On dark December nights, a drive through Whatcom County comes alive in brilliant color and holiday magic with houses’ and businesses’ gleaming Christmas lights. Complementing public events such as Holidays Downtown and the Northwest Lighted Christmas Parade, it’s become local tradition to canvass light shows and block-wide displays by dedicated residents.
James Street Estates, a manufactured home retirement community, delights Bellingham annually with light displays along every block. Visitors to this long-standing holiday favorite can spot displays in a double loop around Rowan Lane and Amanda Lane.
In Lynden, residential light shows include Emerald Way Lights (1751 Emerald Way), Cross Country Lights (1949 Emerald Way), and Charlee’s Lights on Grover by (1177 East Grover Street). These nightly events entrance visitors with strobing lights and playlists of Christmas music.
“I’ve always loved Christmas lights,” says Ryan Mitchell of Emerald Way Lights. “And I thought, what better way than to do it in our little town of Lynden? Nobody else was doing it at the time, so that would be something kind of fun to share with the community.”
As you’ll discover while passing through, the Bellingham and Lynden communities have many delightful light shows to share.
Spotlighting the City Lights
Local holiday light displays all started with enthusiasm for the craft and holiday spirit. James Street Estates’ displays resulted from an organized neighborly effort, and holiday light sellers Charlees Props started their light show in Sedro-Woolley before moving to Lynden.
“I really started back when they were having the NFL commercials [with] light shows,” says Mitchell. “And then I just happened to see one online and thought: That looks pretty cool. I started reading and learning as much as possible. And back then it was build-your-own, so it was kind of like building your own computer.”
Visitors to James Street Estates can see Christmas figures such as Santa, reindeer, and snowmen across many yards, while Lynden’s light shows each illuminate a panoply within one property.
“Every year I try to grow it and try to add new props or items into the display,” Mitchell says. “I added what’s called a mega tree — a 15-foot tree — probably four or five years ago, which has 3,000 lights on it.”
Creating Holiday Traditions
For long-term area residents, many local light displays have become synonymous with Christmas.
“The first couple of years, I was probably getting one hundred, two hundred cars,” says Mitchell. “I have a dozen songs I could play, but I shorten it to three or four songs on busy nights, because it’s probably upwards of 1,000 cars.”
As word has spread across social media, visitors have become more connected with these displays as a communal celebration.
“I started a Facebook and Instagram page a couple years ago, and once I started that on social media the general feeling from the community is people now make it their tradition,” says Mitchell. “I mean, I even had someone get engaged in front of the house, in front of the lights.”
Charlee’s Lights also runs lights on Halloween. During the off-season, residents appreciate community support in setting up displays.
“I just want everybody to know it’s all done for the holiday season and spirit, to make things traditional and fun and enjoyable,” Mitchell says. “It is a lot of work — it’s several days and countless hours to do it. So anybody that wants to jump in, feel free.”
Planning Your Visit
When visiting these local light displays, residents advise that you drive slowly for both leisure and safety. Their social media pages have updates on which shows are being run, as well as special considerations on how to accommodate the neighborhood.
“We’ll put in little voiceovers segments in the middle of the show that reminds people that are watching to pay attention and be courteous of neighbors trying to get in,” says Mitchell.
To first-time visitors, these light shows are unforgettable experience they can look forward to repeating.
“The feedback that I hear — people will roll down their window while I’m out trying to fix something up on the roof — they just say how much they love the show,” Mitchell says. “Or while I’m setting it up in the middle of the day on the weekend, my neighbors will walk by and say how much they love it; it’s been made a part of their family tradition. That’s a pretty cool thing to know, that you’re part of their holiday season.”
