Hotels near Westlake Center and the Downtown Tree Lighting

Westlake Center and the surrounding Westlake Park are the heart of downtown Seattle's holiday season. The annual tree lighting, held the day after Thanksgiving in recent years, draws large crowds for live music and fireworks, and kicks off weeks of festive decorations in the downtown retail core.

A vintage carousel has traditionally set up in Westlake Park during the holidays, and the surrounding department stores and shopping streets put up elaborate window displays. It is the busiest shopping area in the city in December.

Westlake Center is also the downtown terminus of the Seattle Center Monorail, which links it to the Seattle Christmas Market in about two minutes, making it easy to combine both on the same evening.

Pro Tip: Ride the Monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center; the two-minute ride is part of the fun. Check the Downtown Seattle Association's website for the 2026 tree lighting date and time.