Thursday, Dec. 5
J&I Holiday Social
J&I Power Equipment will host its “J&I Holiday Social” event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at its location in Yelm, 16510 106th Ave. SE. The event will have light hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, a hot cocoa bar, a craft station and an opportunity for a photo with Santa. At the event, there will also be a drawing to win a STIHL GTA26 handheld saw.
Friday, Dec. 6
Christmas in the Park Tree-Lighting Ceremony
The City of Yelm will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at Yelm City Park, 302 Second St. SE in Yelm. Following the conclusion of the tree lighting to signify the start of the holiday season, free photos with Santa will be offered inside the Yelm Community Center.
Gingerbread house contest and food drive
Community members can bring in canned tuna, canned chili or boxes of Ziploc bags to vote for their favorite gingerbread house created by community members. Donations will be accepted on Dec. 6 during pictures with Santa at the Yelm Community Center, on Dec. 7 at Christmas in the Park, and during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Dec. 9 to Dec. 11 at Yelm City Hall.
Yelm girls basketball hosts Bethel
Yelm High School’s girls basketball team will host its third home game of the 2024-25 season at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, inside the YHS gymnasium against South Puget Sound League opponent Bethel.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Christmas in the Park Parade
Yelm’s Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas in the Park Parade at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade course begins near Yelm Cinemas and travels up Yelm Avenue toward the Yelm City Park. Community members can line the streets to help celebrate Yelm’s annual Christmas tradition.
Yelm Lions Club 13th annual Christmas Store
The Yelm Lions Club, 301 Yelm Ave. W., will host its 13th annual Christmas Store event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at its location in Yelm. Children under 12 years old can select a gift for each adult in their household, and the entire family can enjoy a free pancake breakfast.
Yelm Community Choir Christmas concert
The Yelm Community Choir will present its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 206 Third St., near the Yelm City Park. The choir’s main presentation will be “Kindness,” a work by Mark Hayes that the choir performed in New York earlier this year.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Third annual Roy Santa Parade
The third annual Roy Santa Parade will take place on Sunday, Dec. 8, with people invited to line up and down Warren Street and James Street in Roy. Entrants can line up at 5 p.m., and the parade begins at 6 p.m. Santa will be handing out candy canes and taking pictures. To participate, contact James at 253-318-4531.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Yelm boys basketball hosts Spanaway Lake
Yelm High School’s boys basketball team will host its third home game of the 2024-25 season at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, inside the YHS gymnasium against South Puget Sound League opponent Spanaway Lake.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Yelm Cinemas annual toy drive
Yelm Cinemas, located 201 Prairie Park Lane SE, will host its annual toy drive and movie event beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the theater. Participants will gain free entry with a donation of an unwrapped toy. The movie being shown at Yelm Cinemas will be the Christmas-themed “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Cocoa Trail Fun Run
Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the “Cocoa Trail Fun Run” beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Yelm City Park, SE 115 Mosman Ave. Participants must register for the event online at https://bit.ly/4cSV4oZ.
