Holiday Lights Around Tacoma, 2026

It’s dark by dinner, the rain isn’t going anywhere, and somebody at Point Defiance has built a giant glowing octopus. Might as well go see it.

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park both open Friday, November 27 and run through Sunday, January 3. Ice Lights at Sprinker Recreation Center runs November 27 through Saturday, January 2. Winter Glow at Lakewold Gardens is six nights, December 11–13 and 18–20. Fantasy Lights also has a two-night walking preview on November 21 and 22.

Every year, somewhere between Thanksgiving leftovers and the first Christmas shopping panic, Tacoma starts putting on its holiday lights.

Some of us will happily bundle up and wander around in the cold looking at a million tiny bulbs. Others would prefer to admire the festivities through a windshield, with the heater running and a coffee in the cupholder.

Fortunately, Pierce County has options for both camps.

First, there’s Zoolights

Point Defiance Zoo has been doing this for 39 years, and they’ve gotten pretty good at it. More than 1.5 million lights take over the zoo grounds from November 27 through January 3.

Zoolights is open 4:30 to 10 p.m. at 5400 N Pearl St in Tacoma, and the zoo is closed for the event on December 24 and 25.

There’s a giant illuminated Pacific octopus, a version of the Narrows bridges, a tunnel of lights, and a Sasquatch hiding somewhere along the route. You can also look for Thomas Dambo’s enormous wooden trolls, although not all of them will be visible after dark.

It’s a fun way to see a familiar place doing something completely different.

A couple of things worth knowing: the animals are asleep, the aquariums are closed, and you’re walking around outside in December. Wear decent shoes. The paths have some hills, and Tacoma weather rarely consults your evening plans.

Give yourself about an hour. Longer if you’re traveling with small children or someone who wants a photograph in front of every glowing animal.

Tickets are $16 on early-season weeknights or $22 on weekends and later dates. That’s a fairly expensive family outing once you add everyone up, so it’s worth booking one of the cheaper nights if you can.

And yes, there are special Dog Nights. Apparently, somebody decided the dogs were missing out.

Zoolights tickets and dates

When it’s pouring, go to Spanaway

You know those December evenings when everyone wants to get out of the house, but nobody wants to put on a coat?

Fantasy Lights was made for evenings like that.

The county takes two miles of road through Spanaway Park and fills them with more than 300 illuminated displays. You drive through at a crawl, tune the radio to AM 1700 for holiday music, and look at lights without ever having to unbuckle a seatbelt.

Bring something warm to drink. Let the kids pick the music on the way there. Maybe don’t schedule anything afterward.

The catch is traffic. This is a popular outing, and the county warns that weekends and the days around Christmas can mean long lines. Monday through Wednesday evenings are a better bet if you have the flexibility.

Fantasy Lights runs November 27 through January 3, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Spanaway Park, 1000 Military Rd S in Spanaway. Admission is per vehicle, not per person: $20 on the cheaper dates and $30 during the busier stretch. Tickets went on sale November 1, online (with a convenience fee) or in person at Sprinker Recreation Center.

There’s also a two-night walking preview on November 21 and 22. Five dollars gets you two miles of lights on foot, before the cars take over for the season. You’ll need an advance ticket, and parking at Sprinker costs extra.

Fantasy Lights information · Walking preview

Or put on some skates

Just down the road, Sprinker Recreation Center is doing something considerably more energetic.

Ice Lights runs from November 27 through January 2 at 521 Military Rd S in Tacoma. They’ve hung a curtain of lights around the rink, installed a 20-foot Christmas tree, and arranged for snow to fall indoors.

There’s ice skating, of course. But there’s also ice bumper cars, which sounds like an excellent idea until you’re the one being driven into.

This might be the more entertaining option for kids who’ve had enough of walking around looking at things.

Skating costs $10 for adults and $9 for ages 6–17, plus $5 if you need to rent skates. Children 5 and under pay $5.50, with skates included. Tickets are sold at the door, and session times change depending on the day. Ice bumper cars require a separate reservation.

You could combine this with Fantasy Lights, although there’s nothing wrong with saving one for another night.

Ice Lights schedule and prices

Six nights at Lakewold Gardens

Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood is also opening after dark this December.

Winter Glow is a smaller affair: illuminated paths through the gardens, seasonal displays inside the historic Wagner House, and hot cocoa or cider.

There’s something appealing about wandering through a garden in the middle of winter, especially when there’s a warm house waiting at the end.

Unlike the other displays, though, you can’t just pick a random December evening. Winter Glow happens on December 11–13 and 18–20, from 5 to 9 p.m., at 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW.

Ticket prices hadn’t been announced when we checked on October 29. The gardens say sales begin in November.

Winter Glow at Lakewold Gardens

A few things before you head out

Zoolights and Fantasy Lights both run through January 3, so there’s no need to squeeze everything into the weeks before Christmas. In fact, those quieter days after the holiday might be a perfectly good time to go.

If you’re buying Zoolights tickets, remember that the zoo is closed for the event on December 24 and 25. And if you’re headed to Spanaway, buy your Fantasy Lights ticket ahead of time. The county doesn’t guarantee there will be any left at the gate.

Mostly, though, don’t overthink it.

Pick a night. Find everyone’s gloves. Get out of the house.

The laundry will still be there when you get back.

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The details

Event	When	Admission
Zoolights — Point Defiance Zoo, 5400 N Pearl St	Nov 27–Jan 3, 4:30–10 p.m.; closed Dec 24–25	$16–$22 ages 3+; ages 2 and under free. Timed tickets required.
Fantasy Lights — Spanaway Park, 1000 Military Rd S	Nov 27–Jan 3, 5:30–9 p.m.	$20–$30 per vehicle, plus online fees where applicable.
Ice Lights — Sprinker Recreation Center, 521 Military Rd S	Nov 27–Jan 2; session times vary	$10 adults, $9 ages 6–17, $8 ages 62+, plus $5 skate rental; $5.50 ages 5 and under including skates.
Winter Glow — Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW	Dec 11–13 and 18–20, 5–9 p.m.	2026 prices not yet announced as of Oct 29.