WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: You’re invited to start sending sightings!
With all that sunshine over the long holiday weekend, decoration season is on, so we’re again announcing our annual invitation to send photos and tips of notable displays around West Seattle, so we can share them with thousands of your neighbors here on WSB. But “notable” doesn’t just apply to homes with gobs of lights – are your decorations extra-creative, whimsical, unusual, unique, etc.? We’re interested in those too! Email is the best way to let us know – and if you don’t have an exact address, nearest intersection works too – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One more wind casualty: Light show at ‘the 4040 house’
This morning’s wind burst brought an earlier-than-planned end to the season for the holiday light show at “the 4040 house,” Ryan‘s display on Genesee Hill, featured here December 4th. We got this update from Ryan:
Unfortunately, our hopes of running the show through the New Year will not be possible. This morning’s high winds damaged some of the support structure and with higher winds in the forecast there is not enough time to safely initiate repairs.
While this may be disappointing news, the good news is we have already started planning for next year! While we don’t want to spoil any surprises, you can expect to see even more lights and holiday cheer.
On a personal note: We would like to thank our neighbors for their patience and support this holiday season. Without your kindness this would not have been possible.
We would also like to thank everyone who visited us this year. Seeing so much joy and happiness made this entirely worthwhile.
Please have a safe and prosperous New Year. We will see you at 🎃 Halloween!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Two holidays, three photos
Tonight is both Christmas and the 8th and final night of Hanukkah, so we have lights from both holidays – above, it’s the last night the Grand Menorah will illuminate the lawn east of the Alki Bathhouse. Below, one more residential Christmas-lights display to share – 30th and Barton:
Thanks to Alice Kuder (Winter Wander scavenger hunt creator) for that photo. And finally, thanks to Jerry Simmons
for this one:
Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos of this season’s lights – you can scroll through this archive to see what was shown on previous nights.
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Peace and love
Thanks to Lacey, whose “Who-ville” display was featured here two nights ago, for sending a photo of a friend’s Arbor Heights lights, celebrating peace and love, and adding a shining star.
You can see it in the 3100 block of SW 104th. (All the displays we’ve shown this year are archived here.)
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Two Christmas-famous characters
It’s Christmas Eve-Eve, so we can’t close out the night without another Christmas-lights spotlight! Tonight’s photo is from Jeff Keller, showing his display near Fairmount Park (Playground). He says the highlight is “Lots of Snoopys and Santas.” You can see them firsthand at 5420 40th Ave. SW [map]. More lights tomorrow night! Scroll through this WSB archive to see what we’ve shown already, and if you have one to suggest, please let us know ASAP!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: A visit to Who-ville
It’s a page out of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” at Lacey‘s house on 18th SW between SW Roxbury and SW 98th – their theme is “Who-ville,” the town where the Grinch made off with the decorations and presents but discovers he “HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming!” Even by day, you can see the sneaky green Grinch:
Lacey says the subfreezing weather’s taken a bit of a toll on the display – she was out today replacing some strands of lights on the fence, but can’t get her battery-powered stars going because “the switches are frozen shut!”
Our trips out to check out lights have been curtailed by road ice, so we’re looking forward to getting out of the deep freeze. Photos in the meantime are welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com; you can see the lights we’ve shown by scrolling through this WSB archive.
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Soundtrack too
With icy streets and sidewalks, you might not want to go out looking at lights until things warm up in a few days, but we’ll keep showing them. What’s special about this display is what you can’t see – music! It’s in the 8600 block of 31st SW [vicinity map], and was recommended by Dianna.
Scroll through past spotlights here, and send suggestions (with or without photos) to westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Up on the roof
Thanks to Alice Kuder, creator of the Winter Wander scavenger hunt, for tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights photo – this display is in the (corrected) 7900 block of 32nd SW [vicinity map], and was the solution to one of this year’s Winter Wander clues.
