Situated in the Pacific Northwest, Tacoma often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Seattle. But this not-so-little gem has a lot of perks of Seattle, like scenery and weather, yet it benefits from fewer crowds and increased affordability.
Tacoma is absolutely full of great attractions. From the Washington State History Museum to the Museum of Glass in Downtown Tacoma and the gorgeous views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains, there's a lot of culture and beauty going on here. The area is lively and is a great place for corporate events like Christmas parties or your dream wedding. Whatever your event venue needs in Tacoma, Giggster offers unique venues to match.
Plan an unforgettable event during the holiday season by downloading the app and decide whether a magical rooftop, a historic 1890s mansion, or a brewery taproom would suit the occasion. Giggster also offers restaurants, a working glass studio (they really like this art form here), mid-century modern homes, and too many other affordable venues to mention. Start your search and you'll see just how easy it is to find a gorgeous backdrop or a luxury hotel for your next holiday party.
From versatile meeting spaces with ample indoor facilities to outside venues with expansive city views from the Tacoma rooftops, the climate here opens up a lot of options year-round—just have a rainy-day backup plan.
Does your special event require a lot of space? Honor the city's link with glass art by renting out the main plaza of the famous Museum of Glass. Ideally located along the Foss Waterway flowing in from Commencement Bay, this option can hold up to 300 special guests indoors, where they can marvel at the awe-inspiring surroundings. Book out-of-towners at the nearby Hotel Murano to really lean into the glass theme.
When holiday parties are tied to work activities, maybe a more professional venue is in order. Co-working spaces with modern and industrial touches, a conference room in a historic home, or a working theater—the ideal location for presentations and live entertainment.
If holiday parties are an excuse to get creative, rent large production spaces to create next-level social media content and memories for all the guests. Green screens and unique backdrops are sure to inspire.
A traditional pub and fancy taproom run the full spectrum from casual spaces to lavish ones. Picture polished wood floors, expensive bars, and mood lighting for the perfect atmosphere.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Finding amazing, unique venues with dexterity is never a challenge. We have everything you need, from huge event halls to small and cozy pubs, to make your holiday party an unforgettable experience. And if you want sweeping views ideal for photos, we have those, too, in our 28 locations.
Hassle-Free Booking: The chances are good that you have a lot on your plate, so we make sure finding and booking the perfect location is a breeze. Everything is displayed clearly, including availability for the holidays, prices (starting as low as $35/hour), detailed images, and all the available features. Contact the hosts with a question right from the Giggster app and complete your booking in mere minutes.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Provided that you have booked an event that's at least 48 hours away, you can cancel your reservation for free within the first 24 hours. This added flexibility ensures you never feel pressured to make the wrong decision.
Platform Protections: When renting any of Giggster's venues, such as the Modern Industrial Coworking Space, you never need to worry about things like liability, damage, and cancellation policies if you don't want to. We offer add-on protections for each of these items, so total peace of mind is a real possibility.
From the setting alone, it's hard to find a reason not to hold your holiday party in Tacoma, but it's always good to evaluate all the pros and cons to cement your good decision.
Advantages
Tacoma has a wonderful selection of venues. Intimate spaces for cozy gatherings or large-scale banquet halls can all be found here.
Generally, the weather in Tacoma is mild year-round, but this is especially useful during the December holidays when weather in much of the Northern US is snowy and cold.
The city is usually less expensive than Seattle and much more relaxed. Plus, you won't be fighting with as many hordes of tourists just trying to get to the venue.
Disadvantages
While we listed the weather as an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage. The city can still have the odd snowfall in the winter, and rain is very common. When holiday parties involve outdoor spaces you almost always need an indoor backup plan.
In Tacoma, it may be harder to find local vendors for catering and entertainment. As a smaller city than Seattle, the selection might be a little more limited as well.
You have to get on things early. If you wait too late, things like venues and food options will bunk up completely and you may be left with fewer suitable choices.
It's much easier to get people excited about a holiday party, especially a work one, when the venue is both appropriate and fun. And with 28 fantastic spots to pick from in Tacoma, you're sure to get things off on the right foot. Here's an idea of some of the spaces you can expect to find in the Giggster app:
Historic Homes and Mansions – Cozy Vibes. A little history never hurt anybody, right? Amp up your culture and host everyone in a late 19th-century mansion where wood floors gleam, intricate furniture beckons, and a downtown location offers convenience.
Pubs and Restaurants – Lively Setting. When you want to host a holiday party with minimal effort, a Tacoma pub or restaurant already has a lot of things in place. A fully stocked bar, a set menu, and charming decor are ideal for keeping things simple, yet festive with the right personal touches.
Event Halls – Glamorous Evenings. In Tacoma, you have a decent selection of halls for a city its size. You can go small and book a modern event space with an open area and bar for 50 people or less, or go all out and rent a massive area at the Museum of Glass to really impress.
Studios and Lounges – Versatile Venues. The parties with different needs. If flexibility is important and you want to tailor the space to your business or theme, the blank canvas of the studio or comfortable lounge could be just the ticket. Amenities like lights, sound systems, and catering options complete the package.
Rooftops – Panoramic City Views. In most cases you want your holiday party to be special, and one easy way to achieve this is by booking a rooftop or mezzanine with amazing views. Admire the city skyline at night and treat your guests to a music performance with this beautiful backdrop.
Holiday parties come in all shapes and sizes. A cocktail reception, live music performance, or activity, there are tons of celebration styles. But what they all have in common is the need for a plan. Don't dive in without considering these factors:
The Budget Comes First – Knowing how much you have to spend on your holiday party in Tacoma is a great first step. This will decide how much you have for things like food, entertainment, decor rentals, and staff. Without a budget, it's all too easy to go overboard.
Book the Venue Early – The holidays are a competitive time for venue rentals. Plan as far ahead as possible, and you should be able to get a date and time you want. Booking the location early on means you can set plans into motion for the amenities, decorations, and guest list that much sooner.
Seasonal Menus Will Wow – Assuming your party is at Christmas time, take advantage of this theme and incorporate it right into the menu. Think mulled wine, seasonal cocktails, roasted meat, and anything else that conjures up images of red and green.
It's all too easy to spend a fortune planning a holiday party, even in a more affordable city like Tacoma. So, don't let things get out of hand, and put a lid on the spending by following these tips.
Is a holiday party in December really necessary?
Obviously, you want to celebrate Christmas in December, but so does everyone else. Since the demand is high, if you can compromise on a late November or early January date, you can definitely save some cash. Plus, your selection of venues will increase. And, if you can't budget on a December party, hold it during the week instead of the weekend.
Can guests double as entertainment?
Most people have talent, so why not leverage this and have your guests feature as performers? One might be in a band, someone else might already own a karaoke machine, or another person could be friends with a hysterical comedian. Put the word out and see what comes back—it couldn't hurt.
Three-course meals are expensive.
Instead of shelling out a bunch of money on a formal sit-down meal, opt for cheaper buffet or appetizer-only options that still allow for lots of variety.
Even though Tacoma is on the smaller side, it packs a big punch for holiday party venues. Choose any of the exciting Giggster options in the app and watch how the event comes together seamlessly from there.
