The holidays go by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, it’s January and the trees are sitting on the curb, next to this year’s burned-out Christmas bulbs. So the time to start planning your holiday season in Washington is now! This little road trip route will take you to some of the best Christmas lights in Washington state, and it can easily be done in two days if you time it right. If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet, you will be after you make this journey.

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1. Maytown’s Christmas Island
2920 Tierney St SW, Olympia, WA 98512, USA
Maytown Assembly of God & Christmas Island/Facebook
Christmas Island in Maytown is known as the Bethlehem of Thurston County. What started as a very small scene in 1998 has become one of the best places in Washington state at Christmas. Keep an eye on the linked Facebook page for the most up-to-date info on this year's festivities and fun.
2. ZooLights, Point Defiance Zoo, Tacoma
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Facebook
Next, head up to Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo to see it transformed into a colorful winter wonderland in Washington with over half a million lights.

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3. Garden d’Lights, Bellevue Botanical Gardens, Bellevue
Garden d’Lights, 12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Garden d/Lights Facebook
Your next stop is the beautiful Garden d’Lights display at Bellevue Botanical Gardens. The displays come on at dusk here, and it won’t take you too long to get a glimpse of the half a million lights that make this place look so magical. These holiday lights in Washington are a can't miss.
4. Wildlights, Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
Woodland Park Zoo Facebook
Seattle’s zoo also gets into the holiday spirit with its Wildlights display. The sparkling lights and faux snowball fights are a perennial Evergreen State favorite and sure to put your family in the proper holiday spirit! It simply does not get better than Washington state at Christmas, don't you think?
5. The Lights of Christmas
The Lights of Christmas, 20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292, USA
The Lights of Christmas Facebook
The Lights of Christmas at Stanwood’s Warm Beach is the perfect place to end a Christmas Light road trip. You’ll step out of your car and be greeted by the smell of fresh hot donuts, the sound of caroling, and the sight of over one million lights. You'll feel like a kid again admiring these holiday lights in WA.

Where’s your favorite place to go to see the best Christmas lights in Washington state? Did we miss any of your favorite spots? Tell us!

For more seasonal fun in the Evergreen State, be sure to bookmark the ultimate guide to seasonal activities in Washington for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, apple picking, and so much more.

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Christmas lights in Washington

Sarah | October 12, 2021

What's the best Christmas town in Washington?

Hands down, the best Christmas town in Washington is Leavenworth. Every year, this charming Bavarian city goes all out for the holidays, creating an enchanting downtown scene that's straight out of a fantasy. Visiting Leavenworth during the holiday season is an absolute must. Not only is it Washington’s iconic Christmas town, but it’s also actually considered one of the best Christmas towns in the entire world. Between the tree lighting ceremony, downtown sledding hill (how cool!), and decked-to-the-nines business district, you'll be positively delighted by this treasure of a Christmas town.

What are some holiday traditions in Washington?

The holiday season is nothing short of magical -- especially if you're a kid (and parent!). Writing to Santa, visiting dazzling light displays, going to festivals, eagerly counting down the days to Christmas Eve... it really is the most wonderful time of the year. This holiday season, reclaim some of that childhood magic aboard this Christmas train in Washington. Each year, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad hosts not one, but two different Christmas excursions sure to get you in the holiday spirit. 

What are some other beautiful holiday road trips in Washington?

If you need a change of scenery, the charming town of Chelan makes a perfect year-round getaway destination. But during the holidays, the town's annual Winterfest celebration puts the charm factor over the top! The Chelan Valley turns into a winter wonderland around Thanksgiving, and that's when the holiday festivities kick off here. From late November to early February, there's always something fun on the local calendar. Skiing, cross-country skiing, fireworks, charming local businesses, wineries... there is so much to see and do in this amazing Washington town, that you might want to go all in and book a winter break vacation here!

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