Here’s our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are drive-thru or walk-thru commercial displays with an admission charge.
Many Christmas light displays go up Thanksgiving Weekend. Most are lit by the first weekend of December and a few begin in mid-December. Most Christmas light displays stay up through New Year’s Eve. You can enjoy the season for several weeks and visit a new neighborhood or light attraction every week to light up your winter.
You might also like: Free Christmas tree lighting events around Puget Sound (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)
2024 Christmas Light Displays around the Puget Sound region
(Listed alphabetically by city or location in Washington State.)
Bellevue. Snowflake Lane – The Bellevue Collection happens nightly from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve every night at 7 pm. Experience the wonder of falling snow, dazzling lights, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers in this FREE nightly parade of holiday floats. Join us on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets every night at 7 pm. Park in any of our free parking garages and choose your favorite spot on the sidewalk to see the show.
Bellevue. Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights. From Saturday after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Nightly 4:30-9PM. General admission $8. $5.00 nights (NEW for 2023): First two weeks, Monday-Thursday, Nov 27-30 and Dec 4-7. Location: Bellevue Botanical Garden 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, 98005. Timed Entry Tickets available online only; no tickets are sold at the event. General admission: $8.00 (age 11+). Children 10 and under are free. SPECIAL $5.00 NIGHTS at Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights. First two weeks, Monday through Thursday, Dec 2-5 and Dec 9-12 from 4:30-8PM. Admission $5 per person. Kids 10 and under are free.
Bothell. Evergreen Lights. December 1-24. 6-9:00pm. The biggest and best light show in Bothell. Immerse yourself in Christmas as the Evergreen Church building comes alive with lights and music. Shining hope and light into the Pacific Northwest winter darkness, this Christmas event has become a much-loved Bothell tradition.
Everett. Wintertide Lights | Everett. Downtown Everett is all decked out for the holiday season with a tall tree and stunning light display suspended over the Colby and Hewitt intersection. This year, the Downtown Everett Association added tons of extra lights to the mix, and many of the downtown businesses are decorating their storefronts.
- Wintertide Tree Lighting Kickoff is Friday after Thanksgiving from 2 to 8 p.m. Santa will magically turn all the lights at 5 p.m.
- Waterfront Lights at the Port of Everett: Nov. 15, 2024, through Jan. 15, 2025.
- Wintertide Lights at the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens Dec. 1-31, 2024, at 4 p.m. each day.
Issaquah. Nutcracker Lane neighborhood located east of Seattle along I-90 at 190th Avenue Southeast off Southeast 44th Way, is a winter wonderland. Each house on the cul de sac has a painted nutcracker statue and lights. Residents along Southeast 35th Place also get into the holiday spirit. Usually lit every night in December.
Leavenworth. Village of Lights: Christmastown in Leavenworth, WA celebrates with over half a million lights, music, and holiday entertainment Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve from 6 AM until 11 PM each day. There is no charge to visit and see the Viallage of Lights in Leavenworth, located two hours East of Seattle via US-97 or I-90.
Puyallup. Holiday Magic at The Fair. December 6-8, 12-15 & 18-23, 2024 from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm, last entry at 8:30 pm. Parking is free with admission. The magical holiday experience is fun for the whole family and includes breathtaking lights, interactive displays, festive food and drink. As far as we can tell, regular adult admission appears to be $25—save by buying online and buying early (before December 3). They also offer ticket packages for 2 or 4 people ($80 or $150), which include food, drinks, freebies, and discounts.
Redmond. Redmond Lights. every night from Dec. 7, 2024 through Jan. 6, 2025 from 5 – 11 p.m. A free, month-long celebration in Downtown Park. Enjoy art and light installations. Kick-Off Event on Dec. 7, 2024 from 4 – 8 p.m.
Renton. Tree Lighting on November 30, 2024 at 5 p.m. at downtown Renton’s Piazza Park (233 Burnett Ave S). Be sure to keep an eye out for Santa who will be arriving shortly after for photos in the Renton Pavilion Events Center. Meet Santa and snap your own holiday photo from 5 – 7 p.m. More info: Tree Lighting – City of Renton
Renton. Ivar’s returns to sponsor winter lights at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. Lights are on daily December 7 through January 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Clam Lights Opening Night December 6 from 6:15pm-8:30. Take photos with Santa, join a Singalong, watch Rainier Yacht Club’s “Parade of Boats”, and the Argosy Christmas Ship. More info: Clam Lights – City of Renton, City of Renton and Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. 98056).
Sammamish. Timberline neighborhood in the cul de sac at N.E. 42nd St. and 204th Ave. N.E. Located just east of Seattle in Sammamish, homes, trees and decks are adorned with festive light displays throughout this neighborhood.
