Boise Public Library (Main)
Downtown main library with a children’s area and regular storytimes. Free with or without a card.
FreeIndoor
Winter in the Treasure Valley
Winter in the valley means holiday lights in nearly every town, a ski hill just up the road from Boise, sledding when the snow cooperates, a carnival up in McCall, and a long list of indoor spots for the gray days.
Dates change a little every year. Check with each event or business before you go.
Winter traditions
Winter Garden aGlow
Late November to early JanuaryHundreds of thousands of holiday lights through the gardens. One of the valley’s biggest holiday traditions.
Scentsy Commons holiday lights
A run of nights in DecemberA free walk-through display with hundreds of thousands of lights on the trees across the Scentsy campus, including a long light tunnel kids love. The nights change each year, so check the dates before you go.
Caldwell Winter Wonderland
Kicks off in late NovemberCaldwell lines Indian Creek with more than a million lights. Opening weekend brings ice skating, Santa, food trucks and vendors, and it’s free to attend.
Bogus Basin
Usually December through AprilThe local ski and snowboard hill, close enough for an afternoon. Lessons make it a good place for kids to learn.
Sledding at Camel’s Back Park
When there’s snowA big, steep hill that fills up with sleds on snow days.
Tubing with a magic carpet lift, so nobody has to drag a tube back up the hill.
Ice skating
November into early springThe Village at Meridian runs an outdoor rink through the holidays, Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell has a winter rink, and Idaho Ice World offers public skate times.
McCall Winter Carnival
Late January into early FebruaryWorth the drive: giant snow and ice sculptures all over town, fireworks over Payette Lake, a children’s torchlight parade, and a Mardi Gras parade to close it out. The carnival runs about ten days, and lodging books up early.
Idaho Potato Drop
New Year’s EveA free New Year’s Eve celebration with live music and the famous giant potato.
Browse for winter
Places to start
Boise WaterShed
Environmental education center about where the valley’s water comes from, with exhibits and outdoor grounds.
FreeBoth
Children’s Museum of Idaho
Hands-on museum built for kids, with a planetarium show you can add on. Admission is cheaper for toddlers under two, and the second Thursday of each month is a $5 community day.
$Indoor
Discovery Center of Idaho
Hands-on science exhibits kids are supposed to touch. A go-to for cold or rainy days.
$Indoor
Eagle Public Library
Eagle’s public library, with regular storytimes for little ones and a children’s area.
FreeIndoor
Other seasons
Know a winter tradition we missed?
Festivals, holiday events, seasonal farms: send it in and we’ll add it.
Send it in