Dec. 30
FLOATING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
Technically speaking, Coeur d'Alene is 2,924 miles from the North Pole. Yet for some reason, when you hop aboard one of the Journey to the North Pole Cruises, a round-trip journey to the place where Santa resides only takes about 45 minutes. Holiday magic is truly wild.
For 28 years, Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises has been navigating the winter waters to take families on a trip to visit Old St. Nick at his abode. Four times a night almost every evening from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, holiday travelers can hop aboard a vessel docked right outside the Coeur d'Alene Resort and somehow traverse the Arctic Ocean (from a landlocked lake) in festive style.
Once aboard, travelers begin their journey in the warmth of the interior cabin. The cozy confines include a bar where adults can purchase custom cocktails and kiddies can grab a cup of decked out hot cocoa and/or a cookie.
After a message from Mrs. Claus prepping all for the watery navigation, the boat begins on its polar path. Alas, the Grinch is always trying to thwart good yuletide cheer on the dock, but if your captain is bold enough to traverse past him, you'll be treated to a light show on your way out, including a greeting from a sea dragon that actually shoots fire (to be honest, it's pretty frickin' metal). While there aren't many sights to see on the smooth ride across the water (which helps with the illusion), the libations and Christmas tunes playing over the speakers create a sense of comfort.
Once the North Pole finally appears along the horizon, passengers exit the warm cabin to the chilly air of the bow or the upper view deck of the boat. Santa Claus is there to greet all festive folks who came all this way to visit him and greets them — with a booming voice that somehow carries from his beachfront home to the boat in the water — with tidings of good cheer and inside info about how he's souped-up his sled, then reads the list of all the good little girls and boys on the cruise that also happen to be on the Nice List. (Note to parents: Make sure to talk to the elf with the clipboard when boarding the ship.) If you take one of the post-Christmas North Pole Cruises, just think of it as Nice List confirmation. After his spiel is done, Santa sets off some fireworks and illuminates the newest addition to the cruise, a 65-foot tall electronic Christmas tree with a display set to EDM and rock versions of holiday tunes. As the vessel departs for Coeur d'Alene, another light display offers one last sprinkle of joy before the long (well, not that long) journey back home.
At the very least, the North Pole cruise is the most cost-effective way to travel internationally during the holidays. And you don't even need a passport. What a Christmas miracle that is.
Nov. 28-Jan. 1 at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, & 7:30 pm • $29 adults; $14 ages 6-12; ages 5 and under free • Coeur d'Alene Resort • 115 S. Second St. • cdacruises.com
Dec. 26
FROZEN 2
After the joyous highs of Christmas, the parental realization that you still need to keep your kids entertained during their school break kicks in. For those wanting to move past holiday movies but stay in the wintery spirit (while also saving some money post-presents), the Garland Theater is here to help. Spokane's favorite single-screen theater is hosting three days of free matinee screenings of Frozen 2 starting Dec. 26. While Frozen 2 might not reach the "Let It Go" highs of the original, princess sisters Elsa (with her magical ice powers) and Anna's second adventure is still a quality Disney animated adventure the whole family (or adults without kids) can enjoy.
Dec. 26-28 at 2 pm • Free • Garland Theater • 924 W. Garland Ave. • garlandtheater.org
Dec. 27
THE JINKX & DELA HOLIDAY SHOW
Anytime Seattle's two most famed drag queens unite, a night of riotous musical humor is guaranteed. The standout pair of RuPaul's Drag Race fame have their comedic duo act down pat — BenDeLaCreme plays things as the bright, joyous and bubbly optimist, while Jinkx Monsoon serves up hilariously cranky, caustic, Grinch-y vibes. Having already filmed and released The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special in 2020, the queens are taking their show on the road once again. The duo writes a whole new holiday show every year (this is their seventh), so even fans familiar with their style can expect a new plot, (occasionally raunchy) zingers, dazzling outfits and musical mirth. And it's a near lock that Jinkx is gonna throw at least one joke about people who go to Christmas shows after Christmas. With Jinkx and DeLa, it truly is the most wonderful time of the queer.
8 pm • All ages • $53-$298 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • firstinterstatecenter.org
Dec. 28
A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS
While the notion of a traveling circus swinging through town and setting up its big top tent may mostly be a relic of the past, various cirque companies are making sure the circus arts tradition continues with the spectacles of their traveling shows. MagicSpace Entertainment's A Magical Cirque Christmas program returns to Spokane with the gift of high-flying aerial acrobatics, juggling wizardry, yuletide clowning, feats of balance and magical tricks wrapped up in a festive seasonal bow and set to classic holiday tunes. Just don't be too hard on yourself when gazing at these artistic athletes' toned physiques if your Christmas cookie-filled belly is shaking like a bowl full of jelly.
7:30 pm • All ages • $35-$85 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • firstinterstatecenter.org
Dec. 29
NORTHWEST WINTERFEST
This is your last week to enjoy the local tradition that is Northwest Winterfest. The event debuted as the Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival in 2015 in Riverfront Park. Describing himself as "overwhelmed by the welcome from the local community" after that first year, founder Sam Song has since dedicated himself to the annual event. Each iteration of Winterfest brings fresh displays, crafted by his team of artisans in Zigong, China, who use traditional techniques. New for this year's event, which opens on Nov. 29, you'll see 40-foot animatronic dinosaurs alongside pandas, dragons, axolotls and the usual holiday favorites. Nightly entertainment features local choirs and bands, along with traditional performances representing countries from around the world — all indoors at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.
— JOHN BERGIN
Nov. 29-Dec. 31; Fri from 5-8 pm, Sat from 4-8 pm, Sun from 3-6 pm and select holidays • $10-$17; $43 family pass; children under 10 free with paid adult• Spokane County Fair & Expo Center • 404 N. Havana St. • northwestwinterfest.com
Dec. 31
SACHA'S SUPPER CLUB PRESENTS: PARTY LIKE IT'S 1925 NEW YEAR'S EVE
Prepare to dress to the nines, as the Historic Davenport is turning back the clock back a century for its New Year's Eve bash. The famed hotel's Party Like It's 1925 shindig harks back to the era of swinging jazz, flapper girls and Prohibition (thankfully without the potential for getting jailed simply for possessing alcohol). Kick things off with a three-course plated menu, themed Prohibition era cocktails and snapshots at the photobooth. Then hop on a dance floor that should be as roaring as the Twenties, courtesy of the Sacha's Supper Club Orchestra and Colescott Rubin & His Red Hots playing both big band classics and interpretations of more modern hits, before giving 2025 a proper introduction via a champagne toast.
7:30 pm-1 am • $185-$298 • The Historic Davenport Hotel • 10 S. Post St. • sachassupperclub.com
Jan. 1
BEETLEJUICE: THE MUSICAL
After the belated cinematic sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice became a surprise box office smash this fall, fans should be extra excited to ring in the new year by ringing in a little new fear via Beetlejuice: The Musical. The Musical. The Musical. — which, delightfully, is actually its official full title. The show offers up a tweaked version of Tim Burton's original 1989 film, which finds a recently deceased married couple trying to haunt the new inhabitants of their old home — including young Lydia Deetz — and unfortunately having to turn to the titular gross and ghoulish Beetlejuice for help. The musical's comedic horror antics garnered critical acclaim and seven Tony nominations when it debuted on Broadway in 2019. As the titular demon himself would say, "It's showtime!"
Dec. 31-Jan. 5 at 7:30 pm; Jan. 4 at 2 pm; Jan. 5 at 1 pm • $50-$105 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • firstinterstatecenter.org
