By Ruby Tanner

Family-oriented and “affordable” Idaho events get a free line in our calendar, and each month we choose several to highlight. Here’s how to submit:

Deadline:  The first of each month.
Lead time:  Two issues.
Next deadline: November 1 for the  January issue.
Send details to:  [email protected]

11/30-12/3     Christmas Tree Fantasy: Enjoy decorated trees and wreaths, enjoy the Fantasy Tea, bid on trees, and more; 1:00-2:00, Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds, Blackfoot

1     Science After Hours: Explore the wonderful world of science with an open mind in a casual atmosphere; free; sponsored by Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute; 7:00PM-8:30PM, downtown Moscow

1     Christmas Bazaar, 9:00-3:00, Meridian City Hall, Meridian

1     Youth Symphony Winter Concert: 7:30-9:00PM, Idaho Falls

1     “Light Up The Night” Holiday Parade: 7:00-9:00PM, Friendship Square, Moscow

1,2,3     Movie “Sully”: The story of Chesley Sullenberger, who became a hero after gliding his plane along the water in the Hudson River, saving all of his 155 passengers; Free ISU Students, $2 Faculty/Staff, $3 Public; Bengal Theater ISU Campus, Pocatello

1,8     Riverstone Concerts: Enjoy free professional concerts from a variety of genres; High quality audio sound provided by Two Reeds; 6:00-8:00PM, Riverstone Park, Coeur d’Alene

1-3     Festival of Trees, Sandpoint

1-23     Winter Garden Aglow: 6:00-9:00 PM, Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise

1-29     TNT Thursdays: THURSDAYS; Youth program for ages 10 and up; 4:00-5:00PM, Public Library, Hailey

1-31     Gingerbread House Walking Tour, Lava Hot Springs

1-31     Avalanche Awareness Classes: FREE; for information and registration go to the Web site (https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/events-calendar/month/2016-12) for specific dates, times, and locations; Statewide

2     Stuff The Bus: Locally Owned Radio presents “Stuff The Bus” at King’s Discount Store in Hailey. Donate new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items to those in need this Christmas. At the end of the event, the donations will be distributed to needy families during the holiday season, 3:00-6:00PM, Hailey

2     Inner-Tube Water Polo: Come hop in our inner-tubes for a fun game of inner-tube water polo; ages 8-14; Children must be able to pass the swim test before participating; free with Rec Center admission fee, Rec Center, Nampa

2     Chamber of Commerce Christmas Light Parade, Kamiah

2     Sportsman’s Association Wild Game Banquet and Auction: 4:00PM, Priest Lake

2-4     Dad’s Weekend, University of Idaho, Moscow

2-3     American Legion Craft Show: Boundary County Fair grounds, Bonners Ferry

2-3     Annual Bird Seed Sale: Stock up on birdseed, buy holiday gifts, see and learn about live raptors, and participate in children’s crafts and activities; a fun, festive event for the whole family; MK Nature Center, Boise

2-3     “All I Want For Christmas” Expo: Kingston Plaza, Idaho Falls

2-3,9-10     Yuletide Festival, Wallace

2-4     Christmas Show: Expo Idaho, Garden City

2-4     Dad’s weekend, University of Idaho, Moscow

2-30     Comedy Project: FRIDAYS, 8:00PM, MP Dance Studios, Pocatello

2-30     Friday Game Zone: FRIDAYS; For kids ages 8-17 4:00-6:00PM, Public Library, Moscow

3     Nez Perce National Historical Park Bead Bazaar, Lapwai

3     Free Admission Day, Museum Of Eastern Idaho: 10:00AM-5:00PM, Idaho Falls

3     “Christmas Around the World”: A variety of Christmas themed crafts, games and treats, plus a photo op with Santa, and cookies for all; Wood and Little Wood River Rooms, ISU Campus, Pocatello

3     Western Idaho Scholastic Chess League Tournament: Schools compete for Team Trophies & Individual Awards: Grades K-12: Elementary, Teen, & Individual Divisions, 3 Rounds – $7 advanced registration, $10 at the door: Check-in starts at 8:30 am; First Round begins at 9:00 am; Lowell Scott Middle School, Boise

3     Parade, Tree lighting, Santa visit; Glenns Ferry

3     Museum Work Day: Volunteers welcome; 8:00AM; Lunchtime Seminar (bring your own lunch): DR. Karl Prassack, Hagerman Fossil Beds N.M.; The O.J.Smith Museum of Natural History, Boone Hall, The College of Idaho, Caldwell