To see every display we’ve shown this year (and to explore years past), scroll through this WSB archive. And if you have a suggestion – with or without photos – please email or text us, westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Another double feature
Two more brightly lit West Seattle residences to show you:
Kimberly tipped us to her brother-in-law Dan Scott‘s house southwest of Morgan Junction, decked with more than 11,000 lights. Here’s a closer look at the centerpiece, the big tree of lights:
You’ll find all those lights at 4350 SW Mills [map]. … Heading now to west Admiral, Jeremy sent this Instagram video of his all-out display:
This is near 51st/Olga [map].
Scroll through this WSB archive to see every place we’ve shown so far, and if you have a place to suggest – your own or someone else’s, with or without photo/video – please email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Christmas creatures in Highland Park
Aliens and a skeleton for Christmas. They’re part of one of multiple notable displays on 14th SW between SW Kenyon and SW Elmgrove [vicinity map], photographed by Tasha Le, whose own house has a Christmas dragon:
A closer look at the other half of Tasha’s yard:
We’ll continue showing multiple displays each night from here on out, since Christmas Eve is just a week from tomorrow – tips with or without photos are welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! And scroll through what we’ve shown already, by going here.
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Charlie Brown and friends are back in North Admiral
Another longrunning holiday display in West Seattle is back! Thanks to Don Rice for sending the photo to let us know his “Peanuts” display is up again this year at 2128 47th SW [map]. This display with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and other characters from the classic “Peanuts” cartoons by Charles Schulz has been delighting visitors for 45+ years.
See the lights we’ve shown so far by scrolling through this WSB archive – and if you have a suggestion, with or without photo(s), please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: For the birds
Now that drier weather is here, you might be considering a trip out to look at Christmas lights. We’re continuing to showcase at least one West Seattle display every night. Tonight’s photo is from Valerie:
Merry Christmas!
Come look at the Puffins bringing presents to the Penguin Party at 3431 48th Ave SW.
Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos and/or tips – westseattleblog@gmail.com is how to reach us. You can scroll through this WSB archive to see what we’ve already shown so far this season (previous years, too).
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Oz in Seaview’
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more!” No – you’re in Seaview. These Christmas lights and decorations are inspired by the 1939 classic movie “The Wizard of Oz“! The photos and report are from Bethany:
Have to share the Oz inspired day and night decorations on this Seaview house – east side of 49th between Raymond and Graham. Details like the Dorothy dress plaid ribbon, poppies, “… please knock” door sign and crashed balloon make me smile every time I go by.
Thank you to these neighbors who know there really is no place like our emerald city for the holidays!
We’re continuing to show notable lights nightly – tips, with or without photos, are welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com. See what we’ve showcased so far by scrolling through this WSB archive.
TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Gai Family display again aglow, with something new
The Gai Family‘s Christmas display – retired in 1996 but brought back in 2019 – is aglow again as of tonight. And this year, there’s something new – here’s a closer look at the new custom-built setting for the Madonna that bakery co-owner Phil Gai built in the mid-’50s.
Phil and Dorothy Gai‘s son Ron Gai brought back the display, which drew visitors from all around for decades, 14 years after his dad’s 2005 death. You’re invited to go see it in the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map].
Got – or seen – a special display? Email us, with or without photo(s) – westseattleblog@gmail.com; see past spotlights here, and listed in our Holiday Guide!
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Sparkling by the standpipe
(WSB photos)
Tonight’s featured West Seattle Christmas lights are across SW Charlestown from what’s known as the “water tower” but is officially a “standpipe.” It’s a corner house with a lights-laden yard, and decorations all the way up to the roof.
Even a show of sport support:
You can see all these lights at 40th/Charlestown. We’re continuing to scout, but tips much appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com any time – thank you! See what we’ve already shown this year (and in years past) in this WSB archive.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Deck the balconies
You don’t need a standalone house to put up an eye-catching display of Christmas lights. Driving along West Seattle arterials, you’ll see bright displays on balconies of apartment/condo/townhouse buildings, too. We were out scouting lights when we saw the cheery space-maximizing display above, on a building along Alki Avenue SW near 55th SW. We’d love to hear about lights you’ve seen and enjoyed – westseattleblog@gmail.com (whether your own display or someone else’s) – thanks! (See the ones we’ve already featured in this newest-to-oldest archive.)
