Ski With Santa at Schweitzer
Get into the holiday spirit as Santa hits the slopes at Schweitzer on Tuesday, December 23, and Wednesday, December 24. Santa will be cruising beginner and intermediate runs on Creekside and Basin Express, spreading cheer (and candy!) to good girls and boys along the way. Festivities include opportunities to ski alongside Santa, a special holiday parade led by Santa and Mrs. Claus down Midway, a group photo before the yearly parade, and cozy apres-ski fun with cookies and hot chocolate in the Selkirk Lodge lobby. Don't miss last-minute Christmas wishes, and a fireside storytime with Mrs. Claus reading "The Night Before Christmas" and other holiday favorites. For full details and schedule visit Schweitzer.com or call 208-255-3081.

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Here's what's happening in December!

23 Live Holiday Music with Zach Simms. Join at Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St. from 5-7 p.m. for some live music featuring Zach Simms.

23-24 Ski with Santa. Santa will be sliding the slopes around Schweitzer before he begins his travels around the world! You'll be able to catch Santa cruising around several beginner and intermediate runs so be on the lookout! He'll have candy to pass out to all the GOOD girls and boys! For more information, visit Schweitzer.com. 208-255-3081.

24 Live Music with John Firshi. Join from 3-5 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak St. for some live music with resident family hour musician John Firshi.

24 Live Trivia. Join in for some live trivia with Toshi at 7 p.m. at Connie's, 323 Cedar St.

25 Complimentary Christmas Dinner. Come check out the Tervan at 411 Cedar St. for a complimentary Christmas dinner from 2-5 p.m.

26 Live Music with Oak Street Connection. It's rock, lounge, pop, and easy listening tunes with Oak Street Connections at Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St. from 5-8 p.m.

26 Live Music with Baker & Packwood. Join at 5 p.m. for some live music at Connie's, 323 Cedar St., with Baker & Packwood.

26 Live Music with Picked up Pieces. Join from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. for live music with Picked up Pieces.

26 Live Music with John Firshi. Join from 6-8 p.m. at Smokesmith BBQ, 102 S. Boyer Ave. for some live blues & americana music with John Firshi.

26 Live Music with Hogwire + Line Dancing. Don't miss Hogwire at the Hive, 207 N. First Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. Line dancing lessons will run from 7:30-8 p.m. ($5 additional to instructor). Band will start at 8 p.m. 21+ $10 entry. Get tickets here.

26 Live Music with Spool Effect. Take in an evening of free live music starting at 9 p.m. at the 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave. with Spool Effect. 21+.

27 Live Music with James Berkley. join from 5-7:30 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak St. for an evening of groove, soul, and storytelling with James Berkley.

27 Live Music with Brian Jacobs. Take in an evening of pop, indie, and rock at Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St. when Brian Jacobs takes the stage from 5-8 p.m.

27 Live Music with Sydney Dawn. Join from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. for live music with Sydney Dawn.

27 Live Music with Carli Osika. Make your way down to Connie's, 323 Cedar St. for some live music with Carli Osika starting at 6 p.m.

27 Live Music with Steve Livingston. Join from 6-8 p.m. at Smokesmith BBQ, 102 S. Boyer Ave. for some live solo acoustic guitar music with Steve Livingston.

27 Live Music with Champions Under Pressure (Queen tribute). Join in at the Hive, 207 N. First Ave. for live music with Champions Under Pressure. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Enjoy opening act Kevin Dorin at 7:30 with the headliners to hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. 21+. Get tickets here.

27 Live Music with Right Front Burner. Take in an evening of free live music starting at 9 p.m. at the 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave. with Right Front Burner. 21+.

27 DJ Sterling. Join from 9 p.m. to midnight at Roxy's Lounge, 215 Pine St. for an evening of tunes.

28 Live Music with Fiddlin' Red. Join from 1-4 p.m. at Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. for live music with Fiddlin' Red.

29 Open Irish Jam. Join in at Connie's, 323 Cedar St. for an open Irish jam with Seamus starting at 6 p.m.

31 Five Days of Family Fun: Free Movie. Don't miss a free movie as part of Numerica's Five Days of Family Fun. Join at the Sandpoint Cinemas at 4 p.m. for Zootopia. Capacity is limited to 140 attendees and seating is first-come, first-served. See their Facebook page for more info.

31 New York New Year's Eve. Take part in Matchwood Brewing's annual NYE event from 4-10 p.m. at 513 Oak St. Featuring DJ Michael Arnie from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with an annual livestream of New Yorks NYE and ball drop at 9 p.m. to go with a free pour and toast at 9 p.m.

31 Live Music with Bakerwood Brothers. Join from 5-8 p.m. for some lively rock and country as we approach the new year at Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St.

31 New Years Party. Join at Barrel 33, 100 N. First Ave. from 5-9:30 p.m. for live music and more.

31 Live Music with Bright Moments Jazz. It's a Happy New Years Eve at Baxter's, 109 Cedar St. with Bright Moments Jazz giving some great music to ring in the new year from 6-9 p.m.

31 Live Trivia. Join in for some live trivia with Toshi at 7 p.m. at Connie's, 323 Cedar St.

31 Live Music with Snacks at Midnight. Take in an evening of live music starting at 9 p.m. at the 219 Lounge, 219 N. First Ave. for a New Years Eve party with Snacks at Midnight. 21+.

31 New Years Eve Party. Join in at Roxy's Lounge, 215 Pine St. with DJ Sterling taking you into the new year from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

31 Taps New Years Eve. Join the party at Taps on Schweitzer for New Years Eve. For the most up to date information, or to purchase tickets, go to Schweitzer.com.

31 Schweitzer Family Friendly New Years Eve Tubing Party. Come bring the family up the hill and enjoy a tubing party to celebrate the end of the year at Schweitzer.com.

And here's what's on tap in January 2026!

1 Polar Bear Plunge. Join this annual event starting at 11 a.m. at the Sandpoint City Beach boat launch. The event is free and open to the public, and food donations are being accepted for the Bonner Community Food Bank.

1 Submissions open: Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest. The inaugural Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest, debuting October 23-24, 2026, at the Panida Theater. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their work through FilmFreeway in categories such as Documentary and Narrative Features and Shorts, Untamed Features and Shorts, Made in Idaho, Green Horizons / Voices for Change, Love Out Loud, Animation, Experimental, Past Forward, The Next Wave, and Youth Works. The festival offers discounted submission fees for students and FilmFreeway Gold members to encourage emerging and underrepresented voices. Learn more or submit your film at SandpointIdahoFilmFest.org.

2 Live Music with Brendon McCoy. Join from 5-7:30 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak St. for some live classic rock and blues music with Brendon McCoy.

2 Live Music with Yotes. Join in at Smokesmith Bar-B-Que, 102 S. Boyer Ave., for a stompin' blend of rockabilly, country, and americana with Yotes. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

2 Live Music with Bright Moments Jazz. Don't miss an evening of cool jazz at Baxter's, 109 Cedar St. from 6-8 p.m. with Bright Moments Jazz.

2 A Night at the Improv. LPO Repertory Theater's Improv Troup is excited to bring Sandpoint A Night at the Improv! Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt as comedians take the stage. Come enjoy an fully seated evening of comedy, hijinks and mayhem! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with show to start at 7:30 p.m. This event will be held at The Hive, 207 N. First Ave. Get tickets here. 21+.

3 Five Days of Family Fun: 7B Lanes. Join from 8 a.m. to noon for bowling and bounce house fun. Capacity is limited to 112 participants per hour. First-come, first-served basis. See their Facebook page for more info.

3 Open Mic Night. Join at Evans Brothers, 524 Church St. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun. There is an open MIC where all are welcome to share their originals or perform favorites by other artists or writers. Sign up for a 5-minute time slot the night of, or just enjoy others as they perform. Brought to you by the Library and Evans Brothers.

7 TANGO Night. Join for a beginner Argentine Tango lesson at 6:00 p.m., followed by a practica at 7:00 p.m. at Barrel 33 Sandpoint, 100 N. 1st Ave. No partner is necessary, and please wear shoes you can pivot in. Admission is $15 per person, and participants receive 10% off food and beverages. The evening is taught by instructor Muffy Nye. For more information, call (406) 599‑5696.

