Here’s a 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 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. So you can enjoy the season for several weeks and visit a new neighborhood every week.
2020 Christmas Light Displays in Seattle
(Seattle neighborhoods listed going north to south. Locations outside Seattle are listed below.)
1. 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)
2. Candy Cane Lane neighborhood near 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).
3. Woodland Park Zoo has a brand-new lantern festival “WildLanterns” presented by Sound Credit Union, which will replace their traditional WildLights event for 2020. WildLanterns is a brand-new experience at Woodand Park Zoo where the zoo will be illuminated by large-scale animal and nature scape lanterns. November 13, 2020 – January 17, 2021 from 4:00 – 8:30 p.m. Closed Mondays and November 26 and December 24 & 25. Stroll through the Living Northwest exhibit with lanterns of animals many of us are familiar with, including grizzly bears, eagles and mountain goats. Next, march through the magical Jungle Lights exhibit, where you’ll find lanterns of some of the most elusive creatures, such as snow leopards, tigers and gorillas. Your journey then takes a dive into the depths of the SeaMazium exhibit, filled with underwater and aquatic creatures, including sea turtles, jellyfish and seals. Finally, safari the African Savanna exhibit and discover herds of giraffe, zebra and much more! Use the Zoos’ West Entrance: 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle WA 98103 (Phinney Ave N between N 55th St & N 56th St). Advance purchase time-tickets required. Face coverings required. Ticket Prices: $28.95 Adults (Ages 13+), $23.95 Children (Ages 3-12), Toddlers (Ages 2 and under). Members receive a 20% discount. Since WildLanterns is a special fundraiser event, other admission discounts will not apply. More info: https://www.zoo.org/wildlanterns/faq and https://www.zoo.org/wildlanterns
4. Seattle Center Winterfest – Live and Virtual operates daily from Friday after Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Eve. Closed Christmas Day. Connect to a world of sparkling lights, amusements, and spirited entertainment at Seattle Center Winterfest, November 27 – December 31, 2020 happening virtually and on the Seattle Center Campus. Throughout the five weeks of Winterfest, those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit or delightful diversion will find virtual performances, videos highlighting holiday traditions, some kid-centric activities, and the annual campus lighting display. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
5. Seattle Pioneer Square LUSIO Light sculpture self-guided walking tour
Dec 1, 2020 – January 15, 2021. Pioneer Square. Occidental Mall will be home to its own 17-foot sparkly tree, thousands of lights in a Lusio Lights, including nine light art exhibits that you can enjoy in a self-guided COVID-safe public art tour in Pioneer Square. More info: LUSIO Lights Pioneer Square
Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association SANTA’S LIGHTS TOUR aboard a historic bus. Santa needs your help!
6. Menashe Family display is usually lit Sunday after Thanksgiving 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. Estimated Seattle City Light bill for 340,000 lights $18,904 vs. $442 for LED (Note to self: replace regular bulbs with LED!).
7. Gai Family house in the 3200 block of 36th SW, Seattle, WA 98126 (Google map). After an absence from 1996-2018, the the longtime Christmas-season landmark in West Seattle returned in 2019. The display includes Christmas lights and a beloved Madonna.
