Welcome to the 2014 Sounds Fun Mom Holiday Fun Guide!
Below, you’ll find tree lightings, Santa visits, Santa breakfasts, parades, ice skating, gingerbread house making, and more! Events are listed by area and date.
If you’re looking for performances of The Nutcracker or other seasonal fare, scroll down.
Need help finding something or want to get your group’s event listed? Just let me know by emailing me at soundsfunmom at gmail dot com
South King County
November 22nd {Renton} Tree Lighting at the Landing in Renton
November 28th {Edgewood} Tree Lighting in Edgewood Santa will be arriving via fire truck and accompanied by a motorcycle brigade
November 28th-December 23rd {Multiple locations} Argosy Christmas Ships: Lighted ships with choirs visit waterfront communities around the Puget Sound. You can book a {pricy} ride aboard the ship or attend a free event in conjunction with one of their stops. View the complete schedule here.
November 29th {Kent} Santa arrives at Kent Station
December 5th {Renton} First night of Clam Lights at Gene Coulon Park
December 6th {Renton} Tree Lighting in Renton-Piazza area downtown, including Santa, food, entertainment and fun for the whole family.
December 6th {Auburn} Holiday Tea at the White River Museum in Auburn Tis’ the season for a festive tea at the Museum! Our town square will be decorated for the holidays and our costumed docents will serve you a bounty of sweet and savory treats including cakes, cookies and finger sandwiches all accompanied by steaming pots of tea.
December 6th {Kent} Kent Winterfest Holiday Parade, Santa, carousel, family activities, and tree lighting! {Please note the info on their site still says December 7, 2013, but it is indeed December 6.}
December 6th {Auburn} Santa Parade and Tree Lighting in Auburn Snacks and crafts, community caroling, parade and tree lighting. Santa’s regular open house hours begin.
December 6th {Milton} Santa’s arrival and Tree Lighting in Milton Look for more info in the free, community newspaper around town, The Signal.
Tacoma and Greater Pierce County
November 22nd-January 11th {Downtown Tacoma} First day of Ice Skating in Downtown Tacoma at the Franciscan Polar Plaza, continuing throughout the season. Visit their Facebook page for up to date info and their site for special events and advance ticket purchase.
November 27th-January 1st {Spanaway} Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Lake. The largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. The beautiful two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake has become a memorable lakeside tradition for the entire family. Go here for info on half off days and a $3 off/car coupon {discounts cannot be combined}
November 29th-December 23rd {Multiple Locations} Argosy Christmas Ships: Lighted ships with choirs visit waterfront communities around the Puget Sound. You can book a {pricy} ride aboard the ship or attend a free event in conjunction with one of their stops. View the complete schedule here.
November 28th {Sumner} Bridge Lighting + Fireworks {5 PM sharp} at the Old Cannery in Sumner. Santa arrives at 11AM and stays until 3:30. Vendor craft fair at 2PM.
Now-December 24 {Tacoma} Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop Tacoma Gather the family and come to experience the joy of a classic Christmas. Stay for FREE games, crafts and activities that celebrate the season. And don’t miss the FREE photo with Santa!!!
Now + throughout the season {Puyallup} The reindeer are in at Watson’s nursery in Puyallup! Santa will be at Watson’s for photos on select dates. Check out their events calendar for updates
November 28th-December 24th {Puyallup Fairgrounds} North Pole and Santa at the Puyallup fairgrounds. Reserve a photo time with Santa and enjoy a full afternoon at the North Pole
Select Dates November 28th-December 21st {Sumner} Sleigh Rides and Santa at the Old Cannery in Sumner Visit with Santa and get a Free picture! Santa is there November 28th, 29th, December 6th, 7th, 13h, 14th, 20th, and 21st.. Horse drawn Carriage Rides are available on the weekends of December 13/ 14 and 20/21 from 11AM-4PM. Note that the lines for Santa do get long, and although his regular hours are 11AM-4OM, they are often closed off by 1PM so Santa can make it back to his sleigh on time. Plan ahead and arrive early.
November 28th-January 4th {Pt Defiance} Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo
November 29th {Downtown Tacoma} Tree Lighting at the Pantages in Downtown Tacoma with carols and Santa arriving at 5:30PM.
