It’s a magical time of year, perfect for enjoying some family time. Here’s a few things to consider when you’re putting together your holiday calendar.
Light shows are always a favorite activity. The 36th annual Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be held from November 29 to January 5, 2025 daily from 4:30-10pm. To ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors, timed online tickets must be purchased in advance.
Zoolights | Holiday Lights | Tacoma Events | Point Defiance Zoo (pdza.org)
Fantasy Lights in Spanaway will run every night including holidays from November 29 to January 5, 2025 between 5:30-9pm. The event features nearly 300 elaborate displays, digital animations, and thousands of sparkling lights.
piercecountywa.gov/1253/Fantasy-Lights
Celebrate the season with a Holiday Parade of Lights at the Lakewood Towne Center on Saturday, December 7. Visitors get to view holiday floats constructed by local businesses, clubs, and organizations. This event is completely free.
Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting – City of Lakewood
The Lighted Boat Parade, organized by the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, is a festive maritime event where boats adorned with holiday lights sail along the harbor creating a magical evening spectacle. The parade takes place on December 14 at 5pm.
Events from October 5 – December 14 – Visit Gig Harbor, Washington
Winter Glow, a celebration of Winter at Lakewold Gardens, will be held December 6-21 from 5 to 8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Their extraordinary gardens will be lit up with colorful lights and seasonal music for evening strolls, followed by refreshments, music and a contemporary quilt show in Wagner House.
Homepage – Lakewold Gardens
For many, a Nutcracker performance is a holiday tradition. You may want to check out one of these options.
Tacoma City Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Pantages Theater December 14 and 15 at 2pm, December 20 at 7 pm and December 21 and 22 at 2 pm. This is the only performance of the ballet in the South Puget Sound that features a live orchestra.
Tacoma City Ballet
Ballet Northwest at the Washington Center in Olympia will be performing The Nutcracker from December 13 to 22.
balletnorthwest.org
And a few other fun ideas to ponder . . .
Hometown Holidays will be presented by the Sumner Downtown Association on Saturday, November 16 from 10am to 5pm at Heritage Park. There will be holiday music performances from local artists, gourmet hot chocolate and more from Vinyl Coffee Roasters, holiday cookies and ice cream from Jazzy’s Cookie Co., and special surprises!
sumnermainstreet.com/events
The Jingle Bell Fun Run returns to Fort Steilacoom Park on December 14 at 9:30am and 10am. This 5k walk/run and 1-mile kids fun run is great for families. Wear your best holiday themed costume and bring your dog (on a leash).
cityoflakewood.us/the-lakewood-jingle-bell-5k-is-back
Gig Harbor will host their annual 5k Turkey Trot that brings the community together on Thanksgiving morning to support local food banks. The run will be held on Thursday, November 28 at 8am.
visitgigharbor.com/events-festivals
LoveOly Winterfest
olympialoveolydowntown.com
Lacey Holiday Lights
December 2, 5:30-7:30pm
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Lp SE, Lacey
laceyparks.org/events
BY LYNN CASTLE