Holiday lights are twinkling around the state, a winter chill is in the air and it’s the perfect time to enjoy winter festivals throughout Idaho. Whether you’re looking for things to do with friends and family visiting for the holidays or thinking about exploring on your own, check out the list of Idaho winter festivals and events below to get started.
November
Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek Plaza | Caldwell
Gather your crew and head to downtown Caldwell for this free, family-friendly event featuring one million sparkling holiday lights. Indian Creek Plaza’s Winter Wonderland event beckons winter lovers with ice skating, music, food vendors, holiday shopping and more. This Idaho winter festival begins the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs until the first week of January.
Tip: Take advantage of the free shuttles to make planning easier!
Winter Garden aGlow | Boise
Each year, the Idaho Botanical Garden gets decked out in its holiday best for the Winter Garden aGlow event. Marvel at twinkling light displays, pop into the Snow Globe Bar for a warm drink and take the little ones to meet Saint Nick at Santa’s Hideaway. This magical experience begins during Thanksgiving and continues until New Year’s Eve.
Coeur d’Alene Holiday Lights Show & Journey to the North Pole Cruise | Coeur d’Alene
Recognized as the nation’s largest on-the-water holiday light display, Coeur d’Alene’s Holiday Light Show is nothing short of spectacular. The annual lighting ceremony takes place at the end of November and includes a parade, fireworks and more than 1.5 million lights illuminating the lake. If you can’t make it for the lighting ceremony, don’t worry! From November to early January, you can book a Journey to the North Pole Cruise and take in the dazzling views from the lake, say hello to Santa and sip seasonal cocktails. This vibrant northern Idaho display has been rated one of the best in the country by USA Today’s readers, so you won’t want to miss out.
Winter Spirit | Lewiston
Get in the ho-ho-holiday mood with historic downtown Lewiston’s Winter Spirit event. From the weekend before Thanksgiving to the weekend after New Year’s, you can stroll through the community and enjoy interactive displays, listen to music and cozy up by the large fireplace.
December
Home for the Holidays | Wallace
Leave behind the holiday hustle and bustle and celebrate the season with an old-fashioned hometown twist. Wallace’s Home for the Holidays winter festival occurs the first two weekends of December and features a tree lighting, crafts, parades, hayrides and even more festive fun.
Winter Wonderland | Sun Valley
From tree lightings and brunch with Santa to ice shows and holiday markets, Sun Valley Resort hosts a wide array of winter events to keep you entertained all December long.
Idaho Potato Drop | Boise
What better way to ring in the new year than with a giant glowing potato? Make your way to the State Capitol for the iconic Idaho Potato Drop featuring live performances, local bites and other offerings.
January
Winter Lights | Coeur d’Alene
From the end of January to the beginning of February, downtown Coeur d’Alene transforms into a colorful, immersive work of art featuring interactive displays, lit sculptures and light-based masterpieces created by local, national and international artists. The Winter Lights event is free for all and an exhilarating experience for all ages.
February
McCall Winter Carnival | McCall
The iconic three-day McCall Winter Carnival takes place during the last weekend of February. With fireworks over Payette Lake, towering snow sculptures, torchlight and Mardi Gras parades and more, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Fire & Ice Winterfest | Lava Hot Springs
This Fire & Ice Winterfest is a quirky event held the first full weekend of February. Attractions include a costumed river float, a children’s carnival, a chili cook-off and fire performers, to name a few.
Sandpoint Winter Carnival | Sandpoint
This Sandpoint Winter Carnival is a 10-day celebration with tons of events all over town. Visitors will enjoy parades, live music, games and various activities at Schweitzer.
Stanley Winterfest | Stanley
Say goodbye to cabin fever and embrace the elements during the Stanley Winterfest. With unusual activities like outhouse races, raft rides and a turkey bowl, it’s sure to be a good time.
Extreme SkiJor | Wallace
Every Presidents Day weekend, ATVs tow skiers and snowboarders down a snow-packed street course in downtown Wallace at this extreme event.
Tip: Be sure to book your lodgings early before everything sells out!
Updated on December 19, 2023
Published on November 21, 2019
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