Holiday Season in Pierce & Kitsap County – What to do!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Magical! Festive! Joyous!
However you want to describe it.
The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year, it all starts with Thanksgiving and ends with New Years day. We have so many fun traditions we already do and I love adding things to our already busy schedule!
What’s your favorite thing about the holiday season?
Each year I update a summer and fall calendar list of everything’s that’s happening in the area. So, I thought why not make a holiday list as well, of course it probably won’t be as packed but it’ll give you some ideas of what to do. If you want to book mark those lists for future reference; South Sound Pumpkin Patches and Fall Fun, Pierce County Family-Friendly Summer Fun and Kitsap County Family-Friendly Summer Fun.
Here’s a list of all the things happening in Pierce & Kitsap Counties this holiday season! There’s quite a few free things happenings as well, as we all know how expensive the holiday season can be.
- Family Bingo Night
Puyallup
November 4, 2022
Play bingo with your family at Meridian Habitat Park, $5 per person(3 and under are free). Pre-registration is required by October 28. - Crafter’s Holiday Markets
Lakewood Community Center – November 5, 2022
Frontier Park Lodge Graham – December 3, 2022
Meridian Habitat Park – December 10, 2022
FREE Admission & Parking
Kick off your holiday shopping experience at one of our Holiday Markets at two great locations! Find the ideal holiday gift for family and friends among the amazing array of artisanal offerings and neighborhood crafters. While shopping, enjoy holiday music, food trucks, complimentary holiday photos, live entertainment, and more! - Fantasy Lights Walk
Spanaway
November 19-20, 2022
Walkers can once again experience the magic of Fantasy Lights by strolling through Spanaway Park on either Saturday, November 19, or Sunday, November 20. Two walking sessions from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. will be scheduled each night to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays, food trucks, and more! - Point Defiance Zoolights
Tacoma
November 25, 2022 – January 2, 2023
Magical lights and a classic holiday tradition. Zoolights is one of my families favorite traditions, 800,000 beautiful lights. We love to bundle up, walk and look at all the light displays they’ve come up with. The past couple years they’ve added a cool light tunnel and butterfly wings to take selfies with. - Fantasy Lights
Spanaway
November 25, 2022-January 1, 2023
Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park is 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 tradition for the entire family. - Winter Solstice Lights
Lakewood – Lakewold Gardens
November 25, 2022- January 2, 2023
More details coming soon. - Poulsbo Tree Lighting
Liberty Bay Waterfront Park in Poulsbo
November 25, 2022
FREE
Get festive at the Annual Poulsbo Tree Lighting Ceremony at Viking Avenue. Experience the holidays in a grand way with your family and friends. - Breakfast with Santa
Eagles Club Port Orchard
November 26, 2022
Have your picture taken with Santa, eat a robust breakfast and do some specialty holiday shopping from local businesses and vendors! Hosted by Fathoms O Fun at the Port Orchard Eagles. - Silverdale Christmas Tree Lighting
9490 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale
November 26, 2022
FREE
More details coming soon. - Winter in the Woods
Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island
December 1, 2022-January 3, 2023
As the weather turns chilly, join us to take a walk and experience the restorative joy of being outside during our holiday event. See if you can spot all our delightful, handcrafted woodland creatures along your walk, many of which were made by teens at BARN. Enjoy an all-ages scavenger hunt designed to create wonder at every turn and don’t forget to stop and snap a photo of yourselves with our friendly snow people at the Residence. - Holiday Creation Station
W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma
Every Saturday in December – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
FREE
Drop in with the kids to create a whimsical holiday craft. - ICE Lights
Spanaway
December 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022
ICE lights is a new lighted ice experience being offered during the holiday season at Sprinker Recreation Center. This year the ice rink will be transformed into a winter wonderland with over 35,000 lights and animated displays. - Reindeer Scavenger Hunt
Chambers Creek Regional Park in University Place
December 1-16, 2022
FREE
Santa’s reindeer have wandered off to Chambers Creek Regional Park. Help us find all nine of Santa’s Reindeer friends before they leave and go back to the North Pole on December 16.
