundreds of controllable light elements synchronized to music broadcast on 87.9 FM, with yard speakers on until 9pm.
Famous houseFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Kornfed's Lights
10629 Sunrise Dr, Bothell, WA 98011
A Bothell home's music-synchronized light display collects donations for the local food bank throughout the season.
Famous houseFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Mountlake Terrace Christmas Light Display
42nd Pl W
A homeowner's large seasonal light display collects donations for the local food bank across the month of December.
Famous houseFreeNightly in DecemberView on the map -
Everett Wintertide Lights
Colby Ave & Hewitt Ave, Downtown Everett
Downtown Everett strings a tall tree and overhead lights above its main intersection, with area businesses adding their own storefront decor.
Neighborhood streetFreeKickoff Nov 28, 2025, 2–8pm; lights displayed through the seasonView on the map
Seattle Christmas lights: FAQ
- When do Christmas lights turn on in Seattle?
- Most displays light up in late November and run nightly through late December or early January. Dusk comes early this far north, about 4:20pm in December, so displays are visible from mid-afternoon, usually until 9 to 10pm.
- Which Seattle Christmas lights are free?
- Most of them. Seattle Center Winterfest, Redmond Lights, Clam Lights in Renton, the Tacoma Light Trail, the Kirkland Google display, and every home and neighborhood display are free. WildLanterns, Garden d’Lights, and Point Defiance Zoolights are ticketed.
- Will the rain ruin it?
- Not usually. Displays run through the rain, and the walk-through venues stay open. Bring a hood rather than an umbrella, since paths get crowded. Clear cold nights are the best viewing, and they do happen.
- How should I visit a private home display?
- Keep music low, leave driveways clear, and watch for kids in the road. Puget Sound side streets are often narrow and unlit outside the display itself, so park where drivers can see you and carry your trash back out.