3     Festival of Trees, Grangeville

3     Georgia Wallace Holiday Bazaar: Fundraiser for a local family, for a toy drive, and Toys for Tots; 9:00-4:00PM, Elks Club, Boise

3     Christmas Kickoff: A day of fun activities like singing, food, bazaars, drawings, horse-drawn rides, a live Nativity, and much, much more; American Falls

3     Community Christmas Tree Lighting, Lapwai

3     Santa Claws Fun Run: The Santa Claws Fun Run is a great event for the whole family, including a visit from Santa at the event base, then load up on Christmas “Swag” at the five swag stations distributed along 5K course; the run benefits the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program at ISU University ( HYPERLINK mailto:[email protected]),[email protected]), Pocatello

3     Community Christmas Tree Lighting, Riggins

3     Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony: 5:00PM, Hayden

3     Christmas Bazaar: 10AM – 4PM, Owyhee County Museum, Murphy

3     12 Ks of Christmas: A festive run with Christmas music at every K; cost–a donation; proceeds benefit high school music programs in C d’A; North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene

3     Holiday Celebration, 8:00AM-9:00PM, Idaho City

3     Treasure Valley Night Light Parade, 6:00PM, Caldwell

3     Kiddie Jingle Parade & Tree Lighting, Kooskia

3     Christmas Craft Bazaar: Handmade Christmas items; 9:00AM, Silvercrest Estates, 1907 West Flamingo Ave, Nampa

3-24     Santa’s Workshop: SATURDAYS, 12:00-4:00PM; Santa Claus is coming to town, Rexburg

4-18     Sunday Market: SUNDAYS; Enjoy a variety of local crafters, artists, delicious food, produce and live music; Come out and support the northwest artisans; 1-3PM, Garden Plaza, Post Falls

5-26     Souper Supper: MONDAYS; hot meal served for free; open to all; 5:30-6:30PM, St Charles Church, Hailey

5,19     Reading at the Refuge: Preschoolers (and their parents!) are invited to listen to wildlife-related stories and do a related craft activity; at 10 AM and at 2 PM, Deer Flat NWR, Visitors Center, Upper Dam, Lake Lowell, Nampa

6     Kilroy Coffee Klatch: Held on the first Tuesday of every month for coffee and conversation at the Warhawk Air Museum, this event is FREE for ALL veterans and ALL veterans are welcome; 10:00 AM-12:00 noon; Nampa

6     Christmas Bazaar: Visit a variety of local vendors, artists and crafters; meander through the halls & enjoy live Christmas music; 11:00AM-2:00PM, Garden Plaza, Post Falls

7     First Wednesday: All day; Musicians, artists, merchants, business owners, non-profit groups, crafters, youth groups and more benefit from a community event like this; Emmett

7-28     Pre-School Story Hour: WEDNESDAYS; Stories with a guest reader, plus a snack; 10:00AM, Public Library, Salmon

7-28     Story Time: WEDNESDAYS; 10:30AM-12:30PM, Public Library, Hailey

8     Holiday Pops–THE SNOWMAN MOVIE: Civic Auditorium, Idaho Falls

8     Mini-Cassia C of C Christmas Party: 400-7:00PM, Heyburn

9     Community Day: A fund-raising benefit for Community Cancer Services (CSS) and Bonner Partners in Care Clinic; 100% of the ticket revenue raised will be donated to these two organization; if you don’t ski, you can still donate $10 to a great cause by purchasing a ticket online; Schweitzer Mountain Ski Area, Sandpoint

9     Family Game Night: A night of family friendly board games; Free to Students, $3 for Faculty/Staff, $5 per person & $10 for family or canned food item per person; Quad Lounge on the 2nd floor of the Pond Student Union Building, Idaho State University, Pocatello

10     Senior Cinnamon Roll Sale: 10:00AM-2:00PM, Senior Center, Salmon

10     Winter Market: 10:00-2:00, Moscow

10     Christmas Bazaar and Raffle Fundraiser: Live Music, FREE Santa photo with optional 5X7 printing on spot for $5 each, wide variety of Vendors, plus Raffle Fundraiser; this program helps families whose children are going through Shriners Hospital for medical procedures; a wonderful cause with no cost to families; 9-4pm, El Korah Shrine, 1118 West Idaho Street, Boise

