Pierce County holiday closures, travel tips and festivities

This curated list of articles highlights holiday closures, travel tips and festivities across Pierce County. They focus on holiday lights, dining options, planned closures and holiday travel patterns in the Tacoma area.

One article highlights Tacoma's holiday lights, inviting community members to submit their decorated homes and businesses for a holiday lights guide. This guide showcases extravagant seasonal decorations, including laser light shows and classic Christmas themes.

Another article provides dining recommendations around Tacoma for Thanksgiving Day, suggesting local restaurants for those opting not to cook. It mentions places offering special holiday menus, including options like 12-ounce prime rib and seafood trio dishes.

The Tacoma Zoolights event is detailed in a separate article, noting that the annual light display at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium has incorporated a new aurora borealis theme. It also allows dogs on select nights for the first time.

Customers can get shelf-stable items, frozen food and most other items at Nourish Pierce County’s mobile food bank parked outside Lighthouse Baptist Church, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Lakewood, Wash. With rising food cost Cook uses the food bank to help ends meet. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: OUR NEIGHBORS NEED HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. HERE’S WHERE TO DONATE FOOD

As the holiday season nears, prices are up, the federal government remains shut down, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been in turmoil, food banks are reporting longer lines than ever. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

Christmas lights and decoration glitters in the dark at the annual Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: TACOMA ZOOLIGHTS HAS MORE LIGHTS THAN EVER, AND DOGS ARE ALLOWED FOR FIRST TIME

Zoolights, the annual outdoor light display at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, opens Friday. | Published November 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The synchronized musical display at 2907 S Puget Sound Ave. in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. By Tony Overman

NO. 3: DO YOU HAVE THE BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN TACOMA AREA? GET FEATURED IN OUR GUIDE

Do your holiday lights delight your neighborhood? | Published November 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sara Schilling

In a neighborhood bursting with Korean restaurants, The Grill 253 stands out for its high-quality beef and affable, attentive service that ensures your tabletop BBQ isn’t left to chance. By Kristine Sherred

NO. 4: WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK ON THANKSGIVING DAY AROUND TACOMA, GIG HARBOR, PUYALLUP

A few days ago, my work line rang with an out-of-state area code. | Published November 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kristine Sherred

The Tacoma Municipal Building, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 5: HERE’S A ROUNDUP OF THANKSGIVING CLOSURES IN AND AROUND TACOMA

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, buildings and services from the city of Tacoma, Pierce County and other municipalities will see closures or reduced hours. | Published November 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

Expect backups over the next five weekends as crews repave a stretch of northbound Interstate 5 through SeaTac and Kent. By Drew Perine

NO. 6: BEST TIME TO TRAVEL FOR THANKSGIVING IN WASHINGTON? HERE’S WHEN TO FLY AND DRIVE

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving in Washington state, be prepared for traffic and crowds. | Published November 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sara Schilling, Angela Rodriguez

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.