SANTA’S WORKSHOP
That Spokane Holiday Magic
The holidays are here, and in Spokane it’s easy to make the most of them. It all starts downtown, where the connection between the dream-lit Riverfront Park and the bustling River Park Square creates the perfect holiday HQ. Festive events are everywhere, every day — from live musical versions of Shrek and Beetlejuice to A Christmas Carol to The Nutcracker to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. Check the events section for more. Finding the perfect gift for that special someone is a big part of the holidays. Inside you’ll find great ideas from Spokane shops, appealing to everyone from those outdoorsy types on your list to foodies and fashionistas. And don’t forget to eat! Spokane’s local restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms have something for everyone. Let Visit Spokane help you plan your own magical holiday season with this Merry & Magical Guide!
DOWNTOWN SPOKANE
A Picture Postcard Christmas
In Downtown Spokane, the winter holidays will be even more spectacular this year. The MERRY & MAGICAL LANE on Post Street between River Park Square and The Historic Davenport Hotel will feature brand new canopy lighting, twinkling trees and other seasonal decorations that will add even more warmth to your shopping and entertainment experience.
“It will be a picture postcard of what a downtown should look like during the holidays,” says Liz Hooker, who oversees marketing
and programming at the Downtown Spokane Partnership. The MERRY & MAGICAL DEALS PASS will tie into this special location, offering discounts and deals at participating nearby businesses through an exclusive mobile app from Visit Spokane.
On Nov. 23, River Park Square celebrates SANTA’S ARRIVAL with family-friendly entertainment like animal balloons, acrobats, visits from winter princesses and a hot cocoa bar. The event culminates in the lighting of the grand 50-foot tree in the mall’s atrium. Following
SANTA’S ARRIVAL
the ceremony, Santa is available for photos up to and including Christmas Eve. Families can enjoy another fun outing when River Park Square hosts the BLITZEN BASH on Dec. 7. This oneday event offers a range of all-ages activities, including crafts, face painting and even a chance to meet Santa’s reindeer.
In RIVERFRONT PARK, the annual Numerica Tree Lighting Celebration is scheduled for Nov. 30. That beloved holiday event coincides with the Riverfront Market at the nearby Spokane Pavilion, which will be a great opportunity to browse handmade, one-of-a-kind items from local crafters and artisans. Continuing over 20 years of tradition, the horse and carriage rides through the park also start the same day.
Beginning Dec. 1, you’ll see an assortment of artist-inspired WINDOW DISPLAYS spring up around downtown that embrace the holiday spirit — and the spirit of friendly competition!
Using a map on the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s online events page, you’ll be able to tour these displays and vote for your favorite
via a handy QR code.
And that’s certainly not the only fun, holiday-themed activity. Thanks to sponsorship from Providence, the popular KIDS
SCAVENGER HUNT returns this year from Nov. 29 through Dec. 22. To participate, kids will use a passport to search for hidden figures at 25 downtown locations. Once they’ve found 10 of them, they can redeem their passport for
a prize drawing. During the final countdown to Christmas, 12 DAYS OF DEALS will showcase one downtown business per day through special promotions. Look for trivia questions on the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s social media to take part in the fun.
Events
NOV 15 -16
SHREK THE MUSICAL
November 11-17
STAGE Shrek
First Interstate Center for the Arts
SHREK THE MUSICAL arrives in Spokane bringing audiences the chance to “fall in love all ogre again.” And indeed, kids and adults will love the opportunity to revisit characters from the original Shrek, the DreamWorks animated film. In the musical, Shrek and his sidekick, the hilarious Donkey, once again set out on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona. The triumph of true love over everything else — a dastardly King Farquaar, lover’s quarrels and much more — means everyone will leave the theater with a spring in their steps. The two-hour show is recommended for kids aged 6 and up. (Friday at 7: 30 pm, Saturday at 3 pm and 7:30 pm)
ARTS & CRAFTS
16 SAT
11 am-4 pm, Woman’s Club of Spokane
Shop for yourself, or, better yet, get an early start on holiday gift giving at the 33 ARTISTS MARKET. Find everything from wearable art like jewelry and textiles to home goods including paintings, ceramics, candles and more at this monthly showcase of local talent. Gwyn Pevonka started the market in November of 2022 to provide more opportunities for local artists to share their work with the community of Spokane. (Also on Nov. 30)
GIRLS NIGHT OUT
Australia’s Thunder From Down Under
5 pm and 8 pm, Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Prepare for some racy fun as THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER, a troupe of 20 very swole blokes from Australia, flex their way through crowdpleasing dance numbers. Get ready to join in if an attractive fellow comes calling as “interactive audience engagement” is a key part of the adult-themed male revue that’s thrilled more than 7 million ticket holders in 23 countries over the past 30 years, with one (probably breathless) attendee describing it as “one of the best nights of my life.”
