Holidays on Franklin in Vancouver, WA: 2026 dates, hours, parking and tips
Holidays on Franklin, also billed as Christmas on Franklin Street, is a free Christmas light display on one block of NW Franklin Street at NW 46th Street, in Vancouver's Northwest neighborhood. Neighbors decorate their homes and open the block to visitors every December. You walk or drive past; there are no tickets.
The 2026 dates haven't been announced. The organizers' website was in off-season mode when we checked on September 25, 2026. In 2025 the lights ran every night from December 1 to 30, 5 to 10 p.m.
This is an independent visitor guide. Permanent Lights NW isn't affiliated with Holidays on Franklin or its organizers. For official news, follow the organizers' website and Facebook page linked below.
Holidays on Franklin at a glance
| Where[1][3] | NW Franklin St at NW 46th St, Vancouver, WA 98663DirectionsSee it on our mapNorthwest neighborhood. All the decorated homes are on one block. |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates[2][3] | Not announced yetChecked September 25, 2026. Watch the organizers' Facebook page. |
| 2025 dates[6] | Every night, December 1–30, 2025 |
| Hours[6][7][8] | 5–10 p.m. in 2025Also 5–10 p.m. in 2024 |
| Cost[1] | FreeDonations by cash or Venmo go in a bin on the main house's driveway fence. |
| How you visit[1] | Walk by or drive byWalkers stay on the sidewalk or inside the cones. Drivers pull over and park instead of stopping in the street. |
| Special nights (2025)[6] | Santa and the Grinch: Tuesday, December 23, from 5:30 p.m.Snowfall: Christmas Eve, 4–10 p.m., and Christmas Day, 4–9 p.m. |
| Official links[2][3] | holidaysonfranklin.comFacebook |
What you'll see
In 2025 about 10 homes took part. Together they showed more than 200,000 lights, 45 holiday figures, 25 animated trees and five nativity scenes, with music. Santa and costumed characters made appearances, and artificial snow fell on special nights around Christmas.
The organizers' 2024 listing counted 200,000 lights across eight properties, including a life-size nativity with a 24-foot star, a 60-foot lit cedar and a 15-foot snowman.
Parking and getting there
The organizers suggest parking on nearby neighborhood streets or in the school parking lot on Franklin Street after school hours. Park legally and keep driveways clear.
The display isn't on a bus line, according to the organizers, so plan on driving, biking or a drop-off.
Sources [1]
Walk it or drive it
All the homes are on one block, so it's easy to see on foot. Stay on the sidewalk or inside the cones, and keep out of the traffic lane.
You can also drive past slowly. The organizers ask drivers not to stop in the middle of the street to look; pull over and park instead.
Sources [1]
Wheelchairs, strollers and dogs
The organizers describe the block as largely accessible for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. A few homes have gravel in front; you can see those from the sidewalk across the street.
Leashed dogs are welcome. Keep them on the sidewalk and close to you around small children and older visitors.
Sources [1]
When to go
If you want to see Santa or the snow, go on a special night. In 2025 those were Santa and the Grinch on December 23, and snowfall on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Plan for bigger crowds on those nights.
Our suggestion, not the organizers': for a calmer visit, try a weeknight early in December, away from the special nights. It's an outdoor walk, so bring a rain layer.
Sources [6]
Cocoa, food and donations
On some nights, the school and church across the street sell food and drinks to support the Boy Scouts. The organizers' 2024 listing also mentioned cocoa and treats for sale on weekends.
Admission is free. Donations, by cash or Venmo, go in a collection bin on the driveway fence of the main house. The organizers say donations pay for candy, electricity and production.
Make a night of it
On December 3, 11 and 16, 2026, the Christmas Ships sail past downtown Vancouver's waterfront; the organizer estimates the boats reach Grant Street Pier around 7:50 p.m. Our Christmas Ships guide lists every Washington-side night and where to watch.
Want to stay in the car? The closest drive-through show is Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway; see drive-through Christmas lights near Vancouver. For more displays and tree lightings around the county, open the Clark County Christmas Lights Map.
What we know about 2026
Nothing yet. As of September 25, 2026, holidaysonfranklin.com shows only a splash page and no 2026 schedule. The organizers' Facebook page is the place to watch for dates. The date at the top of this page shows when we last checked.
Holidays on Franklin questions
Where is Holidays on Franklin?
When does Holidays on Franklin open in 2026?
Is Holidays on Franklin free?
Where do I park for Holidays on Franklin?
Can I drive through, or do I have to walk?
When is Santa there, and when does it snow?
Is it wheelchair and stroller friendly? Can I bring my dog?
Is Holidays on Franklin on a bus line?
Is Christmas on Franklin the same display?
When is Halloween on Franklin?
Sources
Dates, prices and rules on this page come from these pages, read on September 25, 2026. Where 2026 details weren't published yet, we show 2025 and say so. Organizers change plans, so check the official site before you go.
- Holidays on Franklin: FAQ · archived Nov 25, 2025; the live site is in off-season mode
- holidaysonfranklin.com · splash page only when checked Sep 25, 2026
- Holidays on Franklin on Facebook
- Holidays on Franklin: donations · archived Nov 13, 2025
- Holidays on Franklin: our story · archived Oct 30, 2025
- Portland Living on the Cheap: Christmas on Franklin · posted Dec 20, 2025
- The Columbian events: Christmas on Franklin · 2024 listing
- Visit Vancouver WA: Christmas on Franklin Street · 2024 listing
- Christmas Ships: combined fleet to the Vancouver Waterfront / Hayden Bay
- Christmas Ships: 2026 Columbia fleet schedule (PDF)