The holiday season is right around the corner and that means things in Maple Valley and Black Diamond are about to get festive!

There’s something special about this time of year. It makes many of us want to slow down and really enjoy the community we live in and the people we share it with.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect during the holidays in Maple Valley and Black Diamond.

Maple Valley Hometown Holiday Event

It wouldn’t be the holidays in Maple Valley without the much-beloved Hometown Holiday event. This special event is an opportunity to kick off the holiday season with your community, and it doesn’t disappoint.

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, December 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at 4 Corners.

The event centers around the lighting of the city holiday tree, which is located at the southwest corner of Maple Valley Town Center. The tree lighting ceremony will be held between 6:15 and 6:45 pm, and our mayor will be on hand to welcome us and get things underway.

This year, the city of Maple Valley donated their “Flip the Switch” opportunity to the Maple Valley Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce’s Gala Auction. Amanda Gross from Edward Jones was the lucky bidder, which means she will be the lucky one to flip the switch at this year’s ceremony.

After taking in the lighting ceremony, kick off your visit with a ride on a train to enjoy some local sites. After the ride, you’re invited to take part in family activities including holiday craft-making for children.

You can also expect to find some sweet treats waiting for you, so grab some food and drink, then wander over to enjoy some entertainment by local singing groups — everyone is welcome to join in!

A variety of vendors will be on hand offering a variety of goods so it’s a great time to do some holiday shopping.

What would the holiday be like without some furry friends joining us? The event will have real reindeers, so don’t miss a chance to meet Rudolph and the gang.

Best of all, Santa will be joining us, and once he’s arrived, everyone is invited to take a photo with Santa and share their holiday wishes.

Harvest and Holiday Markets

The Maple Valley Farmers’ Market (MVFM) is always a hotbed of activity from May to September, and during the holiday season, the market comes back to life. Holidays in Maple Valley and Black Diamond are all about the community, and the MVFM is one of the best gathering places around.

This year, the Holiday and Harvest Markets will be held on four separate dates:

• Saturday, October 30th (Harvest Markets)
• Saturday, November 6th (Harvest Markets)
• Saturday, December 4th (Holiday Markets)
• Saturday, December 11th (Holiday Markets)

The market is located at the Maple Valley Legacy Site, 25719 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd SE and is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Visitors who attend the Holiday and Harvest markets can expect the same top-tier experience they’ve come to know from the market, but with a holiday twist.

During your time at the market, you can shop for locally made arts and crafts, gifts, and specialty food items. From a one-of-a-kind painting or hand-crafted soaps to mouthwatering preserves and delicious local wines, finding gifts has never been easier.

Looking for decor or other seasonal items? The MVFM has got you covered. Homemade ornaments, wreaths, outdoor planters, and more will all be available.

Of course, any visit to your local farmers’ market isn’t complete without taking home your own bounty of fresh, locally grown, and in-season fruits and vegetables. You can also find meat, cheese, and just about anything else you might want for a holiday feast — all produced by people local to you.

Holiday Family Fair With Muletide Cheer

Take a break from your routine and revel in the magic of the holiday season at the Holiday Family Fair with Muletide Cheer. Nestled in the picturesque foothills on the Pacific Northwest, this event at Rein Fire Ranch offers something for everyone in the family.

This event takes place on Saturday, December 18th from 12:00 – 6:00 pm.

Both Santa and Petunia the Christmas Mule will be on hand for selfies so don your best holiday gear and get ready to capture some memories.

During the fair you can expect to find:

• An ugly sweater contest at 3 pm.
• Games and prizes for kids and adults.
• Wagon rides and s’mores (weather permitting).
• Warm drinks – hot cocoa, spiced cider, coffee, and tea.
• Candy canes and other holiday treats for the kids.

The Mean One at Tahoma Living (FREE Event)

This Holiday season, Tahoma Living will be hosting a Holiday Market featuring “The Mean One” along with 20+ vendors and food trucks. A fun family event to take free photos with the Mean One, shop with local businesses, dine with EJ’s and Five Hooks, all while enjoying live performances by EmpowerMe Arts teachers and students! With wares ranging from holiday decorations, succulent arrangements, confectionaries, toys and more; there will be something for everyone to get all your holiday shopping done.

As it is the season of giving we are asking for canned food, hygienic products, or cash donations which will go towards the Maple Valley Foodbank and The Storehouse-Covington Foodbank. Each donation will earn entry towards a raffle where attendees will have the opportunity to win a 3 night beach front getaway to Ocean Shores! What a great gift you could give to your significant other or loved ones for Christmas!

This event takes place on Sunday December 12 @ 12:00pm – 4:00pm.

Location:
Tahoma Living
Wilderness Village – Parking Lot 23714 222nd PL SE,
Maple Valley, WA

Support Local for the Holidays

One of the things about living in a smaller community is that so many of the people running businesses are your neighbors. And this year, as we slowly have begun to emerge from our post-pandemic bubbles, showing your support for local businesses is more important than ever!

Shopping locally for your holiday gifts, groceries, and more is an easy way to help put money back into our local community. One of the best things about living in Maple Valley and Black Diamond is that we can get just about anything we need right here.

Also, the holiday season means more socializing for many people, whether it’s a gathering with your office colleagues, a dinner to catch up with friends, or a brunch with some family. We’re fortunate to have so many dining options in Maple Valley, and with a diverse combination of cuisines to choose from, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is to figure out what craving to satisfy.

For anyone looking to kick back with a drink, our community has some of the best beer, wine, and cider around. We’ve also got some great coffee shops if sipping a hot drink while you stroll through town is more your speed.

Our local wineries, breweries, and coffee shops can be another great spot to find gifts. Buy someone a pack of local craft beer from Black Diamond’s Lumber House Brewery. Set them up with a wine tasting at Maple Valley’s only winery, Uva Furem Winery. Or why not find a bag of their favorite coffee beans to stuff in their stocking at Maple Valley’s own hometown coffee roasters, Java! Java! Coffee Co.

Mark Your Calendar for the Holidays in Maple Valley and Black Diamond

Whether this is your first year living here or you’ve been here for decades, the holidays in Maple Valley and Black Diamond have a little something for everyone.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars with whatever interests you, and get out there and take advantage of everything this amazing community has to offer during the holidays — and all year long.