December is here, and with it come the tidings and the activities of the holiday season. So, whether you’re done with your shopping or you still have some last-minute gifts to grab, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and active in Tacoma as the year marches toward its end. Below, we’ve compiled the biggest and best events throughout the month, from Trevor Noah to the Captain’s Reserve Bourbon Launch Party to First Night. Be sure to check out our complete Tacoma events calendar for even more things to do in December.
DECEMBER 5
COMEDY
Jim Breuer Live
Stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and radio host Jim Breuer (whom you might recognize from Saturday Night Live, Chappelle's Show, and other popular programs, as well as the movie Half Baked) will share his love for "his wife, family, Metallica, and even the New York Mets."
FOOD & DRINK
History After Hours: Bootleggers Ball
Seattle's rich history of Prohibition-era bootleggers will serve as the inspiration for this speakeasy-style party, which comes complete with live music from the Happy Sinners, storytelling, and boozy libations.
MUSIC
Howlin Rain
Old school rock ’n’ roll is alive and well when Howlin Rain performs. The California outfit recently delivered their fifth LP, an album that encapsulates the band’s lively approach to their distinct and slightly anachronistic sound.
FESTIVALS
A Victorian Country Christmas Festival
Travel back in time to an idyllic Victorian Christmas village to shop for gifts from over 500 vendors, enjoy festive food and drinks, take in theatrical performances and nativity scenes, and more.
Zoolights
Holiday traditions don't get more classic than strolling through the zoo when it's transformed into a luminous wonderland of 3-D animal light installations. Displays from previous years have included hammerhead sharks and sea turtles, a majestic polar bear family, and a giant Pacific octopus.
DECEMBER 6
MUSIC
Afrodisiacs
The train to FunkyTown makes a stop in Tacoma. The dress code is strictly disco at this show, so don’t forget to strap on your platform shoes before you shake your groove thing to the sounds of the ‘70s.
An Evening with Walter Trout
Over the course of his five-decade career, celebrated blues craftsman Walter Trout has delivered soulful blues like no one else, and now he comes to Tacoma after releasing his latest cover album, Survivor Blues. Trout eschewed the same blues standards that’ve been played to death in favor of tackling covers of songs that’ve been nearly forgotten, giving them a new life.
PERFORMANCE
Angels in the Architecture
With nearly 40 seasons under its collective belt, the Tacoma Concert Band can easily lay claim to the title of the Northwest’s premier symphonic band. This year, the band comes ready to deliver a range of holiday music with the festive “Angels in the Architecture: A Holiday Celebration.”
Elf the Musical
A taller-than-average elf learns that he's really a human in this staged rendition of the beloved holiday movie Elf.
WINTER HOLIDAYS
University Place Christmas Tree Lighting
Christmas tree lightings make for a great community event, especially when they include Santa riding a fire truck. The annual tree lighting also includes dancers and holiday tunes sung by students before things get jazzy when musicians Jon Phillips and Osama Afifi perform.
DECEMBER 7
FOOD & DRINK
Captain's Reserve Bourbon Launch Party
Chambers Bay Distillery is working to create a distinctively Northwest bourbon that will finally strip Kentucky of one of the few things that state is famous for. Following the success Fran’s had with salted caramels in the world of Seattle chocolate, Chambers Bay is perfecting a salted-caramel bourbon. The sweet caramel flavor comes from Grant County wheat, and the slight saltiness from aging the bourbon in barrels stored in a floating boathouse on Puget Sound. While their regular Chambers Bay Straight Bourbon has already won the double gold from Sip Northwest magazine, the distillery is finally launching its Captain’s Reserve, the first bottled-in-bond whiskey released by a Washington distillery since craft distilling became legal in 2008. DAVID LEWIS
MUSIC
Caspar Babypants
The relentlessly silly and cheerful ex-member of the Presidents of the United States of America, Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew), will perform a set for kiddos.
Federal Way Symphony: "The Messiah"
Holiday traditions aren’t exactly in short supply this time of year, but those in the market for a new one can consider The Messiah, as performed by the Federal Way Symphony and Federal Way Chorale. The oratorio from George Frideric Handel has become one of the most recognized choral works in Western music, so don’t miss out on a chance to see it performed live.
