West Seattle, Washington
22 Wednesday
We showed you dozens of Christmas-light displays this year, but one was missing – the “4040 House” was out of commission after major damage in the “bomb cyclone” storm; the photo above is from its 2023 show. The 4040 House’s owners asked us to share this message:
A heartfelt update from 4040 House:
We’ve been truly humbled by the amazing support from everyone in the community. Your kind words and offers of help have helped us cope with the shock and sadness caused by the bomb cyclone’s damage.
To everyone who donated to our GoFundMe — thank you! We’ve already reached over 50% of our goal and will officially close the campaign on January 2 (today – closed now).
Your generosity is making a real difference, allowing us to lock in discounts from our vendors and start rebuilding for 2025. Some of the replacement equipment has already arrived!
We can’t wait to return in October 2025 with our much-loved Halloween display, bigger and greater than ever.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you again, and here’s to a wonderful 2025 for us all!
One last Christmas-lights photo to spotlight, received tonight from roving photographer Theresa Arbow-O’Connor, a sighting in North Admiral. It joins our other spotlights in this WSB archive (where you can scroll through previous years’ lights too). Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
On this Christmas Eve, a decoration display that evokes the Christmas wish for “peace on Earth”:
This winter scene at the “Candy Cane Pole” will breathe a sense of stillness into your soul. With its crisp white forest and Deer a-grazing, you will be taken back to a simpler time. Can you spy Santa peeking out the window?
Stop and pause awhile at 6303 45th Ave SW
Mr and Mrs Winter Merriment
To see what we’ve shown previously, scroll through this WSB archive!
Thanks to Jeff for the Christmas Eve-Eve lights spotlight photo! He emailed to say: “For the young and young at heart. Merry Christmas, Mom!” This display is at 5420 40th SW and if you zoom in on the photo, you’ll see many familiar Christmas-character faces … Santa, Rudolph, “Bumble,” Frosty, Grinch, Snoopy, among others. We still have a few more in queue, so check in on Christmas Eve, Day, maybe beyond … and scroll through this archive to see what we’ve already shown!
A little rain doesn’t stop dedicated runners … like the ones in our photo, who showed up at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) tonight for a beloved tradition – the annual Christmas Lights Run. It’s one of countless running events that proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell – whose store will celebrate its 15th anniversary next spring – presented this year, including the Float Dodger 5K, the first-ever Halloween Lights Run, and Thanksgiving morning’s Gobble Gobble Run and food drive.
After a safety talk (and a moment to remember WSB co-founder Patrick Sand, who has been there to take the group photo at the start of so many previous Christmas Lights Runs), everyone headed out on a route the McConnells had planned:
You can see the route map here.
P.S. Looking into 2025, West Seattle Runner’s free fitness programs get going right after New Year’s – Get Fit (January 2 info night), Full Fit (also January 2 info night), and Got Fit (January 8 info night).
Tonight’s Christmas-lights photos were sent by Deb, showing not one house, but several in the same block – 1900 block of Sunset Avenue in North Admiral. What they have in common: Trees with light-encrusted branches and/or trunks.
Still at least three showcase spots through Christmas, so we’re still welcoming photos/location suggestions – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (And scroll through our archive to see what we’ve shown already.)
Thanks to Yvonne for sending the photo! Here’s how she describes tonight’s featured lights, as seen on her walking route: “Here is a Santa sled taking off northbound from a snowy rooftop and there is a southbound holiday train on the front of the house complete with engine and caboose with festive laden cars inbetween. A fun display with 2 modes of transportation! Located on 32nd Ave. SW between SW Elmgrove and SW Kenyon Streets.” Still at least four more nights to showcase Christmas lights, so you still have time to suggest a location (with or without photo), westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (See every display we’ve shown already by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
Though most of the decorated homes whose Christmas lights we show are houses, multifamily buildings can go all-out too. Every year we enjoy checking out the buildings on Alki Avenue; this week, this one in the 1500 block caught our attention. Others are well-lit too, so if you’re heading out to drive, ride, or walk to see the lights, consider Alki Avenue. (We still have a few showcase nights remaining until Christmas – send your suggestion, with or without a photo, to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
Pardon the paraphrase of the famous line from this display’s inspiration … actually, it’s a GREAT display as always:
Since no one had yet nominated West Seattle’s “Charlie Brown Christmas” display for this year’s WSB spotlights, we traveled to North Admiral tonight to check to see if it’s up again this year. And it is! The characters from the TV classic are once again mingled with lights.
