5 Christmas Season Getaways in Washington State (2024)

America’s biggest religious festival, Christmas, attracts and appeals to individuals from all across the world. While it is traditionally important, it is also an exciting time since most parts of the world, especially Americans celebrate a long and extensive season. And when we talk about the scenic and picturesque Evergreen State, the Christmas celebration here can’t be overlooked. The entire Washington States, especially the small towns, transform into a glittering snow globe. It is all about thick powdery snow covering land, buildings, and trees. And above that, when glittering lights cover it all, the visuals turn mesmerizing.

Washington State is among the finest Christmas vacation destinations in the entire United States. The enthralling festivals, holiday light display, lovingly decorated Christmas trees, good food, and fun activities here ensure totally family-packed fun. So why wait? Before the next Christmas arrive, do your research and enjoy the best festivities here in Washington. Though since it is going to be extremely cold and mostly winter storms everywhere, pack your stuff accordingly.

5 Christmas Season Getaways In Washington State

Keep reading to find out where you should go on your next Washington Christmas holiday adventure.

1. Leavenworth

Any Christmas trip to the Evergreen state is incomplete without having Leavenworth in it. Leavenworth is a small Bavarian-style town and the best Christmas season getaways in Washington State. This gorgeous alpine village is in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, right in the middle of Washington. Though Leavenworth glows with a holiday feel throughout the year, Christmas here is unique, loving, and extremely enjoyable. The town experience Christkindlmarkt, an outdoor holiday market at the City Park, right from the thanksgiving weekend. And since then, every weekend has been about Lighting festivities. The city park alone has a half-million lights that remain through the weekdays as well. Besides that, Santa shows up through the street every weekend distributing treats, candies, and whatnot.

A Christmas holiday in Leavenworth means planning well in advance. The town goes so busy that latecomers might find it difficult to get accommodation. Guests can also visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for hand-feeding and interact with the animals. Besides that, the other things you can enjoy here include shopping on Bavarian-theme, relishing German food, and shopping for Danish-style goods at Bavarian Bakery.

2. Bellingham

Close to the Canadian border, Bellingham is a winter wonderland for Christmas activities. It is basically a college town that hosts Christmas from the beginning of December. Historic Fairhaven is where you can find the Christmas tree lighting event, Father Santa, and typical Pacific Northwest-like fashion. A huge crowd gathers here to listen to carolers and enjoy the circus performance. The organizers at Fairhaven Village Inn’s lobby also offer free sleigh rides to visitors for free. The Christmas Bazaar (Market) at the ferry terminal has a lot of unique shops, eateries, and architecture. Another Christmas must-visit here is the Holiday Port Celebration at the Port of Bellingham. The event features live dance and music performances, horse-drawn wagon rides, fire truck rides, and a gingerbread house competition and display.

Besides that, another Christmas fun in Bellingham is at Old City Hall at Whatcom Museum. The museum features a beautiful holiday display with Christmas tree decorations. Or the Miniature World Family Fun Center near Birch Bay from where the Santa train passes via a Forest of Imagination decked up with a million Christmas lights. Also, Ferndale’s Pioneer Park, with 12 decorated historic log cabins, is quite pleasing to watch.

3. Stanwood

Stanwood Christmas is a monthly event that deserves appreciation. The town host Lights of Christmas Festival, the largest display of holiday lights in the entire Pacific Northwest. It is basically a drive-through event at a $20 carload. The ride takes about half an hour and is an extremely pleasing experience to live. If not a car ride, one can also enjoy this event via a horse-drawn wagon ride in the ultimate Christmas style. For every single thing that captivates your eyes, you can stop and observe it with all your heart. The event organizes by Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center. Besides the light show, this event is also about five entertainment stages, children’s activities, food, and winter warmness.

On your Christmas holiday to Stanwood, do not forget to shop from the local market. Do try the ornamental shops since they are the best of all. When in Stanwood, you can also meet a talking tree named Bruce the Spruce. Since Stanwood is within driving proximity from Bellingham and Seattle, you can also plan for a day trip here.

4. Seattle

Washington’s most famous city, Seattle, has had Christmas fever for a month and more. The entire city, especially the downtown, is decorated with festive lights and ornaments all around. Begin with the Woodland Park Zoo, which will appear with dazzling 600,000-plus lights, reindeer, and Santa, of course. For events, the Seattle Center’s Winterfest (from thanksgiving weekend to December end) is a free and fun thing to participate in. It features a huge model train village, lights, food, and a lot of amazing entertainment. Though the event is free, the activities, shopping, and food inside are paid for. Winterfest also features activities such as ice sculpting, ice skating, and other snow sports. Or attend the Swanson’s Reindeer Festival in Ballard and interact with real reindeer, and admire an expansive model railroad village.

That’s not enough, though. The Christmas Ship Festival that departs from waterfront communities on Puget Sound playing Christmas carols takes away much limelight. In the Argosy Cruises, the organizers ensure nightly departures of the brightly-lit Spirit of Seattle and other ships. Individuals can either join their festivities on board or watch the ships from the shore. Besides that, the traditional Scandinavian Christmas at the Nordic Heritage Museum as well is quite promising.

5. Tacoma

Last but definitely not least is Tacoma, one of the Christmas season getaways in Washington State. Whether you are a local or someone new to the town, you are going to love the festive spirit here. Begin from the south of the town and enjoy the spectacular Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park. It is one of the largest Christmas lights shows and drive-through holiday events in the Pacific Northwest. Next is the fascinating 19th Century Christmas event that organizes at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Point Defiance Park. Or the Old Cannery in Sumner, 20 minutes from Tacoma, is where you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas games, and a visit by Santa. The Christmas special ice skating at Polar Plaza in downtown Tacoma as well is an appealing spot/ event to enjoy.

Though beyond all of this, what takes away the Christmas limelight in Tacoma is the Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo. The event includes a polar bear family, a 30-foot-wide underwater landscape, an octopus, a roaring tiger, flying bird, all of these animals beautifully curated with fairy lights. For kids, there is an interactive little zoo, holiday carouse rides, camel rides, and several other activities to enjoy. The food and drinks here as well are an appealing addition to try.