Dazzling Holiday Light Displays Around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

Magical holiday light displays for families

There’s nothing like a huge and stunning display of sparkling lights to evoke the joy and wonder of the holiday season — in kids and adults alike. With shortened days and frequent drizzle, we could especially use some sparkle! Treat your family to glowing, electric “oohs” and “aahs” this season by visiting one of the many spectacular winter light displays around the region. From freebies to splurges, zoos to city displays, you can bask in the glow of holiday lights all around Seattle and beyond this season.

• Seattle holiday lights
• Eastside holiday lights
• Tacoma-area holiday lights
• North Sound holiday lights

Up first: Seattle holiday light displays

Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and was most recently updated on Nov. 21, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with new holiday light displays and information for the 2025 holiday season. Elisa Murray contributed to this article.

Seattle holiday light displays

Candy Cane Lane, Seattle

Dates: Candy Cane Lane lights are on from Dec. 6, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. Hours are 4–9:30 p.m., Sunday–Thursday, and 4–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday.
Cost: Free; food drive donations encouraged.
Location: Candy Cane Lane, Northeast Ravenna Boulevard and Park Road Northeast, Seattle

An old-school neighborhood light display, Candy Cane Lane lights up Northeast Park Road off of 21st Avenue Northeast and Ravenna Boulevard. Crowds form every year to view these homes that residents have been decorating since the 1940s. Drive through, or park and walk to avoid a wait. Note that some nights are exclusively for pedestrians. 

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Dates: WildLanterns opened Nov. 14, 2025, and runs through Jan. 18, 2026. The show is closed Nov. 17–20, 24 and 27; Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 24–25; and Jan. 5–7 and 12–14. Daily open hours are 4–9 p.m.; last entry is 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Timed-entry tickets for adults and teens (ages 13 and older) cost $32.45–$40.95; children’s timed-entry tickets (for ages 3–12) cost $28.45–$35.95. Toddlers ages 2 and younger enter free, but still need a ticket. Book tickets online. Daytime admission to Woodland Park Zoo is not included with WildLanterns tickets.
Location: Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle

Woodland Park Zoo’s popular holiday light show, WildLanterns, is back for its sixth year. Guests can walk the zoo paths, which are lined with huge and colorful lanterns in the shapes of animals from across the zoo and the globe. Journey into different themed zones featuring insects, bears, flowers and more. New this year: the Interactive Zone, with unique activities and surprising ways for kids to engage with the lanterns (prepare for loud noises and flashing lights). There’s also a sneak peek of the Forest Trailhead exhibit, opening in 2026.

Seattle Center Winterfest Lights, Seattle

Dates: Open daily, Nov. 20–Dec. 31, 2025
Cost: Free
Location: Seattle Center International Fountain, 305 Harrison St., Seattle

Seattle Center will once again light its campus with holiday lights for community enjoyment during Winterfest 2025 activities. Don’t miss the Train & Village Display, ice sculpting, and free performances in the Armory.

Olympic Manor, Seattle

Dates: 2025 details coming soon, check the Facebook page for updates.
Cost: Free
Location: Olympic Manor, 8500 23rd Ave. N.W., Seattle

Midcentury architecture and lots of holiday spirit draw huge crowds to the annual holiday light display in Olympic Manor, a neighborhood of gently curving streets in northwest Seattle. Drive carefully — cars are creeping along and drivers are sometimes looking at the lights rather than the road — better to park and walk through the neighborhood.

A Very Merry Downtown, Seattle

Dates: Nov. 28–Dec. 21, 2025
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Seattle

The Downtown Seattle Association hosts this long-running festival with holiday haps taking place in several downtown Seattle locations. See the illuminated tree at Westlake Park and admire light installations along the Pine Street corridor. There are also family-friendly activities at Pioneer Park, Bell Street Park, Pacific Place and Occidental Square — there’s even a free pop-up ice skating rink during one special week!

Kerry Park Viewpoint, Seattle

Dates: Early December through the end of the year
Cost: Free
Location: Kerry Park, 211 W. Highland Dr., Seattle

A driving tour through the picturesque, historic homes of the Queen Anne neighborhood is always a treat, but it is particularly striking when the holiday lights are on display. Residents put on some spectacularly sparkly shows. Top it off with a stop at the Kerry Park Viewpoint for an iconic view of downtown.

