Looking for something to do with the kids this Thanksgiving Weekend?
Here’s our weekly guide to South Sound area fun with activities for kids in Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, and Your South Sound home!
You’ll find a list just like this-just for the South Sound-every Friday morning!
Links are provided so you can confirm details before you head out. Thank you in advance for doing that.Â
You can say hello to the reindeer at Watson’s Nursery. Santa will also be on hand select days. Photo courtesy of Watson’s Nursery
Friday
Free day at Washington State Parks No Discover WA Pass needed today.
The Mercedes dealership is offering free DIY photos and fun. If you spontaneously buy a luxury car, that is on you, o.k.? 🙂
Puyallup, A Simple Wish – Tree lighting event with princesses November 29th or 30th This is a ticketed show; 25.00/person with pre-registration required
The Wind in the Willows at Olympia Family Theater
Ongoing Holiday Events
(Events specific to this Saturday and Sunday continue below this section)
These events are ongoing during the holiday season; check links for specific days and hours.
Christmas at the Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Santa will be at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse for complimentary photos with your families! Sleigh rides and other fun select dates
Christmas at the Meeker Mansion tour the mansion while it’s decorated for the season. *Closed the 30th for the bazaar.
Fantasy Lights at Lake Spanaway begins Thanksgiving! The area’s only drive thru lights show! Don’t miss it!
Zoolights at Point Defiance ZooOpens the 29th
Ice Skate at Point RustonTacoma’s temporary outdoor rink is back!
Reindeer at Watson’s Nursery, Puyallup – ongoing!  Donner and Blitzen are spending their holiday vacation at Watson’s! Quick, free outing-the reindeer are outside. Watson’s is also fun to walk through this time of year, though I wouldn’t do it with little ones who grab or with a stroller.
North Pole at the Fair, Puyallup –Photos are all booked up, so you can’t visit with Santa, but you Can go for play for 5.00, and it’s a huge space that’s super fun for kids, especially the preschool set-think of it as a Christmas themed children’s museum.
ELF at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse   Hot ticket alert! Just three shows have availability.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop Tacoma –  free crafts and fun
The Best Christmas Pageant Everat the Lakewood Playhouse; November 29-through December 22
Saturday
All Over
Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores Most area stores do a free, weekly storytime at 11AM; however, we do suggest calling yours to confirm first, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. Story is Dear Santa and Cookies for Santa; recommended for ages 2-5
South King County
Festival of Trees at the White River Valley Museum
Your new holiday tradition! Catch the spirit of the season with a festive display of trees at the Museum. Each tree is decorated by regional ethnic heritage groups with ornaments and décor that represent their cultural traditions. You will see trees as diverse as our community with traditions from China, Poland, Norway, Italy, Iran, the Marshall Islands and beyond! Ongoing event through January 5th.
Santa arrival at the Outlet Collection in Auburn
Dowtown Renton Tree Lighting and Fun Saturday, November 30th
The Renton Downtown Partnership and Piazza Renton present downtown’s annual Small Business Saturday and Downtown Tree Lighting celebration, a full day of events designed to support small, locally owned businesses and usher in the holiday season.
Kent Station –Â Santa arrives November 30th. Photo booth, entertainment, and more fun
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 Yes, it’s open today, if you want a nice educational outing that isn’t related to holidays or shopping!
Greater Pierce County-Puyallup/Sumner
Sumner-Old Cannery Lighting event
The lighting ceremony is back at the brand new bridge! The bridge will be lit promptly at six o’clock, but you are encouraged to arrive earlier to enjoy the festivities! Live reindeer, fireworks, vendor village, and other fun
Something’s Happening Saturdays at the  Graham Library
Something will be going on at the Graham Library all day on Saturday! Will it be games? Will it be crafts? Will it be building? Drop by and find out!
Puyallup, A Simple Wish – Tree lighting event with princesses November 29th or 30th This is a ticketed show; 25.00/person with pre-registration required
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Parkland
Gingerbread Jamboree at the Children’s Museum
Have a sticky and sweet time at the annual Gingerbread Jamboree at the Hotel Murano’s Bicentennial Pavilion. The annual Gingerbread Jamboree features candy buffets and lots of frosting!  Cost is $8 per person, and $25 per gingerbread house – choose the right amount of tickets and houses for your family! You do need to register for this in advance. Tickets here
Tacoma, Pantages TheaterTree Lighting Event Free community event!
