Yakima to Seek Community Christmas Trees for Holidays

The city and Downtown Association of Yakima are accepting nominations for a signature holiday evergreen through November 9.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Civic

Screen-print poster illustration of a tall, frosted evergreen tree standing in a quiet yard, evoking holiday tradition in Yakima. — The City of Yakima and the Downtown Association are soliciting nominations from residents for an evergreen tree for the upcoming holiday season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support city-led efforts to source community Christmas trees from local private property?

The City of Yakima and the Downtown Association of Yakima are inviting local residents to nominate evergreen trees for the upcoming holiday season. The selected tree will be installed at Millennium Plaza for the annual lighting ceremony on December 6, 2026.

Why it matters

The annual project serves as a collaborative effort to decorate the city center for the holiday season. By sourcing a tree from a resident, the city manages holiday infrastructure while offering property owners a complimentary tree removal service.

Eligible evergreen trees must stand between 35 and 50 feet tall to be considered for the display. Potential sites must also provide sufficient access for a 25-foot by 45-foot crane and a 50-foot trailer.

The players

City of Yakima

This local government body manages civic projects and infrastructure for residents of Yakima, Washington.

Downtown Association of Yakima

This organization promotes the economic and cultural vitality of the downtown district through community initiatives.

The details

Residents interested in nominating a tree should contact the assistant to the city manager to initiate the process. A representative from the Downtown Association will visit the property to verify that the site has adequate space to accommodate the machinery required for extraction.

Nominations for the holiday tree must be submitted by November 9, 2026.
The selected tree is scheduled for cutting and installation on November 18, 2026.
The city will host a tree-lighting ceremony on December 6, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This project follows the city of Yakima's annual holiday tree lighting tradition, which anchors local seasonal celebrations. The initiative reinforces the city's approach to community-sourced civic infrastructure over commercial procurement.

Property owners whose trees are selected will have the tree removed at no cost to them. Residents may attend the public lighting ceremony at Millennium Plaza to view the final installation on December 6.

The takeaway

Residents should ensure their property meets the strict site access requirements before submitting a nomination to the city. This project offers a practical solution for homeowners looking to remove large, mature evergreens from their property.

What happens next

The selection of the final tree is expected on November 9, 2026. The installation process at Millennium Plaza is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2026, followed by the public lighting ceremony on December 6, 2026.