Christmas happenings in Bonner County

SANDPOINT — With turkey basters put away and the pumpkins on the front porch having seen better days, the community is gearing up for the Christmas season.

There is no shortage of festive events to help ignite Christmas spirit across the county. 

In Sandpoint, the 29th annual Tree of Memorial Lights ceremony will be held at the Bonner General Health Services Building. Held at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, the gathering is designed to give residents an opportunity to honor and remember loved ones. 

On Nov. 30, the Festival of Trees will take place at Bonner County Fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Here participants can view decorated trees, vote on their favorite gingerbread creation, get their picture with Santa, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. 

St. Joseph’s Christmas Fair, on Dec. 2 and 3 will feature watercolor cards, Advent wreaths, handmade jewelry and toys, knitted items and much more. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 601 S. Lincoln Ave., Sandpoint.

The Hive will be hosting “Christmas Cowboy Style” with Jeremy McComb on Dec. 7. This ticketed event is available to anyone 21 and older who wants to hear some cowboy poetry and music. Tickets are available at livefromthehive.com.

DIY enthusiasts can make their own Victorian cedar and floral Christmas wreath at the Peppered Mercantile on Dec. 7. Participants will use dried flowers and cedar, grown and harvested from Sweetsong Flower Farm in Cocolalla, and finish their creation off with a velvet ribbon. Tickets are available at sweetsongflowerfarm.com.

On Dec. 8, Sandpoint Shopping District will be hosting a “ladies night” event. Specials and refreshments will be available at various downtown locations. The party kicks off at 3 p.m. at Barrell 33. Participants have the opportunity to win a $250 shopping spree along with other prizes.  Passports will be available at participating businesses. One stamp in each quadrant is required to be eligible to win. 

The city of Dover will be hosting its first ever Winter Market, in collaboration with Nutlicious. On Dec. 8 and 9, jewelry, candles, handmade purses, hair accessories, spices/sauces, raw honey, wood signs, kitchen items, greeting cards, handmade soaps, beverages including wine, and a variety of food items including Nutlicious hazelnut spreads will be available for purchase. The event will take place at the Nutlicious building, 5820 Highway 2, Dover from 10 a.m.-3 p.m both days.

Join the Sandpoint Waldorf School for its annual Christmas Faire on Dec. 9 at the Heartwood Center. There will be handmade gifts, treats and kids crafts. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At Popeye’s Lounge in Priest River, a “Christmas Barn” paint-and-sip event will be held Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. Tickets are available at deanspaintandsip.com. 

East Hope Tree Lighting will be taking place on Dec. 1 at Hope City Park starting at 5:30 p.m.