Lucky Town
Some may snicker at the idea of a tribute band, but when it comes to Portland’s very own Bruce Springsteen tribute band, it’s time to stifle that laugh so you can sing along. Lucky Town brings its ultimate “Boss experience” to Tacoma for a lively show that celebrates many of Springsteen’s greatest hits. Come early to see Styx tribute band Grand Illusion play.
Pickwick, Cataldo, Baja Boy
Produced by Erik Blood, their 2017 sophomore full-length, Lovejoys, gets a 1970s vintage Shuggie Otis–flavored groove treatment, opening with the slinky bass lines and velvety, high-hitting vocals of "Turncoat." Things turn even more greasy and gritty with the chugging, brass-farting funk of "Ascension," and get into more straightforward trippy, organ-driven cuts like "Lying Awake in the Dark," while Pickwick amp up the psychedelic soul on set-closer "Ammonia." LEILANI POLK
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Christmas Regale
Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way by welcoming in the yule log with toasts and carols. There will also be games, ornament-crafting, storytelling, traditional dancing, and photo ops with Father Christmas.
Festival of Trees Gala
Break out your best black tie or most elegant dress for a good cause: the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital at the Festival of Trees Gala. Those in attendance can bid in the live tree auction, while dining in style and enjoying the live entertainment.
Holiday Shopping Expo
Arguably the holiday shopping event of the year—for Saturn Barter members—the Saturn Holiday Shopping Expo fills the Tacoma Dome with an extraordinary selection of gifts for everyone on your shopping list. Vendors on hand will offer clothing, electronics, sporting goods, tools, furniture, cosmetics, jewelry, food, furniture, and for the late decorators, wreaths and Christmas trees in abundance.
Santa Visits The Conservatory
Old St. Nick will make an early December visit to the W.W. Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma, where the jolly fellow will be on hand for pictures (for a separate fee, of course). Santa’s helpers will also be there handing out cookies as guests peruse the crafts on display and for sale.
DECEMBER 8
MUSIC
An Appalachian Christmas with Mark O'Connor & Friends
This holiday concert is led by multi-Grammy Award winner and Seattle native Mark O’Connor. This year, he'll be joined by the O'Connor Band, who will assist him in performing an evening of Christmas classics, fiddling, and bluegrass from his album An Appalachian Christmas, as well as songs from his album Coming Home.
Symphony Tacoma: Holiday Favorites
Symphony Tacoma will perform festive arrangements of selections from favored holiday films and seasonal choral pieces in collaboration with Tacoma Youth Chorus, Tacoma Refugee Choir, and soloist Erin Guinup.
SHOPPING
Yuletide Magic Market
Find locally made gifts for everyone on your list and take a photo with Krampus and/or the Holly King.
FESTIVALS
Christmas Ship Festival
The Puget Sound is filled with lights throughout the holiday season, but no vessel can compete with Argosy Cruises' Christmas Ship, which docks in 65 waterfront communities to serenade people onshore and onboard with its resident choir. Those who choose to board the ship will enjoy photos with Santa, a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and kids' activities. For a less family-oriented option, you can trail behind in a 21+ boat with rotating themes each week. It's also free to watch from the shore.
DECEMBER 10
FILM
Weird Elephant Night
Weird Elephant Night takes on a holiday theme through December, with almost midnight (11 pm) showings of some holiday classics. This year’s lineup includes Eyes Wide Shut, Bad Santa, Die Hard (it’s a Christmas movie), and Snowpiercer. Come for the movie, stay for the beer and wine, as well as the costume contests, karaoke, and more.
MUSIC
The Home Team
If loud, effervescent rock shows are your thing ahead of the holidays, then this is a surefire destination. The venue will play host to the Home Team, Crooked Teeth, Dead Lakes, and Lovely Colours, for a jam-packed, high-energy performance.
DECEMBER 12
MUSIC
Pacific Lutheran University Sounds of Christmas
Pacific Lutheran University’s University Singers and Knights Chorus perform the Sounds of Christmas, a holiday concert that puts the spotlight on the department’s distinguished performers, as well as directors Dr. Richard Nance and Barry Johnson.
