Yakima Holiday Festivities

The Holiday Lighted Parade and tree-lighting ceremony at Millennium Plaza in Downtown Yakima on Dec. 1st kicked off the holiday season in Yakima, but there’s plenty more in store:

  • The fifth annual drive-thru Holiday Light Fest at State Fair Park, Dec. 12-22. Click Holiday Light Fest for info and schedules.
  • Luminaria at Yakima Area Arboretum is Dec. 13th and 14th. The grounds will be lit by over a thousand candles and twinkling lights. Yakima Transit will offer a free shuttle bus to the event, 5:30 to 10:30 pm both nights. Shuttles run continuously from Kiwanis Park Playfields, 1501 E. Maple Street.
  • Yakima Parks and Recreation fifth annual drive-thru Letters to Santa event at the City’s Public Works facility, 2301 Fruitvale Boulevard, on Saturday, Dec. 14th, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm:
    • The free event features music, Yakima Christmas Trucks and a special mailbox for letters to Santa. Lighted features will include Christmas-themed inflatable displays. While supplies last, there will be gifts available for children. Mrs. Claus will greet cars as they arrive at the mailbox to drop off their letters to Santa.
    • Drivers and passengers need to remain in their vehicles while proceeding through the event.
    • In addition, drivers are asked to proceed on the following route:
      • Approach the Public Works facility off of 16th Avenue on to J Street heading west.
      • Turn left on 21st Avenue
      • Turn right on Fruitvale Boulevard, then right into the Public Works parking lot
      • After driving through the event, exit the parking lot and turn right on Fruitvale Boulevard
      • Those not participating are encouraged to avoid the area if possible due to potential traffic delays. Participants approaching from the west on Fruitvale Boulevard will be directed to turn left on 20th Avenue, left on J Street and left on 21st Avenue.