Christmas Lights in Renton, Washington and Other Places in the Puget Sound

With the first snow of December, its welcome news that the Christmas Lights are appearing all over the Puget Sound. What are the best places to go? Why go? We go out to see Christmas lights partly because we're out and about on our everyday tasks, shopping for Christmas and getting into the spirit of the holiday season by attending events like the Seattle Symphony. Sometimes it recall memories of shopping downtown with my mother when I was a little girl or taking my nieces and nephews out and about while babysitting. I have to admit my favorite lights are the one's you don't have to pay anything for-face it, we all think FREE is good.

Clam Lights, Coulon Park, Renton

Something about 30 foot redwood trees lined with lights, Santa and his reindeer, and a lighted pier and a trail that winds through the night feels wonderfully fun. My nieces and nephews never much wanted to walk, unless it was dark. And there was water. And maybe a taste treat-garlic fries or a chocolate milk shake. With Friday's snow, the Christmas lights were on early, see picture 1. Clam Lights is open all month from 5pm to 9pm and there's plenty of parking. All FREE The Argosy Christmas ship is expected on Dec 3-8^th.

Also in Renton, Santa is coming Dec 7-22 at 3^rd and Wells. Pictures taken with Santa will be available for computer download for FREE. I think this is the new park near the commuter's bus parking. They have the gardens decorated and if you come early, you can walk a couple blocks to get to the Cedar River trail and playgrounds.

Seattle Center, Seattle

The Christmas Tree is lighted atop the Space Needle, see picture 2. Winter Wonderland activities-the Christmas train exhibit is running see picture 3, the Center House has many activities including the Fire Dancers Dec 7, 8, ice skating, and a carousel. The trees are all decorated around the fountain and in many places in the park. All FREE, except the cheapest parking we were able to find cost $5. Many parking lots, due to the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker performances and Book-IT Repertory Theatre's production of Peter Pan are charging $10. That's for all day, so you might add in additional activities as long as you've paid and you're there.

West Lake Mall Square, Seattle

The square is decorate, Nordstrom's has a Santa playing Sax for donations, there's a carousel run by Northwest Harvest for donations, Macy's star is glorious, and everything decorated. See picture 4. Cost is free. Parking is available in garages and on the street. We took the Monorail from Seattle Center at a cost of $4 per person round trip. It's not going to be around soon so you might as well take advantage of it. Sixties music keeps you entertained during the ride.

Zoo Lights, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma

Zoo Lights has huge areas of the zoo decorated with lighted animals. If you're visiting the zoo late, you will see them for the price of your admission $8-10 depending on age and residency, children under 2 free. Otherwise, you'll pay $5 per person for entry, Monday-Thursday and $7 per person on Friday-Sunday. Zoo lights is open daily from 5-9 pm. They have a FREE day for residents of Tacoma on December 8^th. They are closed Dec. 3-5^th.

Other places:

Burien, December 5, at 6 p.m. at the large fir tree at the Y-B Tubless store, 633 S.W. 148th and SeaTac will have the Christmas Fire Truck showing up Dec 5^th at 4:00.

Sumner decorates their bridge with lights.

I also like a drive down East Valley Highway to see the tractors decorated at Catepillar and John Deere.

My links list provides details on holiday parades in Puget Sound, the complete holiday lights list, and the list of locals who've won the "Griswold" award for most lights.

Whatever you do, the best lights are always those put up by your neighbors. The bring you light into these darkest, coldest nights. See picture 5.