True Loves
The Seattle-based soul and funk group True Loves will be joined by High Pulp, another Seattle band with their own distinctly experimental style, one that is influenced by jazz, funk, hip-hop, and punk.
DECEMBER 12-14
COMEDY
Chris Hardwick
The Nerdist founder, podcaster, author, and Talking Dead host returns to the stage for a new stand-up comedy tour and follow-up to Mandroid and Funcomfortable. Come for the jokes and stay for the pop-culture references and nerd love.
DECEMBER 13
COMEDY
Trevor Noah: Loud and Clear
Blessing: South African comedian Trevor Noah has control of the bully pulpit of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Curse: He had to follow Jon Stewart in that slot. It's hard not to seem a tad second-rate replacing a vastly influential and beloved political-satire legend, but Noah's gamely making a go of it. He leverages his outsider status in America—how many other South African comics do you know?—to offer fresh slants on myriad social and political topics. DAVE SEGAL
MUSIC
Gypsy Temple
Seattle alt-rock band Gypsy Temple heads to Tacoma for a live show. Get set for a great night of rock ’n’ roll with Seed and Celia on tap as the night’s openers.
Sir Mix-A-Lot
Hip-hop legend Sir Mix-A-Lot returns to Tacoma with a live show, where the MC and “Baby Got Back” performer will dish out the hits for two nights.
OPENS DECEMBER 13
FILM
What would the holidays be without a dark remake of a holiday slasher film? Black Christmas director Sophia Takal offers an updated (and PG-13) take on the subversive Christmas treat. With stars Imogen Poots and Carey Elwes, this yuletide terror has already been remade once in 2006, updating the 1974 sorority horror film for the 21st century. Will counter programming be enough to get audiences in theaters to see this remake of a remake?
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black are back for more magical video-game adventures in Jumanji: The Next Level. The follow-up to the unlikely 2017 blockbuster adds a few new players in Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, as a pair of cranky geriatrics who find themselves transported into the mystical world of Jumanji. The third installment of the franchise goes all in on Johnson and Hart’s undeniable comedic chemistry, while delivering a CGI-fueled experience that’s suitable for the whole family.
Clint Eastwood enters the 2019 Oscar race with the biopic Richard Jewell, telling the story of the security guard who became a person of interest following a bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Eastwood’s last two films, 15:17 to Paris and The Mule, didn’t garner much awards attention, but the star-studded cast of Richard Jewell, which features Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Olivia Wilde, Jon Hamm, and Paul Walter Hauser as the titular Richard, is already alight with Oscar buzz.
DECEMBER 14
FESTIVALS
Dickens Festival at Stadium
Hark back to the era of Charles Dickens, a man who knew a thing or two about Christmas ghosts, by enjoying Victorian activities like a "Best Victorian Dog" contest, caroling, a tree lighting with Santa, a horse-drawn carriage ride to Wright Park's decked-out Seymour Conservatory, and more.
PERFORMANCE
Twas the Night Before Christmas
A comedic retelling of Twas the Night Before Christmas. This all-ages show offers a fun update to the classic holiday poem as Santa’s naughty or nice list goes missing ahead of St. Nick’s big night.
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Annual Holiday Haul Crawl
Downtown Tacoma hosts the 4th Annual Holiday Haul Crawl, a day of shopping, dining, and other holiday-themed festivities. This year, the Haul will include over 150 local retailers, restaurants, and other businesses around the Gritty City.
Lighted Boat Parade
The Point Defiance Marina plays host to the annual Lighted Boat Parade, as festive vessels set sail in front of the Point Defiance docks. The boats will cruise down along Ruston Way before venturing into the Foss Waterway, meaning there’ll be plenty of vantage points from which to watch the procession.
Santa Runs Tacoma
Lace up those running shoes for the 11th annual Santa Runs Tacoma. The tradition offers a festive atmosphere for runners of all sizes with Tiny Tim’s 1K, Frosty’s 5K, and The Scrooge 10K. There’s even a Donner & Blitzen 21K half marathon for those who think running a 10K in the cold just isn’t enough of a challenge.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This Emmy Award-winning special features Charlie, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they learn the true meaning of the holidays, with the help of a scrawny Christmas tree and the timeless music of Vince Guaraldi.
