Yakima Makes History with an Extra Patriotic Fourth of July Lighted Parade

It's not every year that we see a lighted parade for the fourth of July, but here we are! Celebrate America 250 in Yakima by grabbing some lawn chairs and getting good seats to watch floats, lighted cars, and performers for a lighted patriotic parade, as VisitYakima.com reports.

The Yakima Celebrates America 250 Parade*** on Friday, July 3rd, is our city's first ever patriotic 4th of July parade --with lights!  It's also going to be First Friday in downtown, so we've got some details for that in this article, too.

Read More: List of Fourth of July Events Happening All Over the Yakima Valley

HERE ARE THE PARADE DETAILS

• WHEN: Friday, July 3rd, 2026
• START TIME: 7:00 p.m.
• PARADE ROUTE: Begins at S 6th Ave and Yakima Avenue; ends at the corner of Yakima Ave and Naches Ave in front of the YMCA.

Many people are planning to wear red, white, and blue as they watch the parade go by from their lawn chairs on the street.

Drivers who want to participate need to quickly reach out and sign up through this form in order to participate. There is no cost to sign up for the parade, and staging is first-come, first served.

FIRST FRIDAY JULY SHENANIGANS

Make this month's First Friday a walkable adventure full of shenanigans. Several downtown restaurants, breweries, and wineries will be offering specials to entice you to stop by in the late afternoon and early evening before the parade begins at 7.

***The parade committee includes current Yakima City Council Member Patricia Byers and former Yakima City Council Member Holly Cousens, who also previously served as a Yakima deputy mayor.