Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Tri-Cities
In the Tri-Cities, Christmas lights up the Columbia River. Decorated boats have sailed past Kennewick and Richland for decades, and a village of tiny Alphabet Houses recalls how Richland began.
2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
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Already confirmed in Tri-Cities
1 events confirmed so far; more are coming.
Benton City Winterfest
When: Sat, Dec 12, 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Benton City (various locations), Benton City
Cost: Free to attend
The story of Christmas in Tri-Cities
Boats on the river and lights in the plaza
The Clover Island Yacht Club's Christmas lighted boat parade goes back to 1964. Boats strung with lights leave Clover Island near the Cable Bridge, sail west along the Kennewick shore to the far end of Howard Amon Park, then turn back past Columbia Park for an encore loop. On land, Richland's Winter Wonderland fills John Dam Plaza with a nightly dancing light show, and Kennewick holds an old-fashioned Hometown Holiday Parade with Santa, fire trucks and floats.
Christmas last year in the Tri-Cities
Richland's Winter Wonderland marked its 10th year in 2025. The kick-off on Friday, December 5 began at 5 p.m. with entertainment, followed by a lighted vehicle parade at 5:30 p.m. and a lighting countdown at 6 p.m. with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The lights then glowed from 5 to 9 p.m. every night through January 1. Satellite events included a light display, lighted boat parade and fireworks at Howard Amon Park, plus crafts, bingo and hot cocoa at the Richland Community Center.
Fun facts about Christmas in the Tri-Cities
The Alphabet House Village at Winter Wonderland recalls Richland's Manhattan Project years, when builders used an A-Home, B-Home design to put up hundreds of houses quickly. In 2025 children could drop letters to Santa in a box at the village entrance. Over in Pasco, Winterfest offers a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, and fans of the Tri-City Americans toss teddy bears onto the ice in a hockey night that Visit Tri-Cities calls a Christmas tradition.
Trains and Christmas near the Tri-Cities
Pasco has a rail story of its own. The Washington State Railroads Historical Society ran a small museum there, though it is now listed as permanently closed. A drive to Toppenish brings kids to a restored 1911 Northern Pacific depot with a telegraph office and steam engines, open May to mid October. In Yakima, historic electric trolleys run on the 6th Avenue Line, with Santa trolleys in fall and winter.
- Washington State Railroads Historical Society: A Pasco rail history group whose museum is now closed; the page tells its story.
- Northern Pacific Railway Museum: A restored 1911 depot with a telegraph office, speeders, cars and steam engines in the yard.
- Yakima Valley Trolleys: Historic electric trolleys on Yakima's 6th Avenue Line, with Santa trolleys in fall and winter.
Traditions today
- Lighted Boat Parade: Decorated boats sail the Columbia River from Clover Island, a tradition presented by the Clover Island Yacht Club since 1964.
- Richland's Winter Wonderland: A nightly dancing light show at John Dam Plaza, with Santa and Mrs. Claus on set evenings.
- Alphabet House Village: Tiny lit houses recall Richland's Manhattan Project beginnings, with a Santa letter drop box in 2025.
- Hometown Holiday Parade: An old-fashioned parade in Historic Downtown Kennewick with floats, characters, fire trucks and Santa.
- Pasco Winterfest: A Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, kids' zone and Heritage Tree Lighting at Peanuts Park.
- Teddy Bear Toss: Hockey fans toss stuffed animals onto the ice, and the toys are donated locally.
A fact for kids
In the Tri-Cities, boats get dressed up for Christmas. Since 1964, boats covered in lights have sailed the Columbia River like a parade on the water.
Questions about Christmas in Tri-Cities
When did the Tri-Cities lighted boat parade begin?
The Clover Island Yacht Club's Christmas lighted boat parade dates back to 1964, according to a local news report. Decorated boats sail the Columbia River from Clover Island, and the yacht club still presents it. It is a long-running holiday tradition for families in Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.
Where does the lighted boat parade go?
In the route described by local news, boats leave Clover Island near the Cable Bridge and head west along the Kennewick shoreline to the far end of Howard Amon Park in Richland. They then turn back past Columbia Park and finish back at Clover Island with an encore loop.
What is Richland's Winter Wonderland?
Richland's Winter Wonderland is a December light show and festival centered on John Dam Plaza, with a nightly dancing light show, Santa and Mrs. Claus on set evenings and satellite events at Howard Amon Park and the Richland Community Center. The 2025 edition was billed as the 10th annual.
What are the Alphabet Houses in Richland?
The Alphabet Houses are small homes that recall Richland's start during the Manhattan Project, when the government needed hundreds of new homes quickly for workers. Builders used an A-Home, B-Home style design to build fast. At Winter Wonderland, a village of small lit versions comes back each season.
Can kids send letters to Santa at Winter Wonderland?
Yes, in 2025 Santa read letters at Winter Wonderland, and families could use a drop box at the entrance to the Alphabet House Village. Walking through the village was also a way to learn a bit of Richland's history. Check our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page for this season.