DECEMBER 15
FESTIVALS
Northwest Thriftcon Winter Edition
This past summer, Stranger contributor Jordan Michelman wrote, "We came, we saw, we thrifted. The scene was beyond wild at Tacoma’s first-annual Northwest Thrift-Con, a new event created by All-Star Vintage founders Richard and Desi Sjouwke. Thrift-Con was a veritable smorgasbord of vintage clothing representing nearly every imaginable style and era of 20th-century fashion, spread out across 40 vendors inside, outside, and down the hallways of the historic Court House Square. Some 1200 ticketed guests turned out for the event, according to Richard Sjouwke." Come for shopping, a panel discussion, workshops, and more.
DECEMBER 19
MUSIC
David Archuleta
The American Idol season seven runner-up David Archuleta has been going strong since 2008. As he readies his ninth project for 2020, the vocalist brings his brand of music to Tacoma for an all-ages show.
The Journeys' Annual Christmas Concert
Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with The Journeys’ annual Christmas concert. The Journeys have made the Northwest their Christmastime home as the group has entertained audiences in local theaters for nearly 40 years.
VISUAL ART
Tacoma Art Walk
Duck into businesses marked with a yellow sign along Sixth Avenue to see new work by local artists every third Thursday of the month.
DECEMBER 20
MUSIC
Roger Fisher of Heart
Roger Fisher comes to Tacoma for an evening filled with classic Heart hits. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will regale fans with "Magic Man," "Crazy On You," and "Barracuda," among other tunes.
Symphony Tacoma will revive George Frederick Handel’s most well-known and beloved choral work, Messiah.
Tower of Power
Oakland's fabulous funk and soul-jazz heavies Tower of Power return for yet another Seattle residency. Reports from the most gushing-est of fans claim that every TOP show is a killer dance party, but then they are the "Hipper Than Hip" from "Bump City" and would obviously know how to dig it deep "In the Slot"! That they keep killin' it time and again is REALLY saying something, as Tower of Power have been active for over 50 years and show no signs of getting up from all their serious getting down! MIKE NIPPER
FESTIVALS
Model Train Festival
Maybe it's the steady chug of their engines, or maybe it's the thought of people nestled warmly inside their cars, but trains are magical, and winter is the perfect time to appreciate them. This festival for railroad enthusiasts promises detailed model train displays set in the Pacific Northwest.
OPENS DECEMBER 20
FILM
Showtime’s The Loudest Voice didn’t exactly strike a chord with its retelling of the Roger Ailes and Fox News saga, but it didn’t have Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, and an unrecognizable Charlize Theron playing Gretchen Carlson, Kayla Pospisil, and Megyn Kelly, respectively. The film comes from Jay Roach, who may have helped bring Austin Powers to life but also dipped his toe into political waters with the 2008 TV movie Game Change.
The internet lost its collective mind when the first trailer for Tom Hooper’s Cats burned the image of cat Idris Elba and a furry Judi Dench into everyone’s retinas. Since then, the film’s trailers have been an event unto themselves, as CGI has transformed Taylor Swift, James Corden, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, Ian McKellen, Rebel Wilson, and newcomer Francesca Hayward into anthropomorphized felines with creepy human fingers and… other things.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Director J.J. Abrams returns to a galaxy far, far away for what is being touted as the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Marketing for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has been characteristically secretive, but it’s also teased fans with the return of Emperor Palpatine and a possible Dark Rey twist that’s already managed to get the franchise’s legion of fans in an uproar.
DECEMBER 21
FOOD & DRINK
Annual Darkest Day at The Red Hot
Celebrate the darkest day of the year with some truly dark beers and delicious hot dogs at Tacoma’s The Red Hot. The 6th Street brew and dogs staple continues its annual tradition of celebrating the winter solstice with some quality food and drink.
PERFORMANCE
A Christmas Carol
Spooky Christmas ghosts, cheerful costumes, and festival carols animate this Tacoma production of the classic tale.
