In every season of the year, Sun Valley, Idaho provides travelers with a tantalizing vacation destination to enjoy. Whether you’re here to hike and bike in the summer, or shop and dine your way through a spring or fall stay, you’ll find Sun Valley is a place where it’s a simple thing to embrace your interests of all types. Those who head here over the holidays are in for an extra special treat! This time of year, Sun Valley comes to life in festive and wintery style. When you’re looking to add a little magic to your visit, the following holiday events in Sun Valley are must-adds to your itinerary to make the most of every single moment.
Take Time to Participate in the Local Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around Town
The beauty of a Sun Valley getaway over the holidays is that you’re absolutely free to explore an exciting new destination alongside family and friends, but you’ll find there are still plenty of traditional festive activities to add to your agenda. Among them are the multiple tree lighting ceremonies that are hosted in Sun Valley and the nearby surrounding communities too. A tree lighting ceremony is a great time to gather, celebrate the season, and enjoy a glittering backdrop that sets a picture-perfect holiday scene. The Sun Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony typically takes place in mid-December and kicks off around 5:30 pm right in the heart of Sun Valley Village. This family-friendly event is one that also includes great live holiday music, an outdoor bar for the adults, meet-and-greet options with Santa for the little ones, and plenty of hot cocoa and free cookies to go around.
If you want to pair your mid-December tree lighting ceremony with a few that happen earlier in the month, you’ll find that both Hailey and Ketchum have their tree lighting at this time. The Ketchum Tree Lighting Ceremony is held in Town Square and is a popular event for those who are looking to make the most of great photo backdrops, meet up with Santa, and savor candy canes and cocoa in abundance! The Hailey Holiday Tree Lighting Experience happens right at the beginning of the month and includes carolers on-site as well as free refreshments.
Exciting Holiday Spectacles to Enjoy Alongside Family and Friends
When you’re looking to be wowed over the holidays in Sun Valley, you’ll want to be sure to attend the Christmas Eve Ice Show and Torchlight Parade that happens every year here on December 24. This is a popular and highly anticipated area event that has come to be a defining experience for many locals and visitors alike at Christmastime. The Christmas Eve ice show is a spectacle that’s designed to impress and afterward, you’ll want to make your way to Dollar Mountain where skiers will be wielding torches on the slopes, creating an incredible light show that’s typically topped off with fireworks as well. This holiday event makes it easy to get excited for the big day to come!
Christmas Markets to Explore for Last-Minute Gifts
While some holiday travelers have everything on their gift list checked off before they hop on the plane or in the car, others have a tendency to leave a few things for the very last minute. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll be delighted to discover that the greater Sun Valley area hosts a few fantastic holiday markets to check out while you’re in town. The Sun Valley Resort holds its annual open-air holiday market for three days in mid-December and it’s packed with holiday-themed décor, handcrafted gifts, delicious bites to try, and more. The holiday market at Sun Valley Resort is modeled after a European-style outdoor market, so you’ll want to bundle up and bring a big bag to fill with wreaths, pottery, jewelry, skincare items, baked goods, and beyond. Yet another great holiday market to add to your must-visit list when you’re in town over the holidays is the Christmas Bazaar hosted over at the Papoose Club in Ketchum in early December. This family-friendly market is a one-stop hub for purchasing everything from mason jars decorated by local artisans to hand-made soaps and Christmas décor. Afterward, you can fuel back up with fresh-baked cookies that make the experience as sweet as it is fun.
Dine in Holiday Style with the Little Ones
If you’re traveling to Sun Valley with the little ones in tow, you can make their holiday experience extra special by signing up to enjoy the annual Brunch with Santa experience that’s typically hosted at the Sun Valley Clubhouse on December 23 and 24. You can look forward to a classic brunch experience alongside Santa Claus with savory service running from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. As you dine in style, your kids can take a moment to tell Santa what they’re looking forward to receiving on Christmas Day, making this a brunch to remember.
Book Your Unforgettable Holiday Getaway to Sun Valley This Year
Now is the very best time to turn your holiday travel plans into a reality and when you do, the team at Abode Sun Valley will make sure you and your traveling crew have gorgeous accommodations to call your own while you’re in town. Reach out today to learn more about our beautiful holiday rental options available and to get your Christmas trip underway!
