By Les Tanner

In spite of our efforts to ascertain that events listed in our calendar are described accurately, cancellations or changes due to weather, illness of performers, and other such things, although rare, are bound to occur. Double checking with the event coordinators about locations, dates, and times is always a good idea. Details about many of the following events can be found at idahocalendar.com

Northern Idaho

5 Well-Read Evening Book Club: 6:00 to 7:30 PM at The Well Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene
6 Sportsmen’s Assn. Wild Game Banquet/Auction: 4:00 PM, Priest Lake
6 KVFD Christmas Light Parade, Kamiah
6,7 Coeur d’Alene Symphony–“A Festive Celebration”: 7:30-9:00 PM on Dec.6; 2:00-3:30 PM on Dec.7. Coeur d’Alene
6-27 Family Nights: FRIDAYS. Activities in the gym such as Archery Tag, Bubble Soccer, and bounce houses; Family Movies and Games in the Zone; and activities at the Climbing Wall. Free for Kroc members, or day pass ($12 or less). 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Salvation Army Kroc Center, Coeur d’Alene
7 Kiddie Jingle Parade & Tree Lighting, Kooskia
7 Gem Team Festival of Trees: This annual event involves donations by hilltop talents, in varied avenues of crafts, fine baking, painting, wreaths, and much more. Community Center, Pierce
7 Winter Market: Free admission. 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 1912 Center, Moscow
7 Patchwork Bazaar: 50 booths offering items such as artwork, pottery, woodwork, handcrafts and homemade products. Admission is free. 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Junior Senior High School, Orofino
7-8,14-15 Wallace Retro Christmas: Hay Rides, Craft Fairs, Pictures with Santa, a Paw Parade, and much, much more. Historic Downtown Wallace
8 Tree of Memorial Light Ceremony: This annual ceremony, sponsored by the Bonner General Health Community Hospice, continues the tradition of reading aloud the names of lost loved ones. 4:00 PM in The Greenhouse, 1220 Michigan St., Sandpoint

