Many Christmas towns in Idaho would make Scrooge himself smile. These destinations take the holidays to the next level with their winter festivals, holiday traditions, and incredible Christmas light displays. I live in Idaho Falls and my hometown knows how to put its residents in the holiday spirit. With dozens of events throughout November and December, there is something for everyone during this festive time of the year.
Idaho Falls is the largest city in eastern Idaho and is best known for its beautiful falls, gorgeous greenbelt, many museums, and prime location to bucket-list-worthy destinations including Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. While I love this city during the summer, there are many activities around the holidays to get me out of the house and into a merry mood.
The excitement begins around Thanksgiving each year with a Holiday Market and the official tree lighting ceremony of the downtown Idaho Falls tree. During this event, you can begin your holiday shopping at one of the dozens of vendors that line Memorial Drive, and then be awestruck as the downtown tree comes aglow with hundreds of colorful lights.
Throughout the season, your calendar can quickly fill up with annual events and traditions such as the Festival of Trees at Elk’s Lodge, numerous holiday concerts, and my personal favorite, the Nutcracker Ballet. Also, a tradition that individuals of all ages love is the free horse-drawn trolley rides through downtown Idaho Falls every Saturday afternoon in December.
For gorgeous river views and a little physical activity as well, there’s nothing like ice skating and Idaho Falls actually has multiple rinks for you to enjoy. Downtown, right next to the river, is a small, beginner-friendly ice rink that is open Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons and evenings. If you want a rink that is much larger and indoors, you can head to the Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Arena at Tautphaus Park. Just make sure that no matter where you skate, you bundle up for the cold!
One of my favorite holiday traditions is looking at Christmas lights. While we love to drive through the city and visit several neighborhoods that know how to decorate, I also love to walk around the Japanese Friendship Garden in downtown Idaho Falls, which is lit with thousands of holiday lights. As you walk through the sea of colorful lights, you’ll hear the falls tumbling nearby and the flowing Snake River — it’s magical.
The City of Ammon, Idaho Fall’s neighbor, also knows how to get into the holiday spirit and since living in this corner of the state, my family has never missed a year of enjoying the lights in this small town as well. McCowin Park is brightly lit with hundreds of holiday lights and hosts annual holiday events such as a highly-anticipated light parade (this year was the Lightapalooza with a stationary light parade, vendors, and visits with Santa). There is also a large mailbox at the park where children can drop off letters to Santa. This has become a favorite tradition for my family as we’ve dropped off letters here since my children were young.
Idaho Falls and the City of Ammon know how to bring the holiday spirit to this corner of the state. The list of holiday activities and traditions here is long and I love each one. There truly is no place like my hometown for the holidays.
For a list of holiday events in the area, visit the Idaho Falls official website and the City of Ammon website.
How does your hometown celebrate the holidays? Do you have any Christmas traditions? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you. And don’t forget to check out some of the other Christmas towns in Idaho that I enjoy visiting, and if you need a little gift-giving inspiration this year, I’ve put together a few ideas.
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