Holiday Guide 2021: Lights, Parades, Bazaars and more!

Holiday Guide 2021: Lights, Parades, Bazaars and more!

Holiday Light Guide

light guide christmas lights with tree

Scentsy Commmons Christmas Lights
There are few better photo-ops in Idaho during the Christmas season than the 250 foot long light tunnel at Scentsy Commons. According to Scentsy, their display has over 800,000 lights on 450 trees which spread out end to end would cover 43 miles. Combine that with the lights on their 75 foot tall Christmas tree and the lights on the tunnel, you’ll get a total of around 887,000 lights.
When: Now through January 16th
Location: 2701 E. Pine Ave., Meridian ID 83642

Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek
One of the best holiday light displays in the Treasure Valley, don’t miss the holiday celebration at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell.
When: November 19th through January 9th
Location: 127 S 6th Ave., Caldwell, ID 83605

Winter Garden Aglow
Celebrating its 25th year, the Winter Garden Aglow is a magnificent display of lights and decorations arranged throughout the Idaho Botanical Garden. Create memories with the ones you love and experience over 500,000 lights hung artfully among the landscape. Swing by the Garden Cottage and strike a pose at the all-new Holiday Selfie Station, take a peek at the Santa and Mrs. Claus display, and even send the big guy a postcard! Enjoy snacks and warm drinks from local vendors while you warm up by a fire, stroll through Outlaw Field, and see what wondrous creation Illumicone has in store for you this year.
When: November 25th through December 31st
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 6:00 – 9:30 PM
Where: 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 83712
Website

Christmas in Color
Enjoy this drive-thru experience at Expo Idaho! Pack up the kids in the car and sip on hot chocolate as you enjoy the light show. Purchase tickets here.
When: December 20th through January 2nd
Hours: 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Where: 5610 N Glenwood St., Boise, ID 83714

Boise Trolley Light Tours
Check out beautiful Christmas light displays while you ride on the forever fun Boise trolley! Book your tour here.
When: December 4th through December 24th
Hours: 7:00 PM
Where: Evergreen Business Mall Library Plaza (corner of Cole Rd and Ustick Rd)


Santa Guide

santa guide

Santa at the Village
Take the kids for a photo with Santa in his decorated hut at the Village at Meridian! Spots must be reserved ahead of time.
When: November 19th through December 24th
Where: 3597 E Monarch Sky Ln., Meridian, ID 83646
Reservations & More Info

Santa at the Mall
Photos with Santa will be available at the Boise Towne Square Mall.
When: November 8th through December 24th
Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: 350 N Milwaukee St., Boise, ID 83704
Price: Free

Zoom w/Santa from City of Meridian
Santa has offered to meet with the youth of Meridian (and the Treasure Valley) individually via Zoom! Each call will be a 3-4 minute private meeting with Santa where kids can tell him what is on his/her Christmas wish list! Reservations open on Thanksgiving Day and can be made here.


Parade Guide

christmas parade guide

City of Meridian
Click here for the parade route and more info.
When: December 3rd
Time: 7:00 PM

Kuna Down Home Country Christmas Parade
When: December 11th
Where: Downtown Kuna, ID
Time: 6:00 PM


Bazaars & Markets Guide

christmas market guide

Emmett Public Library
Join the Emmett Public Library for their annual Christmas Bazaar.
When: November 18th through December 18th
Hours: Monday through Friday 11:00 am – 6:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Boise Christmas Show
Enjoy a wide variety of vendors at the Boise Christmas Show at Expo Idaho.
When: December 3rd through December 5th
Hours: Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Where: 5610 N Glenwood St., Boise, ID 83714
Tickets: Adults $5, Seniors (62 and older) $4, Children 12 & under free

Procrastinators Christmas Market
When: December 18th
Where: 117 W Main St., Emmett, ID 83617
Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM


Pet Guide

pet guide

Boise Mall
Let your fur kids and grand pups join in on the holiday fun with photos with Santa! Get the family together to strike a pose with the Big Guy to capture paw-fect holiday moments! Reservations recommended.
When: November 29th through December 20th
Hours: Mondays from 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: Boise Towne Square Mall Center Court, 305 Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704
Reservations & More Info

The Village
Bring your dog-gone good canine, purr-fect feline or feathered friends to capture an un-fur-gettable moment with Santa Claus! Reservations are required and when reserving your space for pet photos, please ONLY select a time on Mondays between 4-8pm.
When: November 22nd through December 20th
Hours: Mondays 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: 3597 E Monarch Sky Ln., Meridian, ID 83646

Santa’s Wonderland for Pets
Head over to Cabela’s for a free photo with Santa! Reservations can be made here.
When: November 6th through December 24th


And remember, if you are ready to do some house hunting this holiday season OR if you have family in town who might want to make a move to the area give me a call or text! It would be my honor to help you and your family find a new idaHOME.

