VILLAGE LIGHTS PROGRAM
1st Weekend of December. Learn more by clicking below.
Village Lights – White Salmon’s Holiday Celebration
First Weekend of December | White Salmon, WA
This December, White Salmon will sparkle with the magic of the holidays during the very first Village Lights celebration. Over the first festive weekend of December, our town will come alive with music, lights, community spirit, and holiday cheer. From family-friendly activities to local shopping, wine tasting, and more, Village Lights is the perfect way to kick off the season in the Columbia Gorge.
On Saturday, December 6, the festivities begin with a holiday fun run to get everyone moving and in the spirit. Throughout the day, you can sip and savor, enjoy sweets and crafts at the library, shop for gifts at the holiday pop-ups, and enjoy hands-on creativity at the Gorge Maker Space’s Festival of Making. Families can pick out a tree at the Klickitat Pottery holiday tree lot, snuggle up to alpacas at the petting zoo, and stop to hear carolers filling downtown with classic holiday songs. A beer garden will offer a spot to gather with friends, while the holiday lights competition brings extra sparkle to downtown. Children and families can visit with Santa for photos before everyone gathers downtown for the tree lighting ceremony. The evening wraps up with a lively 21+ dance party to celebrate the season.
On Sunday, December 7, the celebration continues with Sip the Gorge, Holiday Edition. This wine event brings together Columbia Gorge AVA wineries, pouring wines made exclusively with Columbia Gorge AVA grapes and paired with small bites. Held at the Mt. View Grange in White Salmon, Sip the Gorge is an intimate tasting experience limited to 150 guests, offering the chance to meet winemakers, discover new favorites, and connect with fellow wine lovers. Proceeds from this event will directly support downtown White Salmon beautification projects, making it a celebration that gives back to the community.
Village Lights is designed to be a holiday tradition for everyone — locals and visitors alike. Come downtown for the shopping, lights, and festivities, stay for the music, wine, and community spirit, and leave with unforgettable memories of White Salmon’s newest holiday tradition.
Mark your calendar for the first weekend of December, and join us for the inaugural Village Lights celebration.
Village Lights 2025 Schedule
Friday December 5, 2025
6-8PM | Tarwater featuring live music by Richard Tillinghast – casual guitar, a few covers, and just pure fun.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 6, 2025
9AM – 10AM | CHILDREN’S UGLY SWEATER FUN RUN Rheingarten Park. Young runners take center stage at 9:30 AM with the FREE Kids Ugly Sweater Run, a single lap around the park filled with encouragement, smiles, and the cutest collection of kid-sized ugly sweaters you can imagine.
10A – 12PM | ADULTS UGLY SWEATER FUN RUN Rheingarten Park. Designed for runners, walkers, families, and anyone who loves a good dose of holiday cheer, this community run delivers seasonal fun with a scenic four-mile route through town, great local perks, and plenty of sweater-clad camaraderie.
REGISTER HERE FOR FUN RUNS
9AM – 5PM | WINTER WONDERLAND Bazaar at Masonic Lodge (Day 1). Step into the magic of the holidays at the Winter Wonderland Market, a festive indoor shopping event filled with local makers, handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and cheerful community spirit.
11-2PM | COOKIES & PICS with Santa at Ace Hardware. Ace will be offering cookies, coloring pages, hot cocoa, and coffee for those waiting in line for their turn to talk to Santa! Bring your own device for photos.
12-3 | NATIV ARTS & CRAFTS with local artist Lee Sekaquaptewa
1 – 4PM | OYSTERS AND WINE by Ridge of Wonders at White Salmon Inn. An afternoon made for savoring: POP Oysters from Portland, paired with the thoughtful wines of Ridge of Wonder, enjoyed at The Inn.
