Experience ‘A Victorian Country Christmas’

A festive holiday event unlike any other in the South Sound is returning to the Washington State Fair Events Center. Now in its 36th year, A Victorian Country Christmas Festival transforms the fairgrounds into a European style Christmas marketplace Dec. 5-8 for a classic yuletide experience that will enchant everyone of all ages.

There is a lot on tap for this year’s festival, all wrapped up in Victorian charm.

“The show itself is really the feature because of the storefronts that we put up and creating that immersive environment for everybody,” said Stephanie Gatzionis, Show Manager for Pacific Northwest Holiday Shows produced by Marketplace Events, the same producer of The Tacoma Holiday Festival at the Tacoma Dome last month.

“It has been running for such a long time and that lends itself to becoming a family tradition, something special for people to look forward to,” Gatzionis said. “The fact that we create something a bit more timeless and classic in a modern era is really special for people as well.” 

Come and step back in time within a nostalgic holiday ambiance marketplace featuring hundreds of unique and local artisan vendors offering handmade art, decor, jewelry, bath and body products, clothing and apparel, books, toys, specialty foods, and more. At avictoriancountrychristmas.com, an interactive vendor guide can help get your head in the holiday shopping game early so you’ll have ideas of what to look for. 

More than 80 new vendors will be there this year. For example, Puyallup Valley Farms will have its holiday honey gift boxes and beeswax candle holiday gift bag, and shop for smoked cheese with Greenville Farms.  

“We like to give our vendors the opportunity to not just have their name listed but to let the customers know the types of products vendors are going to offer to get customers planning and thinking about what they can find at the show,” Gatzionis said. “As a company, we’re quite proud of that interactive detail we add to our website rather than just a vendor listing.”

The online guide also includes vendor links and contact information so customers can contact vendors directly with questions and such before or after the event. 

Music is another big part of A Victorian Country Christmas Festival. Dicken’s Carolers will be roaming the festival to help ensure you get into the holiday spirit with classic Christmas carols. The Holiday Jubilee Theater brings captivating musical acts, from jazz to country to lively holiday performances. The line-up includes The Singing Nativity with its unique and heartwarming performances each day of the festival. On Sunday, Dec. 8, “If You Just Believe” brings a dance celebration featuring Polar Express and Hip Hop New Year Countdown at three performance times.

Kids and adults alike can take a jolly ride on the Victorian style Carousel from 1-5 p.m. daily. Everyone can get in on a most festive holiday contest. Each morning, a little elf will be hidden somewhere around the festival just waiting to be discovered. Find this special elf and you could win a $100 Visa gift card when you turn it in at the LeafFilter booth. Search high and low and keep your eyes peeled for that mischievous elf.  

New this year, a parcel check has been added so you can relax and enjoy the show without carrying everything round. With a minimum $2 donation to support Positive Program Services, you’ll be able to check your bags as you continue to explore the festival. 

Checking your parcels will be a great way to take a load off and grab a drink or snag something to eat from the show concessions. Sip a glass of wine in the show’s Winter Wine Garden near the Jubilee Theater with ample seating to rest your feet and recharge. 

Of course, no holiday festival would be complete without Santa, so he’ll be there for photos on the spot and to hear children’s Christmas wishes.

All told, A Victorian Country Christmas Festival offers a nostalgic backdrop for curating cherished holiday memories with family and friends. 

As Gatzionis said, “It’s a joyous time of year so the lights, the music, the food – it all creates a lovely experience for people.” 

Visit A Victorian Country Christmas Festival Dec. 5-7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, visit avictoriancountrychristmas.com. Adult admission is $13; admission for seniors (62+), youth (12-18 years old), and military (with I.D. at the box office) is $11; and children 11 and under get in free.

The Washington State Fair Events Center is located at 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyallup.