Winter Fest comes to Ritzville once a year, and serves as the kickoff to all holiday events within the community.
In keeping with tradition, the 2022 festivities will being with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the front lawn of the Ritzville Public Library. Carols will be led by our local high school band, and there will even be an appearance from Santa!
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live through the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The event will take place on Friday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m.
This year, community members are being asked to decorate ornaments to be hung on the Christmas tree in order to celebrate our community and bring some extra holiday cheer back to Ritzville.
December 2-3
Returning this year is the Outdoor Market "Festival of Lights" on December 2 from 4-7 p.m. This shopping event is coordinated by local community member Dede Boyer. If you are interested in having a booth at the event (free of charge), please call Dede at 509-655-1870.
On December 3, head over to the Ritzville Grade School for the largest holiday shopping event of the season! The Holiday Bazaar will attract vendors from across the region, and the event runs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be Santa photos and food available for purchase as well.
After your shopping outing, head on down to The Ritz Theatre for the annual Children's Movie Matinee at 2 p.m. This year's movie will be "Arthur Christmas" and admission is provided free of charge, thanks to donations. After the movie, the Ritzville Volunteer Firefighters will deliver Santa and treat bags to all of those in attendance!
DECEMBER 9 will be the first-ever Cookie Crawl in the Ritzville community! This scavenger hunt will take you around Ritzville to different local businesses, and each clue will have a cookie with it! At the last location, help solve the mystery from the clues, and go home with even more tasty snacks! A $25 donation is recommended, with all proceeds going to the Ritzville Food Pantry. Contact Karen Cady at 509-999-8941 or ritzyellowhouse@gmail..com for more information.
On Saturday, December 10, bring the whole family for a day of FREE fun for all ages!
Start off with Breakfast With Santa at the Ritzville Eagles from 8:30-10:30 a.m. It’s free for children! Santa will be available for photos, and pancakes are available for the kids!
The day's events start with Fly In Santa, where Santa will arrive via helicopter at the local school district. Drive down Candy Cane Lane, entering by Lind-Ritzville High School, and receive treats from local emergency responders before getting to talk to the man in red himself!
Fly In Santa is sponsored by Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools and East Adams Rural Healthcare.
After Fly-In Santa, head down to the Main Event in downtown Ritzville for a Cookie Ornament Decorating activity! These ornaments will be hung on the Train Depot Museum, as part of the Christmas at the Museum event on December 17.
December 17
Previously the Penny Auction, Quinterfest is rejoining the annual event line-up! The event will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, and will include a silent auction, bucket raffle, and raffle. Please visit www.ritzvillefestivals.org for more information!
A new addition to our Ritzville festivities is Christmas at the Museum, hosted by the Ritzville Museum Volunteers at the Train Depot on December 17. Stop by the holiday-decorated museum between the hours of 1-4 p.m. to see the historic museum, visit with volunteers, take photos with holiday backdrops and see their beautiful Christmas tree!
On December 17, head downtown on Main Avenue and Washington Street before 2:00 p.m. for the Ornament Hunt, hosted by the Ritzville Chamber! Compete as individuals or as a group. Everyone leaves a winner, as each ornament will have a prize attached! This event is open for all ages.
At 2:30 p.m., the Santa Parade will fill Railroad Avenue and circle onto Main Avenue with entries. Anyone is welcome to enter, and the only requirement is you must have a Santa hat!!