Mark your calendar and make the rounds!
‘Tis the season for thousands of twinkling lights! The calendar is filled with lighted parades and festive, holiday happenings all around the Yakima Valley. We’ve rounded up all the details you need to plan your merry and bright holiday season.
Lighted Parades and Traditional Tree Lightings
Lighted parades and tree lightings are in full swing around the valley! Next up is the Lighted Trucks and Winter Wishes Celebration in the town of Naches. They’re turning up the Christmas cheer at the Historic Naches Train Depot with fresh-baked cookies, hot cocoa, a festive bake sale and special visits with Santa himself! Best of all, the lighted Yakima Christmas Trucks will be making their way through town, adding an extra sparkle with their dazzling holiday displays! Be sure to stop by the Naches Wishing Tree at the Depot to write your holiday hopes on whimsical snowflakes and hang them on the tree for all to enjoy. The Wishing Tree will shine bright at the Depot on parade night before moving to a new spot so the community can keep adding their wishes throughout the season.
Stop by Pegasus Project therapeutic riding center before the celebration in Naches for their Lighted Truck Parade. Meet the Pegasus Ponies, enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa. Then, see the Yakima Christmas Trucks arrive before you head on over to the Naches Depot! Of course, the famous lighted Yakima Christmas Trucks will be making the rounds, lighting up towns and neighborhoods throughout the holiday season. Keep an eye on their social updates to be in the know for all their upcoming stops.
Prosser’s Third annual Christmas Tree Lighting will light up the night on Friday, December 5. Get your pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy tasty treats, entertainment and festive surprises while you pick up gifts from local vendors. Also see dozens of lighted cars and trucks at the Downtown Selah Lighted Parade on December 5.
The festivities continue with the iconic Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade on Saturday, December 6. Dozens of trucks, tractors and more are dressed up in thousands of twinkling lights for a can’t-miss holiday event. Recognized as one of the top 10 lighted parades in the U.S., the city of Sunnyside has an array of festive events planned along with the parade. Go early for the Christmas Market, to see Santa and sample delicious bites from food vendors.
The crews are busy getting ready in Downtown Yakima for the Downtown Yakima Lighted Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 7. The evening sparkles as festive holiday floats make their way down Yakima Avenue, ending at Millenium Plaza on 3rd Street for the annual tree lighting. Yakima’s own Dancing Santa makes a grand appearance at the historic Capitol Theatre, so get ready to snap your selfies.
Don’t miss the Union Gap Old Fashioned Lighted Parade on Sunday, December 14. A dazzling display of lighted vehicles and floats runs through Union Gap and wraps up at Valley Mall with plenty of family friendly festivities, along with Christmas music and treats. Last but not least, the small town of Moxee gets festive with their lighted parade on December 20.
More Twinkling Traditions to Light Up the Season
The Yakima Valley Museum Holiday Lights is newer local favorite. Join them for some holiday bling from December 2 to 27! Join them for some holiday bling from December 2 to 27! Dozens of local non-profit organizations bedeck the museum galleries with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and other festive light displays. Tour the trees and displays for a perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season and to support a good cause. Purchase as many $1 tickets as you wish and you’ll award them to your favorite trees and their respective nonprofits. The groups will redeem tickets they receive for cash to continue their work in the valley. Celebrate the season and celebrate the organizations that work so hard to do good in our community!
Back for a much-anticipated sixth year, the Holiday Light Fest at State Fair Park, December 11 through 21, has become holiday tradition! State Fair Park puts on a spectacular show with more than 35 miles of lights illuminating the fairgrounds and its festive, themed holiday scenes (including brand-new ones this year!). This is a drive-through event. You’ll find fair foods to enjoy and fast passes will be available for purchase online for faster entry at an exclusive gate. Once again this year, The Little Hopper will be offering festive group tours through the Holiday Light Fest and on to see more dazzling holiday light displays around Yakima. Each tour seats 14 for a four-hour tour (kiddos permitted on the holiday tours). Get your group together and book your tour!
The Yakima Area Arboretum Luminaria will light up acres of trails and trees with 1,000 candles and twinkling lights on December 12 and 13. For more than 30 years, the Arboretum has hosted visitors for this beautiful and peaceful experience. Make some memories and soak up the spirit of the season with a leisurely walk, taking in the lights all around the grounds of the arboretum. Warm up around the fire pits while you enjoy hot chocolate, children’s crafts, live music and holiday shopping. Parking for the event is off-site with shuttle service provided. Check their event page for details and for the lineup of musical performers. Arboretum members enjoy early access on December 11. The event is no-cost, but donations are welcome to keep the event going!
This year, a different kind of lighted holiday event returns to the valley. Candlelight Concerts deliver festive and beautiful, multi-sensory musical experiences with two special holiday performances, Christmas Carols on Strings, December 19, and The Best of Hans Zimmer, December 19 and 23. Both 60-minute concerts take place at the Mighty Tieton Warehouse. Illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight, they offer a unique way to enjoy beloved holiday music in a magical atmosphere.
Check out the complete list of Yakima Valley Lighted Events.
Seasonal Sipping, Holiday Markets and More!
The seasonal festivities don’t end with lighted events! Wineries all around the valley open their doors the weekend after Thanksgiving for Thanksgiving in Wine Country. Gather family and friends for a wine tasting tour and enjoy live music, tasty treats. Discover your next favorite bottle of wine for holiday pouring and giving. Yakima Valley craft breweries have a season full of festivities and holiday markets planned.
Saturday, November 29, is Small Business Saturday. Small businesses, boutiques and shops all around Yakima Valley will be dressed up for the holidays to kick off the season of gift giving. Check out our guide to Unique Boutiques and Shops ready to welcome you! Remember many Yakima Valley wineries and breweries are independent and family-owned businesses as well!
A perennial favorite event this season is the 19th annual Mighty Tieton Holiday Craft and Antique Bazaar on Saturday, December 6. Each year is bigger and better than the last and promises to be a holiday bazaar like you’ve never seen! In fact, they’re including an additional space for the second year to showcase even more carefully curated vendors. Expect to find the most unique handmade and vintage items in the region, including the finest selection of local foods, beverages and curated artisan goods.
Don’t forget to make a stop at the Yakima Visitor Information Center. They curate locally made goods from throughout the Valley, including gift baskets filled with hand-selected goods and items from local makers. They’re perfect for sharing with family, friends and business associates this holiday season. Stop by and pick up a pre-filled gift basket or place orders for custom gift baskets filled with Yakima Valley-made treats, products and local wine or brews. They offer in-town delivery and can ship baskets for you (shipped baskets cannot include wine or beer). As always, the Visitor Center go-to stop for the inside scoop about what’s happening around the Yakima Valley.
For more seasonal inspiration check out What to Do in the Winter.
Categorized in: Family Fun, Shopping