There’s just something about the holidays that brings light to life. Maybe it’s the merriment and cheer, the good tidings and unencumbered joy that comes with the season, or perhaps it’s simply the beautiful Christmas lights that decorate the winter skies. Whatever the magic of Christmas may be, those beautiful lights are always a welcomed sight as they indicate that Santa is on his way and here to light his way to Yakima are these fantastic Christmas light displays.
Holiday Lights Extravaganza at Yakima Valley Museum
2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima
509.248.0747
The Yakima Valley Museum is already gearing up for the holidays as they work to get their annual Holiday Lights Extravaganza that will open the first week of December. From December 7 to 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. community members can enjoy the beauty of the lights while supporting their favorite local charities. Over 20 beautifully lit trees will be available for viewing, each colorfully lit and extravagantly decorated by an area charity.
Tickets for the event are $12 per adult, $10 per senior, and $5 for children ages 6 to 18. With the purchase of each adult and senior ticket, those individuals will receive $5 back in the form of five $1 scrip tickets they can award to their favorite tree or charity. Those in a generous mood sparked by the holiday spirit are welcome to purchase additional script tickets for just $1. It’s a fantastic holiday event that genuinely represents what Christmas is all about as you enjoy the lights while giving back to the community!
Festival of Trees Cocktail Hour at the Sunnyside Community Center
1521 S 1st Street, Sunnyside
509.837.8660
Come December 2, Sunnyside Community Center will transform into a Winter Wonderland for the holidays. Merry goers enjoy the magical forest ambiance, where they will vote for their favorite tree as they explore the “North Pole” with friends and family. The cost is $25 per person, but couples get a special price of $40. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket per person for the event, which runs from 7 until 9 p.m. There will also be live music alongside a no-host bar with appetizers, and guests can participate in a desert auction for some lovely holiday treats.
Those who aren’t quite up to a cocktail hour but still want to enjoy the festivities can still enjoy the Festival of Trees from December 3 to 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the whole family and have some fabulous holiday fun!
Selah’s Annual Lighted Holiday Parade
Downtown Selah
509.490.1527
The holiday spirit will hit the streets of Selah on December 2 as their Annual Lighted Holiday Parade takes flight, just like Santa’s sleigh will come on Christmas Eve. The first Friday event hosted by the Selah Downtown Association kicks off at 6 p.m. with the parade starting at 1st and Wernex Loop downtown. A series of elaborately decorated floats and vehicles from local businesses and community organizations will then make their way south with the parade of seasonal joy ending at the Civic Center.
Afterward, families can enjoy refreshments while checking out some of these lighted trucks up close after having stopped their holiday tour. Santa will also be on-site to take pictures with the kiddos and illuminate the city tree once the parade ends. It’s sure to be one magical night!
Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade
Downtown Sunnyside
lightedfarmparade@gmail.com
Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade will again greet the holidays as it retains the title of the country’s longest-running Lighted Farm Implement Parade. Also, they’re one of the oldest farm-implemented parades in the nation, so you know there’s bound to be loads of magic and wonder that come with such an extended amount of experience. A&E has already featured them as one of the top ten Christmas Parades to visit, and this year on December 3, experience this holiday tradition like no other as the festive display embarks on its seasonal journey at 6:30 p.m. sharp.
Get ready to enjoy dozens of tractors, combines, antique farm equipment, and more, each colorfully decorated with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights in the spirit of the holidays. Show up early, and enjoy the Sunnyside Downtown Christmas Market along with Santa and Friends all on the same night!
Holiday Light Fest
1301 S Fair Avenue, Yakima
509.248.7160
Solarity Credit Union is proud to present its third annual Holiday Light Fest at State Fair Park in Yakima this upcoming cozy season. Twenty-five miles of holiday cheer in the form of magical lights await those who embark on this drive-thru journey. The gates will open for the first time for the event on November 25 and 27, then will continue to run from Thursday to Sunday through December. Those interested in taking this winter wonderland ride can stop by anytime from 5 until 9 p.m. Upon arrival, they will be provided a map highlighting the holiday-themed scenes along the path and a menu for food and beverage items available on site.
All your favorite scenes from years past will be created, including Candyland with a festive gingerbread house and the North Pole with a mailbox for letters to Santa with the big man himself ready to greet you. New to the itinerary this year is Santa’s Christmas Eve, 12 Days of Christmas, and a wonderfully Enchanted Forest.
With so many Christmas lights leading the big day this holiday season, there’s no way Santa is going to miss Yakima when he finally comes to town!