Seattle & Eastside Argosy Christmas Ship Events. The Argosy Christmas Ship visits Seattle and Eastside waterfront communities Friday after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances, broadcast on a state-of-the-art sound system. From the flotilla of ships following along to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the Seattle winter holiday season. Free events include the parade of boats from a public community-organized event on shore (Christmas Ship™ Festival Schedule – Argosy Cruises) and the Annual Parade of Boats viewing party through the Fremont Cut (Christmas Ship™ Parade of Boats – Argosy Cruises). Christmas Ship™ and Follow Boats Tickets $49-$76/adult: Christmas Ship™ Tickets – Argosy Cruises.
Seattle/Candy Cane Lane near the University of Washington usually lights up the first Saturday in December through January 1. The neighborhood is north of the University of Washington, off of Ravenna Boulevard on Northeast Park road, just past 20th in Seattle, WA 98105. (Google map).
Seattle/Woodland Park Zoo. WildLanterns holiday light festival at Woodland Park Zoo (November-January). November 15, 2024 – January 19, 2025 from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Open New Year’s Day. Closed Mondays, except Dec 16, 23, 30. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and New Year’s eve). WildLanterns presented by BECU returns to Woodland Park Zoo this November with an all-new, immersive, wild wonder that promises a magical holiday experience for all! On-site parking $7 beginning at 3:30 PM. Tickets: $33.95-$49.95/adult. Zoo Members 20% discount.
- WildLanterns Low Sensory Nights: November 20, December 11 & January 9.
- WildLanterns Senior Stroll Nights: November 19 & December 12
- WildLanterns Inaugural 21+ evenings: December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025! Specialty cocktails and noshes, themed lounges, and exciting animal encounters.
Seattle Center. Winterfest – Live and Virtual operates daily from Friday after Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Eve. Enjoy sparkling lights, amusements, and spirited entertainment virtually on their website and in-person on the Seattle Center Campus. Throughout the five weeks of Winterfest, those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit and delightful diversions can enjoy the Winter Train & Village, ice sculpting, festive campus lighting display, and New Year’s Eve celebration. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
Seattle/Olympic Manor neighborhood on north Seattle’s Crown Hill typically has many decorated homes by mid-December through New Year’s. Some say it’s not as spectacular as it used to be in either number or detail. Many say it’s still a beautiful way to enjoy a December evening. The entrance is on NW 85th St. and 22nd/21st Ave NW or at NW 90th and 24th Ave. NW. (Google map)
Seattle/West Seattle. Astra Lumina Seattle: An Immersive Nightwalk Experience is an outdoor, nighttime, one-mile-long enchanted walk through the Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle Community College. Astral energy is used to transform the garden into a celestial pathway, using projections, lighting, and music. Tickets $41/adult.
Seattle/West Seattle neighborhoods.
- West Seattle. Gai Family house in the 3200 block of 36th SW, Seattle, WA 98126 (Google map). It a narrow neighborhood street, so expect a backup. The display includes Christmas lights and a beloved Madonna. After an absence from 1996-2018, the longtime Christmas-season landmark in West Seattle has returned.
- West Seattle. Menashe Family display in West Seattle is usually lit by December 1 and runs every night through January 1 from 5pm-11pm in the 5600 block of Beach Drive in West Seattle (Google map). The Menashe’s have close to 340,000 lights that consist of both LED and incandescent. There are nearly 100,000 lights on the giant oak tree that is the centerpiece in the front yard. More info: Famous Menashe Christmas display going up; Dec 1 they go live | Westside Seattle
- West Seattle. Find info about these and other West Seattle Christmas light displays on the West Seattle Blog | Christmas lights
Spanaway. Fantasy Lights is the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. Open Daily November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025 from : 5:30-9:00 p.m. Located just south of Tacoma, the beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable tradition for the entire family. Remember to turn off your lights so people in front of your car can see clearly into the night. Cost: $15-$20 per vehicle (up to 24 passengers). $10 Discount Nights per vehicle
Dec 26 – Jan 5. Location: Spanaway Park, Military Road and 152nd Street, Spanaway, Washington 98387.