You can see it firsthand in the 2100 block of 47th SW. When last we heard directly from the display’s creator, Don Rice, two years ago, he said that was its 47th year, so this year would be its 49th! (Got a display to suggest? With or without photos, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! See what we’ve shown by scrolling through this WSB archive.)
These are reader-contributed daylight photos, but the sight’s a delight at night, at this house and others along the 4000 block stub of Fauntleroy Way SW that parallels the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge [vicinity map].
Multiple houses on the block are well-lit, many with characters and/or animations.
It’s one week until Christmas Eve – we’ll continue showing decorated homes nightly (balconies too if you’ve seen festively decked ones) – please send photos and/or locations to westseattleblog@gmail.com – and scroll through this archive to see what we’ve shown already – thank you!
The clip is from Derick, who emailed from 37th and Graham to announce, “Our holiday light show is finally up and running. It will be viewable daily from sunset to 9:30 pm. Outside speakers turn off at 9 pm, but car radios can still listen on 87.9FM. The whole show is about 15 minutes long.” Nine more spotlights until Christmas – send your suggestion, with or without photo/video, to westseattleblog@gmail.com; see what we’ve already shown by scrolling through this archive!
Thanks to an anonymous tipster for sending these photos for our nightly spotlights – taken by day, but the display is surely cheery at night too:
Walking past this super nice neighbor’s merry and bright display (7900 block 5th SW) inspired me to go home and get warm, sipping cocoa stirred with a candy cane! Thank you.
Christmas is 10 days away, so we have 10 more spotlights, and they’re not all booked up yet, so if you’ve seen – or if you have – a bright and/or unique display, please send info, with or without photos! westseattleblog@gmail.com or text our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Two plastic birds comprise tonight’s spotlight:
Longtime reader, first time texter here. I’d like to share with you some photos of my Porch Goose Nativity scene.
We’re on 40th Ave SW and Morgan st (one house in). The Porch Goose is a bit of midwestern kitsch-whimsy, and I made the custom Joseph and Mary costumes myself.
The egg is 3D printed and lights up alarmingly bright.
We call the display “Honk the Heralds.” Enjoy!
Got lights, whimsical or otherwise? We’re still accepting photos and sighting info – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (Go here to scroll through what we’ve shown already.)
Tonight’s Christmas lights accompany an invitation for tomorrow, sent by Valerie:
Where can you find a darling deer and a charming snowman cross country skiing in West Seattle? 3431 48th Ave SW.
Join us for a neighborly hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie from Mrs. Claus’s cocoa cart on Saturday, December 14th from 5-7 pm.
No, you don’t have to offer treats to have your lights showcased – photos are optional too (but appreciated) – westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. (Scroll through this archive to see what we’ve shown already!)
Tonight’s spotlighted lights are from, and by, Dana in North Admiral:
Hey neighbors! For the past six years, I’ve been decking the halls (and walls!) with thousands of twinkling lights. Every year, I add something new to the show, and this year is no exception. We’ve got a bigger, brighter display with new animations, and our mischievous elves are back and more animated than ever!
Come on by and check out the lights from 5 PM to 11 PM every night through New Year’s. We hope to put a smile on your face and brighten up your holiday season. 4321 SW Atlantic St. [map]
Thanks again to everyone who’s sending photos and/or suggestions – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. You can see what we’ve shown already by scrolling through this archive!
