Experience the magic of the holiday season in the vibrant city of Tacoma, WA, where dazzling lights, cultural festivities, and cherished traditions await. Delight in the enchanting Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo, where illuminated animal sculptures and seasonal decor create a winter wonderland for all ages. Drive through Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park to witness the Northwest's largest light display, or immerse yourself in diverse holiday traditions at Tacoma's Holiday Festival of Lights.
Tacoma's festive events cater to both locals and visitors, offering a rich array of experiences that celebrate the spirit of the season. Whether you're seeking the wonder of intricate light displays, the warmth of shared cultural celebrations, or the joy of community gatherings, Tacoma's holiday events promise unforgettable memories and festive cheer.
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Tacoma Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Tacoma
- Zoolights
- Holiday Festival of Lights
- Christmas Regatta
- The Nutcracker
- Dickens Festival
- Holiday Haul Crawl
- Tacoma Winter Market
- Candy Cane Lane
- Polar Plaza
Tacoma Holiday Light Displays
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Animal-shaped light displays at Point Defiance Zoo
Description:
Illuminated animal sculptures transform Point Defiance Zoo into a glowing menagerie each winter. Visitors can stroll through the grounds, marveling at over 700,000 LED lights crafted into the shapes of exotic creatures. The event began in 1988 as a way to attract visitors during the zoo's off-season. You'll have the opportunity to ride the antique carousel, beautifully adorned for the season. The twinkling lights reflect off Puget Sound, creating a stunning backdrop for this beloved Tacoma tradition.
Website:
Holiday Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and cultural performances
Description:
Tacoma's Holiday Festival of Lights blends illumination with cultural celebration. This event showcases diverse holiday traditions through both lights and live performances. Visitors can interact with certain light displays, triggering sounds or movements. The festival originated as a way to highlight Tacoma's multicultural community. Explore the "Around the World" section, featuring holiday customs from various countries. The air fills with the aroma of international holiday treats available for purchase throughout the event grounds.
Website:
Candy Cane Lane
What to Expect:
Neighborhood-wide themed decorations and charity events
Description:
Candy Cane Lane transforms an entire Tacoma neighborhood into a cohesive holiday spectacle. Residents collaborate on a different theme each year, coordinating their decorations for a unified display. This tradition began in the 1950s as a friendly competition between neighbors. Visitors can walk or drive through the neighborhood, enjoying the elaborate scenes. The lane also hosts nightly charity events, with residents collecting donations for local food banks and toy drives, embodying the community spirit of the holiday season.
Website:
Tacoma Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Haul Crawl
What to Expect:
Guided tour of local shops with special discounts and treats
Description:
The Holiday Haul Crawl takes shoppers on a curated journey through Tacoma's unique local businesses. This event supports small retailers and showcases the city's diverse shopping districts. Participants receive a passport to collect stamps from each visited shop, with prizes for completed passports. The crawl originated as a grassroots effort to boost local economy during the holiday season. You'll discover hidden gems and one-of-a-kind gifts while enjoying special discounts and complimentary refreshments at each stop.
Website:
Tacoma Winter Market
What to Expect:
Indoor market featuring local artisans and sustainable products
Description:
The Tacoma Winter Market showcases the best of local craftsmanship and sustainable living. This indoor event brings together artisans, farmers, and eco-conscious vendors from across the region. The market emphasizes Tacoma's commitment to sustainability, with many vendors offering upcycled or environmentally friendly products. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops to learn traditional crafts or sustainable practices. The event space, a repurposed warehouse, pays homage to Tacoma's industrial past while supporting its creative future.
Website:
Tacoma Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Local twist on the classic ballet with Pacific Northwest themes
Description:
Tacoma's rendition of The Nutcracker infuses the classic ballet with distinct Pacific Northwest elements. This innovative production replaces traditional scenes with local imagery, such as a backdrop of Mount Rainier. The performance honors the region's Native American heritage by incorporating traditional dance elements. Watch as dancers portray local wildlife, including orcas and bald eagles. The Tacoma City Ballet has been performing this unique version since 1983, making it a cherished local tradition.
Website:
Tacoma Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Regatta
What to Expect:
Parade of illuminated boats on Puget Sound
Description:
Tacoma's waterfront comes alive with the Christmas Regatta, a flotilla of boats adorned with dazzling lights. This nautical parade reflects Tacoma's rich maritime history, dating back to its founding as a port city. Spectators line the shore to watch vessels of all sizes glide by, their lights shimmering on the water. You can join a public viewing party at one of the waterfront restaurants for a prime vantage point. The event culminates with a fireworks display launched from a barge in the Sound.
