What’s that glow? Fire-breathing dragon heralds Tacoma’s annual Light Trail
The Tacoma Light Trail is back for the tail end of 2023 and the first 14 days of January with a fire-breathing dragon, performances and over 40 locations to see art after dark.
The human-powered dragon leads the festival’s Light Parade on New Year’s Eve followed that evening by musical and dance performances. Each night, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., over 40 locations around Tacoma will feature light art in a variety of forms. If it glows, it’s on display. See the Light Trail’s website and map for a complete list of locations.
Artists, some in collaboration with small businesses, have created art installations that range from custom lanterns, to projections, to fashion to Slavic trees. Artist Steve LaBerge, the creator of the dragon, will also have art in the Woolworth Windows at South 11th Street, Commerce Street and Broadway in Tacoma.
Light Trail director Michelle Matlock and her volunteers took over from creator Rosemary Ponnekanti who moved home to Australia earlier this year. The festival is a little smaller, Matlock said, but it keeps Ponnekanti’s vision of using light to bring joy in a dark time.
“All those small businesses, all those artists that have made it happen (in the past) have poured their hearts into this to make it a beautiful spectacle,” Matlock said. “It’s a local, community party.”
New Year’s Eve events
The 4th annual event begins Sunday, New Year’s Eve with a 5:30 p.m. parade led by a fire-breathing dragon and the Tacomarama Brass Band. Festivities center at Tollefson Plaza on Pacific Avenue at South 17th Street.
From 6 p.m. on, a series of performances will keep hands clapping until 10 p.m. They include DJ SummerSoft, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.)‘s Hilltop Holiday Revue, fire dance performances from the Asia Pacific Cultural Center and illuminated belly dancers from Tacoma Dance Studios. String and Shadow Puppet Theater will also perform.
Ulysses Martin and Anthony Bassett will stage projection art. Bajan Caribbean Station and Starvin Marvin food trucks will be on hand.
January events
See the light trail via bike on Jan. 4. Cyclists will gather at 1201 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma for the 6:30 p.m. ride that will visit 20 light art locations. Register at downtownonthego.org. Bike decorating begins at 6 p.m.
An Illuminated Ballroom on Jan. 6 lights up Courthouse Square (1102 A St., Tacoma, 4th floor) with projection artist Marcell Marias and dancer Helen Thorens. The 6-9 p.m. all-ages event is free.
T.U.P.A.C. is staging its own projection and dance event on Jan. 13 at its center, 1105 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma. Artist Jasmine Brown and the band RUB will perform with the PNW Dance Foundation. An open mic will be available at the free, all-ages event.
If you go
What: Tacoma Light Trail
When: Dec. 31-Jan. 14
Where: Various Tacoma locations and events, see website.
Cost: Free
Information: tacomalighttrail.org/
This story was originally published December 29, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
