The Christmas spirit has come to Yakima County in full force with a festive showering of events, shows, and activities. There’s no better tradition than piling into the car, with cups of hot cocoa in hand, and setting off in search of Christmas light displays. We’re here to help you in your holiday hunt by rounding up a few of the best holiday light displays Yakima offers.
Yakima Area Holiday Parades
Yakima Sunfair Parade
One of the first holiday parades on the calendar this winter is the beloved Yakima Sunfair Parade, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with Art Reis serving as the parade’s Grand Marshal! The Sunfair Parade will begin at 6 p.m. on December 1, following its usual route down Yakima Avenue and to the Capitol Theatre, where the Yakima city tree will be lit to usher in the Christmas spirit.
Local organizations, small businesses, and community members are all welcome to participate, so keep an eye out for friends and family on floats that pass by if you’re planning to enjoy the parade this year!
Selah Lighted Parade
On Friday, December 6, the Selah Lighted Parade will commence and follow its route to the Selah Civic Center for Santa to light the city’s Christmas tree and keep the celebration going with photos, treats, and cocoa. The parade begins at 6 p.m., so it’s not too late to enjoy the beautifully decorated floats and vehicles before finishing the evening of fan-favorite traditions with a classic Christmas movie.
Sunnyside Lighted Parade
The Sunnyside Lighted Parade, which will be hosted on December 7 this year, takes a unique spin on the classic parade floats and marching bands by covering farm implements in holiday lights and taking to the streets for the most festive celebration of the valley’s agricultural community this season. Sunnyside hosts holiday events all month long, from the annual tree lighting ceremony on December 1 to the Jingle Bell Run and the Downtown Christmas Market, which share the same day as the Lighted Parade.
After perusing the vendors’ stands for gifts and getting some food from the market, cozy up for the parade to finish off the night. Make a day trip to Sunnyside the first weekend of December for a full schedule of Christmas cheer!
Holiday Events in Yakima
Luminaria
The Yakima Area Arboretum is well into its third decade of transforming the already stunning grounds of the Arboretum into a breathtaking winter wonderland, and this year proves to be no different. Luminaria 2024 will be held Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, from 6 to 10 p.m., and you won’t want to miss exploring everything the Arboretum has to offer.
This year’s festivities will feature craft stations for the kids, fresh-made doughnuts from Blissful Bites, shopping in the Tree House Gift Shop, local live music, and, of course, the beauty of the landscape decked out with candles and holiday lights. Admission is free, although donations are welcome.
Holiday Light Fest at the State Fair
State Fair Park’s Drive-Thru Holiday Light Fest is ready for its fifth year of festivities, and this ongoing show is truly a sight to behold. Over 25 miles of lights and holiday-themed vignettes are set up throughout the fairgrounds, depicting scenes of every type of Christmas cheer, from gingerbread houses and nativity crèches to the North Pole and Santa’s workshop.
This year’s Drive-Thru Light Fest will run from December 12 to 22, 5–9 p.m. Tickets begin at just $12 per car. However, the additional convenience of Fast Pass tickets and hot cocoa vouchers are also available at the time of ticket purchase. Food and beverage options are also built in as optional stops along the route.
Holiday Lights Extravaganza
Stop by the Yakima Valley Museum from December 6 through 17 to experience another festive annual tradition — the Holiday Lights Extravaganza! This unforgettable event brings the community together through a spirit of charity and goodwill, along with the promise of stunning Christmas trees and brightly lit holiday displays.
Each tree and display is decorated by a local charity, and each visitor will receive $5 of their admission fee back to vote on their favorite trees. Once the event is over, the charities will redeem these votes for cash to give back to our community through their work. Tickets start at only $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for children, so bring friends and family to enjoy the decorations and support our community this year.
Neighborhood Holiday Light Displays Near Yakima
Every year, more and more Yakima households feel the Christmas cheer and decide to go all out in decorating their home with dazzling light displays. While the exact addresses and neighborhoods can vary from year to year, Pacific Northwest Christmas Lights has curated a 2024 interactive map of participating houses to help you stay up-to-date and plan your outings accordingly. Be sure to check out the iconic West Valley Light Display on Whitman Avenue for a musical show, and don’t be afraid to take the scenic route — you just may find a beautiful light display that the map has missed!