Events
November 18-24
A CAPELLA
NOV 23 SAT
Straight No Chaser
7:30 pm, Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Singing straight from their hearts, the nine members of STRAIGHT NO CHASER forego instrumental accompaniment in favor of elaborate vocal arrangements, and this year, they’re celebrating their 25th anniversary. It’s been a good run: the group has sold more than three million albums and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Elton John, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Expect plenty of holiday hits at this show, including songs from their latest Christmas album, 2023’s Stocking Stuffer
CLASSICAL POP
Vitamin String Quartet
7:30 pm, the Fox
Think chamber music is just a little too stuffy for your taste? Not really into works by the old masters? Put any reluctance to rest and prepare to be captivated by the VITAMIN STRING QUARTET’s insightful and exciting interpretations of pop music. On their current tour titled, “The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton and Beyond,” there’s bound to be something for everyone. VSQ music is a mainstay on wedding and work/study playlists, and it’s also regularly been featured on screen in shows from Westworld to Modern Family, and of course, Bridgerton. Also check out their website for albums and downloadable sheet music of many arrangements.
NOV
23 SAT
CELEBRATION
Merry & Magical Lane
Downtown Spokane’s Post Street will be transformed into a holiday picture postcard titled MERRY & MAGICAL LANE, open all season long with new canopy lighting, twinkling trees and other decorations. Plan to stroll the lane from the Historic Davenport Hotel to River Park Square, arriving in time to watch the lighting of River Park Square’s 50-foot tree and greet Santa after his grand arrival. Use the Merry and Magical Deals Pass mobile app for discounts and deals at participating nearby businesses.
Judy Collins
7:30 pm, the Bing
RIVALRY EWU vs. WSU Men’s Basketball 6:30 pm, Spokane Arena
MARKET Custer’s
49th Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am6 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, Spokane Fair & Expo Center
JOLLY OLD ELF
5 pm, River Park Square
EWU VS. WSU
SHOPPING
Small Business
Saturday
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY arrives each year at the perfect time: after you’ve had time to digest that big Thanksgiving dinner (and a few leftovers) and before the panic over gift-buying sets in. Enjoy venturing out not only to your favorite local shops and vendors, but also taking the opportunity to explore businesses you might not yet have had a chance to get to know. Find unique and meaningful gifts for everyone on your list and treat yourself too. Don’t forget to show some love to local restaurants and coffee shops along the way!
Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University
Ben Joyce explores his “love of place” in PLACES: BEN JOYCE, an exhibit featuring art inspired by locations that have had an impact on Joyce’s development into a worldrenowned artist. Seven ambitious, large-scale multi-media works depicting impressions from time spent in cities around the world from Florence, Italy to New York City and Butte, Montana are on display. Joyce has completed commissions for public spaces, celebrities and even the Google Earth headquarters. (Open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm)
Spokane Civic Theater
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is the ultimate cautionary drama. The show opens with the ghost of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s former business partner bringing a warning of what’s in store if Scrooge doesn’t get his act together (hint: it involves an eternity wandering the earth under a load of heavy chains). The message is just as resonant now as it was when Charles Dickens’ wrote the Victorian classic in 1843: Ultimately, happiness arises from treating others with generosity and compassion. (Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm; plus matinees 12/7 and 12/21 at 2 pm)
December 2-8
CLASSIC
The Nutcracker
Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, the Fox
DEC 5 - 8
THU-SUN
Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet will team up with the Spokane Symphony to recreate THE NUTCRACKER at the glorious Fox Theater. The professional dance troupe will be joined onstage by more than 70 local dancers as they recount the dreamy tale of little Clara and her Nutcracker Prince’s perilous Christmas Eve journey to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. For the first time this year, a sensory-friendly performance (Weds, Dec. 4, at 6 pm) designed for those on the autism spectrum features altered lighting and freedom to move around during the performance.
NOV
29DEC 31
TUE-SAT
ALL AGLOW Northwest Winterfest
Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds
Enjoy strolling through climate-controlled lanes to take in the wonder of this huge display of one-ofa-kind silk lanterns. Created by stretching fabric over wireframes and lit from within, the lanterns vary in size from small and charming to this year’s newly acquired giant, brilliantly colorful dinosaurs. Performances celebrating cultures from across the globe take place each evening. Food and beverages are available. (Open Fridays through Sundays and select Thursdays)
SNOWY
CHRISTMAS
The Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival
11 am-9 pm, The Bing
Bing Crosby lived in Spokane from around 1906 until 1925, when he left in search of his big break in Hollywood. The Bing Crosby Advocates, some of Bing’s biggest and most enduring fans, are bringing his work back to his hometown, in his eponymous theater, with the 18th annual BING CROSBY HOLIDAY FILM FESTIVAL. See Here Comes the Groom, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and, of course, White Christmas, which will be screened as both the opener and closer of the Festival.
7:30 pm, First Interstate Center for the Performing Arts
Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm, Spokane Civic Theater
Various downtown locations. Map at
Events
ROMANCE
December 9 -15
The Snow Queen
7 pm, First Interstate Center for the Arts
The Grand Kyiv Ballet brings its production of THE SNOW QUEEN to Spokane just in time for the holidays. Featuring the music of Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart and Vivaldi, the story is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, first published in 1844. Gerda, the young heroine, must navigate a world filled with magical creatures — fairies, trolls, snowmen and more — to rescue handsome Kai who’s fallen under the spell of the icy Snow Queen. The Grand Kyiv Ballet was founded in 2014 to showcase premiere Ukrainian dancers to the rest of the world.
DEC 13 SAT
DEC 14 SAT
Local artists and artisans share their works at the one-day winter art market that takes place on all three levels of River Park Square. Take a stroll through BRRRZAAR to shop at booths staffed by more than 70 local vendors, where you’ll find handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, home goods, skin care, candles, tea and more. Most items are priced at $100 or less and are intended to provide gift-buying options for all price points. In 2023, more than 20,000 visitors attended and helped local artists earn more than $200,000.
Spend your Holidays at the MAC
Holiday Kick-Off Celebration
Saturday | November 30 4-6 PM | FREE
Campbell House Holidays Saturday | December 21 2-4 PM | Included with admission
BRRRZAAR
Spokane Jazz Orchestra
7:30 pm, The Bing
Settle in for an evening that’s sure to bring all the warmth of the holiday season to The Bing as THE SPOKANE JAZZ ORCHESTRA performs the Christmas Music of Ray Charles with guest vocalist LaShund Lambert. Ray Charles’ 1985 album, The Spirit of Christmas, features standards like “Little Drummer Boy,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The eponymous, “The Spirit of Christmas,” song may be familiar from A Christmas Vacation; it’s the background music when Clark Griswold watches old family movies.
Events
December 16-22
SWIRLING FUN
Story Time at the Carrousel
11 am, Looff Carrousel
Gather up the youngest in your group for an unforgettable morning featuring stories, songs and preschool activities. It’s all designed to spark creativity, curiosity and promote early literacy, with plenty of fun along the way. Enjoy $1 Carrousel rides at this event that’s recommended for children ages 2-5. STORY TIME AT THE CARROUSEL is offered on the third Friday of every month throughout the year. The Looff Carrousel is on the National Register of Historic Places and its 54 horses, one giraffe, one tiger and two Chinese dragon chairs make up one of the bestpreserved hand-carved wooden carousels in the United States.
BROADWAY
Hadestown
First Interstate Center for the Arts
DEC
20 FRI DEC 21 -22
SAT-SUN
Singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell’s HADESTOWN won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and this show is indeed all about the music. A seven-piece band sits onstage during the concert-style show that features multiple songs presented with minimal staging and acting, recounting intertwining Greek mythic stories of young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone. Prepare to travel to the underworld and back in this moving production. (Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 1 pm and 7:30 pm)
LOOFF CARROUSEL
December 23 - Jan. 1
IT’S SHOWTIME!
Beetlejuice
First Interstate Center for the Arts
DEC 31 -
JAN 5
TUE-SUN
Delightful comedic horrors will be on full display when the touring production of BEETLEJUICE: THE MUSICAL takes the First Interstate stage beginning on the final night of 2024. While film fans are flocking to the cinematic sequel, Beetlejuice: The Musical’s tweaked version of Tim Burton’s 1989 film delivers critically acclaimed, highenergy antics, earning seven Tony nominations when it debuted on Broadway in 2019. (Tuesday-Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Sun at 1 pm and 6:30 pm)
DEC 26 -28
THU-SAT
HEALTHY HUMOR
Spokane Comedy Club
NURSE JOHN is actually a real nurse named John Dela Cruz who hails from Quebec and found fame on TikTok during the pandemic. His take on the struggles of those who continue to be on the frontlines dealing with one the world’s most demanding jobs are both hilarious and heartfelt. The Short-Staffed Tour features stand-up comedy that “is like talking to your work bestie” as Nurse John tackles the realities of work in health care — from struggles with being short-staffed to feeling underappreciated and underpaid. (Thursday at 7 pm, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and 9:45 pm)
Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
More than 120 works spanning the 40-year career of renowned Plateau-Native JOE FEDDERSEN are on display through Jan. 5. The monumental exhibit features Feddersen’s multimedia work, including printmaking, ceramics, glass and weaving, all offering visual commentary on the world from his unique perspective. Also, through Jan. 26, check out “It Happened Here: Expo ’74 Fifty Years After,” a collection of memorabilia — including Liberace’s sparkling denim suit and an original Sky Ride gondola — that combine to tell the story of Expo ’74. (10 am-5 pm, Tues through Sun; Holidays: 10 am-3 pm, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.)
The Great Outdoors
Something special just for those who eat, sleep and breathe the mountains, rivers and forests of the Inland Northwest
NORTHWEST NOTES
There’s so much to do around Spokane, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Take a gift-buying trip to AUNTIE’S BOOKSTORE for a guidebook to hiking and camping destinations around the Pacific Northwest.
JUST ADD MOUNTAINS
A shiny new set of skis or a snowboard make great gifts, and SPOKANE ALPINE HAUS has been a go-to locally since 1976. New this year: a second Spokane location on Northwest Blvd.
DOWNHILL DREAMS
Give a season or one-day lift ticket to Spokane’s closest resort, MT. SPOKANE, featuring great skiing for all skill levels and a fully equipped terrain park. Plus, new for this year, snow tubing is back!
Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a whole lot of cash back.
Introducing the Clearly Cash Back™ card from Washington Trust Bank. You get 1.5% cash back on purchases.* And during the holiday season, all that spending can quickly add up. So, how much cash back could you get if you were to hypothetically purchase the “12 Days of Christmas” in real life? Let’s assume it would be a lot.
Learn more at watrust.com/clearlycashback
Of course this is all subject to credit approval. But after approval you’ll get a kitten. OK, maybe not a kitten, but you’ll earn rewards based on your qualifying net purchases (purchases minus returns and/or other related credits) as long as your account is in good standing (that is, not closed, canceled, blocked, delinquent, suspended or otherwise inactive and not available for use). So as long as your card is good, your rewards are good. Good begets good. Of course, you do not earn rewards on fees, finance charges, or fraudulent or unauthorized charges. Credits (returns) to your account will reduce the rewards available in your account. For more information see Clearly Cash Back™ Terms and Conditions.
of jackets, daypacks and more — a collab with PNW artist Gianna Andrews.