Website:
Dickens Festival
What to Expect:
Victorian-era street fair with costumed performers
Description:
Tacoma's Dickens Festival transports visitors to 19th century London, complete with cobblestone streets and gas lamps. This immersive event features costumed performers bringing Charles Dickens' characters to life. The festival celebrates Tacoma's own Victorian heritage, showcasing its historic architecture. Participate in a traditional English country dance led by experienced callers. Street vendors offer authentic Victorian-era treats, filling the air with the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.
Website:
Polar Plaza
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating rink with themed skate nights
Description:
Polar Plaza brings ice skating to the heart of downtown Tacoma, creating a winter sports destination in an urban setting. The rink hosts themed skate nights, from disco to superhero costumes, adding variety to the experience. This event revives Tacoma's ice skating tradition, which dates back to the early 1900s when residents skated on frozen ponds. Visitors can warm up with locally-sourced hot beverages served rinkside. The plaza also features ice sculpture demonstrations, showcasing the talents of local artists.
Website:
Nearby Events
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park (Spanaway)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display around a lake
Description:
Spanaway Park's two-mile route encircles a serene lake, offering a unique perspective on holiday light displays. Established in 1994, this event has grown to become the largest drive-through display in the Northwest. Visitors remain cozy in their vehicles while traversing through over 300 elaborate scenes. The lake's surface mirrors the vibrant displays, doubling the visual impact. Keep an eye out for the animated sea serpent that appears to swim across the water, a favorite among regular attendees.
Website:
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park
Winter Wonderland (Puyallup)
What to Expect:
Indoor snow play area and ice sculptures
Description:
Tacoma's Winter Wonderland brings frosty fun indoors, featuring a climate-controlled snow play area. This unique event allows visitors to experience winter activities regardless of outdoor temperatures. Professional ice carvers demonstrate their skills, creating intricate sculptures throughout the venue. The event pays homage to Tacoma's occasional harsh winters of the past. Try your hand at building a snowman or fort in the designated play zones. The venue's excellent acoustics amplify the crunch of snow underfoot, adding to the wintry atmosphere.
Website:
Christmas at Meeker Mansion (Puyallup)
What to Expect:
Period-accurate Victorian Christmas decorations in a historic mansion
Description:
Meeker Mansion, a meticulously preserved Victorian home, showcases Christmas traditions from the 1890s. Each room is adorned with period-accurate decorations, offering a glimpse into holiday celebrations of the past. The mansion, built in 1890, was home to Ezra Meeker, a prominent figure in Washington's early statehood. Visitors can join a guided tour to learn about Victorian Christmas customs and the Meeker family's influence on Tacoma. The parlor features a towering Christmas tree decorated with authentic Victorian ornaments, many of which are handmade replicas of originals.
Website:
Santa Parade (Sumner)
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
Tacoma's Santa Parade illuminates the night with glowing floats and costumed performers. This evening procession offers a unique twist on the traditional daytime parade. The event dates back to the 1940s, originally organized by local merchants to kick off the holiday shopping season. Spectators can warm up with complimentary hot cocoa provided by local businesses along the route. The parade culminates with Santa's arrival on a vintage Tacoma fire truck, a nod to the city's firefighting history.
Website:
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Auburn)
What to Expect:
Community sing-along and local celebrity tree lighter
Description:
Tacoma's Tree Lighting Ceremony brings the community together for a collective countdown to illuminate the city's official Christmas tree. This event features a massive Douglas fir, native to the Pacific Northwest, as its centerpiece. A local celebrity or community hero is chosen each year to flip the switch, honoring their contributions to Tacoma. Join in the community sing-along led by local choirs, filling the air with holiday melodies. The ceremony also kicks off a month-long food drive for local shelters, embodying the spirit of giving.
Website:
Christmas Tree Lighting (Lakewood)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly LED light display on a living tree
Description:
Tacoma's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony features an innovative, eco-friendly approach. Instead of cutting down a tree, the city decorates a living, 100-foot Douglas fir with energy-efficient LED lights. This sustainable practice aligns with Tacoma's environmental initiatives, started in the early 2000s. Visitors can learn about the tree's history and the native wildlife it supports throughout the year. The lighting design changes annually, created by local artists to reflect different aspects of Tacoma's culture and natural beauty.