Southwestern Idaho

1-15 “Trueblood Memories” Exhibit: Student Union Trueblood Gallery, Boise State University, Boise
3 Kilroy Coffee Klatch: 10:00 AM – noon at Nampa’s Warhawk Air Museum; FREE for ALL veterans and ALL veterans are welcome; Coffee and breakfast treats are served at no charge. No RSVP required – just show up; Nampa
3-4 Eugene Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Jewett Auditorium, C of I, Caldwell
5 “Nutcracker Jr.”: Same magical set, beautiful costumes, and talented dancers in a one-hour show perfect for younger children, 1 & 6 PM, Jewett Auditorium, C of I, Caldwell
4 Birding Class: Bird Counts and Population Monitoring. For adults. 9:00 -10:00 AM, Foothills Learning Center 3188 Sunset Peak Rd., Boise
4 Toddler Wednesday: Come make art together! Dress for mess. Drop-in, designed for children under 6 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 10 AM – noon, Boise Art Museum, Boise
5 Buy Idaho Holiday Market: 1:00 PM, The Linen Building, Boise
5 Downtown Boise City Santa: Come tell Santa your Christmas wishes and get your picture taken with Old St. Nick. Donations benefit Women’s & Children’s Alliance. D. L. Evans Bank, Boise
5-19 Dungeons & Dragons–Role Playing for Beginners: THURSDAYS. 4:30 PM, Ada Community Library-Victory Branch, Boise
5-26 BINGO: THURSDAYS. 7:00-9:30 PM, Elks Lodge, Weiser
6 Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting: Just like Santa, we will celebrate regardless of the weather conditions. No sleet, snow, rain or wind can stop the city from glowing with holiday magic. 6:30 PM, Meridian
6-8 Boise Christmas Gift Show: Expo Idaho,
Garden City
7 Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00 AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch): Speakers, Gipson Honor Students,“Museum Specimens and the Meaning of Things.” O.J. Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell
7 Children’s Christmas Party: Free. 1:00 PM, New Covenant Baptist Church, Nampa
7 Adult Recess: Recess isn’t just for kids anymore. De-stress before the holidays and get in touch with your inner child for some old school fun. We’ll have juggling, board games, hopscotch, capture the flag and so much more! Chocolate chip cookies and milk provided to round out this nostalgic experience! Ages 18+. 6:30-7:30 PM, Ada Community Library-Victory Branch, Boise
7 Tuba Christmas: 4:00 PM, State Capitol Rotunda, Boise
7 Train Depot Open House: Noon, Caldwell
7 N-Scale Model Railroaders & Santa: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Old Boise Leasing Office. 106 N 6th Street, Boise
7 Holiday Bazaar: 10:00 AM, Elk’s Lodge, Boise
7-21 Downtown Boise City Santa: SATURDAYS. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. D. L. Evans Bank, Boise
9 Homeschool Day: Free program catered to children ages 3 – 12. Topic: Extreme Weather. Our staff will teach about extreme weather like hurricanes and tornados and its impacts on humans. Pre-register at least a week in advance at (208) 608-7300. 10:00-11:30 AM, Boise WaterShed, 11818 W. Joplin Rd., Boise
10 Adulting 101: One in a series of workshops focused on skills and resources necessary for successful adulthood. For ages 15+. December topic: Winter Preparation/Emergency Preparedness. 6:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell
10 Indianhead Fly Fishers: 7:00-10:00 PM, Idaho Pizza, Weiser
10 Reading Tails: Come read to an adorable four-legged friend at our monthly Reading Tails! All ages. 3:30 – 4:30 PM, Public Library, Nampa
11 Twilight Christmas Market: Noon – 7:00 PM City Hall, Meridian
12 Nampa Rec Center Scholarship Benefit Luncheon: 11:30 PM, Texas Roadhouse, Nampa
12 Gingerbread Making & Holiday Baking: For all ages. 6:30 PM, Public Library, Caldwell
12 The Squad: This is a new group function for adults with disabilities. Join us for music, crafts, games and more. Attendees must be accompanied by a caregiver. 1:15-2:15 PM, Public Library, Nampa
13 Family Movie: 4:30 PM, Ada Community Library-Victory Branch, Boise
14 Santa’s Coming to Town Christmas Bazaar: 9:00 AM, Center in the Park, Kleiner Park, Meridian
14 Tuba Christmas: Noon, Public Library, Nampa
14 Happy Holidays at the Elks: 10:00 AM, Elks Lodge, Boise
14 Santa’s Workshop: Ages 3-12. Come spend two hours at the Rec Center’s Santa’s Workshop making holiday crafts, playing games and decorating cookies. Santa will make an appearance. Member $5, Non Member $6 Advanced registration (208) 468.5858 is recommended. Noon-2:00 PM. Rec Center, Nampa
14 Children’s Winterland Festival: Bring your kids to this winter-themed festival for pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, toy building, games, and much more. Free with a Meridian Food Bank Donation. 10 AM-3 PM in the new Boys & Girls Club Gymnasium, Meridian
14 Handmade Holiday with Boise Environmental Education: Spend some family time crafting handmade gifts and ornaments for the holidays. Free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy holiday carols by a local choir group as well as tasty treats for all. Free. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Dick Eardley Senior Center, 690 Robbins Road, Boise
17 Idaho Gem Club Meeting: Guests are welcome to attend. 7:30 PM, Mountain View Church of the Brethren, 2823 N. Cole Road, Boise
18 Early STEAM: Ages 0-8. Hands-on activities to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. 10:30 AM, Public Library, Caldwell
19 Dental Day: Erica Craven, Dental Hygienist, with Terry Reilly Health Services will be here to provide dental screenings and fluoride treatments. All ages welcome. This service is provided to our patrons for free through the Be Well Nampa grant. 2:00 – 5:00 PM, Public Library, Nampa
21 Youth Wrestling: Two events will highlight this sport: the West Fall Festival which features wrestling in two age divisions; and the Idaho Middle School State Championships – age divisions: 6th thru 8th graders / boys and girls divisions Expo Idaho, Garden City
21 Winter Solstice Market: 6:00-10:00 PM, Indian Creek Plaza , Caldwell
21 Procrastinators Dream Christmas: 10:00 AM, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa
26,27,30,31 Winter Break Drop-In Program: Free family fun. In addition to the hands-on fun of the exhibit hall, special Winter and snow-themed activities and crafts will take place. 10:00 AM to noon. Boise WaterShed, 11818 W. Joplin Rd., Boise
30 Blessing Box Craft: All Ages. Make a special box to hold your 2020 blessings. 2:00 PM, Public Library, Caldwell
31 “Noon”Year’s Eve Party: So the kids can’t stay up until midnight? Not a problem. Come celebrate at noon instead. All ages. 11:00 AM, Public Library, Caldwell