PEDAL POWER
A new bike under the tree is every kid’s dream — one shared by most grown-ups, too. SPOKE AND SPORT has been selling bikes and accessories in Spokane since 1978, featuring Liv and Giant bikes.
HOLIDAYS ARE DOWNTOWN
From magical sights to tasty delights, don’t miss the holidays in downtown Spokane. Pick up the latest edition of The Inlander to find events, sales, dining recommendations, and more.
because spokane is downtown explore downtown at downtownspokane.org
Gifts
Foodie Fantasies
Food is a centerpiece of every holiday season, so why not give your loved ones delicious gifts to enjoy all year ’round?
DUTCH OVEN, FRENCH STYLE
Give the gift of cooking with an ever-versatile Dutch oven from Le Creuset. The hot, new color — olive green — is in the Flour Mill at THE KITCHEN ENGINE, where you can find even more home cooking delights.
TASTES LIKE SPOKANE
Spokane-based Spiceology has spread its flavors nationwide with blends like Black Magic, Greek Freak and more. A great gift that will make a convert out of anyone with tastebuds; available at MY FRESH BASKET.
MELTED CHEESE, ANYONE?
Like so many relics of the 1970s, fondue is making a comeback. Gruyere cheese, wine and crusty bread — why did it ever go out of style? WILLIAMS SONOMA in River Park Square offers a highly giftable set.
SAVOR EVERY BITE
One of Spokane’s epic dining experiences is the three- or six-course chef’s choice menu at GANDER & RYEGRASS. You can add a wine pairing, or even bring in the sommelier — a culinary adventure in a gift card.
Sips for the Season
Spokane has an abundance of locally made wine, beer,
AWARD-WINNING SPIRITS
WINE-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
John Allen and his team at VINO! A WINE SHOP have been picking delicious wines for thirsty Spokanites for decades now; let them pick one vintage per month for that special someone on your list.
Spokane’s internationally recognized DRY FLY DISTILLERY makes vodka, gin and whiskey from regionally sourced ingredients. They also offer premixed canned cocktails and special, limitededition releases.
ONE-OF-A-KIND ACCESSORIES
Take your next wine party to another level with local handmade art from POTTERY PLACE PLUS, including ceramic wine glasses by Angela Nicole Drew and a wooden charcuterie board from Chris Bradley.
Sips for the Season...
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS
A MARYHILL WINE CLUB membership is a gift with many perks — from food and bottle discounts to free tastings, depending on the membership level. And it all happens in their beautiful Kendall Yards tasting room.
BARWARE OF DISTINCTION
Share your pride over Spokane’s local brewery scene with NO-LI BREWHOUSE-branded swag. Find everything from pint glasses to coasters to t-shirts to bottle openers at their Gonzaga-adjacent Brewhouse.
HOURS: M-F 10AM - 10PM SATURDAY 9AM - 7PM | SUNDAY 10AM - 7PM
OFF NORMAL TICKET PRICES
THURSDAY DEC 5 7:30 PM
James Lowe, CONDUCTOR State Street Ballet Rodney Gustafson, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DEC 7 3:OO PM & 7:30 PM
HOLIDAY POPS
DEC 8 3:00 PM
MORIHIKO NAKAHARA CONDUCTOR POPS 3 WITH THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY Sponsored by:
DEC 6 7:30 PM SATURDAY DEC 21 7:30 PM SUNDAY DEC 22 3:00 PM
TUESDAYDECEMBER 31 7:30 PM
District Spotlight Garland
Spokane’s OG hipster neighborhood is filled with great shopping and dining, built on icons like Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle and the Garland Theater
THE SPIRIT OF SPOKANE
Local artist Chris Bovey celebrates all things Spokane through his screen prints of parks and beloved local businesses. At VINTAGE PRINT + NEON, you can pick from his collection, along with water bottles, calendars and more
UNIQUE HOLIDAY DECOR
Filled with curated collections of home decor and furniture, you can find the perfect gift at CHAISE & HOME. Look for Christmas wreaths and one-of-akind artwork, along with luxurious couches and accent furniture
NEIGHBORHOOD FLAVOR
It’s a Spokane staple with a location right on Garland Avenue. Stop into THE ROCKET BAKERY for a gift card or bag of their coffee; the Brazil medium-dark roast is a crowd-pleaser with notes of toffee and hazelnut.
Local Gifts
Just For Kids
Having kids on your holiday list makes for a fun shopping season, and Spokane has you covered from toys to books to stuffed animals
THE PERFECT TOY
Lifelong Christmas memories are made when a child gets just the perfect toy. And since 1946, THE GENERAL STORE has been serving Spokane, today featuring two floors of great toy options to wrap up for the tree.
A BOOK TO SNUGGLE UP WITH
Give the gift of reading, and THE WISHING TREE in Spokane’s South Perry neighborhood has you covered with options for kids of all ages — and great advice if you need help
THE CUTE FACTOR
Like everyone else, kiddos need to stay warm — and look stylish at the same time. GAP KIDS inside River Park Square has been dressing America’s kids since 1986, and this pink sweater is a classic example.
