Making Christmas Magic in the Valley: A Mom’s Guide to the Season
If you’re anything like us, the minute the turkey leftovers are packed up, you’re already pulling out the Christmas bins and Googling “Wenatchee tree lighting.” The good news? The Valley is packed with Christmas cheer — and not just in the obvious places.
Whether you want Hallmark vibes, snowy adventures, Santa sightings, or simple faith-filled traditions, this season has something for every family. And because we know moms are the magic-makers, we pulled together the ultimate cheat sheet so you don’t have to dig through ten Facebook pages and five outdated event calendars.
Here’s how to make the most of Christmas in the Valley with your crew.
Hit the Big Holiday Events First
Let’s start with the heavy hitters — the ones worth putting on your calendar now:
Leavenworth’s Village of Lights: Christmastown is the postcard-perfect experience that never gets old. Twinkly lights, sledding hills, roasted chestnuts, Santa sightings... it’s worth the traffic.
Wenatchee’s Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting happens the day after Thanksgiving and is the perfect kickoff to the season.
Cashmere, Chelan, and East Wenatchee all have their own charming tree lightings and small-town magic. Sometimes the low-key events end up being your kids’ favorites.
Santa’s Basically on Tour
You’ll find Santa everywhere if you know where to look:
Pybus Market often hosts him for photo ops.
Local hotels and malls offer breakfast or brunch with Santa — keep an eye on their sites for dates.
Many local tree farms have sleigh rides, cocoa, and Santa setups on weekends.
Pro tip: check if it’s a bring-your-own-camera situation!
Don’t Miss the Faith-Filled Traditions
If you're craving something more meaningful than elf shenanigans and peppermint mochas (no judgment — we love both), there are some beautiful faith-based events across the Valley:
Live nativity experiences like the one at Sage Hills bring the Christmas story to life with animals, narration, and music.
Many churches offer Advent services and candlelight worship on Christmas Eve — kid-friendly and beautiful for the whole family.
Keep an eye out for children’s Christmas pageants — even if your child isn’t in one, they’re incredibly sweet to watch.
The Lights Are Worth the Drive
Pile into the car, bring the snacks, and make a night of it:
Leavenworth is obviously the crown jewel.
Wenatchee neighborhoods like Broadview or around Saddle Rock sometimes go all out.
You can even make your own Light Tour Bingo to keep the kids busy in the back seat!
When Cabin Fever Hits…
Not every December day is full of events — and that’s okay. Mix in a few wintery adventures to keep the wiggles out:
Tubing at Echo Valley
Ice skating at Town Toyota Center
Horse-drawn sleigh rides (yes, they exist!)
Or just head to Lake Wenatchee for a snowshoe and thermos cocoa situation
Mom-to-Mom Tips
Always double check the date/time before heading out — some events are weather-dependent or fill up fast.
Bring snacks, hand warmers, and a backup hat. Just trust us.
Let go of perfect. Some of the best memories come from the smallest, simplest things — like your toddler yelling “IT’S SANTA!” at a guy with a white beard at Costco.
Want a Weekly Roundup?
We’ll be updating our Holiday Events Guide all season long with new dates, links, and tips. You can view it here or sign up for our newsletter to get everything delivered straight to your inbox. No more scrolling — we got you.
