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.

1. Washington Fair Holiday Magic - Puyallup

Dates: Dec. 6-8, 12-15, & 18-23

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. 29 - Jan. 5

Hours: 5:30pm - 9pm

Price: $15/vehicle Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

  $20/vehicle Dec. 6 - 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. 29- 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. Enchant: Santa’s Magic Timepiece

Dates: Nov. 22-Dec. 29

Hours: Time varies on date of ticket

Price: Prices vary based on on date and time of admission

Ages 3 and under FREE

T-Mobile Park

1250 1st Ave S

Seattle, WA 98134

I first heard about “the world’s largest Christmas maze” while scrolling Instagram! Needless to say, the ads got me and I now I see it advertised anywhere I go on the internet, lol. But it does look very mesmerizing and I can only imagine how excited my kids would be to go to T-Mobile Park and walk through a wonderland of lights!

There are several special event nights, including an Ugly Christmas Sweater Night, Kids Light up the Night, Paws and Claus, a Country Christmas, and several more. Besides the special event nights, any night has Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice skating, nightly caroling, children’s play place, food and drinks and a shopping village. This is the spot to check out this Christmas season in Seattle!

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. 29 - Dec. 21

Hours: 10am - 6pm Monday-Sunday

3pm - 7pm Friday Night Markets (starting Dec. 6th)

Price: Free entry!

“The North Pole” play area: $10 (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 December 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 with games and creative activities for young kids. Lastly, and probably most importantly, Santa photos are offered every weekend! Reservations are required. This year, they have a Cowboy Christmas theme. Way to change it up!

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! 

I came across this very helpful article from Seattle’s Child 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!