West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
(Photo by Laura M)
Tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights photo is from Sara, who wanted to be sure the man behind the famous Sunrise Heights treetop lights got a shoutout this season:
I wanted to see if you may be able to give some recognition in the Blog to my neighbor, Jeff Knudson. Jeff has been climbing up (updated) 3 trees (2 firs, 1 hemlock) every year for the past THIRTY years, putting up/maintaining holiday lights at the very top of the trees at the corner of 32nd and Othello [map]. It’s such an amazing, unique, and beautiful tradition for all in the neighborhood to witness!
Sara says one of the trees is on Jeff’s property, and the other two belong to neighbors. We’ve featured the light-topped trees before but did not previously know who was responsible. If you go see them – note that 32nd has some great ground-level displays nearby too (including this one we featured last week).
P.S. If you have, or see, lights that you want to share with the community, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com, with or without photos – thank you! Every display we feature is listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. You can browse the archives (past years, too) here.
Every night, we’re featuring another West Seattle holiday display, thanks to your tips/photo. Tonight, we thank Nicholas for sending the photos and report:
Building on last year’s impressive showing, Kim Alexander and Gabe Valdez’s house focuses on vintage blow molds and collections of Christmas classics with lights and music. And they love people taking pictures.
Address: 6017 42nd Ave SW.
According to our info from last year, this is only their third year of doing this! Got someplace to suggest? Email us (with or without photos) at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Past spotlights are archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
Thanks to Jeremy Barton for the photo! Tonight’s Christmas-lights spotlight is in the 2700 block of 45th SW [vicinity map]. “Lots of inflated decorations, many of which have motion,” Jeremy notes. We’ll be spotlighting at least one display every night through year’s end, so send your tip (with or without photos) our way – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Past spotlights are archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
(Photo by Jeremy Barton)
We intended to spotlight West Seattle’s renowned Menashe Family Lights last night, the first full-strength night of the year (as announced last month) – but then the power outage hit, so we postponed the plan until tonight. This year, the house, yard, and trees at 5605 Beach Drive are back up to full brightness after a downsized display last year so as not to draw the usual huge crowds.
(WSB photo)
Among the new features – this animatronic singing Santa:
The “real” Santa, by the way, will be there for photos (bring food to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank!) next Saturday (December 11th), 6-10 pm. In the meantime, you can go by any night to see the lights and inflatables:
(WSB photo)
Even if it’s not quite dark when you visit, still a festive sight:
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The Menashes’ display isn’t just locally famous – it’s been on national TV multiple times over the years.
P.S. We’re showcasing holiday displays all over the peninsula as the season continues – if you have a suggestion, please email us at westseattleblog#gmail.com (with our without photos) – thank you! (Our list is in the West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
For our second night of this year’s Christmas-lights spotlights, we go to Sunrise Heights, Janel emailed us to let us know about the display put up by her 83-year-old father-in-law Hans Loos. “The effort and passion he has for decorating his house, is unmatched,” she says – from the fence to the roof to the yard.
This is at 7942 32nd SW [map]. “He does everything completely on his own. Including the roof! He wants the community to thoroughly enjoy the lights and even parks on the opposite side of the street, so he doesn’t block the view.”
If you have, or see, lights that you want to share with the community, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com, with or without photos – thank you! Every place we feature will be listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, and you can also browse the archives (past years, too) here.
Every year, we invite you to share locations – with or without photos – of West Seattle light displays worth a trip to see. We share them nightly, and in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, through New Year’s Eve. We’re starting tonight with the first recommended display – which we also photographed last year: Ken Arkills‘ home at 39th/Trenton in Fauntlee Hills [map].
Ken’s brother Jim Arkills emailed us to ensure we knew Ken’s display is up and shining for another year. It’s on a corner, so there’s a lot to see, on both sides! That includes many characters, both animated and static. Here’s one inspired by a famous scene in the movie “Christmas Story”:
Fauntlee Hills has other brightly lit homes, as it does every year, but none quite this bright. And our photos only show a fraction of it all.
If you have – or have seen – lights we should showcase, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – with or without photos. Thank you!
After a somewhat subdued display in 2020, the Menashe Family Lights will be brighter this year. We stopped by the house in the 5600 block of Beach Drive today and found work already under way in and around the house’s front yard and trees. Josh Menashe tells WSB that they’re expecting to flip the switch on West Seattle’s brightest lights on December 2nd. As noted in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, Santa will be back this year for photos – 6 pm-10 pm Saturday, December 11th (bring donations for the West Seattle Food Bank).
NOVEMBER 26 NOTE: Though the display appears to still have some finishing touches missing, many of the lights are on, we noticed while passing through the area tonight.
