Winter 2023 Events in Pierce County
This time of year always brings us so many fun and festive happenings in Pierce County! We put together this extensive list of things to do during winter 2023 in cities throughout Pierce County. Make memories at a Santa Parade or tree lighting, find holiday gifts at markets featuring local artisans, discover beautiful outdoor destinations decked out for the season, and so much more.
September 22 - December 30, 2023
Glow Golf
Where: Meadow Park Golf Course in Tacoma
What to Expect: After dark play a unique 9-hole game featuring LED golf balls & drinks from the bar
November 24, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Fantasy Lights
Where: Spanaway Park
What to Expect: 2-mile route features 300 elaborate light displays and animations, thousands of lights
November 24, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Zoolights
Where: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
What to Expect: Over 800,000 lights throughout the zoo
November 30 - December 3, 2023
A Victorian Country Christmas
Where: Washington State Fairgrounds in Downtown Puyallup
What to Expect: 500 exhibits, specialty foods, professional entertainment, Singing Nativity
December 1 - 23, 2023
Holiday Magic
Where: Washington State Fairgrounds in Downtown Puyallup
What to Expect: Lights & holiday displays, festive food & drinks, & more
December 1-31, 2023
Ice Lights
Where: Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway
What to Expect: Ice skating with a giant 20-foot choreographed holiday tree, ice bumper cars, snow falling inside the ice rink, photo ops & more!
December 2, 2023
Orting Home for the Holidays Festival
Where: Orting Main City Park
What to Expect: Tree lighting, food trucks, vendor market, visit from Santa
December 2, 2023
Sumner Santa Parade
Where: Main Street in Downtown Sumner
What to Expect: Festive displays, a visit from Santa, & shopping in Downtown Sumner shops
December 2, 2023
Christmas Regale
Where: Fort Nisqually Living History Museum in Tacoma
What to Expect: Old-fashioned Christmas includes lighting of the Yule Log, Christmas carols, games, crafts, visit from Father Christmas & more
December 2 - 24
Holiday Events at W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Tacoma
Where: W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory
What to Expect: Holiday workshops, winter music series, cocoa & carols, visit with Black Santa & more
December 2 - 9, 2023
A PLU Christmas: Light - Christmas Concert
Where: Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland
What to Expect: Traditional carols by Choir of the West, Chorale, & University Symphony Orchestra
December 2 - 3, 2023
Tidefest 2023
Where: Gig Harbor High School
What to Expect: Featuring over 100 artists selling handmade items
December 3, 2023
Winter Wonderland
Where: Pantages Theater in Downtown Tacoma
What to Expect: Seasonal delights for the whole family including many traditional carols
December 3, 2023
10th Annual Tacoma Santa Parade
Where: South Tacoma Way between 50th & 56th
What to Expect: Festive displays, shopping, food & drink specials, vendors & more
December 5, 2023
City of Fife Tree Lighting
Where: Fife City Hall
What to Expect: Mayor & Santa Claus light the tree, cookies & cocoa, Christmas music, craft-making activity for kids
December 8, 2023
Light Up the Night: 8th Annual Saint Lucia Festival
Where: Harbor History Museum in Downtown Gig Harbor
What to Expect: Traditional Scandinavian snacks, crafts, games & more
December 9, 2023
Holiday Blast at the Center at Norpoint
Where: Center at Norpoint in Northeast Tacoma
What to Expect: Photos with Grinch, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas carol performances, live music, cookie decorations, arts & crafts, treats, holiday bingo & more
December 9, 2023
Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Lighting
Where: Lakewood City Hall
What to Expect: Holiday floats, tree lighting, caroling & more
December 9, 2023
Crafter’s Holiday Markets
Where: Meridian Habitat Park in Puyallup
What to Expect: Several artisan shops, holiday music, live entertainment, holiday photos & more
December 9, 2023
Lighted Boat Parade on Gig Harbor Waterfront
Where: Gig Harbor Waterfront in Downtown Gig Harbor
What to Expect: Enjoy views from Skansie Brothers Park, Jerisich Dock, Ancich Waterfront Park, Bogue Viewing Platform & more
December 9, 2023
Cookies with Mr. & Mrs. Claus
Where: Volunteer Vern Pavilion at Sehmel Homestead Park
What to Expect: Take home cookie decorating kit, pictures with Santa, holiday crafts & activities & more
December 9 - 23, 2023
Tacoma City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Where: Pantages Theater in Downtown Tacoma
What to Expect: Ballet performance along with live music by Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra
December 10, 2023
Christmas at Fort Steilacoom
Where: Historic Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood
What to Expect: Living historians re-enact Christmas of 1857
December 14 - 21, 2023
Puyallup Night Market
Where: Pioneer Park Pavilion in Downtown Puyallup
What to Expect: Array of local vendors
December 14 - 31, 2023
Lakewold Gardens’ Winter Solstice Festival
Where: Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood
What to Expect: Beautifully decorated Wagner House, live music, create a luminary, walk through winter garden, view quilts inspired by theme, & more
December 16, 2023
Holiday Village at Sunrise Village Shopping Center
Where: Sunrise Village in Puyallup
What to Expect: Carolers & other live entertainment, holiday treats, festive photo ops, & more
December 16, 2023
Gig Harbor's Lighted Car Parade
Where: Uptown Gig Harbor & Downtown Gig Harbor Area; click here to see the map
December 16, 2023
Winter Solstice Celebration Night Market & Luminary Walk
Where: Frontier Park in Graham
What to Expect: Candle-lit luminary trail walk, design your own candle lantern, food trucks, live entertainment, locally made crafts
December 16, 2023
City of Lakewood’s Jingle Bell 5k Walk/Run & 1-Mile Kid’s Dash
Where: Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood
What to Expect: Wear holiday costumes, & strollers & dogs on leashes welcome
December 16, 2023
Jingle Bell Run - 3 Miles
Where: Wright Park in Tacoma
December 16, 2023
Holiday Blast at Eastside Community Center
Where: Eastside Community Center in Tacoma
What to Expect: Photos with Santa, cookie decorating, small holiday market, live entertainment & more
December 16 - 17, 2023
Fife Santa Run
Where: Fife
What to Expect: Santa visits several neighborhoods throughout Fife
December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024
The 27th Annual Model Train Festival
Where: Washington State History Museum in Downtown Tacoma
What to Expect: View room-sized model trains and miniature scenery of Western Washington scenes
December 24, 2023
Christmas Eve Ugly Sweater 5k Run/Walk & Elf Kids’ Dash
Where: Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail in Puyallup
What to Expect: Holiday inflatables & arrival of Jolly O’ St. Nick
December 26, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Winter Wildland
Where: Northwest Trek in Eatonville
What to Expect: Observe animals enjoying holiday-themed treats & enrichments, stroll paths featuring holiday decorations
January 1, 2024
Polar Bear Plunge
Where: Point Defiance Marina in Tacoma
What to Expect: Warm beverages, costumes encouraged
January 15, 2024
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration
Where: Washington State History Museum in Downtown Tacoma
What to Expect: Theater performances that bring MLK’s legacy to life
February 9-10, 2024
2024 "ROAD TRIP: Destination Adventure" Reflections on Ice Show
Where: Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway
What to Expect: Epic skating journey performance with guest performer