1 – 4PM | RUMOURS STUDIO will be hosting Tiffany Anne, a talented local jewelry artist, who’ll be hosting a hands-on mini workshop where you can create your own custom “stamp” necklace! Sip on complimentary hot cider & soak up the cozy vibes
2 – 5PM | HOLIDAY CARD MAKING at Columbia Land Trust – Warm drinks, snacks, and hands-on creative time with linocut stamps inspired by the landscapes that shape us.
2:30- 4:30PM | WINTER CELEBRATION at White Salmon Library with refreshments, music, hands-on activities for kids, and a special quilt show that celebrates the spirit of making.
3 – 7PM | FESTIVAL OF MAKING FUNDRAISER Gorge MakerSpace. Meet local makers, explore hands-on workshops, and support a place that keeps creativity accessible for all.
4-9PM | White Salmon Lions Club Christmas Tree Lot at Klickitat Pottery
5 – 7PM | ARROWLEAF MEET the MAKERS behind the magic—five local artists, one inspired holiday open house. Shop art with heart and gifts made with intention. Featuring Kristine Pollard, Rebecca Bashara, Kevin Craig, Kristine Patterson, and Sarah Morton-Erasmus.
5-8PM | Community Carolers throughout downtown.
3PM – 8PM | COMMUNITY PIE. Pizza Leona is featuring Pepperoni Pizza as the community pie all weekend to help raise funds for the Next Door Inc.
6-8PM | PIXAN Las Posadas Celebration featuring Pinata and the Alta Adiccion Mariachi band.
6 – 8PM | LDT WINE Toy Drive. Raise a glass, decorate the community tree, and help kick off a meaningful seasonal tradition—the LDT Wine Toy Drive benefiting The Next Door.
4 – 9PM | CHRISTMAS TREE BIER GARTEN – Outside the North Entry of Mosko Moto
6 – 8PM | FREE PHOTOS with SANTA at Mosko Moto
4- 8PM | MULLED WINE SPECIAL Soca
5 – 5:30PM | TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTING at Riverview Bank, cookies, smores and cocoa and hot apple cider.
5 – 8PM | HENNIS Cookies & Cocktails with harpist Lydia Warren.
5:30PM – 6PM | TOWN HOLIDAY PIC UNDER ‘SEASONS GREETINGS’ @Jewett&Main
7 – 9PM | Tarwater Tavern Crow & Candlelight – Complimentary B&W Portrait Studio and the Naughty or Nice Hot Chocolate Bar.
6PM – 9PM | SMORE STATIONS at Jewett/Church & at Work Source Lot
5PM – 8PM | SPIRIT FALLS ALPACA RANCH PETTING ZOO at Work Source Lot
9PM – 12AM | DANCE PARTY at Mt Adams Elks.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7, 2025
9 – 2PM | Winter Wonderland Bazaar at Masonic Lodge (Day 2)
3:00 PM – 8PM | COMMUNITY PIE. Pizza Leona is featuring Pepperoni Pizza as the community pie all weekend to help raise funds for the Next Door Inc.
2PM – 6PM | SIP THE GORGE at the Historic Mountain View Grange is an intimate holiday wine tasting and small bites pairing event celebrating the best of the Columbia Gorge AVA.
BUY TICKETS
ALL WEEKEND & THRU DECEMBER 20 | SEASONS OF GIVING RAFFLE – Hennis, Arrowleaf & Pizza Leona coordinate the raffles with prizes from our downtown businesses and community. All proceeds go to the local Food Bank at WAGAP.
BUY RAFFLE TICKETS
Make It a Weekend
This season, our town glows a little brighter. As lights twinkle across the bluff and windows fill with warmth and cheer, local makers, shops, wineries, and community organizations invite you to slow down, gather close, and celebrate.
Whether you’re crafting by hand, sipping something seasonal, finding just-right gifts, or supporting causes that matter—Village Lights is about connection, creativity, and home.
Come for the day.
Stay for the weekend.
Make memories in White Salmon
Book lodging early to enjoy the full sparkle of Village Lights.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE VILLAGE LIGHTS PROGRAM
Photo by: Chris Marinsik