We started this season of spotlighting West Seattle Christmas lights with a home in Fauntlee Hills … so tonight for the final night we went back to that neighborhood, which might be the peninsula’s closest thing to a “Candy Cane Lane.” We found this house on SW Concord, between 40th and 41st [vicinity map].
Whether you’re taking your lights down soon or keeping them up, thanks to everybody for making the season bright.
And thanks to everyone who sent tips and photos. Coverage from this season and previous years can be seen by scrolling through this WSB archive.
Tonight as our extended holiday-lights spotlight continues, we revisit the West Seattle Polar Bear Challenge. We first reported one month ago on this community-created combination of scavenger hunt, food drive, and local-business support. 67 homes and businesses are on the official Polar Bear Challenge map – including the one where you’ll find the polar bear above, 5700 block of SW Charlestown. That site, by the way, also has characters from the legendary Island of Misfit Toys:
Back to the Polar Bear Challenge. Its delighted organizers report that participants have collected many hundreds of pounds of food. And even if you don’t visit displays, you have one more chance to donate before the WSPBC wraps up on New Year’s Day:
On January 1, 2021, our Polar Bears and Polar Bear Team will be down on Alki, the famous location of the Polar Bear Plunge, for one final opportunity to contribute to the West Seattle Food Bank. We will be set up by the Alki Bathhouse between 9 am and 11 am, just look for the bears and do an easy drive-by food contribution. We will be giving away stuffed polar bears for food donations while supplies last.
With and without bears, we’ve featured more than three dozen displays this season – scroll through them all via our archive.
On TV, the Grinch’s sleigh got stuck on a mountaintop … in West Seattle, you’ll find it high-centered on Lacey‘s fence. As we continue our stretch week of lights-spotlighting, she sent photos of her display on 18th SW near Roxbury [vicinity map]. “Our Grinch is not as lit up as I would like, but he is very realistic!” she notes.
You can see all the lights we’ve featured over the past month-plus by scrolling through this WSB archive. We are so grateful for all the tips that made it happen; still time for a few more if you think we’ve missed someplace special – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
 
Thanks to Al for tonight’s photo, as we continue showcasing lights through New Year’s – this is at 46th and Admiral [map], it’s a message both seasonal and timeless – peace on Earth. Since Thanksgiving week, we’ve shown more than three dozen West Seattle displays, large and small, and you can scroll through them all here!
Thanks to more tips/photos, we’re continuing the holiday-lights spotlights through New Year’s.
Tonight, cheers for everyone who has lit up windows or balconies. The photo is from Richard, who says, “Here’s a shot of our 2nd-floor Christmas lights at 9159 45th Ave SW [map]. They will be up a few more days, at least.”
Regarding how much longer lights will be up, Sarah sent this suggestion:
We don’t have a fancy light display, but we’re planning to keep our lights up until around Valentine’s Day & hope others do, too. In this really hard year, and especially with our climate and short days, walks among the lights has brought us so much joy. In fact, I think lights should be winter lights from November-Feb, rather than Christmas lights :) all the Santas and Christmas-themed decor can come down, but the lights? I think they should stay :)
Feel free to share this idea if you think it has any merit.
The idea reminds us of the “quarantine lights” that some put up during the stay-home-order months.
Meantime, scroll through this WSB archive to see all the lights shown here this season; they are also linked in our Holiday Guide, which will be up through January 1st.
Commenter Emcat8 asked if the nightly lights features could continue through New Year’s. We were out of tips after last night and thinking we’d have to stop there – then more came in tonight, including Pauline W‘s photo above from 42nd/Manning [map]: “Mine aren’t quite Christmas lights but they are still holiday lights. Can’t wait for the New Year!” Us too.
Keeping your lights up this week? We have room to showcase a few more – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Everything we’ve shpwn so far is archived here and listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.)
On this Christmas night, a stocking full of lights and decorations:
Brian suggested we check out that music-synched lights display between Andover and Charlestown on 36th SW [vicinity map]. The music is only audible via 99.5 FM low-powered radio, so we had to record from inside the car to pick up the music.
Next house is more a daylight display – 2748 44th SW [map]:
M sent the photo, explaining they decorated with a gingerbread theme.
And heading south to Fauntleroy, this is for everyone who loves Halloween AND Christmas:
Julie explained in her tip that this house on 46th SW between Cloverdale and Trenton [vicinity map] had a major Halloween display that was augmented with Christmas decorations, rather than being replaced by them:
Thank you to the many people who sent tips, with and without photos, this season – all the decorations we have shown remain listed in our Holiday Guide and archived here!