A PLUSH LITTLE FRIEND
Ever since the introduction of the Teddy Bear, cuddly characters have become a basic element of being a kid. Choosing just the right one is where WHIZ KIDS comes in, with their selection of highquality stuffed animals.
Just For Kids...
BUILD IMAGINATION
Legomania shows no signs of slowing down, as the clever Danes are finding new ways to delight builders. And with a LEGO STORE in downtown Spokane, it’s easy to put just the right kit under the tree.
Art Lovers Among Us
From creating art to gifting it, Spokane has a vibrant local creative scene — and shops and events that support their mission
REPURPOSE IT!
Up on North Monroe, PAINT IN MY HAIR sells vintage, modern and repurposed furniture and decor — along with the supplies you need for your own DIY projects, including Annie Sloan chalk paint.
ALL THE PRETTY COLORS
Creators, this is your one-stop destination for all the artists on your Christmas list. A Spokane institution, SPOKANE ART SUPPLY is loaded with high-quality supplies, and they also offer custom framing and workshops.
THE POWER OF PLACE
Local art is a gift that can tell a story and create connections. At FROM HERE in River Park Square, you can see dozens of local artists in one place. You’ll find something great, like this print by Karli Fairbanks, but choosing ain’t easy.
WEARABLE ART
Medical Lake artist GWYN PEVONKA is a regular on the art festival circuit, including BrrrZAAR and the 33 Artists Market. Known for her abstract paintings, a great gift would be a pair of her hand-cast resin earrings.
Green Thumbs’ Paradise
GARDENING GEAR
At RITTERS in North Spokane, you can find anything a garden lover would need — beautiful misters, self-watering pots and tools of every kind. They also offer garden consultations, classes and lots of plants.
WATERING IN STYLE
With its brilliant brass finish and sleek style, the Venn watering can from the FERN PLANT SHOP gives off both modern and vintage vibes. Brass doesn’t rust, so the fully sealed can will never leak.
Yards and gardens are beloved parts of the Spokane landscape, and a variety of shops, new and old, are ready to help you find just the right green gifts
A CHRISTMAS CACTUS
What better way to celebrate the season than with the plant named for the holiday? At CHOP SHOP PLANTS & ODDITIES on North Monroe, they can fix you up with plants or other gifts from their eclectic selection.
INTRO TO GARDENING KIT
This unique watering can/fruit juicer combo from ATTICUS pairs great with their multipurpose gardening tool kit for newbies. The downtown shop is one of Spokane’s most browsable, so plan to
IMMERSE YOURSELF
Give a gift card to one of Spokane’s most unique experiences: GARDEN PARTY. Browse their plants, or just breathe in the fresh air — all while settling in for a cocktail (or mocktail) and some tasty plates.
Mon - Fri: 6AM to 3:00PM Sat & Sun: 7AM to 3:00PM
District Spotlight
Sprague Union
Witness the Sprague Union District rebirth, with exciting local
TIES THE ROOM TOGETHER
Sprague Union has become a go-to for furniture and decor shops. The anchor has long been THE TIN ROOF, where you can find beautiful rugs, fashion-forward furniture, just-right pieces of art and even expert design advice.
BEER BUDDIES AND MORE
Known for spinning some of Spokane’s best pizza (don’t sleep on the beer buddies), a gift card to BENNIDITO’S BREWPUB also gets you their own tasty Kolsch, Old Bill’s Stout and more.
ON THE ADORABLE LIST
Pets like presents, too, so drop into NORTHWEST SEED & PET and take a look. A fresh scratching post for Puddles or a new leash for Leo? For 80 years, they’ve been taking care of Spokane’s pets.
ART OF THE NEEDLE
A mainstay of the Sprague Union scene is TIGER TATTOO, where you can give the gift of body art via a gift card. And yes, you can get a tiger tattoo at Tiger Tattoo.
Gifts
A CUP OF COMFORT
Coffee and Tea Service
Spokane’s local coffee and tea shops are bringing one-of-a-kind roasts and blends to the thirsty masses
Spokane’s own REVIVAL TEA COMPANY has created a national splash with its delicious blends. This season, give a bag of one of their signature items — orange spice cinnamon tea, which helps with energy and immunity.
YOUR NEW FAVORITE MUG
Celeste Shaw’s newest creation, CAFE COCO in downtown Spokane, is a great place for coffee and pastries, but it also features a fun selection of gifts. A great choice is an illustrated enamel mug.
HOMETOWN TEA TOWEL
Up in the Garland District, you’ll find CHAISE & HOME, filled with great decor for all the rooms in your home, to match your own personal style — including tea towels to upgrade your next tea party.
7:00 P.M. | Saturday, Dec. 14
2:00 P.M. | Sunday, Dec. 15
Photo Credit: Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande
Coffee and Tea Service...
HIGH TEA EXPERIENCE
Give a very British experience at BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE, named one of the top 25 tea rooms in the U.S. With more than 100 tea varieties available, you can also choose high tea to go.
LOCAL SHOTS
Everyone can use coffee, and local is even better. Stop into one of INDABA COFFEE ROASTERS four locations for a bag of beans, with names like High Drive, Lilac City, Bowl & Pitcher and more.
Gifts For the Fashionista
LET’S GO, SPO!
