Enjoy the festive spirit of Puyallup with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, our guide helps you enjoy the festive charm of Puyallup.
Popular events light up the holiday season in Puyallup, including the enchanting Winterfest, where families can enjoy dazzling lights and festive activities. Another highlight is the Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade, featuring colorful floats and festive music that fill the streets with holiday cheer. And the Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss for a dose of holiday magic through exquisite dance and storytelling. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Puyallup
- Winterfest (Seattle)
- Zoolights (Tacoma)
- Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker (Seattle)
- Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade
- Poulsbo Scandinavian Christmas (Poulsbo)
- Victorian Country Christmas Festival
- Snowflake Lane (Bellevue)
- Julefest (Seattle)
- Issaquah Reindeer Festival (Issaquah)
- Fantasy Lights (Spanaway)
See these and even more events listed below!
Puyallup Holiday Light Displays
Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated floats and marching bands in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
The Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade is a spectacular event in downtown Puyallup featuring decorated floats, marching bands, and walking units. It takes place on the first Saturday in December, starting at 5:00 PM. The parade route runs south on Meridian from Main to 5th Ave W, showcasing the community's holiday spirit.
Where: Puyallup | More Info: Puyallup Lighted Santa Parade
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with over a million LED lights.
Description:
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium transforms into a colorful display of over a million LED lights, featuring dazzling animal scenes and festive treats. Visitors can walk through tunnels of stunning lights, see new displays, and revisit old favorites. The event includes a private animal encounter with goats and offers a variety of holiday-themed activities.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: Zoolights
Fantasy Lights
What to Expect:
Largest drive-through holiday light display in the Northwest.
Description:
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park features nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights along a 2-mile drive, creating a memorable holiday experience with special holiday music on AM 1700.
Where: Spanaway | More Info: Fantasy Lights
Puyallup Holiday Markets and Shopping
Victorian Country Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local vendors.
Description:
The Victorian Country Christmas Festival at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup, WA, offers a variety of holiday activities, including unique shopping, live musical acts, and visits with Santa Claus. Attendees can explore handmade crafts, holiday decor, and specialty foods while supporting local businesses.
Where: Puyallup | More Info: Victorian Country Christmas Festival
Winterfest
What to Expect:
Late 19th-century model train and village display with interactive scavenger hunt.
Description:
Seattle Center's Winterfest, presented by Symetra, transforms the grounds into a vibrant holiday celebration with seasonal decor, the Winter Train Village, live performances on the Armory Stage, and a European-inspired outdoor Christmas market featuring over 60 local and international vendors.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Winterfest
Julefest
What to Expect:
Authentic Nordic holiday experience with live music and unique treats.
Description:
Julefest at the National Nordic Museum is a holiday celebration featuring live music, unique treats, and community spirit. The event includes rows of stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, traditional foods, and cozy Scandinavian apparel. It's a beloved Seattle tradition that captures the essence of Scandinavian holiday traditions with a unique Pacific Northwest twist.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Julefest
Magic in the Market
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa meet-and-greets and cookie decorating.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Pike Place Market with a variety of activities, including meeting Santa, decorating cookies, and sipping eggnog. The event features festive attractions and something for everyone to enjoy.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Magic in the Market
Kris Kringle Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling handcrafted items and supporting military families.
Description:
The Kris Kringle Market in Lacey, Washington, is a family-friendly event featuring local vendors, handcrafted items, and festive activities. Enjoy complimentary crafts, free Santa pictures, and a variety of savory and sweet treats from food trucks. The event also includes a beer hall for adults and supports local military families through fundraising.
Where: Olympia | More Info: Kris Kringle Market
Puyallup Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker is a classic ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score, stunning costumes, and impressive performances. The event includes a picture-perfect lobby, gorgeous scenery, and a 25-minute intermission.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Pacific Northwest Ballet's The Nutcracker
Snowflake Lane
What to Expect:
Complimentary nightly parade with falling snow and holiday floats.
Description:
Snowflake Lane is a nightly holiday parade in Bellevue Square featuring dazzling lights, falling snow, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers. The event includes holiday floats and is open to the public every night at 7 pm.
Where: Bellevue | More Info: Snowflake Lane
Puyallup Other Holiday Activities
Brewallup Craft Beer Festival
What to Expect:
Sampling craft beers and ciders while enjoying live music.
Description:
Brewallup Craft Beer Festival is a celebration of Puyallup Valley's hops heritage, featuring craft beers, ciders, live music, and mouth-watering food truck fare.
Where: Puyallup | More Info: Brewallup Craft Beer Festival
The Taste Northwest
What to Expect:
Diverse food offerings and live entertainment.
Description:
The Taste Northwest is a free event featuring 150+ food and marketplace vendors, five stages with live entertainment and comedy, local chef cook-off battles, and outdoor beer gardens.
Where: Puyallup | More Info: The Taste Northwest
Poulsbo Scandinavian Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional Norwegian culture and Viking traditions.
Description:
Join Poulsbo Sons of Norway for a festive celebration featuring Norwegian street food, Scandinavian vendors, and a Lucia Bride procession in a Viking boat. The evening culminates with an annual bonfire and the Viking King’s Winter Solstice Proclamation.
Where: Poulsbo | More Info: Poulsbo Scandinavian Christmas
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
The Issaquah Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo offers a unique holiday celebration with Santa visits, reindeer encounters, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Issaquah | More Info: Issaquah Reindeer Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- South Hill (3 miles)
- Parkland (7 miles)
- Tacoma (8 miles)
- Spanaway (9 miles)
- Auburn (9 miles)
- Graham (9 miles)
- Federal Way (10 miles)
- Lakewood (11 miles)
- University Place (13 miles)
- Kent (14 miles)
- Des Moines (15 miles)
- East Hill-Meridian (17 miles)
- SeaTac (18 miles)
- Maple Valley (18 miles)
- Burien (20 miles)
- Tukwila (20 miles)
- Renton (21 miles)
- Issaquah (27 miles)
- Mercer Island (27 miles)
- Lacey (27 miles)
- West Lake Sammamish (29 miles)
- Seattle (29 miles)
- Bellevue (30 miles)
- Olympia (30 miles)
- Bremerton (31 miles)
- City of Sammamish (31 miles)
- Bainbridge Island (32 miles)
- Sammamish (33 miles)
- Kirkland (35 miles)
- Redmond (35 miles)
- Inglewood-Finn Hill (37 miles)
- Shoreline (39 miles)
- Kenmore (40 miles)
- Cottage Lake (40 miles)
- Bothell (40 miles)
- Mountlake Terrace (42 miles)
- Edmonds (43 miles)
- Lynnwood (44 miles)
- North Creek (44 miles)