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Tacoma Night Market
Last-minute shoppers can find something for everyone on their list at this free, all-ages event. The December edition welcomes local vendors and restaurants, with plenty of gifts and eats on hand.
VISUAL ART
Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.
This traveling Smithsonian show highlights the achievements of African American men, from the Harlem Hellfighters to John Coltrane to LeBron James.
THROUGH DECEMBER 22
FESTIVALS
Christmas at the Mansion
Per holiday tradition, visitors can marvel at Puyallup's historic Meeker Mansion decked out in Victorian-style Christmas decorations (with 21st-century LED lights).
DECEMBER 22
MUSIC
Deseo Carmin
Deseo Carmin’s blend of Latin, jazz, funk, and flamenco returns to Tacoma just before the Christmas holiday. Come eat and dance with the award-winning band.
DECEMBER 24
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Jingle Bell Run
Burn some steam and some calories before the Christmas holiday is in full swing. This three-mile run/walk is the final race of Tacoma Metro Parks's 2019 Run the Parks series.
OPENS DECEMBER 25
FILM
Director Sam Mendes reunites with his Skyfall cinematographer Roger Deakins for 1917, a single-shot World War I film that’s already getting plenty of Oscar buzz (for the technical awards, anyway). The film stars Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and George Mackay as two British soldiers in a race against time to save the lives of their fellow countrymen. With supporting roles from Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden, and Colin Firth, Mendes’ latest looks like a potential Christmas Day hit.
Greta Gerwig is a gift in and of herself, but the Academy Award-nominated director of Lady Bird aims to give a little something back with her adaptation of Little Women. Gerwig has attracted a stellar cast that includes Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Meryl Streep, so it’s more than likely Little Women will garner a boatload of nominations at this year’s Oscars.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without an animated adventure for the kids, one featuring the voice talents of Will Smith, Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, and DJ Khaled no less. Spies in Disguise isn’t another Pixar gem but rather the latest from Blue Sky Studios—otherwise known as the folks who brought you the Ice Age films and, uh, Ferdinand.
Every so often, Adam Sandler decides it’s time to remind audiences that he can deliver stunning performances in films like Punch Drunk Love. His latest, Uncut Gems, finds the comedian teaming with the Safdie brothers for their follow-up to their acclaimed 2017 crime drama Good Time. The thriller sees Sandler in an intense minute-by-minute account of a low-level gambler making a high-stakes wager that could net him a life-changing windfall.
DECEMBER 28
MUSIC
Erotic City
Erotic City, a tribute to the one and only Prince, will make the Gritty City a little sexier when the band’s high energy show hits Tacoma just after the Christmas holiday. For those who can’t get enough of his Purple Majesty, Erotic City delivers the most classic Prince songs from the singer’s unforgettable collection.
Nite Wave
‘80s New Wave is alive and well with Nite Wave as the band hits up Tacoma in late December for a nostalgic trip that includes hits from Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, INXS, Billy Idol, and, of course, Prince.
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR'S EVE
2020 New Year's Eve Celebration
Ring in the New Year with live music from The Main Squeeze and Tacoma's very own Decent at Best. The mix of soul, hip-hop, funk, and rock will put 2019 in the rearview with style.
First Night 2020
An alcohol-free and family friendly event in downtown Tacoma that features the “world’s shortest parade,” as well as a variety of performances across several stages, and interactive family activities. Best of all, it offers a Kids' Countdown, which rings in the New Year at 9 pm, making this the ideal spot for families and those with early bedtimes alike.
New Year's Eve Bash: The Commodores
Celebrate the beginning of a new decade with a free concert featuring the acclaimed R&B/funk band the Commodores.
THROUGH DECEMBER 31
FESTIVALS
Fire + Ice Festival
Winter is a time for snow people and warm fires to complement each other from a distance, and the holidays wouldn't be complete without them. For its third annual Fire and Ice festival, the Museum of Glass hosts a variety of holiday-themed performances and demonstrations.
VISUAL ART
Bart at TAM: Animating America's Favorite Family
This unauthorized look at the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons features 100 animation cels, scripts, and drawings in a zanily decorated exhibition space.
