Look for gnomes and light up your life at Everett’s Wintertide Lights

EVERETT — Waltz through thousands of holiday lights without worrying about tripping.

But watch out for the gnomes.

The Wintertide Lights display at Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens is immersive.

And it’s free.

The event is 4 to 8 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31 at Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., in Everett.

This is the third year for the arboretum’s Wintertide Lights, started in response to being pent up during the pandemic. The event is funded by donations, corporate sponsors and a grant from the City of Everett.

“We have more lights than ever,” spokesperson Renee Greenleaf said.

A dozen or so volunteers began stringing lights on bushes and trees in mid-October.

Then came the November windstorm that knocked some lights down, along with branches. So volunteers picked up the debris and restrung the lights.

Attendance has grown.

“The first year was 5,000 and the next was 10,000,” Greenleaf said. “We don’t know what to expect this year.”

So far, there have been nightly parades of families with strollers and pets.

Bundle up and put a sweater on Fido. The air gets brisk.

There’s nothing to buy. Donations are accepted to fund next year’s display. People can also drop food bank items in a container near the entrance where holiday music sets the festive mood. Parking is in the lot by the ballfields.

On weekends, volunteers serve apple cider and candy canes. Crafting is 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 in the classroom.

The book walk, sponsored by the Everett Public Library, has storyboards that go with “The Mitten,” a Ukrainian fairy tale by Jan Brett, making it an outdoor story time. Painted wooden gnomes are stationed along the lit paved paths.

“It’s relaxing,” said T.J. Lee, of Everett. “You get the Christmas feel.”

His son James, 3, found all the gnomes on the scavenger hunt checklist.

“It’s fun for us and engaging for him,” the dad said.

Barbara and Ed Olesen, of Arlington, usually come with their children and grandchildren.

“It is nice to see it from their eyes,” she said.

This year, it was just the two of them.

“They’re busy or have colds,” she said.

The couple strolled at a leisurely pace.

“We went this way and that way and took our time,” she said. “We like to come at dusk so we can see the lights when it’s not dark and it’s not as cold.”

Call 425-257-8597 or go to evergreenarboretum.com for more information.

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.