Leavenworth, the granddaddy of holiday villages—it's even been known as "Christmastown"—is illuminated all the way through February. The Bavarian decor feels right paired with all the twinkles, plus in recent years the town shifted from a ceremonial flipping of the switch every night (which focused the crowds at one particular moment) to keeping the illumination bright from 6am to 11pm. Costumes, both from an official roaming Santa and unofficial Krampuses, are common.

The city of Snoqualmie, from the Centennial Trail to the train depot to the historic downtown, turns on its colorful lights from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. On December 6, the centerpiece tree is host to the official flipping of the switch with live music, kids crafts, cocoa booths, and an appearance from Santa.

The decades-old Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium event is so popular, advance tickets are required. Almost a million lights make up the display, including long light tunnels and twinklers in the shape of a giant Pacific octopus. The zoo animals snooze their way through the nightly event, except for the wonderfully named Groovy Goats in holiday coats who do an after-hours petting zoo.

It's cold out, but the seat warmers in your car are toasty. Visitors to Spanaway Park's annual event stay in the cozy confines of the car, driving 2.2 miles past almost 300 lighted displays. Holiday 3D lenses will add candy canes or snowflakes to every point of brightness, and an accompanying soundtrack plays on a local AM station. (Check the website for potential weather-related closures.)

Like Spanaway's event, Stanwood's spectacle is viewed through car windows, ideal for squirmy kids and adults who need rest from Elf on the Shelfing every night. This route, near Camano Island north of Everett, includes two themed activity stops—Santa’s Village and Joyland—that allow everyone out of the car. Mini doughnuts and kettle corn at the check-in area keep energy levels high.

The Mason County city of Shelton is also claiming the title of Christmastown because it scored a Guinness World Record for the most lit Christmas trees (some 797 of them) in 2019. Now, the town mounts an illuminated Christmas tree maze, which is both a holiday event and salute to the local timber industry, plus a series of events like a photo scavenger hunt and a cookie stroll.

The Olympic Peninsula city once known for its proximity to Twilight now embraces the artistic side of night. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center hosts a lantern walk through its on-site sculpture park; glow-in-the-dark and light-up art installations populate the woods alongside live music and performers. 

Fishing vessels, pleasure boats, and kayaks don their finest sparkles to parade around Gig Harbor. The festivities begin at Arabella’s Landing and circles the harbor twice. The parade is visible at all points along the shore, but Jerisich Dock, Bogue Viewing Platform, Maritime Pier, and Ancich Waterfront Park have extra-special views.