Dec. 25
CHRISTMAS MORNING ON THE MOUNTAIN
Imagine going to sleep on Christmas Eve knowing that you're going to wake up to a white Christmas and the very real possibility of seeing Santa glide by on skis. That's pretty much guaranteed at Silver Mountain Resort, which has a long tradition of offering lodging and activity packages centered on the special day.
"It's a fun way to get the whole family out together," says Gus Colburn, who handles marketing for Silver Mountain. "A lot of people will open presents in the morning at their [resort] house or in their condo and then head out to the slopes."
Out there on the mountain is where you just might catch a glimpse of Santa. He tends to hang out on the bunny slopes, taking time to pose for photos and hand out candy canes. After all his globe-circling activity the night before, he's just grateful for some casual R&R.
Colburn notes that Silver's slopes tend to be less busy on account of the holiday, which means the pace is a little calmer and more relaxed for everyone. Yet all of the resort's regular amenities, such as the tubing hills and the Silver Rapids indoor water park, are still open. "So, if cold weather is not your thing at all, you don't even have to go up on the mountain. You can just spend time having fun in the water park."
If the idea of a fully catered family holiday sounds enticing, Silver Mountain Resort can even take care of Christmas dinner. Noah's Canteen in the Gondola Village serves a choice of honey-glazed ham or roast turkey and popular side dishes.
"Christmas at Silver is super low-stress," Colburn says. "You wake up, roll out of bed, get on the gondola and go have fun. Later you come back to the base and dinner is already prepared and served for you. You don't have to be stuck in the kitchen all day. Instead you can focus all your time on making those special holiday memories with your family."
Prices for lodging and activity packages vary • Silver Mountain Resort • 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg • silvermt.com
Dec. 19
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Much like A Christmas Carol is a tale about channeling the generosity and fellow-feeling of the yuletide spirit, Miracle on 34th Street is about discovering — or rediscovering — the delight and wonder that's woven throughout so much of the season. Although the musical stage adaptation adds festive and familiar holiday songs, it follows the same arc as the classic 1947 black-and-white film featuring a young Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, a precocious child who rejects the existence of anything she can't prove — like Santa Claus. But her certainty starts to falter after she gets to know a kindly old bearded gentleman who insists that he's the real Kris Kringle. Maybe, despite all the justifiable jadedness and cynicism, there's still some room in this world for magic and delight after all? In this Lake City Playhouse production, Navy Lauri stars as Susan Walker alongside Jessica Jameson, Brady Campbell and Troy Bise.
7:30 pm • $27-$30 • Lake City Playhouse • 1320 E. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene • lakecityplayhouse.org
Dec. 20
STARLIGHT SNOWSHOE ON MOUNT SPOKANE
Ever wanted to experience the thrill of exploring high-elevation winter forests after dark? Geared for older teens and up, this is a fun and moderately adventurous guided nighttime trek through the snowy glades of Mount Spokane. The only sources of light will be your headlamp, the waning crescent moon and the stars above. The modest fee covers all your equipment (poles, snowshoes, headlamps), your expert guide as well as transportation to and from the group meeting spot at the Yoke's Fresh Market parking lot in Mead (14202 N. Market St.). Be prepared for chilly mountain conditions, about 550 feet in elevation changes and the possibility of chance encounters with Bigfoot.
6 pm • $39 • Visit spokanerec.org to register and for other dates
Dec. 21
HADESTOWN
A stylized and modernized retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hadestown started racking up accolades even before it made the leap from concept album to Broadway musical in 2019. Its tragic story of ill-fated lovers coupled with songs like "Our Lady of the Underground" and "Way Down Hadestown" clearly struck a chord with audiences. Having previously come through Spokane in mid-2022 to great acclaim, the nationally touring production of the show is making a return as part of the Best of Broadway series once again. This time, however, the run is just three performances over two days, so don't let the brief opportunity pass you by.
Dec. 21 at 7:30 pm; also Dec. 22 at 1 and 6:30 pm • $54-$109 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • broadwayspokane.com
Dec. 22
SYMPHONY POPS 3: CHRISTMAS AT
THE MOVIES
Although the image of Macaulay Culkin cupping either side of his face in shock is familiar to multiple generations, the music of Christmas movies like Home Alone leaves an equally indelible impression on us, even if its workings are more subtle. Mere days before Santa's visit, Morihiko Nakahara conducts a pops concert that pays tribute to all the cinema scores that have suffused our holidays over the years. Music from It's a Wonderful Life, A Charlie Brown Christmas and, yes, Home Alone (it was composed by John Williams, after all) will get the live orchestral treatment as part of this program, which also features selections from that well-known Beethoven vehicle, Die Hard.
Dec. 21 at 7:30 pm and Dec. 22 at 3 pm • $50-$106 • The Fox Theater • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanesymphony.org
Dec. 23
FESTIVUS
Seinfeld was a cultural phenomenon that gave rise to jokes and catchphrases that long outlived the TV show's nine-year run. One of its most enduring tongue-in-cheek legacies is Festivus, an invented holiday that's partly intended as a sober foil to the wanton consumerism and compulsory cheer of Christmas. On the day that Festivus is now traditionally observed, the Panida is going all-in on this sardonic anti-celebration with a variety comedy fundraiser that includes trivia, skits and the customary airing of grievances. Naturally, the event culminates in feats of strength. If you're in need of some backgrounding, be sure to watch "The Strike" (Seinfeld season 9, episode 10) beforehand.
7 pm • $10 • Panida Theater • 300 N. First St., Sandpoint • panida.org
LIBERTY LAKE WINTER GLOW SPECTACULAR
Now celebrating 10 years of lighting up the holidays, Winter Glow Spectacular is a collection of dozens of illuminated displays and set pieces in one convenient location. Snowmen, Santas, circus animals, Christmas trees, candy canes, arches and Nativity scenes are just a few examples of the regularly featured motifs, and each year seems to bring bigger, more elaborate and more animated exhibits. You can enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car or step outside and walk through them for a more immersive, up-close experience. Best experienced after dark, it's a fun, accessible and free family activity that also happens to make a great backdrop for unique holiday photos.
Open daily through Jan. 1 • Free (donations accepted) • Orchard Park • 20298 E. Indiana Ave., Liberty Lake • winterglowspectacular.com
