Christmas Lights Near Me

Seattle Christmas Lights 2026Every zoo, garden, parade and park light display around Seattle and the Eastside, with what's confirmed for this year and what isn't yet. We check every one and update this page each week through New Year's.

Updated Monday, September 14
8 displays
3 confirmed for 2026
6 free

This weekWhat changed since our last update

Confirmed for 20262026 dates not announcedLast year's details, unverified

The big ones

Four displays draw most of the crowds around Seattle. Three are confirmed for 2026 already. If you only do one, we'd pick Garden d'Lights on a weeknight, then WildLanterns in January after the others have shut off.

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo Confirmed 2026

Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 Ticketed, parking $10–15 Woodland Park Zoo, 4 mi north of downtown

Custom-built lanterns, most of them bigger than you, laid out as a walk across seven continents and under the ocean, penguins to lions. It runs longer than anything else on this list, to mid-January, so it's the one to save for after Christmas.

Buy before September 30. Early tickets are up to 30% off. Metro buses and Link light rail are free with the transit offer, which beats the zoo lots at $15 for Otter and Lion and $10 elsewhere after 3:30pm. There's a 21+ Night Owls night with cocktails if you want it kid-free.
Official page Directions

Garden d'Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden Confirmed 2026

Nov 28, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 $10, under 11 free Bellevue, 7 mi east

Over half a million lights bent into plants, animals and waterfalls through the botanical garden. It's the one we'd send someone who wants lights that look like something. Timed tickets, and at ten dollars it's the cheapest ticketed display on this page.

Go on a weeknight. The garden lot is free the rest of the year but charges during Garden d'Lights, and it can't take anything bigger than a car. Large vehicles park at Wilburton Hill Park a quarter mile east.
Official page Directions

Redmond Lights Confirmed 2026

Dec 5, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 $ Downtown Park, Redmond, 11 mi

Illuminated art installations at Downtown Park, a luminary trail and snowfall effects, with live performances and free craft activities on the kickoff night. After that the Family Lights Promenade and Redmond Town Center decor carry it through the month. Already confirmed for 2026.

Get there early on opening night. The kickoff is where the performances and crafts happen. Check Redmond Parks' social channels for weather calls before you go.
Official page Directions

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival Last year's details

Last year: Nov 28 – Dec 23 Ticketed, under 4 free Departs from different waterfronts each night

The lit-up Spirit of Seattle sails to a different waterfront community each night with a choir on board, and Santa reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. It's a cruise more than a light display, but the boat is the lights. Departure points change by date, so check the schedule before you buy.

Be at the dock 30 minutes early. Boarding starts then and the gate closes five minutes before departure. Argosy doesn't validate parking at Piers 54 and 55, so book a spot ahead. Pre-order the chowder at checkout if you want it.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Free

Both on the Eastside, both free, neither with 2026 dates yet. Do them the same night.

Google's Musical Holiday Lights, Kirkland 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Dec 5 – Jan 9 4–9pm daily Free Feriton Spur Park, Kirkland, 8 mi

10,000 LEDs at Feriton Spur Park synced to music, programmed by Google engineers. Last year's lighting night on December 5 had carolers, cookies and a photobooth. Small by light count, free, and an easy pair with Snowflake Lane in Bellevue.

Go on a weeknight. Weekends draw the crowd. Bring a thermos.
2026 dates not posted yet. Last year they lit on December 5.
Official page Directions

Snowflake Lane, Bellevue Last year's details

Last year: Nov 28 – Dec 24 Free Bellevue Square, 6 mi east

A free parade every night at 7 between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square, with toy drummers, dancers, floats, lights and falling snow. It's crowded on weekends and it's still the thing most Eastside kids remember.

Park in the Bellevue Collection garages. They're free. Get there well before 7, especially on weekends, or you'll be watching the backs of heads.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Tree lightings and town squares

One-night events north of the city. Neither has posted 2026 dates. We list last year's so you can plan around the same weekend.

Kenmore Luminary Walk

Dates not posted. A lit walking path put on by the City of Kenmore. Free.

Official page Directions

Bothell tree lighting

Last year Sat Dec 6, with a holiday market from 2pm and Santa arriving by fire truck to light the 'Lucky' tree. The tree stays lit nightly through New Year's. Free.

Official page Directions

Know a display we're missing?

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