If there is a weekend when the holidays explode like an overstuffed stocking spreading lights and hot cocoa across the region, this is it. Here are the region’s biggest celebrations happening tonight through Saturday:
In Lewiston
Carolers, a s’mores bar and an alternative giving fair are part of Bundle Up Downtown, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 in Lewiston. Events start at 4 p.m. with First Friday art openings and live music at the Creative Shop, the Fourth Wall Art Gallery, and Blue Lantern Coffee House. From 4 to 8 p.m. people will be able to vote for the best window decoration at participating downtown businesses, which will have activities like wine tastings and music. Ballots and maps will be at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History, which will hold a Holiday Alternative Giving Fair from 5 to 8 p.m. where people can give to area nonprofit organizations in honor of family and friends. Shoppers will receive a card with an insert representing the gift on their behalf. Carolers will stroll Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m. The Brackenbury Bundle-Up Benefit from 7 to 10 p.m. at Brackenbury Square will support the Lewiston High School Safe & Sober Graduation. There will be music by the Tri-Tones, a S’mores Bar, fire pits, karaoke competition, hot cocoa, a mistletoe photo booth and wreath sale.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, kids can enjoy free Cookies with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. at Locomotive Park where holiday light hours are 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Sunday, and 5 to 7 every morning.
In Orofino
Orofino’s Christmas Festival features a weekend full of events, including a parade, tree lighting ceremony and holiday bazaar. The Old Fashioned Light Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 downtown followed by the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. at Cannon Park. There will be music, candy canes, baked goods, hot chocolate, kids crafts and pictures with Santa. A live nativity scene will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Michigan Avenue and H Street on the junior high school lawn. The Community Choir Christmas Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. The Patchwork Bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Orofino Junior Senior High School. Admission is free. Locally crafted items and foods will be for sale along with Christmas trees.
In Pierce
The annual Pierce Gem Team Festival of Trees from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Pierce Community Center will feature food, a live auction, kids crafts and music. Admission is free. The evening starts at 5:30 p.m. with entertainment by the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy Cadet choir, directed by Josh Joiner of Weippe. The auction begins around 6:10 p.m. with a variety of handmade and artisan crafts and other items for sale. Those who bring a nonperishable food item will receive an additional ticket for drawings. Children are welcome at the event and there will be a Kids’ Crafts program in the Fireplace Room during the auction. All proceeds from the auction go toward Pierce improvement projects.
In Uniontown
One-of-a-kind artisan gifts will be for sale at the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn ninth annual Holiday Gift Gala from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Resident artists will be joined by visiting artists and craftspeople with gifts for men, women and children. Special this year is the “Too Hot to Handle” project, a fundraiser for the addition of a commercial kitchen to the barn. Hundreds of pot holders made by artists and community members will be for sale.
In Moscow
Buy Local Moscow’s seventh annual WinterFest features locally made gifts, food and drink for sale from 5 to 8 Thursday, Dec. 4 at the 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. Santa will be available for photos.
Santa on horseback is the featured guest at the Appaloosa Museum for a free holiday event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6. There will be Appaloosa crafts and photo opportunities. The museum is at 2720 W. Pullman Road.
In Pullman
In Renaissance-style costume, the Madrigal Singers and other musicians will present Washington State University’s annual holiday concert with seasonal music from classics to pops at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in Bryan Hall. Tickets go on sale at the door one hour before the concert and are $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors 60-plus and free for children 12 and younger.
Tase T. Lentil will do the honors at Pullman’s tree-lighting ceremony at 4:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Pine Street Plaza. Holiday Fest 2014 starts at 4 p.m. with the Jingle Bell Fun Run for kids 12 and younger. People can register until 3:30 p.m. at the Washington State University YMCA. The run ends at the plaza. After the tree lighting, activities continue at Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N. Grand Ave., with local choir and dance performances, free cocoa, cookies and a visit by Santa at 4:55 p.m. At 6 p.m., people can warm up at the free marshmallow roast at Paradise Creek Brewery, 245 S.E. Paradise St.
The Pullman Civic Theatre’s family show “Fruitcakes” opening this weekend at the Nye Street Theatre is about a runaway kid named Jamie who happens upon a town where the inhabitants seem “nuttier than fruitcakes.” He soon comes to admire and adore the kooky cast of characters. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 Saturday, Dec. 6, next Thursday and Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Tickets are $12 at the door at 1220 N.W. Nye St., or online at www.pullmancivictheatre.org.
In Clarkston
The 28th annual Lighted Christmas Parade is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Clarkston.
This year’s theme is “Reindeer Games.” The parade usually features more than 70 lighted floats that travel a route from Diagonal to Sixth streets ending at Vernon Park. The finale of the parade is the lighting of the star on the hill above Clarkston.
