‘Tis the Season for Fantasy Lights

By Ranger Staff on December 3, 2022

During the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Pierce County Parks has delighted thousands of families from near and far with miles of elaborate light displays. Fantasy Lights is the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest and features nearly 300 displays with thousands of dazzling lights.

For those new to the area, this gorgeous two-mile drive along Spanaway Lake will quickly become a memorable tradition for years to come. 

Fantasy Lights started with an idea 28 years ago that parks could still serve the public during the winter months. And now, all these years later, the tradition has grown to include second and third family generations enjoying the festivities. 

Fantasy Lights' success is largely due to the partnerships Pierce County Parks has built over the years with local technical schools who build new displays each year. The past few years they have worked with Pierce County Public Works to install LED lights that help keep operating costs down and ticket prices affordable.

This year's festivities kicked off Friday, Nov. 25 and will run through Sunday, Jan. 1 2023 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. each night. 

Among the more than 300 elaborate displays, digital animations, and thousands of sparkling lights will be a new giant Sasquatch display. As you drive through the dazzling lights be sure to dial your car radio to AM 1700 to listen to a selection of special holiday music and to add to the festive atmosphere of the park. 

New this year, light up your Fantasy Lights journey with our Holiday Spec 3D glasses that bend light, producing whimsical holographic images on every bright point of light as if by magic. Our 3D glasses are $6 for a pack of three with snowflake, snowman, and teddy bear lenses. 

Glasses must be purchased online, in advance. They are not available for sale at the park. Purchased glasses will be distributed at the park gate upon arrival.

Admission is per vehicle and rates vary by date. The cost per vehicle is $15 during Dec. 4-8, and $20 during Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 9-25. Discounted ticket nights are $10 per vehicle and include Dec. 1 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Tickets must be pre-purchased online. No tickets will be sold at the event.

Learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the Fantasy Lights website.

Whether this is already a family tradition or you're looking for a new tradition, Fantasy Lights offers your family the opportunity to enjoy the season's wonderland safe from the elements. Make certain to plan your visit however, as the traffic is heavy on the weekends and the last remaining days before Christmas with up to a two-hour wait to get into the park. 

FANTASY LIGHTS, nightly 5:30 to 9 p.m., thru Jan. 1 2023, Spanaway Lake Park, 14905 Bresemann Blvd. S, Spanaway, https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1253/Fantasy-Lights.