Christmas parades 2026Seattle · The Emerald City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Seattle, 2026.

We found five Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Seattle with 2026 dates: one parade and four tree lightings and lighting nights, four free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Snowflake Lane: Nov 27 · Nightly at 7pm through Dec 24.1 paradeWhen’s the tree lighting?Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park: Nov 27 · 11am–6pm. Plus 3 more.4 lightingsIs it free?4 of 5 are free to watch; the rest list a price.4 freeDaytime or after dark?4 daytime, 1 in the evening. Each card is marked.1 evening

Last checked · 5 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

27NovFriSnowflake LaneParade · Nightly at 7pm through Dec 2427NovFriTree Lighting Celebration at Westlake ParkTree lighting · 11am–6pm28NovSatMagic in the MarketTree lighting · See the event page28NovSatEdmonds Tree Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 3–5 p.m.5DecSatKent Winterfest Tree Lighting Festival & ParadeTree lighting · 2–7 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Seattle

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Seattle

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov28Sat

Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony

Centennial Plaza · 5th Ave. N & Bell St., Edmonds, WA

Tree lightingFreeDaytime
Time
3–5 p.m.; Santa arrives for selfies at 4 p.m.; lighting countdown starts 4:30 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: The Edmonds Chamber's Small Business Saturday lighting, with a live band, free warm drinks and kids' crafts run with the Edmonds Historical Museum. The chamber's Santa mailbox opens in mid-November if your kids want to write ahead.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec5Sat

Kent Winterfest Tree Lighting Festival & Parade

Kent Town Square Plaza · 2nd Ave. & Smith St., Kent, WA

Tree lightingDaytime
Time
2–7 p.m.; parade 5 p.m.; tree lighting 6 p.m.; Santa photos 5–7 p.m.
Price
No tickets listed

Good to know: Kent Parks, the Lions Club and the Downtown Partnership put on an afternoon of student performances and food booths, a short Winterfest parade, then the lighting. Santa's tent has postcards for wish lists, and he writes back if you add a mailing address.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back 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

Snowflake LaneNext: Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake ParkNext: Nov 27, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Seattle

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Good questions

Christmas parades in Seattle: the FAQ

Snowflake Lane: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, Nightly at 7pm through Dec 24 (Bellevue).

Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park at Westlake Park: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 11am–6pm; tree lights at 5pm, then fireworks. Magic in the Market at Pike Place Market: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, See the event page. Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Plaza: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 3–5 p.m.; Santa arrives for selfies at 4 p.m.; lighting countdown starts 4:30 p.m. Kent Winterfest Tree Lighting Festival & Parade at Kent Town Square Plaza: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 2–7 p.m.; parade 5 p.m.; tree lighting 6 p.m.; Santa photos 5–7 p.m.

Four of the five we list are free to watch: Snowflake Lane, Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park, Magic in the Market and Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Tree Lighting Celebration at Westlake Park, Magic in the Market and Edmonds Tree Lighting Ceremony. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 28, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Seattle that weekend, parades included.

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