Planning family travel to Idaho this winter? Be sure to add Coeur d’Alene to the itinerary. This charming city features a variety of festivals, events and sites for the entire family to enjoy.
© Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau
Here are five reasons to visit Coeur d’Alene this winter:
1. 25th Anniversary of Coeur d’Alene Holiday Light Show
At Coeur d’Alene Resort, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the resort’s annual light show, featuring more than 1.5 million lights. The resort transforms into an enchanted winter wonderland, complete with more than 20,000 pounds worth of handmade holiday decorations and 250 displays. Light displays include one of the world’s largest floating Christmas trees, a 3,000-pound wreath and a fire-breathing dragon. Inside, take in the more than 50 trees, nine-foot-tall nutcrackers, life-sized Santas, 30 elves and more.
© Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau
2. Annual Lighting Ceremony
On Nov. 25, Coeur d’Alene Lake lights up with more than 1 million Christmas lights. In addition to mesmerizing lights, the ceremony also includes a fireworks display, fireworks cruise and lighting ceremony parade.
3. Journey to the North Pole Cruises
Running Nov. 15, 2022–Jan. 2, 2023, this cruise brings guests across Lake Coeur d’Alene to the “North Pole.” Here, Santa greets kids by name. Each North Pole visit ends with a fireworks display and a 70-foot-tall floating Christmas tree animated to holiday music.
© Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau
4. Igloo Dining
Offered through Feb. 21, 2023, adult guests and parents can enjoy lake views, winter-themed cocktails and the warmth of igloos. In addition to luxurious interiors and cozy seating, the igloos include heated, weatherproof exteriors.
5. Resort Holiday Programming
The city sees Dickens carolers spread cheer with performances, as well as an evening fireside story time held in Coeur d’Alene Resort’s lobby. Available Nov. 25–Dec. 18, visitors can also enjoy the annual Travolta Christmas Show, a holiday theater production by Ellen Travolta. The resort sees Santa’s elves deliver cookies and milk to guestrooms between these same dates.
Read This Next
5 Family-Friendly Museums in Charleston
Destinations / North America
Aug 22, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / Europe
Oct 23, 2026The Perfect Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Itinerary for a Preschooler
For my daughter’s 3rd birthday, we decided, rather than more toys collecting dust in every room of our house, to take a weekend trip to celebrate. And, at just about 1.5 hours away from home, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, proved the perfect weekend — and road-trip — destination.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Destinations / Europe
Oct 23, 2026Head to This Spanish Resort for an Immersive Multigen Experience
Vacations including all generations in a family are priceless. When you find a place like Camiral in Giron, Spain, you find a place where you can make family memories to last a lifetime.
Destinations / North America
Oct 22, 2026Why You Should Explore Boston This Winter
Families looking to explore Boston and participate in festive winter happenings will be pleased to know Boston Frostival returns this December for its second season. Frostival’s activations will run for three months and include special holiday celebrations showcasing the city as a winter destination in never-before-seen ways.
Sponsored Content
Celebrating 25 Years of The Peninsula Chicago
June marked The Peninsula Chicago’s 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter century for the hotel as a pillar of luxury on North Michigan Avenue.
Destinations / Europe
Oct 22, 2026Surprising Experiences for Kids in Lanzarote, Spain
The northernmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, Lanzarote sees fewer tourists than the better-known islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. But those who choose this smaller island are rewarded with beautiful beaches and experiences they won’t find anywhere else.
ShareThis