Get ready for holiday fun, Yakima! Our guide has all the top events and activities for the season.
One highlight is the Holiday Light Fest, where dazzling light displays illuminate the night and bring festive cheer to everyone. The Christmas Light Parade is another must-see, featuring beautifully decorated floats and the joyous sound of holiday music. And the Luminaria at the Arboretum is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its serene pathways lit by thousands of glowing candles. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Yakima
- Holiday Light Fest
- Luminaria at the Arboretum
- Holiday Crafts Bazaar
- Winter Wonderland
- Downtown Lighted Parade
- Holiday Choral Concert
- Santa's Workshop
Yakima Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Light Fest
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music
Description:
Yakima's Holiday Light Fest transforms the city into a dazzling spectacle of color and sound. This innovative event features interactive light displays synchronized to holiday tunes, creating a multi-sensory experience. Visitors can stroll through illuminated pathways and trigger light shows with their movements. The festival draws inspiration from Yakima's agricultural heritage, incorporating fruit-themed light sculptures. You'll discover a blend of modern technology and local tradition as you explore this luminous celebration.
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Luminaria at the Arboretum
What to Expect:
Candlelit paths through native plant collections
Description:
Luminaria at the Arboretum offers a serene winter experience amidst Yakima's natural beauty. Thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns line winding paths through collections of native plants and trees. The soft glow illuminates the arboretum's diverse ecosystems, showcasing winter flora in a new light. Visitors can participate in a guided "owl prowl" to spot nocturnal birds. This event draws on the Hispanic tradition of luminarias, blending cultural heritage with environmental appreciation.
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Yakima Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Crafts Bazaar
What to Expect:
Artisan demonstrations of traditional crafts
Description:
Yakima's Holiday Crafts Bazaar celebrates local artisanship with a focus on hands-on experiences. Skilled craftspeople demonstrate traditional techniques, from glass blowing to woodcarving. The event showcases the region's rich history of handmade goods, dating back to early settlers and indigenous peoples. Visitors can try their hand at creating personalized ornaments under expert guidance. The bazaar's lively atmosphere buzzes with the sounds of artisans at work, offering a dynamic alternative to typical holiday markets.
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Yakima Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Choral Concert
What to Expect:
Performance of songs in local Native American languages
Description:
The Holiday Choral Concert in Yakima resonates with the diverse voices of the community. This unique performance features traditional carols alongside songs sung in local Native American languages, honoring the region's indigenous heritage. The concert takes place in a restored 1920s theater, its acoustics enhancing every note. Audience members can join in a community sing-along of a Yakama Nation winter song. This event bridges cultures and generations, creating a harmonious celebration of Yakima's rich musical tapestry.
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Yakima Other Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Ice sculptures inspired by local landmarks
Description:
Yakima's Winter Wonderland event centers around stunning ice sculptures that pay homage to local landmarks. Master carvers transform blocks of ice into glistening replicas of the Yakima Valley Museum, the Yakima River Canyon, and other iconic sites. The event incorporates elements of the region's Native American heritage, featuring ice art inspired by tribal legends. Visitors can watch live ice carving demonstrations and learn about the art form's history. This unique celebration blends art, history, and winter's chill into a distinctly Yakima experience.
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Downtown Lighted Parade
What to Expect:
Parade route through historic fruit warehouses
Description:
Yakima's Downtown Lighted Parade weaves through the city's historic fruit warehouse district, illuminating these industrial landmarks in a new light. Floats and marchers adorned with twinkling bulbs create a river of light flowing past century-old buildings. The event pays tribute to Yakima's fruit-packing heritage, with many entries featuring apple and pear themes. Spectators can warm up in repurposed warehouses offering hot cocoa and local wines. This parade uniquely blends urban renewal with holiday spirit, showcasing Yakima's evolving identity.
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Santa's Workshop
What to Expect:
Elves teaching traditional Native American crafts
Description:
Santa's Workshop in Yakima offers a cultural twist on the classic North Pole experience. Here, Santa's elves teach children traditional Native American crafts, such as beadwork and basketry. The workshop is set in a replica of a historic trading post, filled with the scent of pine and leather. Young visitors can create gifts using techniques passed down through generations. This event honors Yakima's indigenous roots while providing a fresh take on holiday gift-making activities.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Light Parade (Sunnyside)
What to Expect:
Floats decorated with locally-grown produce
Description:
Sunnyside's Christmas Light Parade illuminates the streets with a unique agricultural twist. Floats adorned with twinkling lights showcase the region's bountiful produce, creating a vibrant tribute to local farmers. The parade route winds through historic downtown, passing by century-old buildings. Spectators can warm up with spiced apple cider, a nod to the area's famous orchards. This event bridges the gap between rural traditions and holiday cheer, offering a distinctly Yakima Valley experience.
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Christmas Tree Lighting (Prosser)
What to Expect:
Tree decorated with wine bottle ornaments
Description:
Prosser's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony celebrates the town's viticultural heritage with a unique twist. The towering evergreen sparkles with hundreds of repurposed wine bottles, each filled with twinkling lights. This innovative decoration pays homage to the region's thriving wine industry, which dates back to the 1980s. Visitors can contribute their own bottle to the tree, becoming part of this community tradition. The event captures Prosser's spirit of innovation and respect for its agricultural roots, creating a distinctly local holiday symbol.