The Wonder of Christmas in the Valley.

Seeing the wonder of Christmas in the eyes of a child is one of the best gifts of the holiday season. The Yakima Valley offers many unusual opportunities to joyfully celebrate the season with family and friends.

The 10th Annual Downtown Yakima Holiday Light Parade on Yakima Avenue, kicks off the season of festivities, followed by the lighting of the community Christmas Tree in Millennium Plaza. The Stone Church Choir sings carols as Santa Claus gives candy canes to children at the Plaza. Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on December 5th.

Every weekend in December, until Christmas, children can take a short Caboose ride to the "North Pole" to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and several elves during The Toy Train Christmas at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish. Lots of decorated Christmas Trees, model trains running on small and large layouts, free cookies, hot chocolate, tours of the fully restored 1911 historic depot. The children's craft area will allow children to create a keepsake to take home. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for an additional charge. Admission: $6 adults, $4 kids 12 and under, 10am-4pm.

The 18th Annual Luminaria Walk is a free family event featuring a mile-long candlelit walk through the Arboretum's winter landscape and an 80-foot lighted Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree. Follow the pathway lit by luminaria and hear Christmas tunes float over the landscape, when snow is falling, it is a magical experience. After the walk, warm up with hot cider and children's activities in the Jewett Interpretive Center, December 10 and 11.


Take the Santa Trolley on December 11 to meet Santa Claus giving out candy canes, partake of refreshments in the powerhouse. Fare for this event is $3.00.

These are just a few of the many holiday family events happening in the Yakima Valley for a more comprehensive listing, visit the event listing page on the Visit Yakima Valley website.

May the wonder of the season, shared with your children, friends and family become cherished Yakima Valley memories.

Hotel Deals for Thanksgiving Weekend in WA Wine Country

Thinking about visiting the Yakima Valley, Washington’s Wine Country during Thanksgiving in Wine Country, November 26-28. Over 50 wineries participate, offering wine and food pairings, special pricing on wine, a chance to meet the winemakers and participate in winery tours.

Here are great special rates select hotels are offering for the weekend:

Best Western Ahtanum Inn: Located within walking distance of the Valley Mall for some "Black Friday" shopping before or after your wine tasting experience in Yakima Valley Wine country. You will also find the Outback Steakhouse Restaurant next to your hotel.

• November 25-28 $119.00+Tax(Standard)/$159.00+Tax(Suite)
• Enjoy overnight accommodations in one of our standard king or queen sized guestrooms or one of our luxury suites.
• Package includes a full hot breakfast.
• A complimentary bottle of wine.
• Two wine glasses.
• One Hickory Farms cheese gift box
• One $25 gift card to the Outback Steakhouse Restaurant.

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel: This hotel is located in Downtown Yakima, within walking distance of many restaurants and wineries. Tasting rooms Kana Winery, Gilbert Cellars, Tim's offer live music in the evening as well as the Sportscenter.

• Special Rate $49.00+Tax
  
• Call 509.452.6511- Ask for "Holiday Rate"
• Rate offered through January

Best Western The Inn at Horse Heaven, Prosser, WA: This hotel is within walking distance of a dozen wineries, located within two blocks of each other in Vintners Village, as well as more than a dozen wineries within a few miles. To book your package call 800-688-2193. Ask for booking code, "Thanksgiving Wine Package."

• November 25-28 $135.00+Tax (Standard / $160.00 + Tax (Suite)
• Enjoy overnight accommodations in one of our standard king or queen sized guestrooms or one of our luxury suites.
• Package includes a full hot breakfast, a complimentary bottle of wine, two wine glasses
• $20 gift certificate to Wine O"clock Wine Bar.

Thanksgiving Weekend is a great time to find your holiday wine for those special meals. Add your special touch to holiday wine gifts, exclusively tasted and chosen at the source: The Yakima Valley, Washington's Wine Country.

2.6.2011 Superbowl Sunday!

Looking for a place to cheer your favorite Superbowl team? The 2nd Street Grill in Downtown Yakima offers multiple TV's for viewing at the center island bar, micro-brews from all over the world, specialty drinks, martinis and local and regional wines. If you would enjoy the ambiance of a living room and the comfort of club chairs by the fireplace, then this is the place for you. Deli fresh, grilled sandwiches, burgers, steaks, salmon and Asian inspired appetizers are all on the menu.

Seagalley Shipwreck Lounge: Big screen TV’s, sports, food, pulltabs. refreshing drinks in the cozy, comfortable lounge. Offering an extensive appetizer menu and Happy Hour from 4-6pm daily. (PS. For the 12th woman the Valley Mall is within walking distance to pick up a few last minute gifts.)

Bob's Burgers and Brew: comfortable seating in the bar area, as well as the dining area by the fireplace to watch the games. Did I mention the delicious burgers. (PS. the fresh mushroom burger is unforgettable and the nachos are great!)

Looking for a big screen projection TV? Jackson's Sports Bar is the place to go, offering all the traditional pub fare. Join other sports fans for camaraderie in cheering on your team during the Superbowl.

Bills Place: The tavern the locals frequent, is having a Superbowl Party with Happy Hour all day and free hot wings and nachos while they last.

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

NFL Schedule

Holiday Open House & Tweet-up at the Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. To celebrate join us at the Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center, Thursday, November 18th 4-7 pm. for an Open House. Learn about the many events coming this holiday season, enjoy scrumptious catered food and beverages. Try out our new wine tasting dispenser plus get 25% off pre-made git baskets or orders placed that night! And for you Twitter fans, the VIC is now Wi-Fi so come and tweet about the festivities.


We'll be offering tastings of Kana, Gilbert Cellars, Knight Hill and Milbrandt Winery varietals. The wineries will have representatives available and/or tasting notes for each wine offered for tasting.

Catering Creations by Toni, “the best little secret in our valley,” will be catering this event with appetizers that pair well with the wine selections. Non Alcoholic beverages will be available

Let us know if you are planing on attending the Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center Holiday Open House & Tweetup. Click here!

Wines offered for tasting and purchase:

Kana Winery: Scarlett Fire / Katie Mae. Katherine Goodson- Kana Tasting Room Manager will be available to answer questions.

Gilbert Cellars: 2007 Left Bank Red Blend / Unoaked Chardonnay -Tasting notes available.

Knight Hill Winery: Mourvedre / Sauvignon Blanc. Terry Harrison - Knight Hill winery owner will be available to answer questions.

Milbrandt Winery: 2007 Syrah / 2008 Riesling. Tasting notes available.

Attendees will be able to purchase a branded go-vino stemless glass for $4.00 and receive one taste free. Each additional taste will cost $1.00. Wines being offered for tasting plus a selection of other wines from the Yakima Valley wineries will be available to purchase by the bottle at winery prices in the gift shop.

The Yakima Valley Information Center features a gift shop with made in the Yakima Valley products such as Chukar Cherries, Micks Pepper Jelly, It's All About The Pretzels, Rills Gourmet Soups, as well as jewelry, handbags, scarves, t –shirts and other Holiday gift items.

The Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center is a Wi-Fi hotspot for tweeters and travelers. The hashtag for this event is #YakimaVIC, if you would like to follow along or comment on Twitter.

Come taste and tweet.

Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center
101 North Fair Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901