Explore Chambers Creek Regional Park’s Grandview Trail and North Meadow in search of Santa’s nine reindeer friends and complete the clue list for a fun prize. Each of the reindeer signs will have a short bio that will give clues to answer Santa’s Clue list (available December 1).
Download and print Santa’s Clue List or pick one up at the Environmental Services Building. After completing the clue list, turn it in at the Environmental Services Building by December 16 to redeem a prize. - Holiday Magic at the Washington State Fair
Puyallup
Dec. 1-4, 8-11, 15-18 & 20-23
Take a wonder-filled stroll through magical lights, festive displays and holiday joy. This year’s event will feature more light displays, interactive exhibits, an ice skating rink and more! - University Place Tree Lighting
Market Square in University Place
December 2, 2022
FREE
With holiday music, dancing elves, winter princesses and holiday treats, University Place celebrated the lighting of its Christmas Tree in Village Square. 2021 was virtual but hopefully they’ll be holding it in person. - Festival of Chimes and Lights
Downtown Port Orchard
December 3, 2022
FREE
Annual festival to kick-off the holiday season in Port Orchard. - Santa Paws
University Place
December 3, 2022
FREE Admission & Parking
Santa Paws is Coming to Town! Dress your furry friend in their best holiday outfit and head down to Environmental Service Building Ceremony Lawn at Chambers Creek Regional Park to get their picture taken with Santa Claus. Treats and refreshments will be available for both dogs and their owners. Plus, we will have additional holiday themed activities to enjoy. - Selfies with Santa & Holiday Creation Station
W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma
December 3, 2022
FREE
Bring your camera or phone and snap a fun and candid selfie with Santa. Drop in with the kids to create a whimsical holiday craft.
- Puyallup Holiday Market & Santa Parade
Downtown Puyallup
December 3, 2022
FREE
Come to downtown Puyallup to kick off your holidays! Starting at 12:00pm our Holiday Market opens up inside the Pavilion and runs until 7:00pm. Many of our favorite Farmers’ Market vendors will be on hand with plenty of gift giving ideas. Then at 5:00pm our lighted Santa Parade will wind its way down Meridian. There will be bands, floats, walking units and more. Fun for everyone in your family! - Julefest and Holiday Bazaar
Poulsbo
December 3, 2022
FREE Admission
Julefest is celebrated the first Saturday in December at the Sons of Norway. This fun community event includes a Christmas Bazzar, Christmas music around the Christmas tree down on the waterfront, the Lucia Bride arriving by boat with Vikings, and Father Christmas and the Lucia Bride lighting the bonfire. - Breakfast with Santa
Fife
December 3, 2022
Breakfast, hot cocoa, crafts, story time and photos. Registration for Santa Breakfast is now open!
We have two time slot options, 9 or 11 a.m. Registration will close on November 28. $12, and kids 2 and under are free. - Christmas Regale
Fort Nisqually Tacoma
December 3, 2022
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. 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. - Bonney Lake Tree Lighting
December 3, 2022
FREE
More details coming soon. - Gig Harbor Tree Lighting
Skansie Brothers Park
December 3, 2022
FREE
Official kick off of the holiday season — visit with Santa, meet Tacoma Rainiers’ mascot, Rhubarb, hear some lively holiday tunes, and explore a fire truck! - Cookies with Santa
Lenny’s Classic Barbershop in Port Orchard
December 4, 2022
FREE
Come and enjoy a homemade cookie, some hot chocolate and tell Santa what you want for Christmas! Pictures by JessDphotography. 11am-3pm - Letters to Santa
Key Peninsula Fire Station(Key Center)
December 4, 2022
FREE
Letters to Santa is hosted by Key Pen Parks and the Key Peninsula Fire Department (Key Center). It is held at the Key Center Fire Station, 8911 Key Peninsula Highway NW, Lakebay, WA 98349. Write a letter or if you already have a letter ready, you can leave your letter to Santa with us! We’ll make sure it gets to him! They have an activity planned and Santa may make an appearance. - Music for the Winter Weary
W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma
December 4, 2022
FREE