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Showtime on Genesee Hill
Tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights spotlight shines on Ryan‘s house on Genesee Hill, 47th SW between Dakota and Andover, where the lights are synched to music. They had a Halloween show, and now one for the holiday season!
The music and lights run from 5 pm-9 pm and the show is about 30 minutes in length. Folks can listen from inside their car via FM radio or they are also welcome to bundle up, bring some hot chocolate, and listen to the music from the sidewalk. To make this a family event, some of the song lyrics are displayed for anyone that wants to sing along.
Got lots of lights? Seen someplace you want to tell us about? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (See what we’ve shown so far, archived newest to oldest – including past years – here. And current lights/music shows like this one are also listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe home’s first official night, and 2 special dates to visit
We’ve been by already twice for previews (here and here) – and tonight’s the first official night for the Menashe Family‘s famous Christmas lights at 5605 Beach Drive SW. Our photo doesn’t really do it justice, so if you love lights, you have to see it in person. Here are two special dates you might consider visiting:
SANTA & MRS. CLAUS PHOTOS, DECEMBER 10: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there 5 pm-9 pm Saturday, December 10, for DIY photos with kids. No charge but you’re asked to bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (The WSFB donation barrels will be there starting the previous night, Friday, December 9, through Sunday, December 11, so you are invited to bring food donations those nights too.)
SANTA, MRS. CLAUS, & REINDEER PHOTOS, DECEMBER 20: The Clauses will return for photo ops Tuesday, December 20, 5 pm-9 pm, this time with real reindeer. The family hopes this will be a food-drive event too but they’re still working on logistics.
Got lights? Seen lights? See what we’ve shown here, and suggest what we should show next by emailing westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Shining bright in Fauntlee Hills
Tonight we photographed one of the first big West Seattle Christmas light displays up every year … at the home of Ken Arkills in Fauntlee Hills.
The house is on a corner lot, so there’s a lot to see on multiple sides.
You can see it at 39th SW and SW Trenton [map].
If you have lights to show everyone, or happened to see a notable display, please let us know – again this year, we hope to showcase lights every night through Christmas. Photos are welcome but if you don’t have them, just tell us where we can find the lights to photograph them ourselves – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Trio of tree lightings this week
(Photo courtesy Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish)
With the snow’s over and the possible wind has yet to arrive, we’re taking a moment to talk about three West Seattle tree lightings later this week:
FRIDAY NIGHT, HIGH POINT FRUIT-TREE LIGHTING: Following the afternoon Winter Festival (3-5 pm), you’re invited to (location updated) Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) for the lighting of the fruit trees at 5:15 pm Friday (December 2nd). This is the second year of this multi-tree lighting ceremony in the park.
FRIDAY NIGHT, OLG ‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’: 7 pm at 35th/Myrtle, on the north side of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it’s the annual event lighting the city’s highest-elevation Christmas tree (along with other greenery outside the church). Christmas carol singalong, too. Bring a nonperishable food donation, if you can, for St. Vincent de Paul.
SATURDAY NIGHT, WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION: As we’ve previewed a few times already, this year the Christmas tree lighting at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) is part of an even-bigger street festival, with a Night Market and Glorious Lights of West Seattle (wear lights and compete in a contest!), live holiday music, plus a beer/mulled-wine garden. The festival is set for 4 pm-8:30 pm, with the tree lighting at 6:30 pm.
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Sneak peek at Menashes’ almost-ready display
In the second week of putting up West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights, the Menashe family estimates they’re about 80 percent done. Thursday night (December 1st) is still the planned official first night, but we got a partial preview tonight just after sunset.
Most of the decorations that were waiting in the back yard when we visited last week are now in place.
But some of the signature features are yet to be set up – like the train. You can see the full display starting Friday night at 5605 Beach Drive SW.
P.S. We’re showcasing Christmas lights nightly through the season as usual – and while we’ll be out scouting when we can, your tips (and photos if available) are much appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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