Your Guide to Holiday Events in Spokane
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With the seasons changing, it’s easy to start thinking about the holiday season. From Christmas light decorations to the Crescent Window Displays at the Grand, we’re entering the fun part of the holiday season. Who doesn’t enjoy some hot chocolate and delicious cookies while taking in the sights of the Spokane area lights and holidays events?
If you’re looking for great things to do with the family this holiday season, make sure to bookmark this guide to holiday events in Spokane for later!
For even more fun holiday events, head over to our Events & Deals page here!
Holiday Lights and Events Around Spokane
Manito Holiday Lights
Since 2020, Gaiser Conservatory’s holiday lights have expanded into the Friends of Manito Manito Holiday Lights, a drive and walk-thru light event. It has evolved into a multi-day event for walkers and drive throughs that quickly has become one of the best holiday activities to enjoy in Spokane!
The route is about one-half mile, and The Friends of Manito asks people arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the show opens to prevent congestion. The drive thru show is planning to proceed through most winter conditions, but if a significant storm, ice or wind brings safety concerns, the show will be canceled.
Learn more about Manito Holiday Lights here.
Liberty Lake Winter Glow Spectacular
Since 2014, Liberty Lake has hosted the Winter Glow Spectacular, and that doesn’t stop in 2022! Winter Glow Spectacular is free to the whole community and runs from November 19 through January 1, 2023.
Learn more about Winter Glow Spectacular here.
More Ways to Enjoy Winter in Spokane
Looking for the best places to shop local this holiday season? What about winter activities, or how to prepare for your first winter in Spokane? We’ve got you covered below!
Crescent Window Display
While not a Christmas light exhibit, the window displays at the downtown Davenport Hotel revive an old Spokane tradition of celebrating Christmas with seasonal window displays. With pieces discovered from the old Crescent building, the Downtown Spokane Partnership created a new retro holiday tradition showcasing the classic holiday characters just like they were back in the day.
Five window bays on the south side of The Grand hotel will display scenes featuring refurbished figurines rescued from the basement of the former Crescent Department Store.
Each of the five windows are designed and installed by local artists.
You can see the displays from November 26 to January 1.
Hours:
Friday and Saturday: Noon-10:00pm
Sunday through Thursday: 3 – 8 pm.
Riverfront Trail of Lights
In downtown Spokane, visit the Riverfront Trail of Lights with expanded park-wide lighting displays. You’ll see several holiday light displays, including Candy Cane Lane, a light tunnel under the historic blue bridge, and more!
Additionally, on December 15, head to Riverfront Park to enjoy Jingle ‘n’ Mingle, a family-friendly event featuring warm drinks, food, unlimited carrousel rides and a silent auction to benefit a Spokane County United Way partner agency that supports children.
Christmas Tree Elegance
Do you love beautifully decorated Christmas trees? If so, head to downtown Spokane for one of our favorite annual holiday events for Christmas Tree Elegance.
Christmas Tree Elegance benefits the Spokane Symphony, and you can view the trees at the Historic Davenport Hotel and River Park Square. You can also purchase raffle tickets for $1 to win one of the trees and its gifts!
Christmas Tree Elegance is from November 29 to December 11, 2022.
Ice Ribbon
The Numerica Ice Ribbon is back in action in 2022! Hours vary and depend on the weather – learn more about the Ice Ribbon here!
In addition to the regular Ice Ribbon hours, Riverfront Park is also offering Cheap Skate Tuesdays, when free skate rentals are provided with each paid admission.
The dates for Cheap Skate Tuesdays are:
January 3, 10, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
Finally, ice skate to the sounds of a DJ (almost) every Friday this winter! DJ Night on the Ice will take place on the following dates from 6-8 PM:
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and New Year’s Eve!
January 6, 13, 20, 27
Take a look at the video below to see what it’s like on Spokane’s downtown Ice Ribbon at Riverfront Park, plus a walk through of Riverfront Park holiday lights!
Northwest Winterfest
Visit the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center for the Pacific Northwest’s largest holiday lantern display! In addition to holiday lanterns, you can also walk around and enjoy food, beer, wine and hot drinks.
The event takes place from December 2 to January 1, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get your tickets here.
Additional Holiday Events in the Inland Northwest
Looking for more holiday events around Spokane? You won’t want to miss these ones!
Santa’s Sack Stuffer Run
Join Negative Split for the Swag Run Santa’s Sack Stuffer! This fun event, held on December 10, 2022, features tons of fun swag around “elf stations” – the more tickets you collect from the elves, the more swag you can stuff in your Santa Sack!
Learn more about this event on our Spokane events calendar.
Looking for New Year’s Eve Events?
We have a whole separate article on New Year’s Eve events around Spokane!
Santa Pictures at the Bluff
Head up to Green Bluff for Christmas trees and pictures with Santa! Santa will be at Green Bluff every weekend through December 23, from 11 am to 4 PM.
Holiday Markets Around Spokane
There are several holiday markets happening around Spokane this winter, including:
- Lumberbeard Winter Market
- Holiday on the Ave
- Winter Wonder Market at the Wonder Building
- and more – make sure to check out our full list here on Instagram!
Spokane Holiday Trip Planning Resources
Need a place to stay around Spokane this holiday season? Check out this list of locations and deals below!
Your Guide to Holiday Events in Spokane
While it’s always fun to drive through neighborhoods and see how locals decorate their homes for the season, there’s something special about taking in community light shows. Spokane offers some of the best light festivals and special exhibits in the Pacific Northwest.
This Christmas in Spokane, we want you to have fun and enjoy everything Spokane and the surrounding areas have to offer! Whether you’re entertaining visiting family or creating your own family traditions, Everyday Spokane is your #1 source for Spokane holiday events, things to do in Spokane, dining, and much more.
Head over to our Facebook group Getting to Know Spokane and let us know what you’re doing this holiday season!
Where to Eat Around Spokane
While you’re out this winter in Spokane, you might get hungry! Our favorite local places to get delicious food, drinks, and more!