Menashe House, West Seattle

Dates: Typically starting Dec. 1, the lights stay on through the holidays from 4:30–11:30 p.m. every day.
Cost: Free; donations for the West Seattle Food Bank are encouraged.
Location: Menashe House, 5605 Beach Dr. S.W., Seattle

This charming home goes overboard with a holiday light display that includes more than 150,000 lights, an oversized Santa sculpture, festive reindeer and more. The gigantic tree in front of the house is beautifully lit, too. Previous years have had a model train running and large inflatables. It’s a local favorite, and you can expect to see and chat with other families in the community if you walk up to admire the display.

Next up: Eastside light displays

Eastside holiday light displays

Google Lights, Kirkland

Dates: Dec. 5, 2025–Jan. 9, 2026
Cost: Free; non-perishable food items accepted for donation.
Location: Feriton Spur Park, 509 Sixth St. S., Kirkland

The annual Google Lights holiday display kicks off on Dec. 5 with a fun night of holiday cheer, with Christmas carolers and more festivities. The park stays lit through January, so you have plenty of time to go and enjoy the dazzling display of colorful lights.

Garden d’Lights, Bellevue

Dates: Nov. 29–Dec. 31, 2025 (closed Christmas Day); 4:30–8:30 p.m.
Cost: Online tickets cost $10 per person; children 10 and younger free; $5 on select nights.
Location: Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue

Bellevue Botanical Garden’s annual light show, Garden d’Lights, is stunning, affordable and a family favorite. Over half a million sparkling lights are twisted — by dedicated volunteers — into fanciful flowers, critter shapes and even waterfalls. Past years’ favorites have included Charlotte, Willie the Slug and the smoking dragon. Download the scavenger hunt before your visit to use as a guide through the display.

Redmond Lights, Redmond

Dates: Dec. 6, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Park, 16101 Redmond Way, Redmond

Once just a one-night event, Redmond Lights is back again as a month-long celebration of lights. This fest aims to celebrate light, art and culture for everyone in the community through light art installations in Downtown Park. Join a special kick-off event on Saturday, Dec. 6, 4–8 p.m., and enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, food from vendors, and a silent disco. Bring a light and join the marching band for the Family Lights Promenade.

Renton’s Clam Lights, Renton

Dates: Opening night Dec. 5, 2025, 6:15 p.m. The lights are on Dec. 6, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Gene Coulon Memorial Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton

Renton’s Clam Lights, a free community display, returns this year to the city’s popular Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. Lights decorating dozens of trees and shrubs along a walkable path dress up the scenic waterfront park, which sits on the southern edge of Lake Washington. The display kicks off on Dec. 5 with opening-night festivities, including photos with Santa, holiday music and watching a parade of passing Christmas ships. If you pop in before dark, be sure to stop for a play session at the fantastic playground.

Evergreen Christmas Lights, Bothell

Dates: Dec. 1–24, 2025; 6–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Evergreen Church, 3429 240th St. S.E., Bothell

Considered to be the biggest holiday light show in Bothell, Evergreen Christmas Lights is an annual tradition at a local church. The light tunnels offer a perfect photo op for families and the light show outside is synchronized to Christmas music. Head inside to catch an animated Christmas movie in the auditorium, or stop by the model train display and admire the details. There is also a winter play area for kids, a Christmas photo booth and free cookies.

Keener’s Christmas, Bothell

Dates: Dec. 1–31, 2025; 6–10 p.m., weather permitting.
Cost: Free; donations encouraged.
Location: Keener’s Christmas Lights, 16504 112th Pl. N.E., Bothell

This home in Bothell puts together a huge light display and collects donations for charity. Enjoy the sparkling lights and decorations from the comfort of your car, as this is a drive-through display only.

Next up: Tacoma-area light displays

Tacoma-area holiday light displays

Zoolights, Tacoma

Dates: Nov. 28, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026 (closed Dec. 24–25); 4:30–10 p.m.
Cost: $14–$20 per person; kids ages 2 and younger enter free. Discounts available for zoo members. Timed-entry tickets are required and must be purchased online.
Location: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma

One of the region’s most beloved displays, Zoolights is a spectacular show made up of more than 1.5 million lights. Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) hosts this show and welcomes families from around the South Sound and beyond. Guests can expect favorite scenes such as Sasquatch, a flaming tree, a giant Pacific octopus and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. For the first time, PDZA is hosting Dog Nights during Zoolights so you can bring your pup along — limited tickets are available for select nights in December and January. There’s also the opportunity to meet the zoo’s goat herd up close with Groovy Goats: Zoolights Edition.

