Richland's Winter Wonderland and HAPO Festival of Lights Kicks-Off December 3rd

Don’t miss the 6th annual Winter Wonderland and HAPO Festival of Lights. Join us as we countdown to the lighting of John Dam Plaza and the HAPO Community Stage. Celebrate the magic of the season with live musical performances, food vendors, and a guest appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The festivities kick off Friday, December 3, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. The official countdown will take place at 6:00 p.m. where thousands of lights will dance to holiday music every evening in December. 

Attendees will enjoy music performed by the Hanford High School Choir, The Richland High Pep Band, and Drumline. Enjoy free cocoa and KC Kettle Corn (while supplies last). Food is also available for purchase from Non-Fiction and Doggie Style Gourmet. 

Visit Santa’s House as well as the recently added replica of an “F” house located in the Richland Alphabet House Village. Say hello to Santa’s reindeer who will be visiting from the North Pole. The “Letters to the North Pole” mailbox will also be available. Children of all ages can drop their letters (along with a self-addressed envelope) in the mailbox to the North Pole (deadline is December 20, 2021) and participants will receive a response from Santa and friends.

After the lighting, stay in John Dam Plaza and enjoy the entire playlist of holiday music. Or, you can head down to Howard Amon Park and hop on the J&S Express Train at the Richland Community Center. The train will take riders on a journey through the park to enjoy the magic of over 20 inflatable light displays.

Stop by the Gallery in the Park on Lee Blvd. for more free cocoa and complimentary craft kits (while supplies last) and enjoy music performed by the Tubadours. Food vendors will also be available at Howard Amon Park.

In addition, the Richland Community Center will be hosting holiday craft projects and Bingo from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

While there, don’t miss out on the very popular lighted boat parade. This is always a crowd-pleaser sponsored by the Clover Island Yacht Club. The boats will come by Howard Amon Park at approximately 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

But wait, there is more! New to the lineup this year is a firework display at Howard Amon Park after the boats have safely cleared the area. Fireworks will light up the sky at approximately 8:00 p.m. 

There are many more activities to enjoy at the Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights, which will continue through the month of December. View the full schedule of activities at www.ci.richland.wa.us/winterwonderland.