Leavenworth’s Christmas Glow Goes Dark After Storm Triggers Power Outage and Closures
Right now, the holiday magic in Leavenworth has been noticeably dimmed, and not because Christmas is over, but because a powerful storm rolled through central Washington and left the town dealing with major disruptions. Strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding impacts combined to knock out power and close key roads, turning what is usually one of the busiest and brightest weekends of the year into a much quieter scene.
Leavenworth, often called the Christmas capital of Washington, has seen its famous half-million holiday lights switched off since late Wednesday. A widespread power outage swept through the area, forcing many businesses along Front Street to close their doors or operate in very limited ways. The festive glow that usually fills the village during the annual Christmastown Festival was replaced by darkness, flashlights, and the hum of portable generators.
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Adding to the challenge, Highway 2 remains closed across Stevens Pass in both directions. Mudslides, fallen trees, and rocks have blocked the roadway, cutting off one of the main routes into town. With no clear timeline for reopening, travel plans were disrupted and visitor numbers dropped sharply, even as some determined tourists still found their way into Leavenworth to salvage a bit of the holiday experience.
City officials confirmed that the popular “Village of Lights” display would remain dark through the weekend as damage assessments continued. Some of the light displays were damaged by extreme winds and flying debris, making it unsafe to turn them back on immediately. Even so, the town’s signature holiday spirit hasn’t completely disappeared. Visitors could still be seen walking around, grabbing meals where possible, and trying to enjoy what they could of the atmosphere.
A handful of businesses chose to open using generators, keeping things simple but welcoming. In some cases, just a single light was turned on, and payments were handled by cellphone. For shop owners, the goal was less about profit and more about giving people a warm place to step into and maintaining a sense of normalcy during an otherwise difficult moment.
Meanwhile, Chelan County PUD crews have been working to restore electricity to more than 3,500 affected customers, most of them in and around Leavenworth. Restoration work has been complicated by downed trees, damaged power lines, and congestion from heavy equipment moving through narrow roads. Power is being restored gradually, starting with essential services like the local hospital, followed by neighborhoods.
City leaders have emphasized that safety and recovery remain the top priorities. Cleanup is expected to continue through the weekend, and there is cautious optimism that the Christmas lights could return next weekend. Until then, Leavenworth may be darker than usual, but its resilient, welcoming spirit is still very much alive.
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