Experience the holiday cheer in Tacoma! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. From Tacoma regulars to holiday explorers, our guide brings the festive season to life.
Popular events around the city include Zoolights, which transforms the Point Defiance Zoo into a mesmerizing display of lights and decorations. Enchant Christmas offers a magical experience with its impressive light maze and festive market. And the beloved Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a classic ballet performance that captures the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Tacoma
- The Nutcracker (Seattle)
- Enchant Christmas (Seattle)
- Zoolights
- Village of Lights (Leavenworth)
- Winterfest (Seattle)
- The Lights of Christmas (Stanwood)
- Gingerbread Village (Seattle)
- A Victorian Country Christmas (Puyallup)
- Fantasy Lights (Spanaway)
- Julefest at Nordic Museum (Seattle)
See these and even more events listed below!
Tacoma Holiday Light Displays
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium transforms into a vibrant display of over a million lights, featuring classic animal displays and new attractions. Visitors can walk through tunnels of stunning lights, see iconic figures like the giant Pacific octopus and tiger face, and enjoy festive treats at the Plaza Cafe.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: Zoolights
Fantasy Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light display with over 300 animated displays.
Description:
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park features a two-mile drive-through display of nearly 300 elaborate animated displays and thousands of sparkling lights, creating a captivating holiday experience.
Where: Spanaway | More Info: Fantasy Lights
Tacoma Light Trail
What to Expect:
Dazzling light art display with various performances.
Description:
The Tacoma Light Trail is a free winter festival featuring light art, outdoor performances, dragon parades, lumens concerts, and a lighted bike ride. It showcases illuminated art throughout downtown Tacoma.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: Tacoma Light Trail
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with original stories and custom-designed sculptures.
Description:
Enchant Christmas features a world's largest Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and a variety of festive attractions, including seasonal food, drink, Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, and a Ferris Wheel offering a bird's-eye view of dazzling lights.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Enchant Christmas
The Lights of Christmas
What to Expect:
Drive-thru holiday light display with over a million lights.
Description:
The Lights of Christmas is a drive-thru holiday light display in Stanwood, WA, featuring over a million lights, creative displays, and two activity stops. Enjoy fun Christmas music while driving through the event route, and stop to enjoy yummy snacks and exciting activities.
Where: Stanwood | More Info: The Lights of Christmas
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday tree decorations with a "Once Upon a Time" theme.
Description:
The Festival of Trees at the White River Valley Museum is a community-based holiday exhibit featuring decorated trees by local businesses, artists, and heritage groups. The 2024 theme is "Once Upon a Time," with creative and fun decorations that reflect the businesses' inspirations.
Where: Auburn | More Info: Festival of Trees
Village of Lights
What to Expect:
Half a million LED lights illuminate the Bavarian Alpine Village daily.
Description:
Leavenworth's Village of Lights features over half a million lights, live music, and festive activities like gingerbread house exhibitions and strolling carolers.
Where: Leavenworth | More Info: Village of Lights
Tacoma Holiday Markets and Shopping
A Victorian Country Christmas
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with live stage shows and a winter wine garden.
Description:
A Victorian Country Christmas is a premier holiday event featuring over 500 vendors offering unique holiday gifts, apparel, jewelry, toys, and gourmet treats. The festival includes live stage shows, a winter wine garden, and a Santa Area where children can meet real bearded Santa Claus.
Where: Puyallup | More Info: A Victorian Country Christmas
Julefest at Nordic Museum
What to Expect:
Authentic Nordic holiday experience with local artisan vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Julefest at the National Nordic Museum is a traditional Nordic holiday celebration featuring live music, unique treats, and community spirit. Visitors can wander through rows of stalls filled with handcrafted gifts, traditional foods, and cozy Scandinavian apparel.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Julefest at Nordic Museum
Tacoma Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What to Expect:
Free tickets for patrons 18 years and under.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Tacoma Concert Band at the Pantages Theater, featuring soprano Elizabeth Galafa Ylaya and local student musicians in a heartwarming mix of holiday music.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Tacoma Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Free photos with Santa and live brass quartet performance.
Description:
Join Tacoma City Theaters for the 79th Annual Tacoma Tree Lighting at Pantages Theater on November 30, 2024. Enjoy free refreshments, photos with Santa, live entertainment by the JBLM Brass Quartet, and a delightful performance by the Tacoma Concert Band.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: Tacoma Tree Lighting
Winterfest
What to Expect:
Interactive model train village with seasonal entertainment.
Description:
Seattle Center Winterfest is a five-week celebration featuring seasonal decor, a Winter Train Village, weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve Celebration. Enjoy twinkling lights, live performances, and festive activities throughout the grounds.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Winterfest
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
Embark on a festive train ride to the North Pole with your children, featuring live performances, hot chocolate, and a special visit from Santa.
Where: Chehalis | More Info: Polar Express Train Ride
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
Whimsical blend of Broadway and circus arts.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a family-friendly holiday spectacular that combines Broadway-style musicals with contemporary circus arts. The show features a world-renowned cast of performers, including aerial circus acts, jugglers, and acrobats, set to an original music score with seasonal favorites. The production brings holiday storybook characters to life on stage, creating an imaginative and fun experience for all ages.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Pacific Northwest Ballet presents George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, featuring Tchaikovsky's classic score, gorgeous costumes, and impressive performances. The event includes a picture-perfect lobby and a 25-minute intermission.
Where: Seattle | More Info: The Nutcracker
Tacoma Other Holiday Activities
Solstice Lights
What to Expect:
Embrace darkness and connect with nature in a festively decorated setting.
Description:
The Winter Solstice Festival at Lakewold Gardens is a seasonal celebration that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It features live music, dramatic readings, art activities, and warm beverages in the festively decorated Wagner House. This event honors the changing of the seasons and offers a time to connect with nature and find peace.
Where: Lakewold Gardens | More Info: Solstice Lights
Gingerbread Village
What to Expect:
Intricate gingerbread structures benefiting type 1 diabetes research.
Description:
The Sheraton Grand Seattle Gingerbread Village is a holiday event featuring intricate gingerbread structures crafted by top local architecture firms and Sheraton chefs, benefiting type 1 diabetes research.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Gingerbread Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- University Place (5 miles)
- Lakewood (7 miles)
- Parkland (7 miles)
- Federal Way (8 miles)
- Puyallup (8 miles)
- Spanaway (10 miles)
- Auburn (11 miles)
- South Hill (11 miles)
- Des Moines (12 miles)
- Kent (13 miles)
- SeaTac (15 miles)
- Graham (16 miles)
- Burien (16 miles)
- East Hill-Meridian (17 miles)
- Tukwila (18 miles)
- Renton (19 miles)
- Maple Valley (21 miles)
- Lacey (23 miles)
- Bremerton (23 miles)
- Mercer Island (24 miles)
- Seattle (25 miles)
- Olympia (26 miles)
- Bainbridge Island (26 miles)
- Issaquah (27 miles)
- Bellevue (27 miles)
- West Lake Sammamish (28 miles)
- City of Sammamish (31 miles)
- Kirkland (32 miles)
- Sammamish (32 miles)
- Redmond (33 miles)
- Inglewood-Finn Hill (34 miles)
- Shoreline (35 miles)
- Kenmore (36 miles)
- Bothell (37 miles)
- Mountlake Terrace (38 miles)
- Cottage Lake (38 miles)
- Edmonds (39 miles)
- Lynnwood (40 miles)
- North Creek (41 miles)
- Picnic Point-North Lynnwood (43 miles)
- Mill Creek (43 miles)
- Silver Firs (44 miles)