2023 Round-Up of Festive Holiday Activities for the Family During the Christmas Season Around the Puget Sound
Whenever the holiday season rolls around, I feel caught off guard! I mean, I’ve celebrated enough Christmases in my life to know exactly when it comes and how many weeks there are in a month, yet I never seem to be able to fully embrace all the festivities! I’m guilty of not researching and planning ahead enough. December always sneaks up on me and before I know it, it’s nearly Christmas and we just hung our lights or we end up ice skating at the very last time slot available on Christmas Eve (that was me last year)!
So this year, I’m getting myself in gear and I will soak up all the traditions and as many activities as I can with my family. I want to make this holiday season special for my 2 young girls. I remember being so enchanted by the season growing up, so I want to carry on that same love for Christmas for my daughters!
I thought since I’m doing all this research and planning, I’d help you out too so you know what options are out there and when to plan for them! These activities range from Bellevue to Puyallup to Enumclaw and Spanaway! So I’m covering a lot of ground for you and hopefully you’ll find something you can enjoy with your kids.
Washington Fair Holiday Magic - Puyallup
Dates: Dec: 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 & 20-23
Hours: 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Price: General (ages 13+): $25
Child (ages 6-12): $18
Preschool (ages 3-5): $13
Kids (ages 2 & younger): FREE
110 9th Avenue SW
Puyallup, WA 98371-0162
I’ve lived in Washington for almost 6 years and the first time I ever went to the fair was last December during their Holiday Magic set-up. Now I think I would have enjoyed it way more if it wasn’t below 30 degrees, haha, but it really was a fun area! Located at the Fair grounds, they have lights set up all over, a carousel, Santa’s Express train rides, Santa’s Village, even cookie decorating and ice skating add-ons!
There is so much to do, and also plenty of food stands and the Yeti Bar and Firepit area where you can warm up on a cold night. This is where we ended up for a good portion of our visit last year, but hoping to get there a little earlier to enjoy the full experience this year! You can check out more details and buy tickets here!
2. Fantasy Lights - Spanaway
Dates: Nov. 17 - Jan. 1
Hours: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Price: $15/vehicle Nov. 24-26 | Dec. 3-7
$20/vehicle Dec. 1-2 | Dec. 8-25
Spanaway Park
1000 Military Road South
Spanaway, WA 98387
If you have young kids, this is a fun way to see tons of Christmas lights! We often find ourselves driving through random neighborhoods to see who has the best light display on their house, but if you want a surefire way to see plenty of lights, check out this spot in Spanaway. It’s a drive-thru experience where Spanaway Park is totally decked out in Christmas lights and they even offer 3D glasses to make the lights really pop!
Plan to make a whole night of it because the car lines can get pretty long. My family has only been there once and it really wasn’t too bad, but we went on a weekday evening so it’s less traffic then. I suggest grabbing some to-go food to eat in the car or if you’ve already had dinner, make it more special with some hot cocoa!
You can check out more details here!
3. Snowflake Lane - Bellevue
Dates: Nov. 24- Dec. 24
Hours: Show starts at 7pm
Price: Free
Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets
This special parade up in Bellevue doesn’t disappoint! If you have young kids or not, it’s a pretty fun experience to watch the floats and characters go by, set to music. Not to mention, you get some fake snow action any night of the week! Get there early to claim your spot on the sidewalk.
Around the corner is a covered ice skating rink at the Bellevue Downtown Park. Last time we saw the Snowflake Lane show, we went ice skating first and then enjoyed the show right after. The parade is running now every night for FREE until Christmas Eve. This is a great activity to end the night with (or maybe begin it)!
4. A Christmas Experience and Live Nativity - Enumclaw
Dates: Dec. 9 - 10
Hours: 4pm - 8 pm (9 pm Saturday)
Price: $10 / Person (ages 13+)
$5 / Children (Ages 4-12)
$8 / Seniors (62+)
Ages 3 and under FREE
Enumclaw Expo Center
45224 284th Ave SE
Enumclaw, WA 98022
I first heard about this event from my daughter’s preschool! I haven’t had the chance to check it out before, but I love the idea of seeing a live nativity scene! There’s also photo ops with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, Christmas carolers, games, performances from bands and dance team, Dance it Up!
Seems like a fun, reasonably priced option for those in the South Sound, Bonney Lake, Buckley and Enumclaw area. More details and tickets sold here!
5. Sprinker Recreation Center Ice Lights - Tacoma
Dates: Dec. 1 - 31
Hours: Time slots vary
Price: $8.50 - Adults
$7.50 - Youth (ages 6-17)
$6.50 - Seniors (Ages 62 and over)
$5.50 - Children ages 5 and under (includes skates rental)
14824 "C" Street S.
Tacoma, WA 98444
This is a nice, indoor skating rink, decked out with a full light curtain wrapping around the entire rink. There’s a big Christmas tree right in the middle of the rink for everyone to skate around, complete with choreography! Perks include a Santa mail station, snowfall, and ice bumper cars (which is an additional fee).
I wish we enjoyed this much earlier in the month, because last year our skating session was very rushed! Plus I couldn’t quite carry my 2-year-old on the rink and help my 4-year-old with her first time on the ice. It was definitely worth it though and we’ll be making a trip this year for sure! Check out their site for more details.
6. Knutson Farm’s Christmas at the Farm - Sumner
Dates: Nov. 21 - Dec. 23
Hours: 10am - 6pm Monday-Sunday
10am - 8pm Fridays
Price: Free entry!
Santaland Play: $5 (1-12 yr old)
I love how Knutson Farms is always evolving and adding new things to their farm every year. I first fell in love with the farm a few years back when we went to their pumpkin patch, full of games, animals and plenty of spots for photos!
This year for the holiday season, Knutson Farms is offering Friday Night Markets every weekend till Christmas! And they are also selling fresh-cut Christmas Trees, wreaths and garlands. In addition to what they’re selling, there’s also a Santaland Play area with games and creative activities for young kids. Lastly, and probably most importantly, Santa photos are offered every weekend! Reservations are suggested.
7. Go see The Nutcracker
You’ll notice I haven’t included any information about any specific show because honestly, there are many to choose from! I have yet to take my kids to the ballet to see the Nutcracker, but it’s on my bucket list. If not this year, definitely next! Grab tickets soon, since it’s already December and from my research, it appears the most shows are between the weekends of Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17.
I came across this very helpful article from The Seattle Times listing off all the different theaters that are putting on The Nutcracker for all different budgets! Give it a look and find one that suits your calendar and budget.
Of course I’m not able to list off all the festivities this Christmas season, as there are many, but hopefully this gives you a good idea of the wonderful things to see around the Seattle-Tacoma area. I’ll be checking off several of these activities this year with my kids. Wishing everyone a lovely holiday season and beautiful new year!