photo above: Jeff Caven

Imagine yourself enjoying a savory cup of hot cocoa under the stars after an evening of night skiing on Sun Valley’s Dollar Mountain, or strolling the snow-covered streets of Ketchum and Sun Valley, underneath the twinkle of holiday lights, as the sound of carolers filters through the air. The holidays in Sun Valley are magical, and these are just a few of the festive moments that await this holiday season. Don’t know where to start? We’ve compiled your 2025 guide of must-see events and happenings from Christmas festivities to rock-the-house New Year’s shenanigans!

photo: Sun Valley Resort

Community Gingerbread Contest – December 6–31

This is a festive and charitable way to celebrate the holidays! Build a gingerbread house yourself, with family and friends, or with coworkers and pick a local nonprofit as your cause. The top three winning entries will receive a donation from Sun Valley Company! Gingerbread house entries will be on display at Sun Valley’s Boiler Room for voting.

Shop for a Cause – December 6–7

The Sun Valley Village transforms at Christmastime, making this a perfect space to not only get your holiday shopping done but to support local organizations like The Space, Hospice of the Wood River Valley, and the Papoose Club, with a percentage of shopping proceeds going to these great causes.

Photos with Santa & Cookie Decorating – December 6

Stop by the Boiler Room in Sun Valley to get photos with the man in red and decorate cookies! Individual cookies can be purchased for $13.50 each and there will be a space provided for decorating in the Boiler Room. 12–4pm.

Papoose Club Holiday Bazaar – December 6 & 7

Shop 70+ vendors to find all your holiday needs, from decor to gifts, to get your jump start on shopping and gift giving this season. Enjoy homemade holiday cookies, a raffle, and more!

Holiday Wreath Making – December 6, 8, & 9

Join the Sawtooth Botanical Garden as you usher in the holiday season by creating your own handmade wreath! Light refreshments and all wreath-making materials will be provided, including greenery and decorations. $55/person; registration required.

Holiday Dance – December 11

The Footlight Dance Centre presents their annual holiday outreach performance, at the Senior Connection, with ballet and tap dancers performing a holiday piece for all to enjoy. 12:30pm.

Holiday Movie Series – December 12 & 13

The Sun Valley Opera House will be showing a series of holiday films this season. December 12: Elf; December 13: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; December 15: The Nutcracker Ballet Movie. Tickets are $5, with children 3 & under free.

Sun Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony – December 13

An appearance from Santa, live holiday music, ice carvings, and free cookies and cocoa, oh my! Don’t miss the tree lighting in Sun Valley this season, 6pm sharp!

Open-Air Holiday Marke t – December 13 and 14

Sun Valley Resort is thrilled to bring back their Open Air Holiday Market for the 9th season! The holiday market will be a European style outdoor market offering unique and local items – the perfect opportunity to shop for those last minute holiday gifts! The market will feature vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, pottery, wreaths and dried floral arrangements, homemade baked goods and treats, skincare and more!

Wood River Orchestra Holiday Concert – December 13

Can’t get enough of classic holiday music? The Wood River Orchestra will be performing orchestral and ensemble arrangements of holiday music at The Argyros starting at 4pm with a silent auction beforehand at 3pm. The concert is free with reservations and family friendly. A selection of free handmade cookies will be available as well! A number of caberet tables for four are available for $250.

Let It Snow: A Jazz Holiday Concert– December 19 & 20

Sun Valley’s annual family friendly Christmas concert in the Opera House is back this year with FAUNA, an innovative jazz trio. Tickets can be purchased at the Guest Center. $30 general admission, doors open at 6pm and show begins at 7pm.

Skatin’ Around the Christmas Tree with Santa – December 20

Head to the Sun Valley Ice Rink for a festive night with ol’ Saint Nick, as Santa and his merry friends take to the ice with you! Enjoy complimentary holiday cookies and hot cocoa and skate around to your favorite holiday tunes! $40 for adults and children, includes skate rentals. 5–7pm.

Brunch with Santa – December 23 & 24

Enjoy a classic Sun Valley brunch with Santa this year! Join him at the Sun Valley Clubhouse 9am- 2pm and get your Christmas wishes to the man in red!

Sun Valley’s Christmas Eve Ice Show and Torchlight Parade – December 24

The Sun Valley ice shows are a sight to behold any time of the year, but the Christmas Eve show is one spectacle that brings a smile and a warm heart to everyone who attends. This is truly a time honored family tradition that lets us all know that Christmas is here.

Fireworks and a light show of skiers wielding torches down Dollar Mountain is the last thing children for generations have seen before crawling into bed to wait for Santa to arrive in the night.

Family Night-Skiing & Fireworks on Dollar Mountain – December 31

Hit the slopes to and enjoy some night turns, music under the stars and fireworks at 9:00pm sharp. (Season Passes do not work for this event, it is a ticketed event)