Many wintertime activities (like caroling and shoulder-to-shoulder photos with Santa and his elves) are too close for comfort with the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases, but inventive holiday light displays are coming through to ease our seasonal depression and offer much-needed cheer in a socially distanced manner. We've rounded up all the Seattle-area options for 2020 below, from Westlake Park's virtual tree-lighting ceremony Past Event Like List to the Washington State Fair's Holiday Magic Drive-Thru Past Event Like List , and from Seattle Center's Campus Luminata Past Event Like List to the Woodland Park Zoo's WildLanterns Past Event Like List . Check out our complete winter holidays calendar for virtual markets and other COVID-safe seasonal happenings.

NOVEMBER 19-DECEMBER 12

Green Lake Pathway of Lights Kits Past Event Like List
While the Green Lake Park circuit won't light up with thousands of candles this year, its organizers are putting together kits with luminary supplies that can line whatever path you're working with at home. Once you've purchased it and picked it up from a participating community center before November 30, wait for December 1 for a Facebook tutorial on how to set it up. Plus, on December 12, tune in to a montage of memories from past Pathway of Lights events.
Various locations

NOVEMBER 19-DECEMBER 2

Seattle Festival of Trees Past Event Like List
The historic Fairmont Olympic hotel will celebrate the winter season this year with a virtual gala and auction (Sat Nov 21) benefitting Seattle Children's Hospital, Uncompensated Care, and Seattle Children's Autism Center, where you can bid on the extravagant Christmas trees on display in the hotel's windows, viewable from the sidewalk along Fourth Avenue.
Fairmont Olympic (Downtown)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Drive-Thru Holiday Spectacular Past Event Like List
Get amped up for post-Thanksgiving merriment at this free, one-night-only holiday drive-through, where you'll take in laser light shows, live musical performances (including from American Idol's Johanna Jones), stilt walkers, a grand entrance from Santa, and more.
The Landing (Renton)

NOVEMBER 21-JANUARY 3

Fantasy Lights Past Event Like List
Spanaway Park will bring back its festive light displays for drive-through spectators to enjoy—just be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance.
Spanaway Park (Spanaway)

NOVEMBER 26-FEBRUARY 14

Leavenworth Village Lights Past Event Like List
From Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, Washington State's one and only Bavarian-style village will, despite the cancellation of its annual winter festival, light up the town with a bright display. They'll also have a link to a livestream if you prefer to stay home (link coming soon). 
Leavenworth and online

NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 24

Snowflake Lane Past Event Like List
Every year, downtown Bellevue turns into a winter wonderland not just for one night but for a whole dang month, with (fake) falling snow, jolly music, and twinkling lights every night until Christmas Eve. Don't expect a marching band this year (mouths blowing into trumpets during COVID = bad), but do expect a perfectly lovely, socially distanced walk- or drive-through.
Bellevue Collection

NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 30

The Lights of Christmas Past Event Like List
In place of their annual Christmas festival, Stanwood will host a drive-through affair boasting over one million lights in dazzling displays, including their beloved light tunnel, a Cascade Splendor mountain scene, a Nativity, Santa and his reindeer, and more, plus costumed characters. Once you arrive (with tickets purchased in advance), tune in to LOC Radio 101.9 FM to enjoy Christmas music with radio host Bruce the Spruce. If you want a snack for the journey, you can order fresh-hot mini-donuts and a hot beverage from your car.
Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center (Stanwood)

NOVEMBER 27-JANUARY 3

Zoolights Past Event Like List
Holiday traditions don't get more classic than strolling through the zoo when it's transformed into a luminous wonderland of 3-D animal light installations. Displays from previous years have included hammerhead sharks and sea turtles, a majestic polar bear family, and a giant Pacific octopus. You can see this year's lit-up creatures by following a guided path laid out for social distancing.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma)

NOVEMBER 27-JANUARY 9

Downtown Holiday Lights & Delights Past Event Like List
More than 80,000 light bulbs assembled in the likeness of presents, arches, and trees will make your visits downtown as merry as possible during an ongoing pandemic. Also on deck this year is winter wonderland-themed augmented reality experiences set up on sidewalks and plazas around downtown, which require a smartphone. 
Various locations (Downtown)

Holiday Tree-lighting Celebration Past Event Like List
Westlake Park's tree lighting ceremony will prevail despite Macy's closure, bringing light sculptures and the iconic Seattle Star that hangs on the outside of the department store back into view. Watch the livestream on the Downtown Seattle Association, KIRO-TV, or Warm 106.9 Facebook pages (Fri Nov 27).
Westlake Park (Downtown) and online