Pro soccer’s here, so time to represent! Gift a team scarf for ZEPHYR FC (the women’s side) or VELOCITY FC (the men’s). Shop the full selection at the Team Store in the DAVENPORT GRAND HOTEL
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Will it make your special someone look good? Feel good? Spokane’s got you covered, with high-end clothing, beauty supplies and sportswear
THEY KNOW SHOES
Winter air can do crazy things to your skin, so try a beauty sleep mask from LUSH at River Park Square. Round out the gift with one of their moisturizing, holiday-themed bath bombs.
INDIVIDUAL STYLE
At KINGS on North Monroe, you can get a curated shopping experience, featuring rugged, outdoorsy brands like Filson, Katin, Pendleton — and beer! Watch for the new Filson x Birkenstock collab items.
The world came for Expo ’74 and women’s shoes have never been the same, as that’s the year NORDSTROM opened in Spokane. They’re still on point, with options like Chelsea boots from Sorel.
Vibing on Vintage
What’s old is new again at Spokane’s many vintage shops, where you’ll find unforgettable, one-of-a-kind gifts
VINYL IS FOREVER
Step back in time at ENTROPY and its mid-century shop. Vinyl is the main attraction (and makes a perfect, personalized gift), but they also sell other vintage goods; upstairs you’ll find an art gallery.
RARE FINDS
The buyers at TOSSED AND FOUND are on the constant lookout for great gifts. Visit their North Monroe shop to see their treasures, from mid-century art to vintage jewelry to the occasional hand-painted denim jacket.
LET THERE BE LIGHTS
If lighting can set a mood, vintage lighting can transport you. Stop by THE RUSTY MUG in the Sprague Union District, where they specialize in one-of-a-kind lamps, ceiling lights and wall sconces from old Spokane.
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
Vintage glassware is in highdemand for any self-respecting home bartender, and 1889 SALVAGE CO. is the perfect place to find hundreds of vintage glassware pieces — along with other rare finds.
Take a Culinary Tour
You don’t need to spend your winter holidays crisscrossing the globe when you can enjoy cuisines from around the world right here in the Spokane region. Your international culinary tour begins at EMRAN (1817 N. Division St.), a restaurant and market that specializes in Afghani delicacies. There you’ll find manto, dumplings stuffed with beef and spices and then smothered in a garlic yogurt sauce, as well as pulau, a golden yellow dish that surrounds a succulent lamb shank with aromatic basmati rice.
Then it’s off to the South Hill’s IZUMI SUSHI & ASIAN BISTRO (4334 S. Regal St.), where tradition meets modernity. The menu’s extensive selection of sushi rolls and wok-fried entrées is rooted in classic Asian cuisine but familiar to contemporary American palates. Whether you opt for the sweet-spicy General Tso Chicken or the tuna-based Seahawks Roll, you can taste the premium ingredients and the inspired approach to each dish. For a slightly different take on Asian food, Liberty Lake’s FUJIYAMA (21801 E. Country Vista Drive) turns presentation into
art. From the tender Shogun filet mignon or the umami-rich teriyaki salmon, the world-class chefs at this Japanese steakhouse prepare your food right in front of you at the Hibachi grill
tables. The show they put on turns any meal into an unforgettable experience.
Out on the West Plains, MASSELOW’S (inside Northern Quest Resort & Casino) aims for an equally unforgettable steakhouse experience, but not because of its flamboyance. Here, elegance and refinement are the watchwords. The expert chefs painstakingly source top-quality ingredients like USDA Prime cuts, fresh seafood and house-made pasta. Complement your meal
INDICANA
MASSELOW’S
with a craft cocktail or a glass of wine from the list that just earned Masselow’s a 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
In the trendy South Perry neighborhood, INDICANA (1020 S. Perry St.) — a portmanteau of Indian and Mexicana — is a brand-new restaurant with a deliberate blending of two cuisines from different hemispheres.
“We’re celebrating the flavors of these two countries, which really have a lot in common. They’re both bold and vibrant,” says Chip Overstreet, who co-owns Indicana with Noreen Hiskey, a local food aficionado and the force behind Inland Curry. He says that melding
these distinctive cuisines into innovative and original recipes isn’t just a regional first, but a national one. “To our knowledge, nobody else in the U.S. has done this.”
At CRAFT AND GATHER in Spokane Valley (4403 S. Dishman Mica Road), the menu has a more domestic feel. You’ll find bison, lamb and even black bean burgers alongside Cobb and Caesar salads or dinner plates that center on Chinook salmon or house-brined pork. To get a taste of the transatlantic, turn to their beer list, which features Heidelberg lagers and Scotch ales.
DOWNRIVER GRILL (3315 W. Northwest Blvd.) also serves up American-style fare for brunch, lunch and dinner with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. Fall and winter dishes feature butternut squash prepared as a creamy mac ‘n’ cheese combo or at the center of a flavorful penne pasta. Don’t forget to start your meal with the restaurant’s famous crosscut fries topped with rich gorgonzola sauce. Finally, jet off to Italy and la dolce vita at PICCOLO KITCHEN AND BAR (21718 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake). The culinary centerpiece here is the artisanal oven-fired pizza with classic toppings like the Ragazzone (tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni) or creative combos like the Brasato (huckleberry BBQ, braised rib, pineapple, jalapeño). Gourmet pastas — alfredo, basil pesto, Bolognese, to name a few — augment the menu.
