University Place Christmas Tree Lighting
University Place lights its Market Square tree at 6pm, after Santa rolls in on a West Pierce Fire & Rescue engine.
- When
- Fri, Dec 4, 2026 · 4:30pm – 7:30pm
- Where
- Market Square · 3609 Market Place W, University Place, WA 98466 · Directions →
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- City of University Place
Why go
It’s a compact town-square evening: Santa arrives by fire engine, the City Council throws the switch, and the Civic Building Atrium holds the kids’ activities and Santa photos.
What happens
Friday, December 4. Festivities start at 4:30pm with U.P. student choirs, cheerleaders and drumlines. Santa arrives on a West Pierce Fire & Rescue engine and takes photos by the Civic Building Atrium fireplace from 5 to 7pm. City Council members light the tree at 6pm. Reindeer, a fire pit and kids’ activities in the Atrium round it out.
Good to know
The city describes its Christmas Tree Lighting as free to the public. For dinner, the city points to food trucks on site and local restaurants nearby.
Next year: early December, in Market Square.