COEUR D'ALENE INSIDER

FREE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEALS

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF EACH

(Some require RSVPs, & may provide carry-out or transportation to dine in. All are complimentary & open to the public.)

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• Nov 23 - American Legion Post #143, Post Falls

• Nov 27 - The Burger Dock, CdA

• Nov 28 - The Country Boy Cafe, Athol 

• Nov 28 - Wallace Food Bank

• Nov 28 - The Altar Church, CdA

• Nov 28 - Bayview Community Center

• Nov 28 - Blanchard Grange

• Nov 28 - Wallace Elks Lodge #331

• Nov 28 - Osburn Seventh-day Adventist Church 

• Nov 28 - Kellogg Elks Lodge #1841

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"LETTERS TO SANTA"

Nov 15 (Fri) - Dec 15 (Sun)

CITY OF SPIRIT LAKE

• Spirit Lake & North Pole Fire Departments have teamed up so children can have letters delivered to Santa

• Drop-off box is located at Spirit Lake Fire Station, 32182 N. 6th Avenue. No stamp required.

• Children need to write legibly & include their name & address so Santa can send a reply.

• Deadline is Dec 15. FREE program!

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"SANTA'S MAILBOXES"

Nov 25 (Mon) - Dec 13 (Fri)

CITY OF RATHDRUM

• Look for big red mailboxes for kids' letters to Santa at various locations

• No stamps needed; delivery goes straight to North Pole, so allow enough time - FREE activity!

• Drop boxes will be at these locations: Rathdrum Parks & Rec Office, 7851 W. Main St.; Rathdrum City Hall, 8047 W. Main St.; Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware, 6950 Hwy 53; & King Sod Tree Farm (beginning Nov 29), 10102 N. Memory Lane.

• Deadline for drop-off - Dec 13.

• For more info & download for Letter to Santa template, click HERE.

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"FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA"

Dec 7 (Sat), 10 am-2 pm

DOWNTOWN COEUR D'ALENE​

Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU)

401 E. Front Ave., CdA​

• Sponsored by Downtown Association & CdA Fire Department

• Share holiday wishes w/Santa & snap a memorable photo too!

• Family fun for all ages - FREE to participate

• Coloring sheets, warm drinks & vintage fire truck

• Donate an item for the food drive & receive entry to drawing for $100 gift card

• Click HERE for "Elf On the Shelf" details & more

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"SANTA CLAUS IN BAYVIEW"

Dec 7 (Sat), 1 pm

BAYVIEW COMMUNITY CENTER

20298 E. Perimeter Rd., Bayview

• Making an early appearance, stop in for cookies, cookies & presents w/Santa

• Sponsored by Bayview Idaho Chamber of Commerce

• All are welcome - it's FREE!​

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"SANTA MEET & GREET"

Dec 8 (Sun), 3-5 pm

KOOTENAI CO. FAIRGROUNDS

4056 N. Gov't Way, CdA​

• Photos w/Santa & his sleigh & a giant 8' wreath are FREE! 

• FREE mule-drawn wagon rides too!

• Presented by Rusty Gate Tree Farm - see selection of trees at main entrance

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"KELLOGG CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY"

Nov 30 (Sat), 5-6:30 pm

SILVER MOUNTAIN GONDOLA VILLAGE

610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg

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• FREE cookies & hot cocoa all evening!

• Santa will light up Christmas tree  at 5:30 & jot down Christmas wishes from 5:30-6:30

• Fireworks show at 6 pm w/great views from Gondola Village & the City of Kellogg​

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​"WINTERFEST POST FALLS & PLAZA MARKET"

Dec 6 (Fri), 4-8 pm

CITY OF POST FALLS

Post Falls City Hall Plaza

408 N. Spokane St., Post Falls

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• Festivities for all ages - FREE!

