December Events for Kids
Yakima families have a lot to look forward to every December. Other than visits from Santa Clause, there are a lot of annual events in Yakima that families and children can enjoy together.
Toppenish – Toy Train Christmas, just a 20 minute drive south, families can hitch a ride aboard an historic train to visit Santa & Mrs Clause. At the Northern Pacific Railway Museum they decorate the inside of the museum with snow and pine trees, and model trains. There’s crafts, cookies and cocoa for the kids. Admission is cheap, too. $6 for adults and $4 for kids under 12. Northern Pacific Railway Museum, 10 Asotin Ave., Toppenish; 509-865-2409. nprymuseum.org
The Yakima Valley Museum has a holiday open house each year. The museum is decorated for Christmas, admission is free and they have live holiday music playing in the neon garden. Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima; 248-0747. yakimavalleymuseum.org
Every year in Sunnyside, it’s a redneck Christmas when the “Lighted Farm Implement parade” comes to town. I don’t even know what to say about this one, except that it must be really boring to be a farmer in the winter. It’s something you just have to see to believe. Sunnyside is about 1/2 hour south of Yakima but in winter driving conditions, it might take a little longer. It’s free to watch the parade, call the Sunnyside Chamber for more information and this year’s dates 509-837-5939.
The Selah Civic Center has an annual event that’s totally free, there’s Christmas Carols, delicious treats and pictures with Santa. The date changes each year. Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St.; 698-7302.
A Christmas Carol. Every year, The Warehouse Theatre Company puts on a few performances of A Christmas Carol. Auditions are usually in the autumn and the group works hard to make the show fantastic. They perform to sold out crowds at the Capitol Theatre.
Yakima Avenue’s holiday light parade is something special. Twinkling Xmas lights on snow look like so much fun. You can get a window seat at Russillo’s Pizza or Santiago’s to see the parade go by. Otherwise, bring a thermos and some very warm gloves. The parade ends at the Millenium Center where the annual lighting of the city;s Christmas tree is a sight to behold.
The Luminaria at the Arboretum. This annual event is a lot of fun. Imagine walking through the arboretum at night, by candlelight. A million tea lights are placed along the edges of a mile long walking path through the forest, it’s a magical evening, with cookies, cider, cocoa and coffee. Children’s activities in the Jewett Interpretive Center give the grown ups a chance to chit chat or just marvel at the view. An 80 foot Norwegian Spruce just might be the biggest Christmas Tree you’ve ever seen. The Yakima Area Arboretum 248-7337. ahtrees.org
Yakima Parks and Recreation hosts an annual breakfast with Santa at the Harman Center. Admission is really cheap, less than $5 per person. Sit by the Grand Fireplace and tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Yakima Parks and Recreation at the Harman Center, 101 N. 65th Ave., Yakima; 575-6166.
The Yakima Electric Railway Museum offers a Christmas Trolley ride. Fares are cheap, only $2 per person and they serve cookies, too. The Trolley in Yakima has run every year continuously for over 100 years. Yakima Electric Railway Museum, Third Avenue and Pine Street, Yakima; 452-7963.
Children under 18 are admitted for free to the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert. Each year they hold a concert at the Capitol Theatre, 19 S. Third St., Yakima.
West Valley Nazarene on 72nd and Nob Hill offers a free “Drive-Through-Nativity-Scene” on the weekends. Stay warm and cozy in your car and share the story of Christmas with the kids. West Valley Church of the Nazarene, 7109 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima; 966-1550.
Yakima’s coldest street party, the annual Rockin’ New Year’s Eve features live music, activities for kids and food vendors. If you can stay up that late, it looks like fun. it takes place in the Millennium Center, across from the Capitol Theatre, downtown at 3rd and Yakima Avenue.
