New Traditions for the Holidays

Santa in a vintage Cadillac? LGBTQ carols? Balkan folk dancing? If your holiday traditions haven’t changed in a while, then it’s time for a reboot – and Tacoma’s arts and culture scene is full of ways to do it. Holidays are celebrated around the world in dozens of cultures, and exploring some of them is a great first step toward the peace on earth we all wish for.

 

Plus, it’s just fun! From stage shows to film, art to dance, music to markets, here are some ways to transform your holidays with new traditions.

 

Tacoma’s theaters are bursting with inventive holiday cheer.

 

At Tacoma Little Theatre’s “Holmes for the Holidays,” (Dec. 6-29) set in the 1930s, an actor’s holiday party goes horribly wrong with a murder that he must channel his stage persona to solve – the great Sherlock himself. Or try “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” (Dec. 14-28) a comic take on the classic poem where some mice and an Elf-B-I agent have to find Santa’s missing list. tacomalittletheatre.com

 

At Tacoma Musical Playhouse, “Elf the Musical” (Nov. 29 – Dec. 22) will have you embracing your inner elf loud and clear, just in time for the Sing-Along with Santa (Dec. 7) and Big Band Christmas (Dec. 9). And don’t forget Camp TMP Honor Program’s classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (Dec. 14-24). tmp.org

 

 

Puget Sound Revels this year takes its yuletide folk joy to the Balkans, with singing, dancing and storytelling to have you dancing in the aisles. Dec. 14-18, Rialto Theater. pugetsoundrevels.org

 

 

Everyone knows “The Nutcracker” – but do you know The Tale of the Hard Nut? Tacoma City Ballet presents the full story of the classic holiday tale in The Nutcracker and the Tale of the Hard Nut, an original prequel based on the German fairy tale, in a show with glamorous costumes and stunning sets. Dec. 13-15, Pantages Theater. tacomacityballet.com

 

 

And at Tacoma Arts Live, “A Christmas Carol” comes to life on stage with lush costumes and the magic of live theater. Dec. 21, two shows. tacomaartslive.org

 

 

If Christmas is getting just a little too cozy for you, then get to The Grand Cinema for “Rare Exports,” a Finnish action/horror/family movie featuring a terrifying carnivorous Santa and something monstrous buried beneath a mountain. grandcinema.com

 

 

Or why not a little Tim Burton with your tinsel? “The Nightmare Before Christmas” screens Dec. 22 at Theater on the Square. tacomaartslive.org

 

Seattle Men’s Chorus has been jazzing up the holidays for years, and they’re back in Tacoma for another rip-roaring show from one of the largest LGBTQ choruses in the U.S. tacomaartslive.org

 

Tacoma Concert Band presents “Angels in the Architecture,” featuring some of the most beautiful classic melodies of the season, plus transcriptions of rarely performed works with a holiday theme. Dec. 6, Pantages Theater. Free for ages 18 and under. tacomaconcertband.org

 

 

If Handel’s “Messiah” isn’t part of your holiday traditions, then now is a great time to start, with Symphony Tacoma, chorus and soloists bringing sparkling choruses (“Hallelujah”) and arias to life. Dec. 20, St. Charles Borromeo Church. They’re also playing their annual “Holiday Favorites” concert with special guests the Tacoma Refugee Choir on Dec. 8, Pantages Theater. symphonytacoma.org

 

Or, if all those carols are getting too much, try “Baroque in the Ballroom” with the Northwest Sinfonietta and trumpet soloist Judson Scott. Dec. 21, Courthouse Square Ballroom. tacomaartslive.org

 

The biggest memories often come from the smallest things. The annual Model Train Festival at Washington State History Museum is where tiny trains travel through immaculate landscapes and families can come together to drive a freight train simulator and make train-related prints. Santa may even make an appearance. Dec. 20 - Jan. 1 modeltrainfestival.org

 

 

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a 31-year holiday tradition, with over 700,000 LED light displays. But joining the polar bears, octopus and other favorites this year are baby animal displays – try spot them all! Nov. 29 – Jan. 5. pdza.org

 

 

Tacoma Night Market comes to the Museum of Glass for the holiday season, complete with glassblowing demos from Hilltop Artists (Nov. 30) and other artists (Dec. 28). And don’t miss the annual Fire & Ice Festival, with performances, activities and the chance to make your own fused glass ornament. Nov. 23 – Dec. 31. museumofglass.org

 

Tacoma Art Museum kicks off the holiday season with a visit from Star Wars designer Colin Cantwell (Dec. 12) and a Winter Celebration of ballet, ornament-making and more (Dec. 19). tacomaartmuseum.org

 

 

Join fellow Tacomans in the annual downtown Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov. 30) or the First Night Tacoma 2020: Tree of Life (Dec. 31), a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with live performances, “World’s shortest parade,” hands-on activities, a 9 p.m. “Kids’ Countdown,” and Holiday Night Market. tacomaartslive.org

 

Or get out in nature at Winter Wildland at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, where animals enjoy holiday treats. Dec. 28-29. nwtrek.org

 

 

Finally, Santa’s sleigh gets a major upgrade at LeMay – America’s Car Museum these holidays. Snap a photo with the Man in Red in a 1906 Cadillac Model K Tulip Touring Car (and bring a toy for the Toy Rescue Mission drive to make someone else’s holiday special). Dec. 14-15, 21-22. americascarmuseum.org