The holidays in Spokane

Mark your calendar

What’s happening, by date

Nov 20–22
Custer’s Christmas ShowFri 10–8, Sat 9–6, Sun 10–4. Artisan gifts; admission required.
Spokane Fair & Expo Center
Nov 21
Santa’s ArrivalFestivities 3–7 p.m.; Santa arrives and the tree is lit 5–5:30 p.m.
River Park Square
Nov 21
WinterGlow KickoffKickoff 6:15–7:15 p.m.; lights continue through Jan. 3, 2027.
Kendall Yards
Nov 21
Light Up Liberty Lake5–7 p.m. The city’s tree lighting.
Trailhead Golf Course
Nov 27–29
Kendall Yards Christmas MarketNoon–4 p.m. Nov. 27–29 and again Dec. 11–13.
Kendall Yards
Nov 28
Numerica Tree LightingFree celebration 4–7 p.m.; countdown at 6 p.m. Skating costs extra.
Riverfront Park, Numerica Skate Ribbon
Dec 1–13
Christmas Tree EleganceFree tree viewing. Raffle tickets are a separate purchase.
Historic Davenport and River Park Square
Dec 3–6
The NutcrackerState Street Ballet with the Spokane Symphony. Dec. 3–4 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 5 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.
The Fox Theater
Dec 4
Cheney Holiday Hoopla4–7 p.m. Activities, Santa and the library tree lighting.
Downtown Cheney
Dec 4
Spokane Valley Tree Lighting5:30–7 p.m. Music, cocoa and cookies; Santa storytime at the library follows.
Balfour Park
Dec 5
Blitzen BashActivities 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
River Park Square
Dec 10–13
Holiday VillageDec. 10–11 from 5 p.m.; Dec. 12–13 from 11 a.m.
Riverfront Park
Dec 12
Medical Lake Winter FestivalMarket 11 a.m.–6 p.m., activities 1–4 p.m., parade at 4:45 p.m., then tree lighting and fireworks.
Downtown Medical Lake
Dec 12–13
Holiday PopsSpokane Symphony. Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; check the Fox for the Dec. 13 time.
The Fox Theater
Dec 12
Terrain’s BrrrZAAR10 a.m.–8 p.m. Free admission; local artists and makers.
River Park Square

Dates and details were checked on November 8, 2026. Organizers can change schedules and admission, so open the link before you head out. A free event does not mean every activity is free.

Light up your evenings

Christmas lights and decorated trees

Kendall YardsWinterGlow Spectacular

Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, 2027

Orchard Park, Liberty LakeWinter Wonderland

Nov. 21 to Jan. 3

Pavillion Park, Liberty LakeHearth & Holly Lights

Nov. 21 to Jan. 3

Historic Davenport and River Park SquareChristmas Tree Elegance

Dec. 1 to 13, free viewing

Riverfront ParkNumerica Tree Lighting and Skate Ribbon

Lighting Nov. 28; ribbon expected to open Nov. 21, weather permitting

Kendall YardsKendall Yards Winter Festival

Nov. 27 to Dec. 19, with fireworks each Saturday evening

Downtown Medical LakeMedical Lake Elf Village and Light Tour

Elf Village through early January; self-guided light tour Dec. 12, 5–7 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene Resort, IdahoHoliday Light Show cruises

Lighting ceremony and fireworks Nov. 27; lake cruises run to Jan. 3. Ticketed.

Let someone else cook

Holiday food to order

Local kitchens, bakeries and grocers taking holiday orders this year. Order early; deadlines come up fast.

Thanksgiving to take homeClinkerdagger

Family meals for three to four, turkey or prime rib. Order by 4 p.m. Nov. 20; pickup Nov. 24–25.

Holiday dinnersSafeway

Cooked turkey or ham, sides, pies and full bundles. Pre-orders are open; choose your store.

PiesBean & Pie

Thanksgiving pre-orders close Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. Baked in Coeur d’Alene.

Holiday roastYoke’s Fresh Market

Ribeye roast pre-orders with pickup Nov. 19 to Dec. 24. Confirm details with your store.

PiesPatti’s Pies

Last day to order for Thanksgiving is Saturday, Nov. 21. Confirm pickup details when you order.

A meal outChristmas Tree Elegance Luncheon and Dinner

Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Historic Davenport: lunch at 11:30 a.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. Ticketed.

Menus, prices and order deadlines are set by each business and can change. Check the link before you plan around it.

For those who love a real tree

Find your tree

ColbertWildland Cooperative

Nov. 27–29; reservation required

ChattaroyG’s Christmas Trees

Select dates; reserve online

ElkCamden Ranch

Opens Nov. 27; check open dates

ColbertHansen’s Green Bluff

Call for 2026 dates and stock

MeadWalters’ Fruit Ranch

Confirm tree availability and hours

Cut your ownColville National Forest

The forest’s page says no permit is needed; read its rules and map first

Some farms have announced 2026 dates and others are listed as places to call. Confirm stock, reservations and hours before you drive.

For the kids

Santa sightings and things to do

River Park Square Santa

Nov. 21 to Dec. 24. Hours vary; reserve photos.

Paws & Claus

Mondays, Nov. 23 to Dec. 14, 4 p.m. to close, River Park Square.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus

Dec. 2, 9 and 16, 11 a.m. to noon, River Park Square.

Blitzen Bash

Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., River Park Square.

Cheney Holiday Hoopla

Dec. 4, 4 to 7 p.m., downtown Cheney.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 3 to 6 at The Fox.

Shop local

Gifts from Spokane-area shops

Style and accessories

Fringe & Fray, French Toast, Boo Radley’s, Atticus Coffee & Gifts

Home and decor

From Here, Pottery Place Plus, Davenport Home

Books and games

Auntie’s Bookstore, Wishing Tree Books, Uncle’s Games

For kids

Whiz Kids Toys, French Toast

For the dog

Prairie Dog (Kendall Yards and South Hill), Pawpular Companions, Northwest Seed & Pet

Rest and recharge

Davenport Spa, BrickHouse Spa, The Union

Cozy places to warm up

Clinkerdagger

621 W. Mallon Ave.

Wild Sage Bistro

916 W. 2nd Ave.

Italia Trattoria

144 S. Cannon St.

Palm Court Grill

Historic Davenport

The Mason Jar

101 F St., downtown Cheney

Revival Tea Company

415 W. Main Ave.

Arctos Coffee

Monroe and Hamilton

Indaba Coffee

Riverside

These are established local businesses. Check current hours, holiday menus and gift-card terms with each one.

Giving back

Ways to help a neighbor this season

Christmas Bureau

In its 80th year, giving toys and food vouchers to local households. Donate online or by mail; the pajama drive runs through Dec. 7.

Tom’s Turkey Drive

Buy a $25 meal bag at any Spokane-area Rosauers or give online. Volunteer shifts are posted too.

Second Harvest

Donate or volunteer any time of year to help stock food banks across the Inland Northwest.