Wow! If you’re looking for holiday fun for families in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Gig Harbor, or just about anywhere else, boy, have we got you covered!
We’ve got dozens of holiday events near you (and some non holiday related happenings, too) no matter what part of the South Sound you call home. Have a magical weekend!
PS Don’t You’ll find a list just like this-just for the South Sound-every Friday morning, and lots of fun every other day, too!

Don’t forget to take in Fantasy Lights this season. The drive thru light show at Spanaway Lake is open nightly.
Ongoing Holiday Events
Reindeer at Watson’s nursery, holiday events at The Old Cannery, Santa at the fairgrounds, Skating at the Polar Plaza in downtown Tacoma-See our holiday events guides for all the details.
Fantasy Lights at Lake Spanaway
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo
See our Holiday Arts Guide for plays, Nutcrackers, concerts, and other holiday performances.
Santa visits area fire departments
Places to get free Santa Photos
Continue reading for the complete list of this weekend’s events!
Saturday
South King County
Visit Santa and take a FREE diy photo at Pfaff’s Old-Time Christmas Tree Farm! in Auburn You can also get a very affordable tree and other fun seasonal items if you still need ’em!
Meet reindeer and a camel at Carpinito Brothers in Kent
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2
Renton Clam Lights – Gene Coulon Park The lights will run nightly until January 1 from 5:00pm-9:00pm
A Journey Through Time Nativity – Federal Way; Saturday-Monday, December 19-21, 6:00pm-9:00pm; FREE. Tours every 30 minutes back in time to experience the birth of Christ, walk through a market, meet the Shepherds and more!
Greater Pierce County
Ongoing: Reindeer at Watson’s nursery, holiday events at The Old Cannery, Santa at the fairgrounds, Skating at the Polar Plaza in downtown Tacoma-See our holiday events guides for all the details.
Santa Breakfast at the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup Reservations required; note from SFM: All other Santa breakfasts in the area have sold out, so it’s worth giving a call if you want in on one. We also have a list of free Santa photo ops. under Holiday Fun in the menu bar, or we love our friends at the North Pole at the Fairgrounds.
Gingerbread House Making at the Sumner Library 10:30 no reservations required; supplies included while they last. Note from SFM: Last chance for this event at PCL libraries.
Manestage Theater presents A Christmas Story Last shows this weekend!
Winter music at the Puyallup Public Library 1PM
Puppets Please! Free, live marionette show at Pierce County Library Branches Noon at Summit, 1:30 at Parkland/Spanaway or 3:30 at University Place
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood
Plays, Nutcrackers, and shows are here in our Holiday Arts Guide!
Click! Family flick at the Grand Free showing of Arthur Christmas 10AM; doors open at 9:30
Polar Bear Birthday Party at the Point Defiance Zoo Special activities included with admission. Note from SFM: Zoo admission can get spendy. An annual pass is a nice family holiday gift, unless you are a City of Tacoma resident and can take advantage of monthly free days. Zoo admission does NOT include Zoolights admission, but there is a combo. pass available if you want to fit in both!
Play and Grow storytime at Wheelock 10:30
Gingerbread House Making at Kobetich Library 2PM Registration required.
Christmas in Arendelle at the Museum of Glass: Scandinavian themed exhibits (I don’t think there are any other Frozen things planned). Included with mog admission 1-4PM; bell ringers perform at 1.
Santa Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops See this post and look under Tacoma/Pierce County
Community Block Party at the Parkland/Spanaway Library 10AM
Los Posadas: Pinata Party at the Lakewood Library 1-3PM Make your own pinata; learn about Mexican holiday traditions.
Visit Jozee Rooz Indoor Petting Zoo Do you still need a cute pic for your Christmas card? You could get some serious cuteness with your little animal lovers here!
Keep reading-there’s so much more!
Lacey/Olympia
Tour the Tugboat Sandman at Percival Landing
Turn of the Tides Festival at the South Sound Estuarium 11-3 free family event; educational booths, free admission to the estuarium, cocoa and more
A Charlie Brown Christmas at Olympia Family Theater various show times for the next four weeks
See this list for area Nutcrackers
Gig Harbor
Lego and Building Madness at the Gig Harbor Library 10AM Drop in and build!
Indoor/Outdoor Farmer’s Market at the old Peninsula Gardens site on Wollochet. Santa on hand select hours on Saturdays.
Sunday
Be sure to check the events at the top for ongoing holiday fun!
Santa is at the Harbor History Museum! this afternoon
The science of Santa with Dr.Kaboom in Auburn 2PM Lively science show for kids and families Tickets 10.00
Visit the South Sound Estuarium open 11-4 weekends
There are also all kinds of ongoing holiday shows and much more-Be sure to also check, “Ongoing Holiday Events,” at the top, or use the Holiday Fun tab in the menu bar for drop-down listings of just about everything!
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your family friendly business? Just let me know! Got a great tip we missed? Let us know! Do be sure you follow Sounds Fun Mom as many ways as you can. We have more AMAZING giveaways coming your way next week!