Arts & Entertainment Community
Two in Tow and on The Glow | Holiday Light Drive
Here at Gig Harbor Now, we’ve rounded up a holiday light drive through Gig Harbor neighborhoods (plus one in Port Orchard), highlighting cheerful residential displays best enjoyed from the warmth of your car.
Inspiration for this list, linked below in two forms, came from the long-established Pacific Northwest Christmas Lights (PNWCL) map a Seattle couple started; the second annual “What’s Good Gig Harbor?” holiday light contest; Facebook mom chatter; and my personal favorite: some good ol’ fashioned drivin’ around.
Naturally, I named this mini review of pics and places “Two In Tow & On THE GLOW” holiday light drive … because, really, how could I not? Whether you’re chasing nostalgia (like me) or out to make more memories with your kiddos (also me), this map promises everything from the warm glow of Y2K icicle lights along the roofline to LED blues so bright you may want to shield your eyes.
To add even more value to your holiday fun, the kids and I curated this Two In Tow & On The Glow Holiday Light Drive Playlist and made it public on Amazon Music. It will have you and your fam humming all the caroling classics in no time.
See ya out there!
[click/tap here to get the playlist on Amazon Music. I think you can still listen to this for free with the free version of Amazon Music if you’re not an Amazon Prime Member. Amazon posted this article explaining how its streaming service works.]
Ps. With 35 songs on the playlist (yes, even that Mariah Carey one), here are some musical playlist highlights:
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Johnny Mathis
This is peak rolling-through-neighborhoods-with-the-windows-fogged music. Gentle, observant, and perfectly cheery for a night drive.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
Short, punchy, instantly familiar. Great for that moment when the kids spot something big and sparkly. Bonus: It may also inspire you to watch “Home Alone” when you get back to the house.
“Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
I always forget about this sleeper hit, but it’s perfect for an evening around town (and on the road). It keeps things playful.
“Wonderful Christmastime” – Paul McCartney
Unapologetically cheerful, and perfect for wandering through displays that lean into all the classic whimsy. (Aka: our people.)
“Carol of the Bells” – John Williams (Home Alone Soundtrack)
For the grand reveal moments. When the display turns out to be a lot more than you expected, this is the anthem for it.
“Linus and Lucy” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Cue the cuteness! Cozy, nostalgic, and ideal when things quiet down and you’re driving home. Hopefully with the kids mellow, but definitely with hearts full.
@two.n.tow
Tonya Strickland is a Gig Harbor mom-of-two and longtime journalist. Now in the travel and family niche, her blog, Two in Tow & On the Go, was named among the 10 Seattle-Area Instagram Accounts to Follow by ParentMap magazine. Tonya and her husband Bowen moved to Gig Harbor from California with their two kids, Clara (11) and Wyatt (9) in 2021. Find them on Facebook for all the kid-friendly places in and around town
