Holiday lights will shine in Hermiston
By Terry Murry on Friday, November 28th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON — (News release from the city of Hermiston) The Hermiston community is getting ready to glow as the city kicks off a festive season filled with lights, music, and beloved traditions.
Downtown Tree Lighting & Lighted Parade— The holiday festivities begin on Festival Street at the heart of downtown, where the annual Community Tree Lighting and Lighted Parade will take place on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
The Sandstone and Armand Larive jazz bands and Hermiston High School Jazz and Majazzty Choir will provide the holiday tunes, the Lighted Holiday Parade will roll down Second St. and Main St., and Santa Claus will arrive to flip the switch to light up the giant tree. Stick around for vendors and photos with Santa. Crafts and activities are powered by Amazon Web Services.
The Festival Street light show will run nightly from 5-9 p.m.
Land of Lights & Candy Cane Village— The Land of Lights, a drive-through holiday spectacle, returns to the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center (EOTEC). Opening night is Friday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m., alongside the walk-through Candy Cane Village at the Farm-City Pro Rodeo Grounds. Both attractions will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 5–9 p.m. through Jan. 4.
Donations are greatly appreciated and support the Hermiston Rotary Club and American Legion Post 37, whose volunteers will be onsite throughout the season. Collectible mugs will be available, which guests can fill with complimentary hot chocolate at Candy Cane Village.
Home & Business Decoration Contest— The entire community is invited to help make Hermiston glow even brighter by participating in the annual Home & Business Decorating Contest. Entries are open now through Dec. 8 at
www.hermiston.gov/holidaylightcontest.
A panel of judges will select a Best Home and Best Business, with winners announced on Dec. 13 during a special event at the Land of Lights. The Best Home winner will receive a festive prize basket from the City of Hermiston and the Best Business winner will receive promotional spotlight at the Land of Lights.
All participants will also appear on an online holiday lights map available Dec. 13, making it easy for families to tour the brightest and most creative displays across town.
Land of Lights Holiday Celebration— Can’t get enough holiday cheer? The Land of Lights Holiday Celebration will be Friday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at Candy Cane Village. Guests can hear music from student musicians, enjoy local food vendors, meet Santa, and of course, immerse themselves in the dazzling lights at both EOTEC displays.
More information on these events, plus the Holiday Market (November 29) and Pancakes with Santa (December 13) can be found at www.hermiston.gov/landoflights, with updates throughout the season.
File photo of a past Land of Lights from the city of Hermiston
