JAKE AND SPIKE

Marysville’s Tulalip Christmas lights dazzle with 7.8 million bulbs

Dec 6, 2024, 4:26 PM

Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” If that’s true, the new and improved Tulalip Christmas lights display embodies the holiday spirit in the Pacific Northwest. Best of all, it is free.

The Tulalip Lights, located at 10400 34th Avenue Northeast, also have an ice-skating rink and appearances by Santa. Tickets for one-hour skating sessions (with skate rentals included) are $15 for adults and $12 for children (12 years old and under) and can be purchased at the rink or in advance.

Teresa Meece, Operations Director for Quil Ceda Village that runs the display told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio the lights start going up on September 9.

“There is an army of people this year,” she said. “They work seven days a week. They’re ready for it.”

Weekend event digest: Santa Con and more fun holiday-themed events

Tulalip started the lights in 2022, right after COVID-19 hit.

“We just wanted to bring joy to everybody,” Meece said. “And that’s why we brought the lights for the community, for our tribal members, for everybody. It’s really fun.”

Meece said in front of the casino, there are ponds and trees lit up everywhere.

“Then, when you walk over to the amphitheater, the trees there are mature,” she said. “They’re 20 years old, so they’re very large.”

MyNorthwest Crime: Replica of famous ‘Christmas Story’ leg lamp stolen from WA store

That is where she said visitors will find food vendors.

“We have 17 tribal food vendors there, serving everything from barbecue, Hawaiian food to Mexican food to pancakes,” Meece shared. “Everything is there.”

“Tulalip Ice,” is a 40’x 80′ outdoor ice rink at the Tulalip Amphitheatre surrounded by a display of more than 1.3 million lights. The rink will be open to the public. Tickets for one-hour skating sessions (with skate rentals included) are $15 for adults and $12 for children (12 years old and under) and can be purchased at the rink or in advance.

“We start talking about next year as soon as we turn on the lights,” Meece said.

Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here

sign up for the 425 Magazine newsletter

Jake and Spike

parents rights school counseling...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘They’re creating a divide’: Jake argues schools shouldn’t keep parents in the dark as Spike defends student privacy

Debate on school counseling transparency sparks concerns over parental rights and student privacy. Discover the key arguments.

25 minutes ago

USS Abraham Lincoln...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘These are husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, daughters’: Spike calls for honesty about conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for months and Spike O'Neill said the least the country can do is stop pretending everything is fine.

22 hours ago

Seattle WA illegal food vendors health...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘This isn’t just about health’: Spike warns Seattle’s unlicensed food vendors are hurting businesses playing by the rules

Spike warns that Seattle's unlicensed food vendors threaten health and hurt businesses complying with regulations.

24 hours ago

One of more than 30 cats rescued from a vessel near Point Defiance Park in Tacoma Thursday. (Photo:...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘It’s time we do something’: Spike calls for legislative action on spay-neuter costs after 80 cats overwhelm Tacoma shelters

Tacoma shelters are overwhelmed with cats. Spike O'Neill calls for legislative action to improve rescue efforts and reduce spay-neuter expenses.

1 day ago

renton flock cameras automated license plate readers camera...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Doesn’t this feel almost satirical?’: Jake questions Renton covering its already inactive Flock cameras

Renton's decision to bag Flock cameras raises questions about their future and public safety. Jake and Spike question if the move is justified or overkill.

1 day ago

tacoma dui krista perez...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Own it so they can’t use it against you’: Jake, Spike debate whether DUI arrest will sink Tacoma House candidate’s campaign

Krista Rose Perez's DUI arrest raises questions about her Tacoma House campaign viability after a recent primary win.

4 days ago

Marysville’s Tulalip Christmas lights dazzle with 7.8 million bulbs