Get in the Holiday Spirit at the Leavenworth, WA, Winter Festival
There’s no better place to ring in the holiday season than the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth. Nestled in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, our Washington town transforms into a village of lights every November at the annual Leavenworth, WA, winter festival! Winter activities, sleigh rides, and plenty of holiday cheer await. If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy Leavenworth during the most magical time of the year, don’t forget to access your free copy of our Vacation Guide. It’s the only tool you need to plan the ultimate winter getaway!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Time at the Leavenworth, WA Winter Festival
Prepare to be enchanted during every moment you spend at our Bavarian village’s annual Winter Festival.
Where & When
Every year, the Christmas Lighting Festival starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving and continues for three weeks through mid-December. Head to Front Street Park every weekend for three days of nonstop yuletide fun and entertainment. You can’t miss the lighting ceremony on Saturdays and Sundays at 4:30 p.m. Over half a million lights illuminate our town during this jaw-dropping spectacle.
Things to Do
During the event, you’ll enjoy holiday-themed live music performances, visits with St. Nickolaus at the Front Street Gazebo, and countless twinkling lights. Some more of our favorite ways to celebrate during this traditional Leavenworth festival include:
- Sledding in Front Street Park
- Listening to the handbell choirs
- Strolling through the Gluhwein Tent (selling hot spiced wine and cider)
- Eating roasted chestnuts
- Embarking on the Cookie Crawl on Sundays
Want to know the best part? The village of lights is illuminated from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day, so there are plenty of opportunities to discover the winter magic.
Deck the Halls With These Leavenworth, WA, Winter Activities
Christkindlmarkt
Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth’s very own Christmas market, is one of the town’s most popular holiday attractions. The Bavarian-style market features a wide array of unique goods including German food, handmade arts & crafts, a lantern parade, and Christmas-themed entertainment.
Bavarian Icefest
Each January, Leavenworth celebrates winter’s bounty with the Bavarian Icefest! Visitors enjoy a wide array of winter activities including snow sculptures, ice carving, the popular snowmobile sled pull, and a nearly endless amount of games and activities. At night, be sure to stay for the grand fireworks display!
Sleigh Rides
Dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh with your significant other this holiday season. Sleigh rides are one of Leavenworth’s most popular winter activities and a unique way to take in the snow-laden beauty of the Cascade Mountains.
Leavenworth Ski Hill
If you’re looking for an exciting and affordable way to have fun in Leavenworth this winter, look no further than Leavenworth Ski Hill! This outdoor recreation park provides plenty of ways for you and your sweetheart to admire Leavenworth’s gorgeous, snow-covered mountain views.
There’s No Place Like Pine River Ranch for the Holidays
If all you want for Christmas is a vacation, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re visiting for the Leavenworth, WA, Winter Festival or to ski down the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is the perfect spot for a winter getaway. This holiday season, cozy up for a weekend in our deluxe Ponderosa Suite. This rustic-style room features a propane fireplace, beautiful pine log bed, and a huge walk-in shower. Revel in one-of-a-kind amenities like plush, warm robes and piping hot breakfast delivered to your door every morning. You’ll love every minute you spend at our romantic bed and breakfast. Give yourself the gift of a getaway today!