November 28th and 29th {Puyallup} Got Princesses? Tree lighting, stories, and special guests at A Simple Wish in Puyallup Tickets $20/person. Call for reservations. Also enjoy “Christmas with Belle” on December 14th. Events sell out, so get tickets in advance if this is a must do for your princess!
December 1st {Fife} It’s a Wonderful Life movie event in Fife shopping, pizza dinner, movie, meet Karolyn Grimes who played Zu Zu in the movie
December 1st {Buckley} City of Buckley Tree Lighting TBA for 2014
December 2nd {Fife} Tree lighting with Santa in Fife 6-7PM free photos with Santa + hot cocoa
December 3rd-17th {Multiple dates/locations} Gingerbread House Making at Pierce County Libraries Some locations are drop-in, but others require registration and they do fill fast. Find the library you want on the list, and then go to the calendar view for sign ups. You can use the tools in the left sidebar to search by location.
December 3rd-7th {Puyallup} Victorian Country Christmas at the Puyallup Fairgrounds Gift festival with strolling entertainers in Victorian dress, Santa train ride, and carousel.
December 6th {Tacoma} Tree Lighting and Santa Visit at the Job Carr Museum in Old Town Tacoma 1-3:30PM
December 12th {PLU Campus} St Lucia Fest at PLU 7PM Hour long program with traditional Swedish song, dance, and a children’s performance. There will also be a St. Lucia style feast on December 13th.
December 5th {Lakewood} Christmas Tree Lighting in Lakewood Free activities, kiddie parade and Santa!
December 6th {Puyallup} Santa Parade in Puyallup Tree lighting follows
December 6th/7th {Tacoma} Multicare Festival of Trees Beautifully decorated trees and entertainment. Tacoma
December 6th {University Place} Tree Lighting in University Place A full day of fun ending with the tree lighting
December 7th {Tacoma} Firefighters Food Drive +Pancake Breakfast East Pierce Fire and Rescue serves up flapjacks for just $3. Bring donations of food or warm clothing. Rumor has it Santa will be there, too!
December 6th {Bonney Lake} Tree lighting in Bonney Lake
December 6th {Sumner} Santa Parade in Sumner 3:30
December 6th {Tacoma} 19th Century Christmas at Ft.Nisqually Experience an 1855 Christmas. Tickets $5-$8.
December 6th {Tacoma} Victorian Holiday Celebration at the Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park Professional photos with Santa, children’s stories, and staff dressed in Victorian costumes.
December 6th {Fife} Santa Breakfast in Fife 9-11AM $5.00, pre-register See our complete round up of area Santa breakfasts!
December 6th {Tacoma} Holiday Fest in Proctor Santa visits, pancake breakfast, strolling musicians, and more!
December 6th {Puyallup} Santa at the Fire Station Pancake breakfast at the Puyallup station on 6th; open houses and Santa photo op at the Canyon station Full list of Santa events with the firefighters coming soon.
December 13th {Steilacoom} Historic Christmas at Fort Steilacoom
December 13th-21st {Tacoma} Santa at the LeMay Museum
December 2oth {Tacoma} Free showing of Prancer at The Grand Cinema for the first 100 visitors
December 24th {Tacoma} Jingle Bell Run Chip timed 5K at Wright Park. Bring donations for the rescue mission. $10 entry free, $20 day of race {chip + jingle bells included} Ages 4 and up.
December 26th-December 28th {Eatonville} Winter Wildland at NW Trek Watch animals enjoy special themed enrichment treats and activities; included with admission. NW Trek is pricy; SFM recommends investing in an annual pass if you’d go more than twice this year.
December 31st {Tacoma} First Night in Tacoma is a family-friendly, arts-centered, alcohol free celebration of New Year’s Eve that takes place throughout the downtown Tacoma theater district. More info to come soon!