Gabriel Gutierrez

Treasure Valley Holiday Event Guide

Treasure Valley Holiday Event Guide

The holiday season in the Treasure Valley is a sight to behold! Downtown Boise puts up several lights throughout the city streets, there are a number of large light displays, and plenty of opportunities to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. From young kids to adults, there’s always an event for everyone.

Light Displays

Christmas market

Christmas in Color
Location: Expo Idaho | 5610 N. Glenwood St. | Garden City
Date: starts November 20th | 5:30 – 10:30 pm

A mile long electric extravaganza! Immerse yourself in holiday cheer as you drive-through and watch in awe as 1.5 million lights dance around you to some of your favorite holiday music. Tickets can be reserved online and start at $30 per car. Dates are available on their website.

Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights
Location: Scentsy Commons | Meridian
Date: starts November 13th | lights on sunset to sunrise

Come enjoy over 450 trees that have been wrapped in 43 miles of lights along with a popular light tunnel. New in 2020 is a 75-foot tall light-up Christmas tree. Social distancing and mask wearing is encourage, but please note Scentsy commons is all outdoors.

Indian Creek Plaza
Location: Indian Creek Plaza | Corner of Kimball Ave & Arthur St. | Caldwell
Date: opening weekend is November 20-22 | 6:00 -10:00 pm

Come enjoy one of the Treasure Valley’s most incredible light displays! This Winter Wonderland boasts over a million holiday lights along with yummy treats, vendors, and more. Indian Creek Plaza will also be opening the Ice Ribbon & Rink this year with limited skaters and sanitizing measures. 

Winter Garden aGlow
Location: Idaho Botanical Garden | 2355 Old Penitentiary Road | Boise
Date: Wednesday – Sunday starting Thanksgiving Day through December 27th

Enjoy the holiday season as the Botanical Garden is transformed into a beautiful light show. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available and the kids can even send Santa a postcard! Check out the express model train and wander through the coolest tunnel of lights in Boise. Snacks and warm drinks will be available from local vendors. To ensure the health and safety of guests this year, timed ticketing will be in effect and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Holiday Markets

Winter wonderland market holiday

Idaho Bright Lights Festival
Location: Ford Idaho Center | 16200 Idaho Center Blvd. | Nampa
Date: 5:00 – 10:00 pm Thursday – Saturday | starting November 20 and running through January 1

Come enjoy this social distant winter market packed with local artists, vendors, Santa, and a dazzling light display. Each weekend will feature different experiences, activities, and vendors. Shake off those 2020 blues by browsing through this winter wonderland filled with scavenger hunts, music, warm food and drinks, fun photo ops, and more.

Eagle Country Christmas
Location: Heritage Park | Eagle
Date: December 5th from 1:00 – 6:00 pm

Celebrate Christmas with small-town charm! Eagle Country Christmas is a holiday market with so much to offer. Take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a carriage ride through downtown Eagle, listen to local choirs and live bands, and the kids activity section. The grand finale of the Eagle Country Christmas market will be the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm.

Weihnachtsmarkt
Location: Powderhaus Brewing Company | 9719 W Chinden Blvd. | Garden City
Date: November 28th from 12:00 – 9:00 pm

This annual Christmas market hosted by Powderhaus Brewing will be an indoor/outdoor event this year. Come enjoy some of Powderhaus’ beer while shopping local vendors, eating delicious food, and traditional gluhwein. 

Events

Christmas Comedy Show
Location: The Creative Space | 121 E 34th Street | Garden City
Date: December 12th from 6:30 – 7:45 pm

Join Recycled Minds Comedy for a magical night of Christmas improv comedy with a special appearance by Santa. There is an early show at 6:30pm and a late show at 8:15 pm. Tickets are $12 online or $15 at the door (kids 5-12 years old are $5). Bring the kiddos over early between 1-3pm for a private picture with Santa. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Celebrate the holidays with family, friends, and laughter! 

