Three Christmas light displays in and around Seattle have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. Two are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 7 p.m. at Snowflake Lane. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Checked Oct 26 on the official page
Report a problem
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 26 on the official page
Report a problem
Seattle Center Armory · Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109
Little-kid take: Has daytime hours, so it works before nap. Stay until dusk to see the lights come on.
Checked Oct 26 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. WildLanterns opens first, on Nov 13. WildLanterns runs into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:20 p.m. in Seattle (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
From 10 a.m. · stay until dusk
10am–6pm
7 p.m. start · about 25 min
7pm (about 25 minutes)
9 p.m. start · plan about an hour
4–9pm (last entry 8:30pm)
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: WildLanterns, Snowflake Lane, Winterfest Winter Train and Village
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| WildLanterns | Dated tickets; price on the ticket page | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Snowflake Lane | Free; parking is free in Bellevue Collection garages | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Winterfest Winter Train and Village | Free; donations accepted | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 6 Santa outings in and around Seattle: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Seattle →
Yes. Snowflake Lane and Winterfest Winter Train and Village are free in 2026.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Snowflake Lane at 7 p.m. and WildLanterns at 9 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime. For no-late-night options, Winterfest Winter Train and Village works in the daytime.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Seattle · Seattle city guide · Visiting Seattle
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Seattle that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Seattle
By month
Things to do with kids in Seattle in November · Things to do with kids in Seattle in December
Christmas trains
Christmas train rides near Seattle: Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more. 4 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Seattle: 4 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Seattle: 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.
WildLanterns