January 1st {Pt. Defiance} Brrr!! Polar Bear Plunge at the Pt.Defiance Marina
Date TBD {South Hill} Christmas Tree Lighting at South Hill
Date TBD {Orting} Tree lighting in Orting
Date TBD {Steilacoom} Christmas tree lighting in Steilacoom {Last year it was December 7th.}
Gig Harbor/Port Orchard/Kitsap Area
Date TBD {Gig Harbor} Santa arrives at Uptown in Gig Harbor
December Free holly cuttings at Wilkison Farm Park in Gig Harbor *while supplies last
November 29th/30th {Gig Harbor} Winterfest at Peninsula High School
December 2nd {Gig Harbor} Menorah Lighting at Uptown Gig Harbor
December 7th {Fox Island} Fox Island Tree Lighting
December 7th {Gig Harbor} Santa arrives at Uptown in Gig Harbor at Teaching Toys and Books Too 1-5PM
December 6th/7th {Gig Harbor} Tidefest at Gig Harbor High School
December 6th/7th {Gig Harbor} Living Nativity at Discovery Baptist in Gig Harbor; a free walk through experience with over 200 live characters and animals
December 6th {Port Orchard} Festivals of Chimes and Lights Port Orchard Day long event with fun run, free movies, kids’ activities, tree lighting, Santa, and more!
December 6th/7th & 13th/14th {Port Orchard} Pictures with Santa at the Log Cabin Museum in Port Orchard
December 6th {Lakebay} Santa breakfast with the Key Center Fire department; register in advance
December 6th {Gig Harbor} Tree Lighting in Gig Harbor also touch tanks with Harbor Wild Watch before Santa arrives and more!
December 6th {Gig Harbor} PenMet Parks Breakfast with Santa in Gig Harbor $8/person, pancake breakfast, entertainment; photos with Santa. Be sure to ake reservations
December 6th {Fox Island} Santa at the Fox Island Museum The museum hosts children’s activities monthly. Be sure to check ‘em out!
December 12th {Gig Harbor} Light up the Night Join the Harbor History Museum for a festive family night highlighting the Scandinavian holiday, tickets $2/$3
December 13th {Gig Harbor} Lighted Boat Parade
Thurston/Olympia/Lacey/Dupont Area
November 30th {Olympia} Parade and tree lighting in Olympia Also carriage rides, Santa visits, live caroling and Santa photos available Saturdays through December
December 3rd {Olympia} Opening Day of the Providence Christmas Forest in Olympia
Date TBD {Dupont} Tree lighting in Dupont
December 4th {Lacey} Tree Lighting in Lacey
Date TBD {Olympia} Santa arrives by helicopter at the Olympic Flight Museum
Here, There and Everywhere
Here are some additional posts on Sounds Fun Mom listing even MORE holiday fun!
Santa visits with fire fighters and Santa runs on fire trucks Note that most fire departments haven’t announced their run dates yet, so you’ll want to check this one again later.
Santa Photo Ops A full list of where to get your photo with Santa this year
Santa Breakfasts Updated and selling now! Don’t wait!
Performances
The List of South Puget Sound Nutcrackers
Singing Christmas Tree by Life Center in Tacoma Runs December 6th-23rd
The Nutcracker, Captured Liveat select movie theaters December 21st
Performances of The Wizard of Oz by Paradise Theater in Gig Harbor through December 15th
A Christmas Carol at Sumner Manestage November 29th-December 2oth I will be hosting a giveaway to this show!
A Year WIth Frog And Toad: The Musical at the Lakewood Playhouse December 11th-21st
Jack And The Beanstalk by Center Stage Theater in Federal Way November 29th-December 21st This is an English style panto-think sort of bawdy comedy, “Naughty but not nasty.”
A Charlie Brown Christmas in Port Orchard November 21st- December 21st
How the Slug Stole Solstice at Olympia Family Theater Performances select dates November 28th-December 21st
Scrooge! The Musical at Tacoma Little Theater December 5th-28th
A Charlie Brown Christmas at Tacoma Musical Playhouse December 20th-24th
Puppets Please! Pierce County Libraries presents a free December Holiday themed marionette show rotating throughout various locations from December 13th-20th
The Christmas Revels A performance in celebration of the Winter Solstice with traditional dance, processionals, carols and com media dell’ rate! Various times from December 13-17
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As always, let me know if I’ve missed something great! I’d love to add it.