Looking to see holiday lights in Tacoma? Here are some festive locations to check out
Christmas is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by viewing all the holiday lights.
If you’re wondering where to see holiday lights in and around Tacoma, we’ve got you covered.
Below is an interactive map with a few places to visit to enjoy the holiday lights before Christmas day and in the New Year. This map will be updated weekly with new places to visit to see holiday lights. Reader suggestions are welcome at the form below.
Where can I see holiday lights in Tacoma?
Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
When: Nov. 29-Jan. 5
Where: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
There is still time to visit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium this holiday season to view Zoolights. The zoo has been transformed into a winter wonderland and features over 1 million colorful lights. The zoo also has large animal light displays, hot cocoa floats and fried apple fries topped with cinnamon, whipped cream and caramel. Zoo visitors are also being offered the opportunity to meet the resident herd of groovy goats in holiday sweaters for an additional cost.
Admission to the Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is $7 to $20 for timed tickets, depending on the day of the week. A limited number of flex tickets are available for $26 that can be used any night. Tickets can be purchased online on the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium website.
Anderberg Christmas House
When: Open 24 hours a day
Where: 2019 S. 10th Street
The Anderberg Christmas House in central Tacoma gets a yearly holiday makeover. The house is decorated with Christmas lights, and large Christmas inflatables fill up the front and backyard of this home. The holiday display can be viewed daily this month as weather conditions allow.
Neighborhood holiday displays in Tacoma
If you’re looking for more neighborhood holiday displays in Tacoma, check out the Tacoma Christmas Lights map created by Tacoma resident Shatone Martin. The map lists seven homes that currently have holiday displays and three homes that will have holiday decorations go up soon. The map will continue to be updated as more people get their lights decorations up, so check back before you go.
Anyone looking to add their residence to the map of holiday displays can do so by joining the Tacoma Holiday Network group on Facebook that was created by Martin herself.
Tacoma Light Trail - New Year’s Eve Kick Off Celebration
When: Dec. 31, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Tollefson Plaza, 1548 Commerce St.
Start your New Year celebrations in downtown Tacoma and visit the free winter light art festival. The Tacoma Light Trail New Year’s Eve Kick Off Celebration will feature a light parade, light art, live music and dance performances. The Tacoma Light Trail will be available to view every night from Dec. 31 to Jan. 12 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Fantasy Lights
When: Nov. 29-Jan. 5, 5:30-9 p.m.
Where: Spanaway Park, 14905 Bresemann Blvd. South
Load up your car with your friends, family or that special someone and take a drive through Spanaway Park to experience what the holiday is about. Fantasy Lights features over 300 light displays, digital animations and thousands of lights. To get the full experience, guests are encouraged to tune their car radio to AM 1700 to listen a curated list of holiday music.
Admission to the Fantasy Lights is $20 per vehicle until Dec. 25 and $10 per vehicle from Dec. 25 through Jan. 5. Admission price for a bus carrying 25 or more people is $45 and must be paid at the park entry booth upon arrival. Tickets for regular vehicles can be purchased online and in-person at Sprinker Recreation Center or on-site at Spanaway Park.
Lakewold Gardens Winter Solstice Festival
When: Dec. 13-29, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
The Lakewold Gardens Winter Solstice Festival celebrates the shortest and longest night of the year with immersive lighting, live music, art activities and warm beverages.
Admission to festival is $20 for adults, $16 for students, seniors and military, and $10 for youth ages 5 to 17 years old. Children under 5 years old enter for free.
Holiday Windows in the North End
Holiday Windows is an Advent calendar-style series of window displays in which 24 residents from Tacoma’s North End neighborhood decorate their windows to celebrate the holiday season. A newly-decorated window is revealed daily at 6 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The Tribune’s holiday lights interactive map features addresses to all of the “Holiday Windows” that have been revealed so far. The holiday windows are represented as red squares on the map for illustrative purposes.
Anyone looking to keep up with the daily window reveals remotely can do so by following the Holiday Windows Facebook page or by checking their website.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 11:09 AM.
