Here Are The 8 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Idaho
The holidays are definitely the most magical time of the year, and while we do every season right, Christmas in Idaho really shines! From awe-inspiring light festivals and visits with Santa to hot chocolate and sleigh rides, experiencing everything in one season simply isn’t possible – but that doesn’t mean you can’t try anyway! When it comes to this season’s festivities, however, these delightful towns really capture the spirit of Christmas in all of its twinkling, frosty beauty. Take a look at eight of the most enchanting, magical, and best Christmas towns in Idaho.
Lewiston's annual Winter Spirit Festival is one of Idaho's most unique, can't-miss holiday extravaganzas. What started out as a humble 30-foot decorated Christmas tree outside of Locomotive Park is now a festive community event sparkling with interactive displays and colorful spectacles, where over half a million lights dance, sing, and twinkle to music. But the Christmas season doesn't end there! The community is filled to the brim with even more festive spirit - cookies with Santa included! We can't get enough of this adorable Idaho Christmas town, and we think you won't either!
From the delightfully picturesque town that hosts Idaho's Winter Carnival every year comes some rather spectacular beauty every holiday season. Twinkling lights adorn every home, bringing to life the snow-covered, quintessential mountain charm that this lakeside wonderland has come to be known for. In short, McCall seems to celebrate Christmas all winter long! It's easily one of our favorite Christmas villages in Idaho, so come see why!
The most unique town in Idaho certainly doesn't hold back when it comes to the Christmas season. Wallace's Season of Lights means the hosting of the Yuletide Lighting Festival, a picture-perfect blanket of snow glittering over the landscape, a festive parade, and the quintessential neighborly spirit that earned this vibrant little city Hometown USA recognition.
It's only natural for the state capital to go all-out when it comes to the most festive time of year, and Boise is no exception. In addition to the Winter Garden aGlow light festival at the Idaho Botanical Garden, downtown features the delightful Festival of Trees in the Grove, a towering Christmas tree in front of the capitol building, twinkling lights swooped across intersections, and plenty of live entertainment to make every day of yuletide one to remember. Boise does Christmas in Idaho right.
For a near-guaranteed white Christmas in Idaho, Coeur d'Alene is a breathtaking destination already. But in addition to the Downtown Coeur d'Alene association's gorgeous lights decorating the heart of this lakeside city, the Coeur d'Alene Resort's show on the water is absolutely breathtaking, featuring the tallest living Christmas tree in the world. Toss in a stunning night cruise to the North Pole with Coeur d'Alene Cruises and you have a magical Christmas town that's hard to beat!
Christmas comes in all shapes and sizes when it comes to city celebrations, but Meridian does it right. Featuring ice skating in the Village surrounded by quaint gingerbread house decor, glorious fountain light shows, stunning lighted trees throughout downtown, near-daily Santa visits, and much more, Meridian takes charming to a whole new level. Christmas towns in Idaho are awesome, and Meridian is even more awesome than that.
It makes sense that one of Idaho's most beautiful Christmas towns is in its most luxurious skiing destination. If the scenic backdrop of the snow-capped Pioneer Mountains overlooking the picturesque valley below isn't enough, the daily celebrations at the Sun Valley Resort, ice skating festivals, and North Pole-inspired downtown decorations will change your mind. Plus, Christmas Eve fireworks, anyone?
Sun Valley, ID 83353, USA
8. Rupert, a.k.a. Christmas City
Few would expect Christmas City, USA, to be located in humble Idaho, but surprise! While you may not find a whole lot of snow here, depending on the year, this tiny town in southern Idaho goes all-out for the holiday season with one of the most fantastic light shows you’ll find in the entire state. Supposedly, back in 1964, Rupert decided it was time to make a name for itself when it came to Christmas, and as the community came together to fund the effort over the years, their winter festival grew until the title of “Christmas City” was made official in 1987. Mission accomplished!
Although this itty-bitty community has an important historical role, the tiny town of Santa near St. Maries isn't much more than a few homes on a pretty piece of Idaho's timbered landscape. But come winter, the local post office receives thousands of letters to St. Nick every year from all across the country, which are postmarked with a special Santa stamp.
Whether it’s a small hometown celebration or a grand affair, Idaho knows how to make the holiday season spectacular! What’s your favorite of the best Christmas towns in Idaho? Tell us about it in the comments!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns in Idaho
November 19, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some fun things to do at Christmas in Idaho?
Idaho is a place that doesn’t seem to get enough credit – at least we think so. One of the reasons for feeling this way is because, well, obviously anyone who’s trying to talk trash about our beloved Idaho has either never been there – or has never been there during the holidays. Christmas in Idaho is a special time with plenty of things to do and see all over the state. We have plentiful traditions, like the Winter Garden aGlow at the Boise Botanical Garden, the McCall Winter Carnival, and more. What’s more? Easy: in Idaho, you can find some of the best Christmas lights displays. In Idaho, you can go shopping for the perfect (real!) Christmas tree and decorate it with friends and family. Heck, there’s even the St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees at the Boise Center.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Idaho?
Remember how we said that Idaho just doesn’t get enough credit? Well, we still stand by that. Idaho can be a straight-up winter wonderland, as long as you know where to look! Some of the best places to spend Christmas in Idaho include beautiful Coeur d’Alene, which is a stunning place to visit all year, but it really takes on a special magic at Christmas. It’s even got the tallest floating Christmas tree in the nation! Sun Valley is another hotspot for the holidays thanks to its wintery atmosphere and alpine charm. McCall, Idaho, is a little mountain town with a big holiday spirit; there, you can enjoy activities like snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and, of course, Christmas caroling and all the lights your heart desires. Do you have favorite holiday traditions in Idaho?
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