20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area


There is just something about twinkling, dazzling, sparkly Christmas lights, right? Perhaps you’re searching for where to see Christmas lights in Seattle, as there’s really nothing like an abundance of festive lights and decorations to get the festive mood started. 

The Emerald City undoubtedly has an array of some of the most spectacular lighting extravaganzas bound to bring out the child in you that delighted in the shiniest shades of glittering lights and décor together with the jolliest of Christmas holiday memories. 

Where To See The Best Christmas Lights In Seattle 

We’ve sourced some of the best Christmas light displays for you. Some of the places listed below are free of charge, while others are drive-through opportunities to enjoy from the warmth and comfort of your car. You will also find the more commercialized lighting displays with admission charges. 

1. Village Of Lights: Christmas Town, Leavenworth

820 Front Street

https://leavenworth.org/christmastown/

Leavenworth is one of the most gorgeous and picturesque places to dwell in the Christmas cheer and spirit and to experience a wonderful and mesmerizing lighting spectacular twinkling every day from November 24, 2023, through to February 2024. 

Recognized as one of the best Christmas towns in the US, Leavenworth is the perfect place to see and celebrate the festive season with over a million lights, charming snow, delightful, cheery music, and excellent holiday entertainment while enjoying some time around the town, too. 

To avoid the crowds in the silly season, January or February is the ideal time to pop in for a visit. 

2. The Lights Of Christmas, Stanwood 

20800 Marine Drive

https://www.thelightsofchristmas.com/

This annual lighting celebration promises to be an authentic holiday experience!

Prepare to be wowed by the spectacular showcase of over one million lights, as The Lights Of Christmas promises to deliver a delightful, innovative, and super convenient way of delving into the holiday festivities of breathtakingly gorgeous lights, dazzling displays, and so much more. 

Brace yourself for a memorable Winter experience as you comfortably drive through this Christmas wonderland, singing along to the jolly Christmas tunes and relishing in the holiday fun at one or two of the activity stops that you’ll find along the way. 

Some of the details of The Lights Of Christmas include: 

  • The Opening dates are as follows: November 24-26, 30, December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-23, 26-30, 2023.
  • Advanced online bookings are essential. 
  • Time of arrival is selected during online purchases. 
  • Admission per standard car: $32 

3. Holiday Magic: Washington State Fair, Puyallup

110 9th Avenue SW

https://www.thefair.com/holiday-magic/

This festive holiday experience starts with a delightful tree-lighting ceremony on December 1 at the Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup. More excitingly, immerse yourself in dazzling, magical lights by waltzing through the must-see Twinkle Light Tunnel. 

In addition to the Christmas lights, you’ll also be in for a treat with winter-warming food, comforting drinks, and ice skating! 

Be sure to get down there to experience the magic and some of the best Christmas lights in Seattle on December 1st or 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, and 20-23 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

4. Candy Cane Lane, Ravenna 

Park Road NE and NE Ravenna Boulevard

https://www.facebook.com/SeattleCandyCaneLane/

Candy Cane Lane, officially known as Park Road in Seattle’s neighborhood of Ravenna, is a spectacular street adorned with Christmas decorations. This circular street of 23 houses has been amazing to the locals, with a unique drive-by Christmas experience every holiday season since 1949. 

It is free of charge, although canned food donations are welcomed. While 2023 dates haven’t been announced as yet, Candy Cane Lane typically wows children and adults alike from early December through to January. 

Pedestrians are welcome, too. It is best to park your vehicle on a side street or in Ravenna Park, just half a block away. 

5. WildLanterns, Woodland Park Zoo

5500 Phinney Avenue N

https://www.zoo.org/wildlanterns

WildLanterns is a superb holiday light festival courtesy of Woodland Park Zoo. This festival illuminates your holiday with its larger-than-life experience of lanterns of animals along the cross-zoo route, taking you on a dazzling adventure for a festive winter cheer. 

Expect to see brand new lanterns and themed zones this year, along with the firm favorites. Keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears, snow leopards, gorillas, giraffes, zebras, and so much more! The deets are as follows: 

  • Running from November 10, 2023 -January 14, 2024, from 4:00 –9:00 p.m. 
  • Closed on Mondays in November and early December. 
  • Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and on Christmas Day. 
  • Open on New Year’s Day. 

It is a truly “illuminating” experience for the kids and an excitingly “wild” day out for the parents and seniors. Just what a family needs to set the tone for a magical Christmas season by seeing some of the best Christmas lights in Seattle. 

6. Winterfest, Seattle Center

305 Harrison Street

https://www.seattlecenter.com/events/featured-events/winterfest

This annual Winterfest event will occur from November 24 -December 31, 2023. 

The opening day typically begins with a countdown to the lighting of the campus Luminata around 5 p.m., followed by an abundance of festively decked-out holiday lights and elaborate, sparkling light displays. 

The Seattle Center is a lively place to enjoy Christmas festivities and feel those holiday vibes. 

