It's cold. You’ve got a thermos of lukewarm cocoa, the heater in your SUV is finally kicking in, and you’re inching along a winding path in Spanaway Park. If you grew up in Washington, you know this exact feeling. Pierce County Fantasy Lights isn't just a drive-through display. Honestly, for many of us, it’s the official start of the season.
There is something fundamentally nostalgic about it. You pay by the carload, which feels like a relic of a simpler era. Then you drive. Two miles of LED magic.
What You Actually Need to Know About Pierce County Fantasy Lights
People always ask if it’s worth the wait. On a Saturday night in mid-December? The line can be brutal. You might sit on Military Road for an hour before you even see the gate. But once you're in, the scale of the thing hits you. It is the largest drive-through holiday light display in the Pacific Northwest. That isn't just marketing fluff.
The display features over 300 individual pieces.
Some are massive. We’re talking digital animations that make it look like a dragon is breathing fire or a giant bear is waving at your windshield. Most of these are custom-built by the Pierce County Parks and Recreation team. They don't just buy these off a shelf at a big-box store. They weld them. They string the lights by hand.
The Logistics of the Glow
The event typically runs from the day after Thanksgiving straight through New Year’s Day.
Rain? It doesn't matter. This is Western Washington; if we stopped for rain, nothing would ever happen. In fact, the lights look better when the pavement is wet because you get that blurry, neon reflection on the ground.
- Location: Spanaway Park (14905 Gus G. Bresemann Rd S, Spanaway, WA)
- Time: Usually 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Radio: You have to tune your FM dial to 95.3.
The music is synced. Not perfectly, like those crazy house displays you see on TikTok, but enough to give the drive a soundtrack. It’s mostly classic carols and upbeat holiday pop. If you have kids in the back seat, they will inevitably start screaming when the "SeaWorld" inspired section comes up with the jumping salmon and the giant orca.
Why Spanaway Park Works (And Why It Doesn't)
Let’s be real for a second. Spanaway isn't exactly a resort town. It’s a blue-collar slice of Pierce County. But during the holidays, the park transforms. The layout of the road is narrow and winding, which is perfect for this. It keeps the speed down to a crawl—roughly 2 or 3 miles per hour—so you actually have time to look at the details.
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The problem? Exhaust fumes.
If you’re sensitive to that, it can be a bit much when hundreds of cars are idling in a line. Some people bring EVs now, which helps, but most are still pumping out carbon while staring at the LED reindeer.
Avoiding the Crowd Crush
If you go on Christmas Eve, you’re going to have a bad time. Or, at least, a very long time.
The "pro move" is going on a Tuesday. Or go late. Most families with little kids try to hit the 5:30 p.m. opening. If you show up at 8:15 p.m. on a weeknight, you can usually breeze through. Also, buy your tickets online. They started doing timed entry a couple of years ago to manage the traffic, and it’s been a lifesaver. If you show up at the gate without a pre-purchased digital ticket on a busy night, they might actually turn you away.
The Artistry Behind the Scenes
I once spoke with a guy who worked on the setup. It’s a year-round job. They start testing the displays late in the summer. Think about the physics of it. You have these massive metal frames that have to withstand 40-mph wind gusts coming off the lake. They use heavy-duty rebar and thousands of zip ties.
The "Old Man Winter" display is a fan favorite. He’s huge. He blows "snow" (which is really just flickering white lights) across the road.
Then there’s the tunnel.
It’s a literal tunnel of lights that you drive through. It’s the climax of the whole show. Every person in the car usually sticks their phone out the window at this point to get a grainy video for Instagram. It’s a rite of passage.
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Is It Better Than The Zoo Lights?
This is the eternal debate in Tacoma. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has "Zoolights."
Zoolights is a walking experience. It’s beautiful, but it’s expensive, and you’re freezing your toes off. Pierce County Fantasy Lights is for the people who want to stay in their pajamas. You can bring your dog. You can bring a pizza. You can yell as loud as you want without bothering neighbors.
Honestly? Do both. They offer totally different vibes. Fantasy Lights feels more like a community project that grew into a monster, whereas Zoolights feels more "curated."
Money Matters
The price usually hovers around $15 to $20 per car. If you have a van with 12 people in it, that’s the cheapest entertainment you’ll find all year. They also do "Walk Saturdays" occasionally, where they close the road to cars and let people hoof it.
If you can catch one of those nights, do it. You see things you miss from a car window. You notice the way the lights reflect off the actual lake. You hear the hum of the transformers. It’s weirdly peaceful.
The Local Impact
This event pumps a lot of life into Spanaway. Local gas stations sell out of snacks. The nearby restaurants see a surge. But more than that, it’s a point of pride for Pierce County. In a region that is rapidly changing and getting more expensive, Fantasy Lights feels like one of those things that hasn't been "gentrified" out of existence. It’s still a bit kitschy. It’s still a bit loud.
It’s perfect.
There are some misconceptions, though. People think it’s just a loop around a parking lot. It’s not. It’s a full two-mile circuit through deep woods and along the shoreline. It feels much longer than it is because of the slow pace.
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How to Win at Fantasy Lights
If you want the best experience, don't just "go." Prepare.
- Clean your windshield. Seriously. Inside and out. The glare from thousands of LED lights against a foggy, dirty window will ruin your photos and give you a headache.
- Bring a real camera. Phones struggle with the high contrast of bright lights against a pitch-black sky. If you have a camera where you can manually adjust the shutter speed, bring it.
- Check the weather. A light mist is fine. A windstorm is not. If the winds get too high, they sometimes have to shut down certain displays for safety.
- Snacks are mandatory. Not optional. Popcorn is the traditional choice, but ginger snaps are better.
What’s New Recently?
In the last few seasons, they’ve added more "animated" sequences. These are controlled by computers that cycle the power to different sections of the frame to create the illusion of movement. Look for the flying eagles and the jumping frogs. The "12 Days of Christmas" section is a staple, but they keep updating the bulbs to more vibrant, energy-efficient LEDs. The colors are much "sharper" than they were ten years ago.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't wait until the week of Christmas to plan this.
First, go to the Pierce County Parks website and look at the calendar. Identify a "Value Night" if they are offering them—these are usually mid-week and cheaper. Purchase your ticket for a specific time slot.
Second, map out your route. If you're coming from North Tacoma or Puyallup, avoid Pacific Avenue if you can; it gets backed up for miles. Try coming in from the south or using backroads like 22nd Ave to skirt the worst of the traffic.
Third, make sure your car’s battery is in good shape. Sitting in a line with your lights on and engine idling (or restarting constantly) can be tough on older batteries.
Finally, once you get through the gate, turn off your headlights. Use your parking lights. It’s common courtesy. It allows the person in front of you to actually see the displays instead of just seeing your high beams in their rearview mirror.
Pierce County Fantasy Lights is a labor of love. It’s a bit of a chaotic, bright, loud, and joyful mess. It’s exactly what a local holiday tradition should be. Pack the car, manage your expectations regarding the traffic, and enjoy the glow.
Next Steps:
Check the official Pierce County Parks website for this year's specific dates and ticket tiers. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, aim for the "Walk-Through" nights which usually require separate reservations and happen only once or twice a season. Take the time to visit some of the local Spanaway eateries like Mary Mary's or the local diners before you jump in line to support the community that hosts this massive undertaking every year.