Looking forward to a festive holiday season in Yuma? Our guide has all the events you need! From Yuma regulars to first-time tourists, our guide highlights the season's best activities.
Experience the magic as Yuma lights up for the City of Yuma Christmas Celebration, where the streets are filled with festive music and twinkling decorations. Join in the fun at Santa's Magical Workshop, featuring interactive activities for kids of all ages. And the Living Christmas Tree is something you definitely don’t want to miss, presenting live performances in a stunning tree-shaped setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Yuma
- City of Yuma Christmas Celebration
- Santa's Magical Workshop
- Living Christmas Tree
- Yuma Christmas Farmers Market
- Tales from the North Pole
Yuma Holiday Markets and Shopping
Yuma Christmas Farmers Market
What to Expect:
Locally-sourced holiday ingredients and decorations
Description:
Yuma's Christmas Farmers Market bursts with locally-sourced holiday bounty. This unique market showcases the region's agricultural prowess, offering fresh ingredients for festive feasts. Visitors can sample seasonal delicacies crafted from Yuma's famous winter produce. The market features handcrafted decorations made from native desert plants, blending holiday traditions with local flora. Learn about Yuma's role as the nation's winter vegetable capital while browsing stalls brimming with colorful produce. This event celebrates the area's farming heritage, dating back to the early 20th century. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafting techniques, offering a glimpse into Yuma's rich cultural past.
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Yuma Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Living Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Human-formed Christmas tree performance
Description:
Yuma's Living Christmas Tree spectacle brings a unique twist to holiday performances. Choir members, arranged in a towering tree formation, create a stunning visual and auditory experience. This human-formed tree stands as a testament to community collaboration and creativity. Listen as harmonious carols fill the air, emanating from this living musical structure. The event draws inspiration from Yuma's agricultural heritage, symbolizing growth and unity. Visitors can join in singing classic holiday tunes, becoming part of this living musical monument. This tradition, started in the 1980s, has evolved into a beloved annual event that captures Yuma's community spirit.
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Tales from the North Pole
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience with "real" North Pole residents
Description:
Tales from the North Pole brings Arctic adventures to the desert Southwest. This immersive storytelling experience features "authentic" North Pole residents sharing their frosty tales. Visitors embark on a journey through elaborately decorated sets, each depicting a different aspect of polar life. Touch "real" snow as you listen to stories of Arctic animals and Elven escapades. The event incorporates elements of Yuma's own history, drawing parallels between desert and tundra survival skills. Children can write letters to Santa, which are "delivered" via a special Polar Express mailbox. This unique blend of storytelling and interactive elements creates an unforgettable holiday experience.
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Yuma Other Holiday Activities
City of Yuma Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration bringing together diverse communities
Description:
Yuma transforms into a hub of holiday cheer during the City of Yuma Christmas Celebration. This expansive event unites diverse communities, showcasing the city's rich cultural tapestry. Stroll through downtown streets adorned with twinkling lights and experience the warmth of Yuma's holiday spirit. You can participate in the community tree lighting ceremony, a tradition dating back to the early 1900s. The celebration highlights Yuma's unique desert setting, blending Southwestern charm with classic holiday elements. Local artisans display their crafts, offering a glimpse into the region's artistic heritage.
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City of Yuma Christmas Celebration
Santa's Magical Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive elf-led toy-making experience
Description:
Santa's Workshop comes to life in the heart of Yuma, offering a unique spin on holiday traditions. This interactive experience transports visitors to the North Pole, right in the Arizona desert. Skilled elves guide you through toy-making stations, where you can craft your own holiday keepsake. The workshop's design incorporates elements of Yuma's history, with vintage tools and local materials on display. Children delight in the whimsical atmosphere, filled with the gentle hum of toy-making machinery. This event pays homage to Yuma's industrial past, blending it seamlessly with holiday cheer.
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Nearby Events
Somerton Tamale Festival (Somerton)
What to Expect:
World's largest tamale festival celebrating local culinary traditions
Description:
Somerton's Tamale Festival stands as the world's largest celebration of this beloved Mexican dish. This culinary extravaganza showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Yuma Valley. Visitors can savor an array of tamale varieties, from traditional recipes to innovative creations. The festival's lively atmosphere pulses with the rhythm of mariachi bands, adding a festive soundtrack to the event. You'll have the opportunity to learn tamale-making techniques from local experts, preserving age-old traditions. This event, rooted in the region's agricultural history, highlights the importance of corn in both cuisine and culture. The festival has grown from a small local gathering to an internationally recognized event, drawing food enthusiasts from around the globe.