Luminaria
First Light Members Night:
Thursday, December 12 from 5-8 pm
Public Nights:
Friday, December 13 from 6-10 pm
Saturday, December 14 from 6-10pm
For over 30 years, the Yakima Area Arboretum has welcomed tens of thousands of families, free-of-charge, to experience the magic of walking through its grounds lit by the lights of over a thousand candles and twinkle lights! Luminaria is the YAA’s largest community event of the year and features a candle-lit walk through the Arboretum’s wintry landscape, children’s crafts, and shopping in the Arboretum’s Tree House Gift Shop.
Need to Know
Pets
While leashed pets are normally allowed at the Arboretum, we ask that you leave them at home for this busy event. Dogs can become a tripping hazard or knock into our lit candles. Service animals are permitted.
Accessibility
The mile long trail is slightly sloped and rugged. You may encounter puddles and obstacles, please walk carefully. There will be seating in the Gardenview room as well as firepits on the courtyard for those who would like to enjoy the festivities without walking the trail.
Lost and Found
If you have found an item, bring it to the Arboretum’s Tree House Gift Shop. For lost items, please leave a message with the office staff at (509) 248-7337. Include your name, contact information and a description of the lost item in your message.
Kids' Craft
Children will be invited to decorate their own lantern bags to take home with them. Supplies will be provided free of charge, with tea light candles being sold to parents for a quarter.
Weather
If there is extreme inclement weather, this event may be cancelled. However, if it is just cold or a bit rainy Luminaria will be held. If we cancel the event due to weather or power outage, we will make a post on our Facebook and Instagram pages. This event takes place outside in December, dress accordingly!
Food
Blissful Bites will be serving up delicious, freshly made donuts! The Treehouse Gift Shop will have drinks and some snacks for sale as well.
Cost
Luminaria is free, but donations are gladly accepted.
Keep Luminaria Lit: Suggested Donation of $5 a Person
For over 30 years the Yakima Area Arboretum has been offering Luminaria free-of-charge to the community and we would love to continue doing so, but we need your help. If you are able to do so, please consider making a $5 donation per participant to help offset the cost of hosting this event.
Parking and Transportation for Public Nights
Yakima Transit will be offering their FREE shuttle service from the Kiwanis Park Playfields (1501 E Maple St, Yakima, WA 98901)
The entrance into the Arboretum will be closed starting at 5:00 PM both nights. Only City Shuttles and vehicles with official Handicap Parking Placards will be allowed through. Parking in designated areas only.
Please Note: Turn lanes from Highway 24/Nob Hill Blvd into the Arboretum will be barricaded to traffic. Vehicles needing to access the Arboretum must make a U-turn across the street on S 24th behind U-Haul before using the traffic signal to cross over to the Arboretum. You must present your parking pass to enter.
Don’t want to take the bus?
Members get to park at the Arboretum for First Light on December 12th! A pine membership gives the entire car access to this fun night!
Live Entertainment
Thank you to these generous and talented performers for sharing their music at Luminaria! If you’d like to show your appreciation, tips are welcome—so feel free to bring cash.
Interested in performing at Luminaria? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to us!