Time for tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight! Thanks to Eric for the photo:
Miracle on 34th street (okay, 34th Ave SW). On 34th a block and a half south of Camp Long.
If you see, or have, lights we should spotlight on WSB, please email the location (with or without photo) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. Go here to scroll through our archive of past spotlights!
Tonight’s photo of standout West Seattle Christmas lights is from Wyatt near the Charlestown water tower (aka standpipe):
Here is my house for this year! I am one of the organizers of Alki Holiday Lights, and the community may recognize my handmade trees from the event! This year I am debuting the name I came up with for my display: “Wylights”! I would also like to share a message with the community and younger people trying to find themselves: “Where I am today is a result of trusting the process and listening to my heart. You will build something beautiful when you follow what truly speaks to you. In that you will find self-fulfillment.”
Wyatt’s house is at 3729 40th Ave SW (we publish full addresses if we hear directly from the resident; otherwise we publish vicinities) – and Wyatt plans to add more lights this season! If you have, or see, lights we should spotlight on WSB, please email the location (with or without photo) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text our hotline, 206-293-6302. Go here to scroll through our archive of past spotlights!
Our holiday-lights spotlights continue with this photo sent by Dayna:
Our neighbor has a really great light display on 45th Ave SW between Admiral and Lander!
(That’s just west of Lafayette Elementary.) If you have lights – or have seen lights – to suggest for a WSB spotlight, please email us (with or without photo), westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (Scroll through this WSB archive to see what we’ve shown already – plus past year’s features.)
Again this year, Theresa Arbow-O’Connor brings us first word of the return of the Gai Family‘s legendary illuminated Madonna. Last year she told us about the new setting that Ron Gai, son of the display’s creator Phil Gai, had crafted. This is in northeast West Seattle, in the 3200 block of 36th SW [vicinity map]. Theresa happened to find Ron finishing securing the display last night, so she took these photos.
Thanks to everyone who’s sent locations, with or without photos, for our spotlights – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302!
That fence at 34th/Cambridge was nominated by Yvonne as a don’t-miss display of lights:
I don’t have the house # but along Cambridge St there is a long fence with a LONG display of what looks like pool noodles with rope lights running through them in the shapes of giant snow flakes. Maybe 5 or 7 of these very large, bright & colorful snowflake shapes. Definitely worth a photo on the WSB! I am a frequent walker & saw them in the daylight but wasn’t sure what they were…was thinking yard art? until I walked by in the dark and saw them all aglow.
We went over for a look tonight and they’re indeed “all aglow,” on the north side of Cambridge.
Got lights to suggest, with or without a photo? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (Go here to see what we’ve shown so far, and past years’ spotlights too.)
As our Christmas-lights spotlights continue, a favorite from Christmases past is back:
The photos are from Lacey, who tells us, “We have our lights and Whoville display up again this year. We are south of Roxbury on 18th Ave SW, between Roxbury and SW 98th. Mr. Grinch is hanging around and there are plenty of lights to see.”
“I’ll be adding a bit more to Whoville in the driveway soon. Hope others enjoy it as much as I enjoy putting it together!”
If you have – or have seen – lights to feature on WSB, send info (with photo/s if you have them) to westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Tonight’s Christmas lights spotlight shines on the roof of homes about a block east of Chief Sealth International High School, on the south side of Thistle [map]. The roof’s configuration is a perfect platform to line with inflatable Christmas characters.
Got a display to suggest? With or without photos? We’re planning a spotlight every night so we appreciate your tips as in years past, westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302.
We’re starting our nightly spotlights of West Seattle Christmas lights! First in, from Clint in Westwood:
Our display has gradually grown over the years and we’d like to share with WSB.
We are on 29th Ave SW between Elmgrove and Kenyon, just down from EC Hughes Park.
Do you have lights to suggest, yours or someone else’s, with or without photo? Email or text us – westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
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