6 minute read
Glow in the Snow
Idaho Botanical Garden’s Winter Garden aGlow. PHOTO BY JAXPAXPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Idaho’s favorite holiday events
BY APRIL NEALE
Idaho's crystalline-covered foothills and mountains are the backdrop for our biggest cities, with old-fashioned street lights and traditional events made for everyone to bundle up, get social, and make merry. From Coeur d'Alene to Boise and McCall to Sun Valley, insiders offered their no-miss holiday picks, so book your hotels and make plans to visit the entire Gem State in all its cinnamon-sugared, hot cocoa-y glory. Before you usher in the new year with the annual day and nighttime festivities of the New Year’s Eve Idaho Potato Drop at Cecil D. Andrus Park, get into the spirit of the season with IdaHome.
Boise, Idaho's capital city, boasts a visually arresting blend of old-fashioned holiday decor, elaborate window art, European-style holiday markets, and unusual holiday traditions. "There are so many can't-miss holiday events in Boise, including Winter Garden aGlow at the Idaho Botanical Garden, “The Nutcracker” and Boise Philharmonic's Holiday Pops concert at the Morrison Center, and of course, the iconic New Year's Eve Potato Drop,” said Visit Boise executive director Carrie Westergard. “Additionally, I love sharing Capital City Public Market's Winter Market (in downtown Boise) with visiting friends and family looking for local crafts and seasonal treats."
Westergard also looks forward to the return of downtown Boise's Glide on Grove and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl football game on December 23. “These are just some of the events that capture the heart of the season and make for unforgettable holiday experiences," she said.
You might also travel up Highway 55 to the stunning hamlet of McCall, a postcard-perfect lake that takes the holidays and winter festivals to heart. McKenzie Kraemer, McCall Chamber's marketing director, enjoys McCall’s small town feeling, which she described as “an old-fashioned Christmas.”
“It's a beautiful time to shop local, and many authors come to do book signings and the stores serve up mulled wine while you shop and stay open later—especially on the weekends,” she explained.
Her top five events include the downtown tree lighting, which overlooks the lake at Rotary Park and closes the street. “There are carolers, and Santa comes on the firetruck by the local fire department. You can come down, grab some hot chocolate, go ice skating, or ice bumper cars at the ice rink while you wait for Santa,” Kraemer said.
Feeling charitable? Kraemer also recommends the Snow Ball, a formal dinner and auction for the Payette Lakes Ski Club, benefitting Little Ski Hill and Bear Basin Nordic Center, or the festive Payette Lakes Progressive Club Festival of Trees, which raises money for scholarships for local high school students.
Or celebrate the season at a ski resort. Brundage Mountain’s Light Up the Night offers fireworks at the Bluebird Chairlift and live music; it's family-friendly and free to attend. Tamarack Resort does an amazing fireworks show on New Year's Eve too.
“A bonus holiday event to note is the Manchester Ice & Event Center Holiday Ice Show, where high-caliber national champions come to skate. And if anyone's looking for additional events, they can always visit our event calendar at calendar@visitmccall.org, the Chamber's website," Kraemer said.
Mackenzie Macomber, marketing coordinator for the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association calls the downtown atmosphere “magic” during the holiday season, with events like the Lighting Ceremony Parade and Elf on the Shelf, which have begun the same weekend for 32 years. With over 50 floats and parade entries, locals and visitors come together to enjoy the parade and the fireworks.
“If you've ever been to Coeur d'Alene during the holiday season, every tree has lights on it. This year's theme is ‘A Super Holiday,’ so parade entries and anyone who wants to can dress up as their favorite superhero—the Hulk to Batman or a favorite doctor or someone special in your life,” Macomber said.
Elf on the Shelf, a four-week event held over the weekend every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, is a scavenger hunt where Santa sends scout elves to participating downtown businesses, and the elves will hide in the businesses. Visitors get a passport and search for the elves—when they find them, they get a passport stamp and a prize.
“You can also find Santa at the STCU Downtown Coeur d'Alene Branch,” Macomber added.
Jessica Maynard, operations manager for Visit Sun Valley, recommends a winter visit to this charming mountain resort, which offers a huge variety of activities in and around the city.
“I've enjoyed bringing my daughter to the annual Winter Wonderland Kickoff, which includes a scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, and many fun family activities. Seeing Santa, taking photos with Santa, and just enjoying the time together,” she said.
A local favorite is the Sun Valley tree lighting ceremony, which features ice sculpture demonstrations, the carolers, Santa, and the Sun Valley Holiday Market, where you can stroll around and find gifts. There’s also the Holiday Bazaar, which is a juried art and craft show featuring authentic handmade artisan gifts from more than 70 artists from across the Intermountain West.
“It's a fundraising event that supports the mission of the Papoose Club, which is to support cultural, social, educational and athletic activities of Blaine County youth," Maynard explained. “The holiday season is a magical time to visit the area.”
