When you've seen just about all the reindeer and jolly bearded men you can handle, there's a less holiday-minded light show awaiting at the Seattle Chinese Garden. A one-mile path guides visitors to nine artistic light installations, each taking inspiration from the celestial world beyond. In a magical and ethereal setting, light blends with music to form an immersive experience.

After regular hours, Woodland Park Zoo brings guests up close and personal with animals (and other wonders) constructed entirely from lanterns and strings of lights. Mammoths and cheetahs abound, and the glittering mouth of a giant shark waits to swallow visitors. A 21-plus event boasts specialty cocktails and food between live animal encounters and light displays; ugly sweater and onesie nights encourage festive costumes to ward off the chill.

The seasonal Winter Brilliance exhibit returns to Chihuly Garden and Glass. Combining video projection, lights, and music, the museum-like light display features around 700 hand-blown glass pieces in the form of chandeliers, towers, reeds, and icicle clusters; the pieces were originally crafted for the Barneys New York flagship store. After taking it all in, visitors can sip cocktails in the onsite bar or watch glass artists at work in the courtyard.

The streets outside Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square transform into a dazzling stage for lights, music, dancers, and drummers every night at 7pm. Yes, there's an entire 25-minute parade every single night. Expect crowds in the thousands, especially on busy weekends.

It's a whole month of merriment at downtown parks. Events include art workshops and ice skating, and candlelit concerts take place opposite a holiday shopping bazaar.

Initiated in 1994, this light display is comprised of more than half a million bulbs fashioned into plants, birds, fauna, and waterfalls spilling through every inch of the Bellevue Botanical Garden. A walking path leads visitors to all the sights while a coffee cafe and live music keep energy high.

The monthlong installation takes over Redmond’s Downtown Park with foam-based snow and huge displays of temporary public art. The big kickoff festivities—featuring a children's fashion show, luminary walking trail, and live music—will take place December 6 at 4pm. 

Lake Union's decorated boats form a holiday parade of sorts each year, and the best view might be from the water. Enjoy hot cider, winter cocktails, and a cute letters to Santa station before sitting down to a buffet-style meal full of holiday classics while the captain narrates passing sights. 

One of Seattle's most classic spots to check out of reality and into a timeless Christmas dream is this tiny street in the Ravenna neighborhood just north of the University of Washington. Plan to visit on the pedestrian-only days, listed on Facebook, for the best strolling experience.

With the help of over 800,000 lights, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium transforms into a winter wonderland. Distinctly Seattle displays, including a Seahawks tree, a giant Pacific octopus, and even a Sasquatch, keep the event feeling hyper local. The live animals—save a herd of goats dressed in holiday sweaters—will be asleep and off limits during the event, but this year marks the first time pet dogs can join the festivities on select nights.