Tacoma Light Trail, Tacoma

Dates: Dec. 31, 2025–Jan. 11, 2026
Cost: Free
Location: Tollefson Plaza, 1548 Commerce St., Tacoma

This free winter festival in downtown Tacoma includes outdoor performances and other special events, with a kick-off on New Year’s Eve that features a fire-breathing dragon. The best thing about this light show is that its sparkle carries you well into January, while some light shows go dark by the end of the year. You’ll find light art displayed around downtown Tacoma every night. The festival stretches into the Hilltop neighborhood and beyond.

Fantasy Lights, Spanaway

Editor’s note: Fantasy Lights has been canceled for the remainder of the season due to weather conditions and ongoing electrical issues.

Dates: Closed for the season
Cost: Tickets start at $15 per vehicle; entry on premium nights costs $20 per vehicle. Discount night tickets are $10, Dec. 26, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026.
Location: Spanaway Park, 1000 Military Rd. S., Spanaway

Fantasy Lights is a huge drive-through light show, delighting families for more than 25 years with hundreds of sparkling holiday scenes along the shore of Spanaway Lake in Spanaway Park. Visitors remain in their cars and drive the winding, 2-mile route through the park, surrounded by lights. As you drive, tune your car radio to AM 1700 for accompanying holiday music.

The Very Merry Christmas House, Kent

Dates: Nov. 27, 2025, through early January 2026
Cost: Free; food bank donations accepted.
Location: The Very Merry Christmas House, 30211 176th Ave. S.E., Kent

The owner of the Very Merry Christmas House goes all out every year, and this year is no different. Enjoy the “Stars of Christmas” display this year, with jolly Santa and colorful lights. Even more fun, the lights are synchronized to classic holiday music. Keep your eye on the Facebook page — there are also seasonal displays throughout the year for other holidays.

Next up: North Sound light displays

North Sound holiday light displays

The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach, Stanwood

Dates: Nov. 28–Dec. 28, 2025
Cost: $20 per vehicle drive-thru only; $40 activity stops
Location: Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center, 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood

This popular North Sound holiday lights festival continues its drive-through format for 2025. Purchase treats like fresh mini donuts and kettle corn at the entrance, then view the dazzling light displays from your own car. This year, you can choose between drive-thru-only nights and activity stop nights.

Activity stop nights include visits to Joyland and Santa’s Village along the event route. At Joyland you’ll find a new Christmas market, photo ops and Bruce the Spruce (a talking Christmas tree!). At Santa’s Village, Santa will be available for photos each night through Dec. 23. Enjoy photo ops, a gift shop, snacks, a toy-making experience and the always-jolly Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can even add on a round of putt-putt on the new nine-hole mini golf course. 

Tulalip Lights & Ice, Tulalip

Dates: Nov. 22, 2025–Jan. 11, 2026
Cost: Free entry; ice-skating costs $18 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and younger, Monday–Thursday; $21 for adults and $18 for children, Friday–Sunday (skate rentals included).
Location: Tulalip Amphitheatre, 10400 34th Ave. N.E., Tulalip

Prepare to be dazzled by more than 8 million lights twinkling throughout the Tulalip Casino entrance and amphitheater. The entrance has water features (don’t miss the giant orca statues!) and plenty of lights to explore along the brightly lit path. Walk over to the amphitheater, where you’ll find family-friendly activities, including ice-skating, to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Winter Lighting Displays, Everett 

Dates: Mid-November through Feb. 16, 2026
Cost: Free 
Location: Pacific Rim Plaza, 1398 Seiner Dr., Everett 

Winter lights are displayed throughout Everett, including at the Port of Everett’s Pacific Rim Plaza and along the esplanade. Look out for illuminated salmon leaping, waves crashing and a stunning frozen fountain. Head to the Mukilteo waterfront to see the brand-new, beautifully lit orca sculpture.

Lavender in Lights, Arlington 

Dates: The farm is open weekends (Friday–Sunday), Nov. 14 through Dec. 28, 2025, from 3–8 p.m. 
Cost: Free; items for purchase 
Location: Arlington Lavender Farm, 20129 Tveit Rd., Arlington 

This charming lavender farm transforms for the holiday season, with sparkling lights across the fields. There will be snow and bubble machines adding to the whimsical atmosphere, and a covered area is the perfect spot to enjoy the free hot cocoa or coffee. Meander around the farm, and stop at the gift shop for lavender goodies and gifts for everyone on your list.