Stanwood. Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach – one hour north of Seattle. Nov 29-Dec 1 & December 5-8, 12-15, 18-23, 26-29. The Lights of Christmas is a Holiday experience like no other! The innovative and convenient experience for families in the Pacific Northwest features spectacular lights, dazzling displays, creative activities, and so much more make up this memorable Christmas experience for people of all ages. Listen to fun Christmas music while you comfortably drive through in your car. New this year, stop and have some fun at one of the two activity stops along the event route! Admission per car: $40 (up to 12 passengers). Advanced online purchase required. Rates higher for bus/limo. Location: Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Tacoma. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (pdza.org). November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025 from 4:30PM – 10:00PM. Magical lights and a classic holiday tradition dazzling our community for 37 years. Walk-through event. Parking is free. Admission tickets $20: online advance purchase tickets required. Discount nights: Dec 2-5 and 9-12. Other discounts: Zoo & BECU Members. Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA. 98407. More info: Zoolights | Holiday Lights | Tacoma Events | Point Defiance Zoo (pdza.org)
Tacoma. TACOMA LIGHT TRAIL is a free winter festival of light art in downtown Tacoma that features outdoor performances, dragon parades, lumens concerts, a lighted bike ride, illuminated art throughout downtown, and much more. Celebrate the kickoff of the 2025 Tacoma Light Trail on New Year’s Eve, December 31, at Tollefson Plaza from 6 PM to 10 PM! Experience the magic of the trail from December 31 to January 12 from 5 PM to 9 PM, with dazzling light art on display each night and exciting events throughout the festival!
Tacoma and Puyallup neighborhoods. If you just want to wander in Tacoma, here are a few safe bets: North Tacoma, especially around the Proctor District, is usually a worthy holiday drive. West Tacoma, University Place, and Puyallup neighborhoods like Silver Creek are also generally fine places to go.
Tulalip. Quil Ceda Village presents Tulalip Lights and Ice from November 23, 2024 – January 9, 2025. The lights at Tulalip Amphitheatre are on 24/7 and the lights at the Tulalip Casino Resort turn on at 3:30 pm. The free-to-enter holiday event located at the Tulalip Amphitheatre features a holiday light display with over 7.8 million lights, an ice-skating rink with real ice ($15 includes skate rental), gift and treats from local vendors, and fun activities for the whole family! More info: Tulalip Lights & Ice – Quil Ceda Village
Christmas lights photo by REDPIXEL via DepositPhotos.com
2023 Christmas Light Displays around the Puget Sound region
(As we verify these Christmas Light Displays from last year, we’ll move them to the above list)
Bothell. Kenner Christmas Lights. Usually lit Friday after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Over 500,000 lights in the display. Also acts as a charity drive (usually food), so bring a few cans or a bit of cash. You’ll see a donation drop when you drive through the arch on the circular driveway. Kenner Christmas Lights, 6504 112th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011. More info: Pacific NW Christmas Lights
Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline come together for the fourth annual Winter Porch Light Parade, a self-guided driving experience. The light displays are best seen after 6:00 p.m. Use the virtual Winter Porch Light Parade Map, available to spectators from Dec. 1 – 31, 2023. More info: Winter Porch Light Parade | Bothell WA
Kenmore and surrounding. Winter Porch Light Parade December 1-31, 2023 from 5-8pm nightly. Local displays in Kenmore, Bothell, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline. Get a map on their website (available December 1).
Maple Valley. Maple Valley Lights. Nightly beginning Thanksgiving night from 4:30 – 11:00. Listen to the soundtrack at 101.9 FM while you’re near the display at 22629 SE 263rd Pl, Maple Valley, WA 98038. Accepts food donations for Maple Valley Food Bank and cash donations for both the Food Bank and Vine Maple Place.
Poulsbo. Christmas in Big Valley | Poulsbo WA | Facebook, 26730 Big Valley Rd NE, Poulsbo, WA. November 25, 2023 – January 1, 2024 from 4:30 to 9:30pm. 75,000-light walk-thru Christmas display at a single-family home. Admission: $12, kids 6 and under are free.
Redmond. His Lights,13424 179th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Hours 5-9:30pm. No dates listed but appears to be running in 2023. Light show is timed to several Christmas songs and help make this display a grand sight for spectators. Listen from your car on 91.1 FM.
Tacoma. Anderberg Christmas House | Facebook South Ferry Street and South 10th Street where they intersect, the display is on the corner. Usually lit by Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. You can’t miss it! About 70 lighted blow-up figures. plus several light projectors surround the house.
Past Christmas Light Displays
These events are not operating in 2023.
Lynden. Lights of Lynden. Closed in 2023. No info for 2023.
Seattle. Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association SANTA’S LIGHTS TOUR aboard a historic bus. Cancelled 2021-2023. Expected to return in 2024.
Seattle. Enchant Christmas – Enchant. No Seattle event listed for 2023.
Golden Christmas tree lights vector by -Baks- via Depositphotos.com
But wait, there’s more!
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- More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page.
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Holiday event calendar of free and affordable things to do
Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do for Thanksgiving to Christmas holidays, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
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Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
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