What happened on opening night of Winter Wonderland in 2025?
On Friday, December 5, 2025, the kick-off started with entertainment at 5 p.m., a lighted vehicle parade at 5:30 p.m. and a lighting countdown at 6 p.m. with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Howard Amon Park also had a light display, a lighted boat parade and fireworks that evening.
How long did Winter Wonderland run in 2025?
The 2025 Winter Wonderland ran from December 5 through January 1, with the lights on from 5 to 9 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared at John Dam Plaza on opening weekend and on Fridays and Saturdays in December. The lights themselves glowed every night, so families could also visit on a quieter evening.
What is Pasco Winterfest?
Pasco Winterfest is a community holiday festival at Peanuts Park in downtown Pasco. It features a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, the Heritage Tree Lighting, a kids' zone, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks and live entertainment. See our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page for this season's date.
What is the Teddy Bear Toss in the Tri-Cities?
The Tri-City Americans hockey team holds a Teddy Bear Toss night that Visit Tri-Cities calls a Tri-Cities Christmas tradition. Fans bring a stuffed animal and toss it onto the ice during the game, and the toys are donated locally. It is a fun way for kids to see a hockey crowd turn a game into a giving tradition.
Is the Hometown Holiday Parade in Kennewick old-fashioned?
Yes, Visit Tri-Cities describes the Hometown Holiday Parade in Historic Downtown Kennewick as an old-fashioned holiday extravaganza. Expect floats, costumed characters, police and fire trucks and Santa. Our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page has this season's date and time.
Where can kids see trains near the Tri-Cities?
The Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish is a restored 1911 depot with a telegraph office, speeders and a yard of cars and steam engines, but it is open May through mid October. In Yakima, Yakima Valley Trolleys runs historic electric trolleys, with Santa trolleys in fall and winter.
Is there a train museum in Pasco?
Pasco has rail history, but the Washington State Railroads Historical Society museum on North Tacoma Avenue, across from the old Amtrak depot, is now listed as permanently closed. Our museum page tells its story. For a visit that is open, Toppenish and Yakima are the closest museums on our list.
How can I explain Christmas traditions in the Tri-Cities to my toddler?
Keep it simple and point to something your child can see. Talk about the lighted boats on the river, the Alphabet Houses or the Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, then let them spot the lights, music or Santa for themselves. One favorite tradition told in a few short sentences works better than a long history lesson for children under five.
Where can I find this year's Christmas details for the Tri-Cities?
Our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page lists the holiday events we confirmed for the 2026 season. Dates and times can change from year to year, so check the host's own page before you leave, especially for outdoor events that depend on weather.
What should kids wear to outdoor holiday events in the Tri-Cities?
Winter Wonderland lights run from 5 to 9 p.m. and the boat parade sails on the river, so most outings are outdoors in the evening. Dress kids in layers with a warm coat, hat and gloves, and bring a blanket for sitting and a thermos of something warm.
Are there free holiday things for families in the Tri-Cities?
Several of the 2025 highlights were outdoor displays, including the Winter Wonderland light show at John Dam Plaza and the light display at Howard Amon Park. Admission can change, so check each host's page for costs. Our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's details.
Can toddlers handle big parades and tree lightings?
Many can, with a little planning. Arrive early for a spot near the front, bring a stroller or wagon, pack snacks and consider ear protection for sirens and fireworks. Plan to leave early if your child gets tired, because seeing the lights for a few minutes can be enough.
How can we start our own Christmas tradition inspired by the Tri-Cities?
Pick one local outing and repeat it every year, like the same parade, light display or tree lighting. Take a photo in the same spot, let your child choose a favorite part and write it down. After a few years you will have a family story that grows along with them.
Which Tri-Cities Christmas traditions are the oldest?
The Clover Island Yacht Club's lighted boat parade goes back to 1964, which makes it the oldest tradition we found. Richland's Winter Wonderland marked its 10th year in 2025. The Alphabet Houses recall the Manhattan Project years, when Richland grew quickly, and the village brings that story to life for kids each winter.
Where can kids see Santa in the Tri-Cities?
Santa and Mrs. Claus joined the lighting countdown at Winter Wonderland on December 5, 2025, and appeared on Fridays and Saturdays in December. Santa also rides in Kennewick's Hometown Holiday Parade and visits Pasco Winterfest. Our Tri-Cities Christmas events guide on this page lists the visits we confirmed for this season.
Sources
- Tri-Cities' Largest Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Will Be Brilliant, Newstalk 870
- 2025 Winter Wonderland - Kick Off!, City of Richland
- Richland preps for Winter Wonderland 2025's kick-off celebration, NBC Right Now
- Winter Wonderland, Visit Tri-Cities
- The Top Holiday Festivities in the Tri-Cities, Visit Tri-Cities
- Washington State Railroads Historical Society, Rally Takes the Train
- Northern Pacific Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Yakima Valley Trolleys, Rally Takes the Train