7. Snowflake Lane, Bellevue 

Sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets

https://bellevuecollection.com/snowflakelane/

20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area
Source: Bellevue Downtown Association

Expect to experience the true wonder of Christmas at this festival parade of holiday floats adorned with the most exquisite and dazzling Christmas lights and so many more fascinating holiday treats, such as:

  • Falling snow from the sky (artificial, but it’s still superb)
  • Festive music
  • Drummer boys, toy soldiers, and dancers
  • Reindeers 
  • Street Trees covered in lights
  • And Santa, of course! 

This remarkable experience is free, and the lights are turned on nightly at 7 p.m. sharp from November 24-December 24, 2003. Be sure to join in on the festive spirit on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets. 

8. Zoolights: Point Defiance Zoo And Aquarium, Tacoma

5400 N Pearl Street

https://www.pdza.org/event/zoolights/

20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area
Source: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Zoolights promises a great place to view over 800 00 Christmas and holiday lights in a gorgeous setting of lit-up pathways at the colorfully transformed zoo and the chance of perhaps seeing Santa in a diving suit in the aquarium, too! 

Head on from November 24 until January 1, 2024, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. each day to celebrate with magical lights and holiday traditions by walking through tunnels of impressive lights that have been delighting Christmas lovers for the past 36 years. 

An online timed ticket is required to enter the winter wonderland. 

9. Christmas Ship Festival, Argosy Cruises 

Ship-to-Shore Festival (Several locations)

https://www.argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/christmas-ship-festival/

This ship-to-shore festival has been coming to you annually since 1949. Thanks to Argosy Cruises, this Christmas ship (The Spirit of Seattle) is sent out to several locations.

It brings an impressive floating light parade to your town so that the beautifully adorned and dazzling ship can be enjoyed from shore as well. 

The detailed schedule for the holiday season can be found on their website, with the main highlight being the onshore event known as the “Grand Finale.” The ship will be lit with hundreds of spectacular, shimmery white lights for its final celebration on Lake Union on December 23. 

10. Renton Holiday Lights, Renton

1201 Lake Washington Boulevard N

https://www.rentonwa.gov/

If your holiday budget is already tight and your Christmas shopping needs to be completed, then look no further than the holiday lights event at Renton for a free and fun dose of the Christmas spirit. 

Gene Coulon Park is beautifully decked with Christmas lights, and the Argosy Christmas ship mentioned above is due to stop by this venue on opening night at 8:10 p.m. 

  • Opening night: Friday, December 1, from 6–8:30 p.m. 
  • Lights on daily: December 2 -January 1, 2024, 4–9 p.m. 

11. Fantasy Lights, Spanaway

14905 Bresemann Boulevard S

https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1253/Fantasy-Lights

Fantasy Lights is, without a doubt, the largest drive-through Christmas lights display in the Northwest, situated outside Tacoma. It offers a beautiful, peaceful, and mesmerizing drive-through consisting of 2 miles of sparkling lights and magnificent displays. 

Important information to make a note of: 

  • Opening weekend- November 17-19, 2023
  • Open daily- November 24, 2023- January 1, 2024
  • Times: 5:30 – 9 p.m. 
  • Ticket prices: $15-$20 / car
  • Discount nights: $10 /car November 27-30 and December 26, 2023 – January 1, 2024

12. Garden D’ Lights, Bellevue Botanical Gardens 

12001 Main Street

https://bellevuebotanical.org/garden-dlights/

Garden D’ Lights is a similar setup to Zoolights, featuring a walk-through light display. 

Boasting more than half a million sparkling lights, it is easy to see why these lights at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens are a much-loved choice when searching for the most spectacular holiday festivities. 

Garden D’Lights offers a bit more than just the traditional Christmas lights display, so look out for the following surprises from November 25 – December 31, 2023: 

  • Giant butterflies and flowers
  • Spiders in twinkling spiderwebs
  • Shimmering tail feathers 

Check out the new special price feature this year: $5 admission fee for the first two weeks of opening (Mondays-Thursdays only). The regular price after that will be $8, and please note that timed entry tickets are available online only. 

13. Holiday Lights And Delights, Downtown

400 Pine Street

https://downtownseattle.org/events/holidays/

Here’s another brilliant opportunity for those on a tight Christmas budget. Head over to Westlake Park for an excellent Tree Lighting Celebration free of charge on Friday, November 24, at 3:30 p.m.

Gear up for the main event at 5 p.m., when a 45-foot tree will be lit, followed by an impressive fireworks display. 

For the rest of the holiday season until January 9, 2024, holidaymakers can also expect to be enthralled with the Luminous Light Sculptures at this location. Prepare to be in awe of several fantastic, larger-than-life light installations built from thousands of sparkling lights. 

And as if that’s not enough for free entertainment, come dressed in your favorite winter woolies to enjoy the pop-up ice skating rink. 

14. Redmond Lights, Downtown Park 

16144 Cleveland Street

https://www.redmond.gov/1139/Redmond-Lights

Find yourself in the Downtown Park area? If so, go on over to revel in the charming light installations, the festive fun, and the contagious Christmas cheer to make and create lasting memories with loved ones and friends.

