Green Lake Pathway of Lights Returns Dec. 12: Candles, Music and How to Get There

One of Seattle's favorite winter traditions has a date. Seattle Parks and Recreation will light the Pathway of Lights at Green Lake Park on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thousands of candles will line the path around the lake and the docks, with live music, free refreshments and, weather permitting, glowing hot air balloons. It is free.

Parks says the evening draws more than 20,000 people each year, so a little planning goes a long way.

What to expect

• The walk: Candles line the Green Lake circuit, its paths and its docks. The paved inner loop is 2.8 miles around, so you can do the whole thing or wander a short stretch and turn back.
• Music: Local schools and community groups perform on stages at the Green Lake Community Center, the Aqua Theater and the Bathhouse Theater.
• Refreshments: Free.
• Hot air balloons: Lit up on the ground, if the weather allows.

Seattle Parks puts the event on with the Green Lake Advisory Council, with support from several local businesses and community groups.

Timing: it gets dark early

We looked up the sun for that evening. On Dec. 12, sunset at Green Lake is at 4:17 p.m., and civil twilight ends at 4:53 p.m., which is when it starts to feel truly dark. That is a day of only about 8 and a half hours. Candles start at 4:30, so if you want the full effect, aim to arrive between 5 and 6 p.m., when it is properly dark and the music is going.

Dress for a December evening outdoors: layers, waterproof shoes and a hat.

Bring food for the food drive

Bring a few cans or other nonperishable groceries for FamilyWorks, a local food bank. Drop them near the music stages at the community center, the Aqua Theater or the Bathhouse Theater.

Getting there: leave the car at home

Parks says parking is extremely limited and fills early, and asks people to come by bike, by bus or on foot, or to carpool to a nearby neighborhood and walk in.

• Link light rail: Take the 1 Line to Roosevelt Station at 12th Avenue NE and NE 65th Street. Using OpenStreetMap, we measured the route from the station to the Green Lake Community Center at about 0.85 mile by street, about a 15 to 20 minute walk at an easy pace.
• Buses: King County Metro's trip planner will find the best route from your door.
• By bike: Parks encourages riding in. Plan to lock up and walk the candlelit paths on foot.

The community center, at 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, is a good place to meet friends, since it hosts one of the music stages.

Want to help?

Parks needs volunteers from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. to set up, place and watch over the candles, handle recycling and litter patrol, and clean up afterward. Call the Green Lake Community Center at 206-684-0780 to sign up.