• Visit with Santa in his workshop; explore Mrs. Claus' kitchen

• Warm up at outdoor fire pits & roast marshmallows

• Holiday photo ops

• Tree lighting & caroling; crafts for little elves

• Local artisans/vendors offering handmade crafts, seasonal treats & unique gifts

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"4th ANNUAL OUTDOOR EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET"

Dec 6 (Fri), 4-8 pm

Dec 7 (Sat), 9 am-5 pm

ELKS LODGE #1254

1170 W. Prairie Ave., Ave. CdA

• Based on outside traditional Christkindlmarkts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland & other countries during Advent season

• Warming fires, twinkling lights & Father Christmas

• Vendor Village w/European flair for vintage items & homemade crafts/gifts; delicious pastries & hot-spiced mulled wine

• More info - call Andrea at 208-762-1185 or email andrea@haydenchamber.org

• Fundraiser for Hayden Chamber of Commerce - $5 admission or kids ages 10 & under FREE​

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"CHRISTMAS VILLAGE"

Dec 5-6 (Thurs-Fri), 5-8 pm

THE CAUSE CHURCH

1010 E. Sherman Ave., CdA

• Old-fashioned Christmas event in its 2nd year - FREE & open for all!

• Santa pictures, games, prizes, & petting zoo

• Complimentary popcorn, hot cocoa & cookies

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​"3RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL"

Dec 14 (Sat), 2-7 pm

CITY OF PINEHURST

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• 2 pm - Gather at Christmas Town Squaw (Larry Pete Marek Memorial Basketball Court) for scavenger hunt which begins promptly at 2:10 pm w/ending at 3 pm. Prize drawing & $100 cash prize for winning team. More info HERE.

• Parade & lighting ceremony

• Gifts, crafts, food

• FREE admission! All are welcome! 

• M TBA HERE

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​"HAYDEN LIGHTS: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & PARADE"

Dec 7 (Sat), 5 pm

CITY OF HAYDEN​

McIntire Family Park

8930 N. Gov't Way, Hayden

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• Parade begins at Hayden Ave. & goes south along Gov't Way to Honeysuckle Avenue

• Tree lighting begins immediately after parade in park w/visit from Santa

• More info - 208-209-1080, Hayden Recreation & Community Events

• FREE annual family event!

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"LIVE NATIVITY"

Dec 6 & 7 (Fri & Sat), 6-9 pm

NEW LIFE CHURCH

6068 W. Hayden Ave., Rathdrum​

• Experience the story of Jesus' birth w/live actors & animals - all in the comfort of your vehicle.​

• Hot chocolate treat

• FREE event!

• Donations optional; consider taking a new toy to donate for famlies in need.

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"A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM"

Dec 14-15 & 21-22 (Sat-Sun)

FINDLAY STADIUM STATELINE SPEEDWAY

1349 N. Beck Rd., Post Falls

• Travel back in time to Jesus' birth

• Experience an unforgettable evening filled w/warmth & holiday spirit in the village

• 4:30 pm - gates open; FREE admission!

• 5 pm - live nativity performance

• Village remains open after performance

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​"HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS"

Dec 7 (Sat)

CITY OF WALLACE

Various Locations​​

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• A joyous time for all, a FREE events sponsored by Wallace Idaho Chamber!

• 10 am - Snowflake Pageant, Elks Lodge (upstairs)

• 11 am-4 pm - Craft Wallace, downtown

• noon - Santa arrives; photos at Stockbridge Museum

• noon-4 pm - horse & carriage rides

• 2 pm - Reindeer Run, location TBA

• 3-5 pm - Santa photos at 6th & Cedar

• 5:30 pm - lighted Christmas parade begins in front of Elks Lodge 

• 7-9 pm - caroling & s'mores, Stardust lawn

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​"TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & LIGHTED VEHICLE PARADE"

Dec 7 (Sat), 6 pm

CITY OF RATHDRUM​

• 5:30 pm - tree  lighting ceremony on Main Street

• 5:45 pm - business lighting contest winners announced

• 6 pm - parade begins on Main Street. Cost to participate is $10 per vehicle, which benefits local non-profit, Outreach Eats. Register in-person at 7851 W. Main St., Rathdrum, or online at www.rathdrum.gov/rec until Nov 26. Check-in is 3:30-5 pm; judging begins at 5 pm. Choose short route or long route.

• More info - 208-687-2399 or HERE

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"SANTA CALLS"

Dec 11 (Wed), 5:30-7:30 pm

CITY OF RATHDRUM

• Rathdrum Parks & Rec offers phone calls on Dec 11 for children who would like to talk to Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of the elves between 5:30-7:30 pm (so please keep phone line open during time frame)

• Registration forms available online HERE & need to be completed by Dec 6. List all children in the household

• Cost? It's FREE!

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