by Stuart Jenner
Want to see some great Christmas lights close by? Good news, there are several places in the Burien/ Normandy Park/ Des Moines/SeaTac area that are well worth a visit. Here are some favorites, organized by neighborhood.
Central Burien
- Town Square by the Burien library: a shout out to the city staff for their great job with lights.
- Inflatable Decorations on Marine View Drive
If you like inflatables accompanied by music, with thousands of lights as well, stop by 166th and 25th Ave SW in Burien.
There are at least 20 inflatables… but you need to park on Marine View Drive, then walk a few minutes in order to see them. There’s a slight incline on 25th SW – the street sign has three street names on it – from last year’s story: ”There’s no parking on my street, and it’s a very narrow dead end street, so very difficult to turn a vehicle around.”
The exact address is 16620-16630 25th SW Burien WA 98166. Look for the address sign of 16623 along Marine View Drive.
Marine View Drive and Three Tree Point
More favorites… keep following Marine View Drive to the west. Stay on the road as it turns from 28th to 170th, 33rd, then turn left at the intersection with Maplewild. This leads to ….
- Three Tree Point, including the Three Tree Point store, the house across the street, which has a very nicely decorated outdoor tree, and then SW 172nd street along the water. Drive carefully, this street is narrow.
North Burien and White Center
White Center, just south of Seattle:
- The Grinch comes to life on 18th Ave SW, south of Roxbury and north of SW 98th.
North Burien/ White Center area – two places to go:
- 135th and 8th Ave SW in Burien – from Ambaum, go east on 136th then turn left on 8th Ave SW and go one block. Look for the countdown to Christmas and Rudolph with a blinking nose among many other characters.
- SW 122nd Street, south side, in the area between 4th and 6th Avenues SW – a great lawn display.
Normandy Park
There are a lot of great displays in Normandy Park. If you want to see many houses in a row lit up, this is a great place for a drive. Here are some places to go:
- Starting at 174th and 1st Avenue South, then going west – the road turns into Marine View Drive. A short distance after Town Hall, there are some wonderful lights for a few blocks. Keep driving to …
- Normandy Terrace. From Marine View Drive, turn right on SDW Normandy Terrace. The road loops. There are side streets, it is hard to give precise directions. Just keep going to …. Marine View Drive … turn right (south) and drive to Normandy Park Drive SW. Go left (north) at this street, go a few blocks, then turn right on 4th Ave SW. This is …
- Normandy Province… many classy displays.
- At the intersection of 4th Ave SW and 200th, you can go right a block, then turn left on Marine View Drive. Continue as the road winds, then intersects First Avenue South. Continue to …
Des Moines, including Redondo Highlands
- The Christmas Tree at Big Catch Plaza in Des Moines, South 216th and Marine View Drive.
- Wally’s Restaurant – Marine View Drive and 225th – the lights are so bright you may want sunglasses.
- Viewpointe at Redondo Neighborhood Christmas Lights – this neighborhood goes all out. The location is 1st Ave S &, S 300th Place in Federal Way. just north of Dash Point Road. Technically not in Des Moines, but close enough.
Seatac – Peter’s Picks! [Added Photos]
Seatac’s Councilmember Peter Kwon took a few Christmas display photos for us this year.
Regarding the display at 17820 42nd Ave. S., Kwon commented:
“There is a life sized Santa model which I understand came with the house and one of the conditions of the home sale was the new owners had to display it every Christmas. This year they have it set up in the driveway with a bench to allow families to take photos with Santa. I think if any house deserves to win a prize this year it’s this one!”
(Top pick!)
Nearby at 17609 42nd Ave S. there is a computer light show synchronized to FM music on station 94.5. Adjust your dial and immerse yourself in Christmas joy! They do this every year.
And a couple more in the SeaTac neighborhood are lovely, as well:
- 17016 51st Ave S. (inflatable figures):
- 18206 42nd Ave S. (across from Bow Lake Elementary):
- 18609 36th Ave S.:
- 201st and 34th:
North end of SeaTac
- 12818 26th Ave S. which features lighted reindeers pulling Santa on a sleigh suspended around 70 feet up in the air every year:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/508086099060152?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
West Seattle, too!
And if you want to drive farther away, the West Seattle blog has outstanding coverage of light displays through out West Seattle. This page has daily updates and is well worth a look.