Since World War II, the south Sound community has gathered to celebrate at the corner of 9th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Gather for carols and photos with Santa. Make it part of your holiday tradition.
Schedule (timeline subject to change):
4:30 p.m. – Santa photos & Live Music
6:15 p.m. – Tree lighting with community photo
This is a ticketed show after the tree lighting. This looks almost totally sold out; you can call the box office about the wait list.
The Urban Nutcracker at Stadium High School
two shows today; one tomorrow.  From its vibrant costumes to the impressive cast of more than 60 dancers, this new colorful winter classic brings families and friends together to enjoy the world’s best-known ballet told with a new twist. Tickets here. (make sure to choose the correct performance).
Friends of the University Place Library Book Sale 10:00am – 5:00pm
Great books at great prices!
Magnificent Moons at the Pierce County Science Dome
Great shows at the area’s only indoor science dome. Perfect activity for kids!
Lacey/Olympia
Studio West Nutcracker ballerinas are at the Hands On Children’s Museum today
Meet & Greet,11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (performance at 12:30 p.m.) Included with admission
There is an ice skating rink in Olympia this season!Â
Visit the Kennedy Creek Salmon trail and see salmon returning to spawn wear your boots! Open weekends through December 1st.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
OFS Kids Club free movie for kids. It’s Fantastic Mr. Fox today.
Gig HarborÂ
Donkey Creek Park salmon tours with Harbor WildWatch
Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun, engaging tour beginning at Austin Estuary and ending at Donkey Creek Park along the restored Donkey Creek.
The big WinterFest arts and crafts event is also going on at PHS this weekend; I’m not sure if it has anything to interest kiddos. Let us know if you find any! The Holiday Makers Market is also open
Sunday
South King County
Sensitive Santa at the Outlet Collection in Auburn
You need tickets for this special time for children with sensory needs. There is also a time next week you can reserve through the same link if this one is full. Visits are free; photos are available for purchase.
Drop-in and learn how to program LEGO Mindstorms! Build and play with the library’s new set of high-tech toys, including our LEGO Mindstorms, 3D printer, 3D pens, Cubelets, Stickbots and more.
Tacoma
Gingerbread Jamboree at the Children’s Museum
Have a sticky and sweet time at the annual Gingerbread Jamboree at the Hotel Murano’s Bicentennial Pavilion. The annual Gingerbread Jamboree features candy buffets and lots of frosting!  Cost is $8 per person, and $25 per gingerbread house – choose the right amount of tickets and houses for your family! You do need to register for this in advance. Tickets here
Make Your Own Elf  at Artist Craftsman Supply
Join #ACScommunity for this FREE holiday activity and learn how to make your own elf using simple supplies! This activity is for all ages and supplies will be provided in store. All you need is your imagination and maybe a name for your new holiday companion.
Olympia
Downtown Olympia Downtown for the Holidays
Olympia downtown will kick off the holiday season in style on Sunday, December 1 with the Jingle Bell Parade, a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus, and horsedrawn wagon rides!
Breakfast With Santa at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club
Sunday, December 1, 9:00am–12:00pm
Adults $26.95, Seniors (60+) $24.95, Kids 4-12 $15.95, Kids 3 and under eat free! Enjoy a delicious buffet with all of your breakfast favorites! Plus, drink some hot cocoa with Santa while he and Mrs. Claus read “The Night Before Christmas” at 10:30am. To RSVP, email kristid@indiansummergolf.com or call (360) 459-4572.
This is a private home that goes all out with lights and opens their yard up for the community to walk through! More here
The Wind in the Willows at Olympia Family Theater
Be sure to also check, “Ongoing Holiday Events,” at the top and come back for our complete guide to holiday fun around the South Puget Sound. We’re hard at work on it now. You might say we’ve made a list, and we’re checking it twice…..
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!Â
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