Tacoma Light Trail to light up downtown Tacoma and beyond with light art, sound, live events, parades and workshops Dec. 31, 2022 – Jan. 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 22, 2022

Tacoma, WA: It’s back! Fiery dragons and twinkling stars, music, parades and circus – the Tacoma Light Trail returns for a third year this December, bringing a free light art festival to downtown Tacoma and beyond. Buckle up, because there’s a lot going on!

DRAGON PARADES & SATELLIGHTS

In December, Tacoma Light Trail partners with Puget Sound Revels to bring Dragon Parades and Satellight art events to neighborhoods. Follow a flaming dragon around the streets, then play with Ecuadorian shadow puppet art by Mauricio Robalino, hear live music, sip hot drinks and watch projection light from Permaculture Lifestyle Institute.

All events 6:45-8pm. tacomalighttrail.org/satellights

  • Dec. 3 at Peace Community Center, 2106 S Cushman Ave – Ken Jacobsen, electric cello
  • Dec. 7 at Boze Elementary, 1140 E 65th St  – Miho + Diego, world percussion
  • Dec. 11 at Whitman Elementary, 1112 S 39th St – Anjali Silva, Latin jazz

LANTERN WORKSHOPS

Come to a lantern-making workshop at the library and make a light to bring on the Tacoma Light Trail! Free, led by Cheryl Rux of Bell St Creative. RSVP required: tacomalighttrail.org/workshops

  • Dec. 1: 11am-1pm @Moore: Paper Bag Lanterns at Storytime
  • Dec. 8: 4:30-5:30pm @South Tacoma: Upcycled Cup Lanterns (set-up 4pm)
  • Dec. 9: 3:30-5:30pm @Mottet: Lantern Kit Giveaway
  • Dec. 17: 12-2pm @Moore: Star Luminary Workshop

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARADE & LIVE SHOWS

Ring in the New Year on Dec. 31 with a Light Parade and a live outdoor event with music, circus, dance, interactive light art, community art-making, food trucks and more. More Live events follow Jan. 1, 6 & 7. Free and family-friendly, rain or shine. All 6-8pm at Tollefson Plaza, 1548 Commerce St.

  • Dec. 31 Light Parade: 5:30pm from University of Washington, Tacoma steps with Tacomarama brass band and flaming dragon
  • Dec. 31 Live: DJ Summer Soft, Lelavision circus, Muelu Salanoa fire dance, Luz G clown
  • Jan. 1: Lelavision circus, Luz G clown & puppets, poet Ashley Brunch
  • Jan. 6: Asia Pacific Cultural Center dance, Neon Brass Band, MTA Unicycles
  • Jan. 7: Tacoma Fuji Taiko, singer Anjali Silva, Puget Sound Revels, TUPAC African drums

LIGHT & SOUND TRAIL

From Dec. 31, 2022 – Jan. 19, 2023 over 40 venues will host light art, from illuminated sculpture and painting to projection. Highlights include a nebula of sparkling lights, a glowing castle, an illuminated ballroom and giant sea dragons. Five “anchor” locations center five walkable districts, with each light art location can be found on an interactive web map as well as a printed map at local libraries.

Tacoma Light Trail 2022

Each artwork is paired with local music or poetry, discovered via QR code posters. Light art will be visible 5-9 p.m. every night, and is walkable/rideable/drivable within the downtown core. A Lighted Bike Ride will tour selected locations on Jan. 5, led by Downtown on the Go (6pm at Alma Tacoma).

Artists include Alexis Neumann, Daniel Baptista, Aleeza Cant, Sarah Lovett, Steve LaBerge, Jeremy Gregory, Marcel Marias and more. Locations include the Convention Center, Pantages Theater, Urban Grace, UWT, Foss Waterway Seaport and local businesses.

LUMENS CONCERTS

Indoor, intimate and illuminated: Three Lumens concerts are new this year to the Trail, featuring music and dance bathed in light art at Trail locations. All ages, all free. tacomalighttrail.org/lumens

  • Illuminated Ballroom, 6-10pm Jan. 12 at Courthouse Square Ballroom, 1102 A St. Featuring projection by James Allen Tucker, The Barefoot Collective dance, and music by Ken Jacobsen, DJ Hujay and more. Cash bar.
  • Candlelit Waltz, 7:30-8:30pm Jan. 13 at Merlino Ballroom, 508 6th Ave. Featuring Tacoma City Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta and 200 candles.
  • Seymour Light, 5-7pm Jan.14 at Seymour Conservatory, 316 S G St (Wright Park). Presented by Permaculture Lifestyle Institute with live projections, art by Mauricio Robalino and others, cello by Gretchen Yanover, blacklight activities and exotic plants.

Trail-goers are encouraged to wear or bring light to the festival: LED umbrellas, fairy light tutus flashing shoes or lanterns. Live events are partially livestreamed and all art is visible on the website, for those who can’t come in person.

“The Tacoma Light Trail is just getting bigger and better,” explains director Rosemary Ponnekanti, who founded the festival in 2020 as a way to inspire the community during the pandemic. “We are bringing light into neighborhoods, helping people make their own light art and lighting up some of the city’s most glorious buildings. But the goal is still the same: to bring light to dark times, and to unify our community through things we all need – hope, truth, understanding, justice, peace – that are symbolized by light.”

The Trail is supported by Tacoma Creates, City of Tacoma Special Events, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Alma Tacoma, Spaceworks and many others. Tacoma Light Trail is fiscally sponsored by Shunpike, a 501c3 nonprofit.

INFORMATION: www.tacomalighttrail.org

Media contact:

Rosemary Ponnekanti, info@tacomalighttrail.org, 253-722-6860 | IMAGE GALLERY HERE

Tacoma Light Trail 2022