Need something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Holiday happenings abound from tree lighting to parades!
Please do use the provided links to confirm event details. Mistakes can happen in listings of this size this time of year, and we always want you to have just as much fun as possible!
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
South King County-Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (check details)
Winterfest in Normandy Park December 7th
Kent – Saturday, December 7th
Come to Town Square Plaza to enjoy performances from local choirs and bands, a raffle, and holiday children’s activities at the Kent Library. At 5pm, join us for a visit from Santa and the Tree and Park Lighting Ceremony. Free hot apple cider, hot chocolate and popcorn!
Federal Way Jingle Bell Brunch
10–11:30am at the Federal Way Community Center.
Pre-Registration $15 adults, $12 kids
Breakfast with Santa for ages 2–12 yrs.
Food, hot cocoa station, music, crafts & fun!
Federal Way Saturday, December 7th Tree Lighting at Town Square Park with Music and Santa 4–5pm at Town Square Park. Free
Santa, activities, music, tree lighting by Mayor.
Federal Way-Cookies With Mrs. Claus
Auburn Santa Parade and Tree Lighting – Saturday, December 7th
We are shaking things up downtown Auburn this winter with an improved lighted Santa Parade! A festive and fun parade that will now allow floats, tractors, horses, walking entries, and other motorized units that will light up Main Street! The parade will be followed by the lighting of the tree in front of City Hall with a visit from Santa
Greater Pierce County-Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (check details)
Tree Lighting in Milton– Saturday, December 7th Details still TBA; has traditionally included Santa and some crafts and fun for kids
Puyallup Main Street – Saturday, December 7, 2019
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas!
The Puyallup Santa Parade is one of the highlights of the holiday season in Downtown Puyallup. Over 100 parade entries light up Meridian on one magical evening. Thousands of families line Meridian to marvel at the sight of holiday floats, marching bands, antique tractors while they await the arrival of Jolly Old Saint Nick himself as he arrives on a Central Pierce Firetruck. Holiday Market in the pavilion before and tree lighting in the park at the end of the parade.
Free holiday fun at Sunrise Village/South Hill
December 7, 14 & 21 | 3 – 6pm Santa, wagon rides, petting zoo, living nativity plus magical mini donkeys and airbrush artists on the 7th, Mrs. Claus, a stilt walker, and other guests on the 14th, and magical mini donkeys back on the 21st.
Gingerbread House Making at Pierce County Libraries
various days/times Great free, event! Some locations require tickets or registration, so check yours.
- Gingerbread Houses Milton Edgewood December 4th
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Gingerbread Houses at Summit Saturday, December 07
- Gingerbread Houses at South Hill Saturday, December 07:
Tacoma
Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (check details)
Santa Visits the Conservatory in Wright Park Saturday, December 7th
Join us for this much anticipated visit from Santa. Memorialize the holidays in the beauty of the Conservatory with a professional photograph with Santa (separate fee for photos).
Santa’s helpers will be here offering cookies, crafts and jolly good times. 10am-3pm
Multicare Festival of Trees, Tacoma
Bring your family and friends for a stroll through the glittering display of trees. Festival is open to the public during select hours on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. Enjoy live community entertainment, games, photos with Santa and shopping at the Mary Bridge Brigade Gift Shop. Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, 2019 (9:00am-1:00pm) Greater Tacoma Convention Center Adults: $6, Children 5-12: $2, Children under 5: FREE For FREE admission, bring a non-perishable food item with you. Preferably individually-wrapped, grab-and-go snacks or boxed items such as fruit roll-ups, granola bars, etc. Donations will benefit families staying at Tree House while their child receives care at Mary Bridge.
Christmas Regale at Fort Nisqually
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern holidays and experience a real old-fashioned Christmas at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. A highlight of the event is the arrival of the yule log, towed in by young visitors at 1 pm. Everyone can join in greeting the yule log with toasts and Christmas Carols. Guests will have a chance to take home a piece of the log for their own holiday fire. Throughout the day, guests of all ages can join in parlor games, make ornaments, and create pomanders. Father Christmas will be available for visits and photos. December 7th PURCHASE TICKETS
Lakewood – Saturday, December 7
Santa visit, kids’ activities, parade and more fun all day with the tree lighting in the evening
Gingerbread Houses at University Place Library
Gig Harbor/Port Orchard
Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (check details)
Gingerbread House Making at Pierce County Libraries
various days/times Great free, event! Some locations require tickets or registration, so check yours.
- Gingerbread Houses at Gig Harbor Saturday, December 07: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Gig Harbor Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
December 7th 2019 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor | Cost: FREE
Join us for the official kick off of the holiday season — visit with Santa, hear some lively holiday tunes, and explore a fire truck! Make your way to the historic Skansie Netshed to grab free hot cocoa, cider and/or cookies courtesy of Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance and then help us count down as we turn on the tree lights at Skansie Brothers Park.
Santa at the Fox Island Museum –
Stop by the museum on Saturday, December 7th between 1:00 and 4:00pm to visit with Santa! There will also be fun projects for the children! Free and open to the public.
TideFest – Gig Harbor High School; Saturday/Sunday, December 7-8. Fine arts and gifts festival.
Pictures with Santa at the Log Cabin Museum – Port Orchard; Join us again this year for Pictures with Santa at the Log Cabin Museum. Bring your camera, kids, pets, family and friends. We provide Santa in front of a Christmas tree in the historic log cabin with candy canes and a cozy fire. Free event. Dress warm. Santa comes rain or shine.. December 7/8 and 13/14
Olympia/Dupont/Lacey
Saturday or Saturday/Sunday (check details)
Providence Christmas Forest – Olympia Providence Christmas Forest
Public Viewing
Saturday, December 7 from 9am-5pm
Sunday, December 8 from 9am-5pm
Santa Breakfast DupontSaturday, December 7th 15.00
Letters to Santa event at the Dupont Historical Museum
December 7th 2-4
6th Ave Santa Parade happening Sunday at 4:30 in Tacoma