holiday tradition
Welcome to Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park
Step into a realm of enchantment at the 31st annual Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park, proudly presented by Pierce County Parks. As the largest drive-through holiday lights display in the Pacific Northwest, this event promises an unforgettable journey over 38 magical nights. Each year, Fantasy Lights captivates thousands, offering a spectacular 2-mile adventure along the scenic shores of Spanaway Lake. This beloved event returns grander and more radiant than ever, ensuring a truly memorable holiday experience.
A Tradition That Shines Bright
Fantasy Lights has become a cherished tradition, enchanting families and friends for generations. This magical event offers countless opportunities for unforgettable photos and joyous memories. As you wander through the brilliantly illuminated park, powered by energy-efficient LEDs, prepare to be awestruck! Marvel at the gigantic Santa Ship, encounter a massive kraken wrapping its tentacles around the iconic Space Needle, and delight in the charming 3-D Teddy Bear that captures the hearts of children and adults alike.
This season, visitors of all ages are invited to explore over 300 captivating displays, each designed to dazzle, inspire, and spark the imagination. A highlight of this year’s event is the exciting transformation of our drive-through arches, now enhanced with state-of-the-art technology. As you drive beneath these arches, you’ll experience breathtaking light displays featuring customizable patterns and colors, creating an array of fun and mesmerizing effects. Prepare yourself for a holiday experience filled with wonder and excitement at every turn!
Community spirit and collaboration
Since its inception in 1995 with just 38 light displays, Fantasy Lights has blossomed into a symbol of community spirit. The goal was to create an affordable, family-centric event that showcases the park’s winter beauty, appealing to all ages while fostering unity among citizens, local businesses, service groups, and the Parks department.
Collaborations with local businesses, schools, and community groups are the driving force behind the success of Fantasy Lights. These partnerships have played a crucial role in transforming the event into a premier drive-through lighting extravaganza. Continuing the expansion of our Northwest theme, students from Bates Technical College’s welding program have impressively crafted a giant seaplane, adding to their remarkable contributions since 1996. Similarly, the talented welding students from Clover Park Technical College have designed a magnificent sailboat. These contributions exemplify the creativity and skill that define our event, fostering a sense of community pride and involvement.
Enhance Your Experience
To elevate your holiday experience, tune your radio to AM 1700 while in the park for essential safety information and a festive mix of holiday tunes. At Fantasy Lights, inclusivity is key, ensuring everyone can enjoy the holiday magic. We offer affordable discount nights, enabling families and friends to create lasting memories together. With entry fees ranging from just $10 to $20 per car or van, it remains a budget-friendly outing for all.
Event Details
Fantasy Lights runs nightly, including holidays, from November 28, 2025, through January 5, 2025. The event is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., allowing families to savor the sights and sounds of this winter wonderland from the warmth and comfort of their vehicles, regardless of age, physical ability, or weather conditions. Pierce County Parks invites you to make Fantasy Lights a beloved holiday tradition. Thank you for joining us in celebrating 31 years of enchantment. Here’s to many more magical years filled with cherished memories!
Interested in learning more about Fantasy Lights or exploring partnership opportunities? Please contact us at fantasylights@piercecountywa.gov.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Bates Tech Takes Flight at Fantasy Lights
By Chelsea Lindquist, Director of Communications, Bates Technical College
For more than three decades, students at Bates Technical College’s Welding program have created more than 130 dazzling light displays for Pierce County Parks’ Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park and helped to brighten the holiday season. This year, they’re unveiling a new addition to their growing Pacific Northwest–themed collection.
Following last year’s popular ferry boat display, students have crafted another beloved local icon: a float plane that celebrates one of the region’s most recognizable modes of transportation.
Measuring 15 feet long and 9 feet tall, this impressive new creation is sure to turn heads along the park’s enchanting drive-through route. Keep an eye out so it doesn’t “fly” past you! It’s a sight you won’t want to miss.
This annual project highlights the valued partnership between Bates Technical College and Pierce County Parks and Recreation, offering students hands-on experience and a glimpse into the creative planning that goes into each display, a process that begins months before the lights switch on.
Each year, the Parks and Recreation team provides Welding instructors with a design sketch. From there, students collaborate to bring the concept to life through bending, cutting and welding materials into vibrant scenes that delight visitors every winter.
Pictured left to right: Eric Johnson (faculty), Corbin Casida (Student), and Allan Drozd (Adjunct Faculty).
Welding program instructor Eric Johnson emphasizes the value of this initiative, stating, “Students have the chance to apply their skills in real-world settings. This project allows them to see their designs come to life, providing a rewarding learning experience that prepares them for the industry.”
Once fabrication is complete, the display is transported to the park on a flatbed truck, where it’s carefully decorated with hundreds of twinkling lights.
As you wind through the 2.2-mile Fantasy Lights route, you’ll find Bates-built displays throughout, from the whimsical ferry boat and pirate ship to colorful rows of tulips, a whale, Sasquatch, and even a towering dinosaur.
Dr. Lin Zhou, President of Bates Technical College, emphasizes the significance of this partnership: “Our collaboration with Fantasy Lights began more than 30 years ago and continues to showcase the vibrant, hands-on learning tradition that defines Bates Tech. Each holiday season, we look w forward to being part of this community celebration.”
Celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship and holiday spirit of Bates Technical College’s talented Welding students, and experience the magic of Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park this season!
About Bates Technical College
Founded in 1940, Bates Technical College offers certificate and degree opportunities in 45+ career education programs. The college serves approximately 3,000 career training students and 7,000 more community members annually in extended learning, distance learning, high school, and other programs. For more information, go to BatesTech.edu, or call 253-680-7000. Bates Technical College is proudly part of the Washington state community and technical college system.
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thank you
fantasy lights Sponsors & Partners:
Without the generous contribution of our event sponsors and partners, we would not be able to bring the magic of Fantasy Lights to our community. Thank you for helping us create unforgettable memories for families and friends this holiday season!
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