Occidental Square Sparkly Tree Past Event Like List
Stroll past a makeshift tree made of glowing orbs in Occidental Square all season long.
Occidental Square (Pioneer Square)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Lighting of Langley Past Event Like List
Head to the plaza on Second Avenue for Langley's annual tree lighting, which will also see cocoa and a visit from socially distanced Santa.
Second Avenue Plaza (Langley)
Note: This event is subject to change; we'll update this post as we hear more

NOVEMBER 28-JANUARY 6

15 Second of Stardom Past Event Like List
This virtual experience gives you the power to create a 15-second custom light show through the Seattle Star (the giant star on the outside of the Bon Marché Building that used to house Macy's) for $15. Every dollar of which will benefit homeless families through Mary's Place. 

DECEMBER 1-31

Woodinville Winterfest Festival of Lights Past Event Like List
Throughout the month of December, various Woodinville businesses like Chateau Ste Michelle and Matthews Winery will decorate their storefronts with festive displays. 
Various locations (Woodinville)

DECEMBER 4-6

Hometown Holiday Past Event Like List
Drive through the perimeter of the Enumclaw Expo Center for a "community cruise" full of lights. 
Enumclaw Expo Center

DECEMBER 4-JANUARY 3

Holiday Magic Drive-Thru Past Event Like List
The Washington State Fair is bringing a host of yuletide activities to its Puyallup grounds that visitors can enjoy from the safety of their cars. From light displays to fair food to a prize-bearing scavenger hunt to cheery music on SANTA FM 101.5, there's lots to choose from to warrant a mini road trip. You can even add Snowflake 3D glasses to make the displays look even more magical.
Washington State Fair Events Center (Puyallup)

Redmond Lights Past Event Like List
To ensure everyone gets a chance to see this holiday light display without forming dangerous crowds, Redmond Lights has expanded to a month-long event in Downtown Park. Redmond businesses will also be competing in a window display contest, so be sure to stroll along the street for an extra dose of seasonal eye candy.
Redmond Downtown Park

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5

Jolly Holiday Lane Past Event Like List
Drivers and their quarantine-pod passengers can follow a guided route lined with lighted displays. Kids will get goodie bags and a hot cocoa packet and will be able to drop off their letters to Santa.
Les Gove Park (Auburn)

DECEMBER 5-JANUARY 1

Candy Cane Lane Past Event Like List
1920s-era Tudor homes in Ravenna have been boasting impressive light displays every holiday season since 1949. Stroll along Northeast Park Road taking in Nutcracker-themed havens complete with sleighs, reindeer, sugar plum fairies, and blow-up candy canes galore. This year, experience it drive-through style.
NE Park Road (Ravenna)

DECEMBER 8-23

Winter Glow at PowellsWood Past Event Like List
Experience 12 nights of socially distanced winter magic as the Federal Way garden lights up with holiday displays. 
PowellsWood (Federal Way)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

Reverse Parade of Lights Past Event Like List
Rather than standing on the sidelines as all manner of luminous holiday floats go by in a cheery procession, you'll be the one on the move in this "reverse" drive-through holiday parade, designed with social distancing in mind. Santa will most definitely make an appearance.
Lakewood Towne Center

DECEMBER 14-16

Winter Porch Parade Past Event Like List
Bothell residents can try their luck at a grand prize for their porch or front-yard light displays. If you're not a participant, you can still walk or drive around the neighborhood to enjoy the sights. 
Various locations (Bothell)

DECEMBER 16-JANUARY 1

Olympic Manor Holiday Lights Past Event Like List
Ballard homeowners go all out at this community light display. Crank up the Christmas tunes and take a drive through the neighborhood. 
Olympic Manor (Ballard)
Note: Start date unconfirmed; check back here for updates

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Anderberg's Christmas House Past Event Like List
More than 50 inflatables and a handful of light projectors jazz up the Anderberg's property every night through New Year's Eve. We recommend driving by in your car.
Anderberg's Christmas House (Tacoma)

THROUGH JANUARY 1

Seattle Center Campus Luminata Past Event Like List
Seattle Center sets up twinkling lights in the trees and other special features (like a wintry display at Cornish Playhouse) across its campus every year, and this year is no different. Mind your distance and take in the cheer.
Seattle Center

THROUGH JANUARY 17

WildLanterns Past Event Like List
The Woodland Park Zoo is taking a more realistic approach to its beloved annual holiday light display by lining its paths with glowing lanterns in the likeness of tigers, snow leopards, aquatic creatures, zebras, and other exotic animals.
Woodland Park Zoo (Phinney)