The deets regarding the Redmond festivities are as follows: 

  • The month-long celebration is free of charge
  • Festivities kick off on December 2 from 4–8 p.m.
  • Daily times: 5–11 p.m. from December 3 till January 3, 2024

15. Magic In The Market, Pike Place Market 

85 Pike Street

https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/pike-place-market-presents-the-28th-annual-magic-in-the-market/

Earning its spot on the list of where to see Christmas lights in Seattle is the most loved and truly wonderful Market festival that showcases its Christmas beauty at the ever-so-famous Pike Place Market.

Seattleites adore ringing in the festive season with the renowned lighting ceremony that has been a Seattle holiday tradition for the last 28 years. 

Pike Place Market will be transformed into a glorious winter wonderland from Saturday, November 25, at 5 p.m. Be sure to take advantage of the spectacular, dazzling Christmas lights throughout the holiday season, and you can finish all your Christmas shopping there! 

16. Snoqualmie Winter Lights Tree Lighting, Snoqualmie

7971 Railroad Avenue SE

https://www.snoqualmiewa.gov/927/Snoqualmie-Winter-Lights

There is no place like home, and the lively, small-town loveliness of Snoqualmie is just the place to give you all the comforting, homey vibes, especially during the most magical time of the year. 

Join them for their annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 2, at 5:30. Arrive earlier (4–6 p.m.) to enjoy the child-friendly light display route starting at the Salish Lodge and Spa all the way into Downtown.

Rock the holiday spirit by topping off the evening with a casual drive-up at Snoqualmie Parkway for some more delightful views of beautifully lit and twinkling trees in the neighborhood. 

17. Evergreen Christmas Lights, Bothell 

3429 240th Street SE

https://www.christmasatevergreen.com/

If you’re hoping to experience a more intimate Christmas feeling this year, then the Evergreen Christmas Light Show may just be the right fit for you. This event offers free nightly shows from December 1 to 24 from 6–9 p.m. 

The Evergreen Church really brings Christmas to life with its charming lights display as well as its soothing festive music. The inside of the building is just as charming as the outside, as the church presents Christmas concerts over the festive period, too. 

Refer to the website for more detailed information and timings. 

18. Google Musical Holiday Lights, Kirkland

499 7th Avenue S

https://kirklanddowntown.org/events/winterfest/

20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area
Source: Kirkland Downtown

For those seeking a completely different take on Christmas and holiday lights, why not head down to the Google Musical Holiday Lights event in the Cross Kirkland Corridor? This event begins on Friday, December 1, from 5–7 p.m. to January 1, 2024. 

Here, audiences will be amazed by a magnificent Christmas lights display custom-programmed by Google engineers. You will experience 10,000 LED lights cleverly synchronized and dancing to holiday music. 

19. The Very Merry Christmas House, Kent 

30211 176th Avenue SE

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063705454145&sk=about

20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area
Source: The Very Merry Christmas House

Now, this unique house certainly has an exceptional and extra special little touch! This is just an ordinary house in Kent that was (is) inhabited by some really awesome people.

Gena (the owner) goes out of her way to decorate the house over the festive season (and other holidays, too, such as Halloween) with over-the-top amazing lights and Christmas displays guaranteed to amaze all who pass by. 

The display consists of a synchronized light show, with classic holiday music worth hearing and 50 thousand LED lights worth seeing, too! 

Please do yourself a favor and give their Facebook page a follow for stunning photos and more details to follow closer to the Christmas period. You have to make a plan to go and see this house, listen to the music, and lose yourself in the wonder of Christmas! This house is the epitome of Christmas! 

20. Christmas Lights And Snowflake Lane Tour, Downtown 

Meeting place: Seattle downtown on 400 Pine Street in Westlake Park

https://activities.marriott.com/things-to-do/V28Hi3LZ7SnSpZ-christmas-lights-and-snowflake-lane-photo-tour

20 Places To See Stunning Christmas Lights In The Seattle Area
Source: Christmas Lights and Snowflake Lane Tour

Last but certainly not least on our list of where to see Christmas lights in Seattle is the Christmas Lights And Snowflake Lane Tour.

This guarantees to be the perfect way to participate in a unique, guided Christmas tour of Seattle that pays particular attention to sigh seeing some of the most remarkable Christmas lights locations that the streets of Seattle have to offer. 

Perhaps you’re riding solo or looking to meet a few new friends. Then it’s a fantastic idea to hop on the bus to see two of the most unique places and holiday highlights already mentioned above, namely: 

  • The Bellevue Botanical Gardens
  • Snowflake Lane in Bellevue Square

The duration of the tour is 3 hours. Bookings can be made online, and more details can be found on the website, too. 

About the author

My name is April, and I’m a Seattle-based writer, traveler, and foodie. I started this travel guide blog to share my passion for Seattle with fellow travelers and locals alike.

Whether you’re looking for the best coffee shops, the trendiest restaurants, or the most scenic hiking trails, I’ve got you covered.

When I’m not writing or exploring Seattle, you can find me watching movies with my husband, reading, or gardening with my dog in the backyard.

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