Central Idaho

7 Holiday Events: East Idaho Credit Union Parade of Lights, and Town Tree Lighting & Concert Celebration, Challis
7-8 Papoose Club Christmas Bazaar: A family-friendly event that celebrates the season of giving with gift items available for purchase. Pick up that perfect locally-made organic soap for your grandmother, or a leather-wrapped mason jar for your brother. Fresh baked cookies and a hot soup café will keep you full of energy as you shop. Hemingway Elementary School, Ketchum
7-8 Holiday Bazaar: American Legion Hall. Challis
13-14 Holiday Market: A diverse group of 22 vendors will be offering a selection of holiday edibles, clothing, and decorative items, Hailey
14 Tree Lighting Ceremony: Santa, live holiday music, ice carving demo, and free cookies & hot cocoa. Festivities begin around 5:30 PM with Tree Lighting to follow. Sun Valley Village, Sun Valley
15 Wood River Orchestra Holiday Concert: Featuring orchestral and ensemble arrangements of holiday music. The concert is free and family-friendly, and takes place from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at The Church of the Big Wood, Ketchum

Southern Idaho

7 Screening of “Winterland”: Join us for this FREE, one night showing of “Winterland”, to benefit the Pomerelle Ski Patrol. Doors open at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM. Idaho Water Sports, Burley
10 Telescope Tuesday: 6:00 – 9:00 PM, CSI Centennial Observatory, Twin Falls
14 Star Party: Free. For all ages. 6:00 – 11:55 PM, Herrett Center for Arts and Science, Centennial Observatory, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls
14-15 Magic Valley Chorale Concert: CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls
17 The Dance Academy Winter Recital: 7:00-8:30 PM, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

Eastern Idaho

1-31 “Darwin & Dinosaurs” Exhibit: Walk among dinosaurs and trace how their discovery in the 1800s inspired Charles Darwin to explore how life has adapted and changed over millions of years. Highlights include 85 rare artifacts from Darwin’s life, work, and voyage on the HMS Beagle. Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls
1-31 Gingerbread House Walking Tour, Lava Hot Springs
2-6 Festival of Trees: Public Library, Soda Springs
3 Free Senior Day: Admission is always free the first Tuesday of every month for 65+. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls
3-17 Children’s Art Classes: TUESDAYS. Ages 5-8. December 3: Winter trees; 10: Snowmen with hats and mittens; 17: Christmas ornaments. $5/class. 4:30-5:30 PM, ARTitorium, Idaho Falls
5-19 Children’s Art Classes: THURSDAYS. Ages 8-12. December 5: Winter Landscape Painting; 12: Christmas Ornaments; 19: Gift wrap and gift bags. $5/class. 4:30-5:30 PM, ARTitorium, Idaho Falls
6 Art Walk: Come enjoy our Art Walk! The event is free and features art, music, food, fashion and more in over 20 downtown shops and restaurants. 5:00-8:00 PM, Old Town Pocatello
6-7 “Joy to the World”, an ISU Christmas: This concert will fill you with the spirit of the season as the symphony performs with the southeast Idaho’s Camerata singers and the ISU Choirs. 7:30 PM each night. L.E. And Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, ISU campus, Pocatello
6-7 Christmas Expo: Pinecrest Event Center, Idaho Falls
6-7 Performing Arts Festival of Trees: Decorations, trees, festive gifts, crafts and auction items. Also, Michael McLean’s “The Forgotten Carols” is held both nights at 7:00 PM. Marsh Valley Performing Arts Center, Arimo
7 Eagle Rock Outlaws Fast Draw Competition : Free to spectators. 10:00 AM, Eagle Rock Outlaws Hideout, 10648 N. 25th E., Idaho Falls
7 American Falls Christmas Festival: 3:00-7:30 PM, City Park, American Falls
7 Santa’s Workshop Craft Fair: Hillcrest High School, Idaho Falls
14 Craft Show: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Mountain View Event Center, Pocatello
21 David Archuleta Christmas Tour: 8:00 PM, L.E. And Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, ISU Campus, Pocatello