Tri-Cities holiday events: Parades, tree lightings, fireworks and more

Tri-City Herald staff
·6 min read

‘Tis the season for some festive annual holiday events.

Some of the Tri-Cities most popular yule-tide activities kick off this week.

And some will continue through December.

Dec. 2-3 | Lighted Boat Parade

The Clover Island Yacht Club’s lighted boat parade has been lighting up the Columbia River since 1964. The parade starts at 6 p.m. both nights at Kennewick’s Clover Island and the string of vessels cruise along the Columbia Park shoreline to Richland where they turn around about 7:30 p.m. and return to Clover Island.

A dozen boats decked out with holiday lights cruise the Columbia River for the annual Lighted Boat Parade.
A dozen boats decked out with holiday lights cruise the Columbia River for the annual Lighted Boat Parade.

Dec. 3 | Hometown Holiday parade

A holiday-themed parade with floats, police and fire vehicles and entertaining characters will welcome Santa in downtown Kennewick Dec. 3. Parade starts at 10 a.m. and activities and selfies with Santa continue until 2 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership.

Santa's Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday along Kennewick Avenue in downtown Kennewick. The parade will run from Dayton to Auburn streets and will feature 36 different community floats, then activities like selfies with Santa until 2 p.m.
Santa's Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday along Kennewick Avenue in downtown Kennewick. The parade will run from Dayton to Auburn streets and will feature 36 different community floats, then activities like selfies with Santa until 2 p.m.

After the parade, Santa will be at home on the farm at the Farmers Exchange Nursery. Bring your own camera or smartphone, Santa will have a helper to take a picture for you for free. Kettle corn and hot cocoa available for purchase. Santa will return for photos at 10 a.m. Dec. 10.

Dec. 2-3 | Winter Wonderland & Festival of Lights

The free Festival of Lights dancing light show is 5-9 p.m. at John Dam Plaza in Richland on Dec. 2-3. Lighting countdown begins at 6 p.m. with kettle corn and cocoa.

Then head across George Washington Way to Howard Amon Park and the Richland Community Center for musical performances, photos with Santa, food vendors, bingo, crafts, train rides on the J&S Express and lighted holiday displays. Watch the lighted boat parade pass by, followed by a fireworks show both evenings. Music and light show sponsored by HAPO Community Credit Union.

Festival of Lights show continues 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 9-10 and 16-17 at John Dam Plaza.

Dec. 3 | Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade

The Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade has been voted one of the Top 10 lighted parades in U.S. by A&E TV and featured on the Travel Channel and Xtreme Christmas. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Sunnyside and features dozens of tractors, combines and antique farm equipment decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. Come early for the Christmas Market and food vendors.

Dec. 10 | Pasco Winterfest

Pasco Winterfest and tree lighting event is 3-5:30 p.m. at Volunteer Park on North Fourth Avenue in downtown Pasco. There will be vendors, music, kid games and crafts, a candy cane scavenger hunt and Santa. Fairchild Cinema in Pasco will show free movies: The Star every 10 minutes for an hour starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and The Polar Express starting at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10.

The 3rd annual Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt is Dec. 5-10. Watch for cues to the candy cane location at 8 a.m. daily on Facebook and Instagram. This is not a race to be first. Scan the QR code and complete the survey to be entered into a random prize drawing.

A whimsical display for the Christmas song “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” is part of the annual presentation of themed decorations at Christmas Carol Lane in Kennewick.
A whimsical display for the Christmas song “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” is part of the annual presentation of themed decorations at Christmas Carol Lane in Kennewick.

Dec. 5-31 | Christmas Carol Lane

Drive through this Kennewick neighborhood dubbed Christmas Carol Lane to enjoy the creative song board displays from some favorite Christmas tunes every night at 6 p.m. starting Dec. 5. All displays should be up by Dec. 10. A website has been created at christmascarollane.org where you can find links to playlists to go with the homes on Pandora and Spotify. The area is between West 23rd and 26th Avenues and South Kent and Garfield streets.

The Senske lights display in Kennewick.
The Senske lights display in Kennewick.

December | Senske Holiday Light Show

Senske Services offers its annual light show for a 20th year. The Kennewick company has installed more than 500,000 lights on its property at 400 N. Quay St. for viewing from your car or walking by from 5 p.m. to midnight each night through December. Lights are synced with music, which can be heard on 90.3 FM. Drop box for Santa letters, selfie stations and non-perishable food donation collections for 2nd Harvest Tri-Cities.

Lampson Cable Bridge Run
Lampson Cable Bridge Run

Dec. 17 | Lampson Cable Bridge Run

The 43rd Annual Lampson Cable Bridge Run includes 1 mile, 5K and 10K races. All three runs begin at 9 a.m. Dec. 17. Late registration Dec 1-14. Last chance registration Dec. 16 noon to 7 p.m. at packet pickup. Parking at Benton County Fairgrounds with free shuttles to start of race at the cable bridge. Cost starts at $28 without shirt. $10 late fee after Dec 1.

Dec. 2-3 | Holiday Music Concert

The Columbia Chorale and the Mastersingers Youth Choir perform the Canticle of Winter holiday concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church, 2001 W. Kennewick Ave. $10 suggested donation.

Dec. 4 | Hanukkah Holiday Bazaar

Congregation Beth Sholom is hosting a Hanukkah Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the synagogue at 312 Thayer Drive, Richland. The bazaar will have everything needed for Hanukkah: menorahs (hanukkiot), candles, dreidels, wrapping paper, gifts and handbags,books, crafts, jewelry. There will also be snacks and a bake sale. For more information, call 509-378-2920.

Dec. 3 | Tri Cities Vintage Market

A Tri-Cities Vintage Market is planned at the Richland Uptown Theatre 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec 3. $1 entry fee for the hand-curated selection of vintage clothing, memorabilia, collectibles and modern sneakers. Event is hosted by The Fuzzy Felt, a Richland online mail-order vintage clothing and accessories store. Instagram @thefuzzyfelt or thefuzzyfelt.com website.

Dec. 9-10 | PB&J Christmas Celebration

Prosser’s Princess Theatre presents its 2nd annual PB&J Christmas Celebration, featuring the PB&J Orchestra and other performers on Dec. 9-10 in The Green Room. Led by Ben Macy, the orchestra will play Christmas Broadway and jazz tunes. Doors for this family-friendly event open at 7 p.m. Tickets available online at www.ProsserPrincess.com until 5 p.m. the day of each show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for age 18 and under.

Dec. 2, 3, 5 | Tri-City Youth Choir Christmas Show

Tri-City Youth Choir presents our annual Christmas show with show choirs Forte!, Amplify!, and Bravo! on Dec. 2, 3 and 5 at the Art Fuller Auditorium in Kennewick. Tickets available at www.yourtcyc.com. This year’s show is “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Families can “dress the part” of the nativity and have their photo taken at the annual West Richland Christmas Nativity event.
Families can “dress the part” of the nativity and have their photo taken at the annual West Richland Christmas Nativity event.

Dec. 2-3 | Christmas Nativity Showcase

The annual West Richland Christmas Nativity event features over 300 nativities from around the world. Many are one-of-a-kind and handcrafted on display for free for Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m. and Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 3701 Watkins Way and hosted by the West Richland stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Families can “dress the part” of the nativity and have their photo taken.