DOWNRIVER GRILL
IZUMI
CRAFT & GATHER
ENTERTAINMENT
Bunches of Fun
Because so much of the holiday season is about spending time with family and friends, it’s the perfect excuse to plan a night out. Or just be spontaneous and go where the fun takes you! SWING LOUNGE (601 W. Riverside Ave.) offers the opportunity to improve your golf game with its six indoor Trackman virtual golf simulators. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total newbie or a seasoned pro. For those who’d rather spectate and golf clap, there’s also a full-service restaurant and bar.
Families with young kiddos might prefer FLIGHT 509 FAMILY FUN (10502 E. Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley), a large entertainment center featuring arcade games, mini-bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, a VR arena, climbing ropes and even ninja warrior courses. Best of all, everything is under one roof, so everyone can find something they enjoy. For seasonally themed family fun, there’s NORTHWEST WINTERFEST (404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley), a huge indoor illuminated lantern display and cultural celebration. This year, along with its famous lighted set pieces, you’ll find Dinosaur Land, which lets you time travel millions of years into the past and marvel at the creatures that once walked the Earth.
PLAYERS & SPECTATORS EVENT CENTER (12828 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley) also provides family-style group fun with its 24 bowling lanes, massive digital arcade and weekly cornhole events. When all that play works up a thirst or an appetite, the bar and grill serves up classic American casual fare like burgers, wraps and wings.
Folks who relish a challenge will want to check out THINK TANK ESCAPE ROOMS (327 W. Third Ave.), where a team of players has to uncover clues and solve puzzles before the clock runs out. You might be tasked with finding the cure to a mysterious pathogen that threatens our planet or unraveling the mystery of a haunted apothecary. But if your groove
NORTHWEST WINTERFEST DINOSAUR LAND
FLIGHT 509
You’re invited to the Re Imagine Medical Lake
WINTER FESTIVAL
DECEMBER 14TH
12 TO 5 PM
SANTA’S WORKSHOP - CELA’S
LIVE REINDEER & PONY RIDES
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
MRS. CLAUS BAKESHOP
UPSTAIRS CITY HALL
ELF CRAFTS
UPSTAIRS CITY HALL ELF11/23-12/31VILLAGEConey Island Park
FREE FOR ALL KIDS
CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS11/30ShoppingMARKET WREATHS FOR$26VETERANS each
*WHILE SUPPLIES LAST OTHER FUN: 5K STOCKING STUFFER 2PM - CHAVEZ CHAINSAW CARVING
FIND THE CARDINAL SPOKANE AERIALISTS L.E.D. SHOW
SELF-GUIDED LIGHT TOUR
PLEASE WEAR YOUR FAVORITE WHOOVILLE COSTUME!!
TREE LIGHTING & FIREWORKS
5PM - CONEY ISLAND PARK TOUR OF LIGHTS AFTER FIREWORKS
PARADE AT 5 PM ON LAKE ST FIREWORKS SHOW DOWNTOWN MEDICAL LAKE
JUST 15 MINUTES WEST OF DOWNTOWN SPOKANE! VISIT MEDICALLAKE.ORG/WINTER-FESTIVAL FOR ALL EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS!
Bunches of Fun...
is local music, ZOLA (22 W. Main Ave) is a can’tmiss spot — especially at happy hour. It’s been voted Spokane’s top happy hour in the Inlander’s annual Best Of poll for 10 years running, thanks to the diverse, high-quality music and warm atmosphere. Kick back with a beer or cocktail and revel in the excellent live entertainment.
Belly laughs come with the territory at SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB (315 W. Sprague Ave.), the area’s premier venue for stand-up. Michael Ian Black is in town on Dec. 11, and TikTok sensation Nurse John has a three-night
SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB
run between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The club’s New Talent Tuesday and Wednesday Open Mic are a great way to discover the region’s upand-comers before they make it big.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Nov. 21 and 22. That’s when holiday legends MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER (First Interstate Center) and the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (Spokane Arena) provide the live soundtrack to the season by performing in back-to-back stops in Spokane. “With almost 10 holiday-themed events between the Spokane Arena and the First Interstate Center in the runup to Christmas, kicking things off with these two incredible acts is a great way to start the season,” says Matt Meyer, the director of entertainment at the Spokane Public Facilities District.
TASTING ROOMS
Sip in Style
With such a vibrant local craft beer and wine scene, it can be hard to find the time to try them all. But that’s the beauty of tasting rooms. They let you sip, sample and experiment to gain a deeper appreciation for different brews and vintages. Tasting can also be a fun social activity, as you’ll discover at LUMBERBEARD BREWING (25 E. Third Ave.).
“Our tasting room is really spacious, so if you have guests in town, there’s a lot of room for people to gather,” says Lumberbeard co-owner and marketing coordinator Hannah Gordon. “It’s a great opportunity to spend some time together out of the house and in community with each other during the holidays.”
To keep everyone in your group happy, Lumberbeard showcases 20 tap beers. Perennial favorites like their Batch One IPA and Flavor Nuggets Hazy IPA are always featured alongside seasonal brews. DRY FLY DISTILLING (1021 W. Riverside Ave.) offers seasonal selections, too, including a line of cocktails that makes use of the distillery’s national and international awardwinning vodka, gin and whiskeys. The rotating taster flight also lets you choose three straight Dry Fly spirits to try. There’s also a sizeble menu of salads, shareables and sandwiches. Likewise, IRON GOAT
BREWING (1302 W. Second Ave.) has plenty of food offerings like burritos and 14inch pizzas to complement its huge beer lineup. That includes IPAs, lagers, dark malty brews and sours that have
DRY FLY
been batch crafted using choice hops and flavor combos. Best of all, you can always get a six-pack to go or order online for pickup later. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, PERRY STREET BREWING (1025 S. Perry St.) has a friendly, community-focused vibe and a devoted fanbase. In addition to a food menu of wraps and bowls, you’re sure to find plenty of seasonal varieties on tap next to PSB’s signature Northwest-inspired and Belgian offerings, plus its award-winning India Pale Lager.
You could drive all the way to the Columbia Valley to tour some of Maryhill Winery’s vineyards, or you can just visit the MARYHILL WINERY SPOKANE TASTING ROOM & BISTRO (1303 W. Summit Parkway) to savor the
fruits of all their vineyards across Washington state. The 5,000-square-foot space lets visitors sip from their extensive selection of acclaimed wines with great views of the Spokane River just outside. For an educational-style tasting, check out the regular events at VINO! A WINE SHOP (222 S. Washington St.). Their expert oenophiles host themed sessions that take both newcomers and connoisseurs through the finer points of wine appreciation. They also have casual drop-in tastings as well.
Not to be confused with Barrister’s nearby production facility and event space, the BARRISTER WINERY DOWNTOWN TASTING ROOM (203 N. Washington St.) is a satellite location that’s conveniently located in the heart of the city so that holiday shoppers, visitors and theatergoers can stop by for a tasting and pick up a bottle of their renowned reds as a gift or for holiday entertaining.
Of course, tasting rooms aren’t all about beer, spirits and wine. TRAILBREAKER CIDER (2204 N. Madson St., Liberty Lake) gives folks the chance to try their on-tap premium ciders, which are made using popular as well as heirloom apple varieties. Their cider flight is a u-pick sampling of five different flavors. They also offer local beer, wine and nonalcoholic cider options.
VINO!
PERRY STREET BREWING
PURGATORY
FOOD & DRINK
Deliciously Downtown
Whether you’re shopping or socializing, downtown Spokane has dining options to sate any appetite and offer the perfect ambience for the occasion. CAFÉ COCO (24 W. Main Ave.), for example, makes a great breakfast or lunch stop thanks to its vintage European décor and scratch-made pastries. The coffee shop’s croissants, cookies and Danishes are the same baked goods that earned local favorite Chaps such a loyal clientele. They go well with Coco’s seasonal lattes made using locally roasted coffees.
If you’re more in the mood for an upscale dinner, book a table at SPENCER’S (322 N. Spokane Falls Ct.). Specializing in steaks and chops, they source top-quality USDA Prime
beef and follow an exacting 21- to 28-day aging process before searing it to perfection in a 1,600-degree broiler. The menu is rounded out by premium fresh seafood dishes. At PURGATORY (524 W. Main Ave.), the elk burger is a house specialty, although the poke salad with yellowfin tuna and piquant ponzu dressing is equally popular. But Purgatory’s true claim to fame is its selection of craft beer and hundreds of different whiskies. While you’re there, pick up a membership to the Whiskey Club as a gift for the connoisseur in your life.
Located on the lower level of the Papillon Building, LORÉN (908 N. Howard St.) cultivates a sense of fashionable exclusivity. The menu, a multicourse array of modern haute cuisine, is as carefully curated as the craft cocktails
Deliciously Downtown...
and the bespoke house wines. Reservations are highly recommended. WOODEN CITY SPOKANE (821 W. Riverside Ave.), meanwhile, has a comfortable, come-as-you-are vibe without compromising on culinary quality. Its artisanal wood-fired pizzas are happily featured alongside gourmet burgers and delicious shareables. Choose from several handcrafted specialty cocktails or experience the novelty of a premium draft Old Fashioned.
VisitSpokane.com/food-drink
“Around the holidays, it feels like every night is a celebration,” says Jade Crosier, the general manager of Wooden City Spokane. “We get so many requests for large gatherings like family get-togethers and business parties.” The house-made boozy eggnog is a customer favorite throughout December.
Nearby STEELHEAD BAR & GRILLE (218 N. Howard St.) also dishes up American fare with a pub-style menu and a Northwest flair. Spoiled for choice? Try the namesake steelhead fillet,
which is sourced fresh regionally and prepared according to the chef’s in-house recipe. Couples and groups can also get plates for sharing, like salt and vinegar shoestring fries or pork belly burnt ends seasoned with Korean barbecue sauce.
Eclecticism is the guiding inspiration at DOÑA-MAGNOLIA (110 S. Madison St.). This fine dining restaurant draws on Latin, Italian, French as well as Asian cuisines and gives them a contemporary twist. From exotic curries to Spanish-style seafood dishes, it’s a lunch- and dinnertime escape from the everyday. And if you have an appetite that only Italian food can fill, the award-winning ITALIA TRATTORIA (144 S. Cannon St.) in nearby Historic Browne’s Addition is the place to go. Their brunch and dinner options include delicacies like house-made Italian sausages, mouthwatering Italian pulled pork and goat cheese ravioli.
DOÑA MAGNOLIA
NOVEMBER 29 TH - DECEMBER 31ST
December
SANTA PHOTOS