Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
Visitors walk along a quarter-mile paved pathway surrounded by festival light displays. Inside the Chapel of Mary, guests can listen to choral concerts performed by local schools, churches, and civic groups. The plaza area features continuous family entertainment, including puppet shows and sing-along caroling in the plaza tent.
What to Expect
Walk-through holiday lights festival featuring choral concerts and plaza entertainment.
Event Details
Duration
Visitors can expect to walk approximately one-quarter mile; average festival visitation is 60 to 90 minutes.
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Parkrose
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
The Grotto
Food & Drink
Hot chocolate, donuts, bottled water, and assorted bagged salty snacks are available for purchase inside the Interpretive Center next to the Chapel.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday music lovers
Vibe
Festive and musical
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Online: General (12+) $17.95; Youth (3-11) $8.95; ages 2 and under free. At the gate (no cash): General (12+) $19.95; Youth (3-11) $9.95; ages 2 and under free. Value Nights online (Monday, Nov. 30–Thursday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 7–Thursday, Dec. 10): General (12+) $15.95; Youth (3-11) $6.95; ages 2 and under free. Value Nights at the gate (no cash): General (12+) $17.95; Youth (3-11) $7.95; ages 2 and under free. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. – Get tickets
- Hours: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (grounds close at 10 p.m.).
- Parking: Free parking is available in the main lot and adjacent streets. Attendants help visitors find a spot. On busy nights, an overflow lot at Parkrose/Sumner Park&Ride has a free shuttle that runs every night. ADA parking spaces are in the main lot and may fill on busy nights; guests may pull up at the entrance to unload passengers.
- Accessibility: Pathways and grounds are paved with some slopes, and wheelchairs can be borrowed from the Gift Shop on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tips & Advice
- Wear rubber-soled shoes, warm socks, gloves and something over your ears. You'll walk about a quarter mile outside, and only the entertainment areas are indoors or tented.
- If there's a particular choir you want to hear in the Chapel of Mary, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before its scheduled concert.
- Buy tickets online ahead of time, because online prices are lower than at the gate and the gate is card-only with no cash accepted.
- Come on a Value Night, Monday through Thursday in the weeks of November 30 and December 7, for reduced ticket prices online and at the gate.
- On busy nights, park at the Parkrose/Sumner Park&Ride overflow lot and take the free shuttle. It runs every night and also picks up MAX Red Line riders.
Special Events & Promotions
- Value Nights have reduced ticket prices online and at the gate from Monday, November 30 to Thursday, December 3, and from Monday, December 7 to Thursday, December 10.
- Tickets cost less online than at the gate, and the gate doesn't take cash.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see and do?
You walk a quarter-mile path through the light displays. Local schools, churches and civic groups sing in the Chapel of Mary. In the plaza tent, a puppet show runs at the top of every hour and the Grotto Carolers lead a sing-along at the bottom of every hour. Other musical guests perform in the plaza too.
How long should we plan to stay?
Most visits take 60 to 90 minutes. If you want to hear a specific choir in the Chapel, arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before its scheduled time.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. Hot chocolate, donuts, bottled water and bagged salty snacks are for sale inside the Interpretive Center, next to the Chapel.
Where do we park?
Parking is free in the main lot and on nearby streets, and attendants will direct you. On busy nights, use the overflow lot at the Parkrose/Sumner Park&Ride on Sandy Blvd. A free shuttle runs from there every night.
Is the festival wheelchair accessible?
The paths and grounds are all paved, with some slopes in a few places. You can borrow a wheelchair at The Grotto Gift Shop, first come, first served. ADA spots in the main lot can fill up on busy nights, but you can pull up at the entrance to drop off passengers.
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