Relax in the lush environment of the conservatory and listen to local musician, Tim Bertsch, as he plays his harpguitar/guitar. Time and talent generously donated by Tim Bertsch in support of the conservatory. - Fircrest Tree Lighting
Alice Peers Park in Fircrest
December 4, 2022
FREE
Santa photos, tree lighting, holiday music, refreshments and more! - Fife Tree Lighting
December 6, 2022
FREE
Fife’s City Hall Annual Tree Lighting! - Holiday Parade of Lights
Lakewood
December 10, 2022
FREE
Celebrate the holiday season with a Holiday Parade of Lights at the Lakewood Towne Center. Visitors get to view holiday floats constructed by local businesses, clubs, and organizations. This event is completely free. - Holiday Blast at Norpoint
Community Center at Norpoint
December 10, 2022
FREE
Enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday crafts and lots of free family fun! - Holiday Blast at Eastside
Eastside Community Center in Tacoma
December 10, 2022
FREE
Enjoy pictures with Santa, holiday crafts and lots of free family fun! - Poulsbo Lighted Boat Parade
Liberty Bay in Poulsbo
December 10, 2022
FREE
Presented by the Poulsbo Yacht Club and the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association, the boats cruise Liberty Bay, showing off their finest Christmas sparkle for a great family event. Hot Cider and cookies are served in the pavilion. Toss your pinecone into the Ceremonial fire, make a resolution, pledge, or wish, and believe in the season. - Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade
Gig Harbor Waterfront – 3211 Harborview Street
December 10, 2022
FREE
The Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade, sponsored by the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, will make the harbor sparkle beginning at 5:00 PM. A long line of brightly decorated boats, including fishing vessels, pleasure boats and kayaks, will parade twice around Gig Harbor. - Country Christmas
Port Gamble
December 10-11, 2022
Visitors will enjoy a variety of festival holiday activities, including horse-drawn hayrides through a town sparkling with over 100,000 holiday lights, craft-making for the kids at Santa’s workshop, followed by Western Washington’s only holiday fireworks display. - Lighted Car Parade
Uptown Gig Harbor
December 17, 2022
FREE
Join this 3rd Annual event to benefit FISH Food Bank and Food Backpacks 4 Kids. Decorate your car and join the parade or watch along the route. To be in the parade, decorate your car and join us at 4 pm at the Multicare Parking lot; this is where you can view the decorated cars at after the parade. Santa, Frosty the Snowman and carolers will be there for all to enjoy. - Cocoa & Carols
W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma
December 17, 2022
Bundle up and warm up your voice, we’re singing some favorite holiday songs led by classical singer, Teresa Lin. This event will be held mainly outside, with chances to warm up and explore the winter flower exhibit in the conservatory. - Menorah Lighting
Uptown Gig Harbor
December 18, 2022
FREE
Menorah Lighting on December 18th from 5-6:30 pm at the Pavilion. - Winter Wildland
Northwest Trek, Eatonville
December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Breathe in the crisp mountain air and watch in delight as our animals play with holiday-themed treats and enrichments. Stroll paths laced with winter magic and decorations. - Nite at the Roxy New Years Eve
The Roxy in Bremerton
December 31, 2022
Please join us in ringing in the new year at the Historic Roxy Theatre in Quincy Square. Tickets now on sale. - Tacoma Light Trail
Downtown Tacoma
December 31, 2022-January 14, 2023
FREE
A festival of light art & sound, on view nightly in downtown Tacoma. A Light Parade, Lighted Bike Ride and more. The goal: To uplift and unify our community in dark times.
DATES TBA
- Downtown Tacoma Tree Lighting
Broadway Way at Pantages Theatre
December – TBA
Since World War II, the South Sound community has gathered to celebrate at the corner of 9th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Gather for carols and photos with Santa. Make it part of your holiday tradition!
Check out these other local posts on my blog;
- 16 Festive Holiday Experiences in Washington!
- South Sound U-Pick & U-Cut Farms
- Unique Places to Stay in Washington
- Pierce County & Kitsap County Holiday & Winter Assistance
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