The Tree Lighting That Started It All
Every year, Tacoma kicks off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting ceremony outside of the historic Pantages Theater on Broadway. It's a genuine community tradition featuring live music, free photos with Santa, and local cuisine. Even if your conference happens after the lighting, the tree is on display all December to enjoy.
Zoolights: A Million Reasons to Visit
Point Defiance Zoo transforms into an illuminated wonderland every holiday season. Zoolights features one million sparkling lights turning the zoo into a landscape of multicolored tunnels and glowing animal sculptures.
This 35-year tradition works beautifully for groups because it's inherently social without forcing interaction. People naturally gather around dazzling displays, conversations flow effortlessly under glowing light tunnels, and there’s always something delightful to see or do together.
Pro tip: Tickets are timed-entry and sell out fast, so book early. The zoo sits about 15 minutes from downtown, making it accessible without elaborate transportation logistics.
Fantasy Lights: When Drive-Through Meets Holiday Magic
Not all holiday experiences require getting out of your car. Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park claims the title of the largest drive-through holiday light display in the Pacific Northwest, featuring almost 300 elaborate displays set to a dedicated radio station soundtrack.
This works remarkably well for those seeking holiday cheer in a different experience. You control the pace, and stay warm! There’s something naturally uplifting about cruising through glowing light tunnels, where dazzling displays spark conversation and shared moments come easily.
Downtown Tacoma Light Trail: Art Meets Holiday Spirit
The Tacoma Light Trail transforms downtown into an open-air museum of illuminated installations. These aren't your average holiday lights, they're art installations that give downtown a magical quality, perfect for evening events. The trail runs through January, giving guests flexibility even with busy schedules.
Ice Lights: Skating With Style
Sprinker Recreation Center's Ice Lights lets you skate on ice while surrounded by holiday lights and a giant Christmas tree, with holiday music creating the soundtrack. It combines ice skating, pretty lights, and holiday cheer… the perfect December activity!
This works particularly well for teams where skill levels don't matter. Lacing up skates brings out the fun in everyone—and the shared challenge of staying upright on the ice leads to plenty of laughs and unforgettable moments.
Making Holiday Events Work for Business
When planning a corporate event during the holiday season, it's important to remember that everyone has their own traditions, commitments, and ways they enjoy this time of year. Tacoma’s holiday events offer a compelling invitation: celebrate together and enjoy the festive atmosphere our city brings to life. That built-in seasonal magic makes it easier to create an engaging and memorable experience for your team.
Guests may remember the keynote—but they’ll definitely remember the evening stroll through Zoolights or the magic of Tacoma’s historic tree. Some of the most meaningful connections happen outside the meeting room.