Another double feature on this Christmas Eve – this time, two corner displays:
That display at 35th/114th in Arbor Heights [map] is so big – occupying an expansive corner – you need video to show it all. Here’s part of it:
Thanks to Cassandra for the tip!
From the north side of the peninsula, Toby sent this photo:
Toby says that’s “our little corner of Christmas Cheer on 47th Ave SW and SW Spokane St.” [map]
Thanks again for all the tips and photos – more than ever, the lights mean a lot here at the end of a challenging year. All the locations we’ve shown are archived here, and listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. More tomorrow night!
On Christmas Eve-Eve, two more displays:
Thanks to Ryan for that photo from 29th SW, near Camp Long. Next one is Nic and Michelle‘s display at 50th/Charlestown:
Michelle explains, “We are new to the area and wanted to spread some Christmas cheer.” We stopped by for a closer look:
We’re adding these to the list in our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide; even if you don’t go out light-viewing, you can see all the places we’ve spotlighted by scrolling through our archive.
We skipped last night because of storm coverage – so tonight, another double feature!
Thanks to Erin in Sunrise Heights for our first photo – her house on 31st SW, with the famous treetop stars near Othello/32nd/34th [vicinity map] in the background. She says, “I especially want to call out the giant evergreen trees. The three have been lit just about every year for the 18 years we’ve lived here and they bring us such joy. Just like the tree on the Space Needle, these lit trees symbolize that it’s the holiday season! Thank you to our neighbors who light them up every year!”
Speaking of joy:
Thanks to Jackie for the photo of that display in the 3800 block of 36th SW [vicinity map]. Jackie explains, “They have been displaying decorations and lights for many years. It is a complete labor of love as these two are approaching 80 years. This year they added some new deer and a fabulous ‘joy’ sign. The sleigh is handmade. There is a teddy bear window and a window with carolers.”
Not too late for more tips/photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – see the lights we’ve already featured by scrolling through our archive or checking the list in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Thanks to George for tonight’s photo – these lights are at 9031 32nd Avenue SW [map]. The rain hasn’t started yet, so it’s a nice night to go out and admire lights. Everyplace we’ve showcased is listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and viewable by scrolling through this archive; still time for tips, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Tonight’s lights are all in Admiral:
You might best know that house as “Meeds Manor,” home to spooky Halloween decorations, but they’ve decked the house and yard for Christmas too! Characters seen when we stopped by included a merry Minion:
Meeds Manor is at 45th and Stevens [map]; thanks to Chris for sending word. Not far away …
These two creatively illuminated yards are in the 2700 block of (corrected) 44th [vicinity map].
Everyplace we’ve showcased is listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and viewable by scrolling through this archive; still time for tips, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Tonight’s lights are both along SW Thistle:
The video is from Julianna, who wrote, “We’re ‘new’ to the neighborhood and have a decent display … hoping to improve each year! 27th & Thistle [vicinity map].”
And less than a mile west, Yolanda sent this double-deck photo of a sighting on SW Thistle near 37th [vicinity map]:
She wrote that while out on an errand, “I came upon this Christmas display, so cute for the littles.” She added, “Lots of other homes are off the hook this year!” We would agree with that – and thanks to everyone who keeps sending suggestions – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
See the season-long list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, and scroll through past photos here.
Tonight’s featured display is an annual favorite that just might be the longest-running one in West Seattle. Don Rice sent the photo of his display on 47th between Walker and Hill [vicinity map] and notes, “Charlie Brown and the gang have lived at this location for more than 40 years.” He added. for those who go to see it, there’s more to admire nearby: “If you head north from Admiral Way on 47th. there are 2+ blocks with lights. Merry Christmas to all!” We’re adding it to our list of lights in the West Seattle Holiday Guide; you can also scroll through our Christmas-lights archive to see every place we’ve featured. Got a suggestion, with or without a photo? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
Thanks to Ron and Marie for tonight’s photo! This display is on 50th SW between Hudson and Edmunds [vicinity map]. Lots of friendly characters in the yard! Adding to the list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – thanks for the continued tips, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and see everyplace we’ve shown by scrolling through our archive.
If you travel on 35th SW, you might have noticed tonight’s spotlight display:
The photo is from the Fox family. Tony explains it’s a family collaboration: “Our 13-year-old (Maddox) does the design, my wife (Shari) does the organizing, and I do power-cords coordination and any high work on the roof.” They’re on 35th between Brandon and Dawson [map]. Thanks to the Foxes and everyone else who’s contributed to our Christmas-lights spotlights this season – more suggestions still welcome, with or without photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – see the season-long list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, and scroll through all the photos in our archive.
| 9 COMMENTS