10     “Joy to the World”, an ISU Christmas: Ring in the holidays with the Idaho State-Civic Symphony and ISU Choirs as they jubilantly perform various holiday favorites; Stephens Performing Arts Center, ISU campus, Pocatello

10     Santa’s Workshop: Come spend two hours making holiday crafts, playing games and decorating cookies—Santa will even be making an appearance; Advance registration is recommended (208-468-5777); Ages 3-12 ;12 noon-2pm, Member $4, Non-Member $5, Rec Center, Nampa

10,11     Cathedral Concert Series: “Contemporary Broadway Concert”; (information: [email protected]), Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise

10,17     Fall Farmers’ Market: Santa will be there; 10:00AM-2:00PM; Old Gym, Homedale

13     7th Annual Caldwell Night Rodeo “Christmas Party & Holiday Fundraiser: Join the CNR board of Directors and Miss Caldwell Night Rodeo for a festive and fun-filled evening; FREE ADMISSION; Everyone welcome; Proceeds will benefit Kid’s First Cast and Caldwell’s Shop with a Cop; 6:00-9:30PM, O’Connor Fieldhouse, Caldwell

14     Customer Appreciation Day: Free admission to the Hot Springs pool all day, Lava Hot Springs

14     Something Special – The Legacy of R.J. Baxter and the Ineffable Power of Radio: A multi-media presentation of live radio examining the evocative power of voice and recorded music; 7:30PM, CSI Fine Arts Auditorium, Twin Falls

15     “Children Performing for Children” Holiday Performance: Watch the talented Music Conservatory of Sandpoint Youth Orchestras and Choirs showcase their skills in a holiday performance; also performing will be the Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School Choir; a cookie and cider reception will follow; donations are taken at the door, but no ticket purchase is required; 5 p.m., First Lutheran Church on Olive Street, Sandpoint

16,17     Christmas Lights Tour, Rec Center, Nampa

17     Breakfast with Santa: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting with everyone throughout breakfast, spreading their Christmas cheer; Santa will also read a book during breakfast, and all participants will get to color a picture, and write a letter for Santa; after breakfast, each child will have the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and get a present from Santa; two separate seatings, the first beginning at 8:00AM and the second beginning at 9:30AM; 1912 Center, Moscow

17     Singing and Santa: Watershed Weekend, 10:00-1:00, Boise WaterShed Environmental Education Center, 11818 West Joplin Road, Boise

17     Annual Candy Cane Hunt: 12Noon-1:00PM, McConnell Mansion lawn, Moscow

17     VFW Community Breakfast, Rexburg

17     Procrastinator’s Dream Christmas Event: Goods, services, and fun things to buy, see, and do; free pictures with Santa and free live music; they’ll be collecting for Toys for Tots, too; 9:00AM-3:00PM, O’Connor Field House, Caldwell

17     Winterfest at Priest Lake: 2:00-4:00, Fun Winter Crafts; 4:00-5:00, Family Friendly Movie; 5:30-6:30 Moonlight Snowshoe Adventure (with or without snow we’re walking); FREE Hot Beverages, $1.00 Hotdogs, $1.00 Chili; Indian Creek State Park Headquarters, Priest Lake

18     “Amahl and the Night Visitors”: Performed by the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s, Young Classical Singers Troupe; Matinee at 2:00PM, Evening show at 5:00PM, First Lutheran Church on Olive Street, Sandpoint

19-23     Winter Break Drop In Program: Besides the Exhibit Hall, we’ll have fun at Around the World Christmas craft and activity stations; free; 10:00AM-12:00Noon; WaterShed Environmental Education Center, 11818 West Joplin Road, Boise

20     Mobile Food Pantry, 5:30-7:30PM, Rexburg

24     Christmas Eve Raptor Meals: Pick up tips on preparing the perfect holiday dinner for raptors, 10:00AM-2:00PM, World Center of Birds of Prey, (208)362.8687, Boise

24     Santa Baby Competition and Costume Party, Pomerelle Ski Area, Albion

26     Xmas Tree Collection: Recycle those decoration-free trees; 8:00AM-4:00PM, Moscow Recycling or Waste Transfer Station Compost, Moscow

27-31     Eagle Watch Week: Based at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Mineral Ridge boat launch and trail-head on Lake Coeur d’Alene; bring the family out for eagle viewing and taking advantage of display and spotting scopes set up by people who know a lot about eagles, Coeur d’Alene

31     New Year’s Eve Pow Wow, Lapwai

31                  New Year’s Eve Potato Drop: 6:00PM-2:00AM, Downtown Boise