Tis the season for all that’s merry and bright as the 2023 holiday season fast approaches. Yakima is already preparing for this year’s festivities and transforming into a winter wonderland, capturing the magic of the season in a dazzling display of colorful decorations and twinkling lights. There’s no doubt they’ll be lighting the way towards the holidays and for Santa himself, too, as he gets ready to come to town once again on Christmas. Here to ensure these bright lights illuminate the season for everyone in the community is this guide to 2023 holiday light displays in and around Yakima!
Prosser Christmas Tree Lighting
1230 Bennett Avenue, Prosser
Historic Downtown Prosser will be bringing back its annual Prosser’s Christmas Tree Lighting, with the ceremony being held December 1 this year from 5 until 7 p.m. The community is invited to join them in the holiday festivities for a joyous evening of pictures with Santa and Ms. Claus, carolers, light Christmas trucks, food and drink vendors, and their big, live Christmas tree lighting!
Selah’s Annual Light Parade
Downtown Selah
As a tradition, Downtown Selah will celebrate the 2023 holiday season on the first Friday of December with Selah’s Annual Lighted Holiday Parade. This year, the first Friday falls on December 1, with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. and traveling from Wernex Loop to the Selah Civic Center. Here at the Civic Center, Santa himself will light the city tree, while families can enjoy refreshments, take pictures with Santa and see some of the lighted trucks up close and personal. Those looking to spread holiday cheer by participating in the parade can do so for free, but all entries must have a winter, Christmas, or holiday theme.
Sunnyside Farm Implement Parade
Downtown Sunnyside
Previously featured on the Travel Channel & Xtreme Christmas and voted among the top 10 lighted parades in the U.S. by A&E TV, Downtown Sunnyside is proud to present its infamous Sunnyside Farm Implement Parade for the 2023 holiday season. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the season the first weekend in December with what is considered one of the most unique lighted parades in the Northwest, and it can only be found in Sunnyside.
This year’s event will be held on December 2 as this enchanting festival of lights celebrates the Yakima Valley’s agricultural heritage and the upcoming Christmas season. As the oldest farm implement parade in the nation, it features dozens of tractors, combines, and antique farm equipment, with each piece being decorated with thousands of twinkling lights to capture the magic of the holidays. In addition to their dazzling array of lights illuminating the downtown region, there will also be a Christmas Market and plenty of food vendors, so don’t forget to stop by early for some light holiday shopping before the festivities begin.
Downtown Yakima Lighted Parade
Yakima Avenue
For the 2023 holiday season, Yakima will hold its annual Lighted Holiday Parade on Sunday, December 3, starting at 6 p.m. on Yakima Avenue. The parade route begins at the Salvation Army and ends at the Millennium Plaza, where the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held shortly after the parade. Residents and visitors alike are welcome to bundle up the family and join Downtown Yakima in the holiday festivities to show their support for the community, downtown businesses and their community partners.
Holiday Light Extravaganza
Yakima Valley Museum
Returning for 2023 is everyone’s favorite Holiday Light Extravaganza at the Yakima Valley Museum. Community members are welcome to stop by anytime from December 6 until 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to check out the colorful display of lights while supporting local charities and simply enjoying the spirit of the holiday season. Over 30 beautifully lit trees and other symbols will each be decorated by a local charity.
Tickets start at just $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for children. Adults and seniors will also each be given back five $1 tickets to give to their favorite charities or the trees they like the most. The charities will later redeem these tickets for cash, which will help them spread joy and holiday cheer to those in need for the 2023 holiday season.
Holiday Light Fest
State Fair Park
For the 4th year, State Fair Park will happily host their Drive-Thru Holiday Light Fest starting December 7 and running until December 17. All your favorite holiday-themed scenes, along with over 25 miles of lights illuminating buildings and trees, will transform the park into a twinkling winter wonderland. Returning favorites include Candyland with a festive gingerbread house, the North Pole with a mailbox for letters to Santa, and even the presence of the big man himself.
Holiday Light Fest will also be featuring some all-new vignettes this year, so you won’t want to miss out on enjoying this family-favorite holiday event for the 2023 season. Tickets can be purchased at the gates and online, with Fast Pass tickets also being available again this year, allowing priority entry during two windows at an exclusive entrance.
Luminaria at the Yakima Area Arboretum
1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima
For over 30 years, the Yakima Area Arboretum has been spreading the joy of the holiday season by welcoming tens of thousands of area families, free of charge, to experience the magic of walking through its grounds lit by the lights of over a thousand candles and twinkle lights. This year, Luminaria will be held December 7 through 12 from 5 until 10 p.m., featuring a candle-lit walk through the Arboretum’s wintry landscape, live music, children’s crafts, a naturalist table, shopping and hot cocoa.
Letters to Santa Drive Thru
2301 Fruitvale Blvd., Yakima
The City of Yakima is inviting the community to enjoy the magic of the holiday season with its annual Letters to Santa Drive-Thru event. Residents are invited to load the car up and grab everyone’s letter to Santa before journeying through the lit display of Christmas inflatables and the lighted scene of the Yakima Christmas tucks. At the end, to the children’s delight, families will encounter a “Magical” mailbox where Mrs. Claus will greet cars to collect letters to Santa. For one night only, on December 9, the event will run from 5:30 until 7 p.m., so don’t miss out on the chance to personally deliver your letters to the big man himself!
Oh, what a bright time it will be as Yakima is again illuminated with the spirit of the holiday season with these 2023 brilliant holiday light displays!
