Even before November ends, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Pullman’s own Main Street is decorated with many Christmas lights on every streetlight. The City of Pullman Cougar Plaza, very visible near the intersection of Grand and Davis, is filled with holiday lights and ornaments of every kind. But it isn’t just Main and Grand that have decorations, as practically every business and home is made up for the holidays.
Every December, on the first Saturday of December, Pullman comes together for the Holiday Festival. This is an event that starts in the early light of the day, ending with a ceremony of the Christmas tree after it gets dark. It is a day of community and celebration made for Pullman residents, students of the nearby universities, and everyone else in between.
Every year of the Pullman Holiday Celebration brings something different, but the celebration begins at 7:00 in the morning with a pancake breakfast and music fest at Lincoln Middle School. At about 4:00 PM, there is the Jingle Bell Fun Run and Walk along the Festival of Lights Pathway, with two story stops. Parents can gather at photo stations, and there is caroling and a visit from Santa bringing Hot Chocolate, Cookies, and Activity and Craft Bags. At about 5:00 PM, in the midst of caroling and mingling, Santa and the children help light the tree.
The celebration doesn’t end there, and it is fun for the entire family. Many of the local businesses are still open, so there is still a lot of fun to be had. Several of the local businesses have Christmas celebrations of their own at this time and throughout the month of December.
So, if you are in Pullman during the first Saturday of December, you will experience the warmth of the Pullman community at the Pullman Holiday Fest and Tree-Lighting Ceremony!