Christmas Tea at the Train Depot
Location: The Nampa Train Depot | 1200 Front Street | Nampa
Date: December 5th & 6th at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, or 3:00 pm

Come enjoy an old fashion tea party featuring two themed days. Saturday, December 5th is Victorian themed while Sunday, December 6th is mid-century themed. Guests will enjoy yummy goodies and a variety of tea flavors while music is played by entertainers. Masks will be required when not seated your table and availability has been decreased to 25% of available attendees. 

Kid Oriented

Christmas kids holiday

Christmas Pony Party
Location: Pine Hollow Ranch | 2170 Waterwheel Rd. | Emmett
Date: December 5th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Enjoy a good ole fashion time in the stables and indoor areas with Santa! Photo ops in Santa’s sleigh will be available. Come see the ponies, Zebra, and other farm animals while enjoying hot cocoa, cookies, and fun activities. Admission is $8 at the gate.

Visit with Santa
Location: Indian Creek Plaza | corner of Kimball Ave & Arthur St. | Caldwell
Date: starts November 27th 6:30-8:30 pm

Visit Santa and snap a photo in his sleigh! Mr. & Mrs. Claus will be available every Friday night. Once you’ve taken your photo, head over to the ice rink for some skating! Hand sanitizing stations are available and social distancing is encouraged. 

If you’re ready to call the Treasure Valley home, schedule a no obligation buyer consult with Realtor and owner, Gabriel Gutierrez.

Boise Holiday Event Guide – 2019

Boise Holiday Event Guide – 2019

The holiday season is fast approaching and we’ve got your quick-list for all this years’ best activities and events! From tree lightings to ice skating, check out some key local events below.

Boise Holiday Event Guide: Christmas tree

‘Christmas is Coming to Kleiner Park’ – November 16th
This fourth annual celebration kicks off the holiday season at Kleiner Park in Meridian. The event has local vendors, a craft fair, scavenger hunt, local food trucks, live music, and more. Free to the public.
Saturday, November 16th
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
1920 N. Records Way | Meridian, ID

Winter Wonderland Festival – November 22nd
Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell is going all out this year with over a million LED lights. Watch as the mayor flips the switch for the display (scheduled for 7:30pm). In addition to the light display, there will be characters from Frozen, Santa, a Kid Play Land, ice skating, and much more. The event itself is free but special activities, like ice skating, are extra.
Friday, November 22nd
5:00 – 10:00 PM
120 S. Kimball Avenue | Caldwell, ID

Boise Holiday Parade – November 23rd
Former BSU President, Dr. Bob Kustra, leads the parade this year through the streets of downtown Boise. Enjoy musical performances, marching bands, jugglers, and more. The parade route is along Jefferson and Bannock Streets between 10th and 5th Streets.
Saturday, November 23rd
10:00 AM

Handmade Idaho Holiday Market – November 23rd – 24th
The El Korah Shrine hosts the Handmade Idaho Holiday Market – your holiday gift shopping extravaganza!
Saturday, November 23rd: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 24th: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
1118 W. Idaho Street | Boise, ID

Festival of Trees – November 27 – December 1st
Share in the magic as the Boise Centre becomes home to a wonderland of holiday splendor, featuring hundreds of lavishly decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and inspirational decor. This year, funds raised will support the women’s mobile outreach program which will bring the latest advancements in screening tools to our rural communities in order to detect cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Admission is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 12 & under (2 years and under are free).
Wednesday, November 27th thru Sunday, December 1st
Times vary by day, check the schedule here: https://www.saintalphonsus.org/about-us/ways-to-give/boise/festival-of-trees/admission-and-attractions

Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting – November 29th
Boise Mayor Bieter lights up the holiday tree on The Grove Plaza in Downtown Boise, while families in attendance sing carols and join in the candle lighting ceremony. The community is invited to attend this traditional event that lights up downtown and welcomes the holiday season to the Treasure Valley. Beer and wine are available for purchase, and hot chocolate/coffee is available from any nearby coffee shop.
Friday, November 29th
5:00 – 6:30 PM
The Grove Plaza | Boise, ID

Happy Holidays, everyone!