Esther Short Park

Vancouver Waterfront Walk

The walk begins around 10:00 AM at the Salmon Run Bell Tower in Esther Short Park.

I will arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early t

Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP. Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep…

Discover the best of local farm, food, and artisan

Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

products at the downtown Vancouver Farmers Market.

Discover the best of local farm, food, and artisan

Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

products at the downtown Vancouver Farmers Market.

Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP. Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep…

Discover the best of local farm, food, and artisan

Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

products at the downtown Vancouver Farmers Market.

Join Vancouver Rotary Club for the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Festivities start at 3 p.m. in Esther Short Park with live music, carriage rides, holiday treats and more. Starting at 5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way to Vancouver, escorted by a flotilla of Columbia River Christmas ships and arrive in front of AC Marriott at 5:45…

–Presented By: Rotary Club of Vancouver

–Dates: November 27, 2026

–Location: Esther Short Park

–Address: 301 W 8th St., Vancouver, WA 98660

–Time: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Downtown Vancouver turns festive on Friday, November 27, 2026, when the Rotary Club of Vancouver presents the annual Community Tree Lighting at the Vancouver Waterfront and Esther Short Park. This free, family-friendly celebration is one of Vancouver’s signature holiday events and a great way to welcome the season. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Columbia River, a lighted vehicle parade rolls through downtown, and the community gathers as the tree lights up at 6 p.m.

Waterfront arrival: Head to the Vancouver Waterfront in the late afternoon to see Santa and Mrs. Claus sail in by tugboat, escorted by a flotilla of Columbia River Christmas ships. This arrival honors the city’s riverfront roots and sets the tone for the evening.

Lighted vehicle parade: After greeting the crowd at the Waterfront, Santa and Mrs. Claus join a parade of decorated vehicles that travels up to downtown and into Esther Short Park, where the main festivities continue.

Tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.: The community gathers around the big holiday tree in Esther Short Park for the countdown. When Santa flips the switch, the park comes alive with lights, music, and photo ops.

• Holiday Market at the Hilton Vancouver: Browse local, handmade gifts and treats from 3 to 8 p.m. inside the Hilton, adjacent to Esther Short Park.
• Live music and on-stage entertainment leading up to the lighting
• Carriage rides along 6th Street (arrive early; they’re popular)
• Family photo stations, including Santa photos after the lighting
• Frozen: Anna/Elsa/Olaf character appearances for kids and photos
• The official community tree lighting at 6 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to the public.

Locations: Festivities take place at two connected spots — the Vancouver Waterfront (for the tugboat/ship arrival) and Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St., Vancouver, WA (for the parade arrival, music, and tree lighting). Both are in downtown Vancouver and walkable.

Parking: City lots around Esther Short Park open at or before 3 p.m.; Rotary notes that a $5 parking donation is requested in some lots. Plan to arrive early for the closest spaces or consider rideshare/transit due to the downtown location and holiday crowds.

No — the Vancouver Community Tree Lighting is a free community event presented by the Rotary Club of Vancouver. Just dress for the weather and show up.

This is one of the most festive tree lightings in southwest Washington: river arrival, lighted parade, downtown setting, and a park that stays beautifully lit through the season.

Before or after the lighting, explore downtown restaurants, grab hot drinks, or stroll the Waterfront for more lights. You can find more seasonal events on our Vancouver WA events calendar.

Discover the best of local farm, food, and artisan

Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

products at the downtown Vancouver Farmers Market.

Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP. Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep…

Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP. Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep…