December 2021 Events Calendar
Curious what’s going on in your neck of the woods? Check out this calendar of events throughout the state!
The following was published in the Idaho Magazine.
Idaho magazine has been publishing stories directly from local Idahoans since 2001. These stories illustrate the roots of our state and help connect us all through the history of our communities. You can order a printed copy of Idaho Magazine here, or check them out online to learn more.
By Les Tanner
Double-checking with event coordinators about the following locations, dates, and times is recommended.
Northern Idaho
2 The Well~Read Evening Book Club:
6:00 – 7:30 PM, The Well Read Moose,
Coeur d’Alene
2,9,16 Pre-school Storytime: 10:30 – 11 AM, Community Library Network, Hayden Lake
3 Community Christmas Light Parade, Kamiah
3 Coffee & Books: Join us for a lively book discussion over coffee. 10 – 11 AM,
City Library, Lewiston
3 Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade: 10 AM – 1 PM, City Park, Orofino
3-11 Wallace Home Town Christmas Festival, Wallace
4 Community Riverfront Park Christmas Lighting, Kamiah
4 Holiday Open House: 10 AM – Noon, Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center, Moscow
8 The Well~Read Morning Book Club:
10:00 – 11:30 AM, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene
10-22 Traditions Of Christmas: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Coeur d’Alene
11 Fall/Winter Market: 6 PM, 8037 Montana St., Rathdrum
11 Sounds of Christmas: Cardinal Chorale Chamber Singers Max Mendez, conductor NIC Wind Symphony Bryan Hannaford, conductor This event is free and open to the public. Schuler Performing Arts Center. Sat, 7:30 PM – Sun, 3:30 PM, NIC Boswell Hall / Schuler Performing Arts Center, Coeur d’Alene
11-12 Christmas Extravaganza: Nez Perce County Fair Grounds, Lewiston
18-19 Christmas Lights Drive-Thru: Free. Edgemere Grange, Priest River
18-19 Sport Connection Gun Shows: Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Coeur d’Alene
24 Syringa Club’s “Santa Comes to Elk River”:
8 AM- 5 PM, Elk River
Southwestern Idaho
1-17 Letters To/From Santa: The Village at Meridian is assisting Santa with letters from children in the Treasure Valley! There is a special mailbox near the Santa House in Fountain Square. Visit the concierge desk, obtaon some s[ecial stationery. Have your child write their letter to Santa and drop your letter in the mailbox. If you would like a reply from Santa, be sure to include your address. Meridian.
1-31 “Exquisite Creatures” Exhibition: An artistic experience that unravels humanity’s intimate relationship with the natural world, featuring artist, naturalist and New York Times bestselling author Christopher Marley. 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM, The Discovery Center of Idaho, Boise
1-31 Winter Garden aGlow: Wed-Sun. 6 – 9:30 PM, Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise
2 First Thursday: Treat yourself to a fun night with your favorite downtown retailers, services, watering holes and restaurants. Make a plan to enjoy the places that make Downtown Boise the special place that it is. 5 – 9 PM, Boise
2 Family Night Out-”Samosas & Chutney”: Explore Indian flavors with vegetable-based samosas and two savory and delicious chutneys. All ages + Adult (youth under 16 must be accompanied by an enrolled adult). $16 per person. Register at (208) 608-7680. 5-7 PM, Boise Urban Garden School, 2995 N. Five Mile Rd., Boise
3 Winter Lights Parade: 6:30-8:00 PM, Meridian
3-5 South IdahoWinter Market: This is an indoor market which takes place at the Ford Idaho Sports Center, Nampa
3-5 Holiday Art Fair: The Riverside Hotel,
Garden City
3-5 2021 Christmas Show, Expo Idaho,
Garden City
4 Christmas Bazaar & Tree Sale: 10 AM – 5 PM, Owyhee County Museum, Murphy
4 Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome (8:00 AM). Lunchtime seminar (bring your own lunch): Gipson Honors Students, “Presentations of of Class Projects in the Museum”. Noon to 1 PM, O. J. Smith Museum of Natural History, College of Idaho. [NOTE: Masks required in campus buildings.] Caldwell
4 Nampa High Boosters’ Holiday Fest:
Over 100 Artisans and Crafters! Come enjoy breakfast and stay to enjoy one of our famous Poly Plate lunches. 9 AM – 4 PM, Nampa High school, Nampa
4 Eagle Country Christmas: 1 – 6 PM, Heritage Park, Eagle
4 34th St Market and Capital City Public Holiday: 4 PM, 303 E 34th St., Garden City
4 Treasure Valley Night Light Parade “Christmas A-Glow”: 6 PM – 11:59 PM, Caldwell
4-5 Amoureux Homedale Gun Show: Owyhee County Fair Board, Homedale
5-12 Sensory Friendly Event: Boise Towne Square, Boise
6-20 Santa’s Helpers Story Time: The Village at Meridian, Meridian
7 Art Endeavor: All ages are invited to get inspired and make their own art creation. 4 – 5:30 PM, Public Library, Nampa
8 Hyatt Hidden Lakes Birding: Join Golden Eagle Audubon and the Wednesday Morning Birders for some slow birding. Expect to see a wide variety of ducks in breeding plumage as well as wintering songbirds and possibly a few late migrants. 9 AM – Noon. Meet at the main parking lot, Hyatt Hidden Lakes, Boise
8,15 Messy Munchkins Holiday Art: Create 3 gifts to give away or save as keepsakes for the holiday season, proudly made by your toddler. Parent/guardian participation is required. Youth aprons will be provided; however, dress for a mess. Ages 2-4, 10:30-11:30 am, Community Center, McCall
13-17 City of Emmett’s Santa & Friends Drive through the Neighborhoods: 6 PM, Emmett
18 THRIVE Kids’ Day Out: 1 – 4:30 PM, Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA, Meridian
18 Procrastinators’ Christmas Marketplace: 11 AM – 4 PM, The Gathering Place, Emmett
18-19 YMCA Christmas Run: 1 PM Saturday and
6 AM Sunday, 1010 W Washington St., Boise
18-19 Handel’s “Messiah”: Boise Philharmonic presentation; 8 PM, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Boise
21 Potato Bowl: 1:30 – 6:30 PM, Albertsons Stadium, Boise
22 Traveling Table Mobile Food Pantry:
7:15 – 9 PM, 211 19th Ave N., Nampa
27 LEGO© Club: All ages are invited to get creative and build anything they choose with Legos. We will also have an area for the younger builders to explore with Duplos.
4 – 5 PM, Public Library, Nampa
28 Elmore County Mobile Pantry: 5 – 7 PM, 132 E 5th Ave., Glenns Ferry
31 Idaho Potato Drop: 3 PM, Idaho State Capitol, Boise
Southern Idaho
8-11 “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical”: College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls
12 Jazz Ensemble: Admission is free, but donations to the CSI Music Department Scholarship Fund are always appreciated at the door. 4 – 6 PM, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls
Central Idaho
1-31 MadDog Gallery Artisan’s Market: Come shop this great selection of art. All different mediums will be showcased at the Gallery. Support our local artists. Challis
3-4 Christmas Bazaar: Friday 10 AM – 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM Community Event Center, Challis
10 Story Time with Santa: Join Santa and the Peterson family for light refreshments and celebrate the Christmas season. This event is free and open to public. 2 – 5 PM, Penwell House, 810 E North Avenue, Challis
12 Wood River Orchestra Holiday Concert:
4 – 4:15 PM, Presbyterian Church of the
Big Wood, Ketchum
13 Christmas Tree Lighting: 10 AM – 7 PM, Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley
21 Starry Solstice Social: Gather in Ketchum Town Square to celebrate the winter solstice & our dark skies with telescopes provided. Live Music by Audio Moonshine (6-8), Food by KB’s, and Cookies and Hot Cocoa by Hailey Coffee, 2:30 – 7:30 PM, Town Square, Ketchum
Eastern Idaho
3 ISU Chamber Choir Holiday Concert: 7:30 – 9:30 PM, Stephens Performing Arts Center, ISU, Pocatello
4 Santa’s Workshop: Shilo Inn Event Center, Idaho Falls
4 ISU Symphonic Band Concert:
7:30 – 9:30 PM, Stephens Performing Arts Center, ISU, Pocatello
4-5 Pocatello Gun Show: Mountain View Event Center, Pocatello
8 Customer Appreciation Day: All day, Lava Hot Springs
11-12 Lewis & Clark Gun Show: 9 AM, Mountain View Event Center, Pocatello
17 Christmas Class Parties: 9:15 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunnyside Elementary School, Idaho Falls
19 Natividad Vivo/ Live Nativity: 5 – 7 PM,
170 Park Ave, Idaho Falls
