Candy Cane Lane marks 75 years with lights, cheer

Candy Cane Lane

The annual light display in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood.

SEATTLE - For 75 years, Seattle’s Candy Cane Lane has brought holiday magic to the city, delighting families with its dazzling lights, festive music and whimsical decorations.

Located in the Ravenna neighborhood, this annual tradition on Park Road N.E. and N.E. Ravenna Boulevard, draws visitors from near and far to experience its timeless charm.

Candy Cane Lane officially lit up for the 2024 season on Saturday, and will run through New Year’s Day. Keep reading to learn more about this timeless holiday tradition, and how to experience it this year.

Candy Cane Lane has a rich history

Candy Cane Lane began in the 1940s, reportedly as part of a Seattle Times neighborhood holiday competition, and gained its now-iconic name in the 1950s.

Each of the 1920s-era Tudor homes — 23 to be exact — on the lane feature unique decorations, including six-foot candy canes crafted decades ago from old pipes.

One standout feature is the merry-go-round in the roundabout, which was designed and built in the 1960s by resident engineer Bill Rehder. This year, it returns to its original 1961 theme, "Angel Chimes," inspired by spinning candlelit table decorations. Did you know the roundabout itself holds the distinction of being Seattle’s smallest public park?

cars and traffic at seattle candy cane lane

For 75 years, Seattle’s Candy Cane Lane has brought holiday magic to the city, delighting families with its dazzling lights, festive music and whimsical decorations. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Candy Cane Lane has community spirit and charity

Beyond the lights and nostalgia, Candy Cane Lane is rooted in giving.

Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the University District Food Bank, with bins conveniently located at the exit. In recent years, the event has also supported the Ravenna Pop-Up Kitchen with cash donations.

Adding to the festive atmosphere are performances by the University of Washington Husky Marching Band and the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band. Visitors can also enjoy treats and hot chocolate from nearby café Seven, a longtime community partner.

The tradition even carries a message of unity. Following the events of 9/11, neighbors added red and white "peace" signs to their yards, each featuring a language commonly spoken in King County at the time.

Image 1 of 3

▼

For 75 years, Seattle’s Candy Cane Lane has brought holiday magic to the city, delighting families with its dazzling lights, festive music and whimsical decorations. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Visiting Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane will shine bright now through New Year’s Day.

Visitors can enjoy the lights nightly from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Special pedestrian-only nights, when the street closes to cars, are scheduled for Dec. 7, 10, 15 and 19.

If you're looking for a festive holiday outing before the big guy in red arrives, DJ Chris will be playing holiday tunes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20. Roll down your car windows and listen to the music as you cruise Candy Cane Lane.

Whether you’re coming to admire the intricate decorations, enjoy a nostalgic stroll or contribute to the local food drive, this beloved tradition remains a beacon of holiday cheer.

For more information and updates, visit Candy Cane Lane's Facebook page.