8-11 Insanity Fab Winter Challenge 2026. North Idaho Mud and Crawl invites you to join the best off-road race in the PNW. 4X4 and SXS welcome. Keep an eye out for updates. Check Facebook for more info.

9 Live Music with Jacob Robin. Join from 5-7:30 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak St for some live music with Idaho based singer, songwriter and producer, Jacob Robin.

9 S.O.L.E. Backcountry Film Festival. Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE) invites you to the 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival starting at 7 p.m. at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Doors open one hour before the show. This all-ages event celebrates winter adventure while supporting underserved youth through SOLE's SnowSchool Experience Program, which has provided over 36,000 hours of outdoor education to more than 4,800 rural youth over the past 14 winters. Produced in partnership with Boise-based nonprofit Winter Wildlands, the festival features award-winning films that highlight human-powered experiences, plus a Holiday Silent Auction with gifts from local vendors, gear vendors, raffle prizes, local brews, and other surprises. Tickets are available through S.O.L.E., at the door, or at select locations, and all proceeds benefit SOLE's nationally recognized SnowSchool curriculum, which includes snow science, winter ecology, conservation literacy, avalanche education, and outdoor living skills. This family-friendly event is a great way to connect with the community and support a meaningful cause.

10 $5 Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox. The Panida Theater continues its Wes Anderson Series with a screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox at 7 p.m. (doors open 30 minutes prior). Audiences can enjoy the tale of Mr. Fox's daring escapades while also taking in a special Art and Fashion Show presented in partnership with Sandpoint High School art students. The series is sponsored by La Chic Boutique and Pend d'Oreille Winery. Get tickets here.

14 CHAFE 150 Registration begins. Sandpoint Rotary hosts the annual 150-mile CHAFE bike ride through Montana and Idaho, along with an 80-mile option and Family Fun Ride. Proceeds benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District's Literacy Initiative and after-school reading programs. Get more information CHAFE150.org.

14 TANGO Night. Join for a beginner Argentine Tango lesson at 6:00 p.m., followed by a practica at 7:00 p.m. at Barrel 33 Sandpoint, 100 N. 1st Ave. No partner is necessary, and please wear shoes you can pivot in. Admission is $15 per person, and participants receive 10% off food and beverages. The evening is taught by instructor Muffy Nye. For more information, call (406) 599‑5696.

15 POAC Performing Art Series: Living Voices 'The Klondike'. Experience history with Living Voices, where dynamic solo performances and archival film merge to narrate the hunt for gold with one independent young woman who risks everything for the promise of wealth and a fresh start during a time of global turmoil. Tickets $15 Adult, $10 Youth. Get tickets here, at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., or by calling 208-263-6139. This show will be held at the Panida, 300 N. First Ave.

15 SHS One Act Plays. Don't miss the SHS drama students performing short one-act plays at the Sandpoint High School, 410 S. Division St. starting at 7 p.m. $5.

16 Live Music with Bright Moments Jazz. Join in at Baxter's, 109 Cedar St. for an evening of live jazz with Bright Moments Jazz. 6-8 p.m.

16-18 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. This Film Festival World Tour returns to Sandpoint with three nights of adventure films at the Panida, 300 N. First Ave.. Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Featuring approximately 27 films across three unique programs. Doors open one hour before showtime. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with a discounted three-night pass available for $57. A full film list will be announced upon release from the Banff Centre. Presented by Mountain Fever Productions. Get more info or tickets at Panida.org.

16-19 Northern Lights at Schweitzer. The Deschutes crew is coming back to Schweitzer over MLK Weekend. There will be a snow bar in the village (weather permitting) near the clock tower, and kicking things off on Friday evening. come out on Saturday to check out the torchlight parade, and fireworks. Schweitzer.com

17-19 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Films are on mountain culture, sport, lifestyle or environment. Shows will be at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. The shows on the 17th and 18th will be at 7:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. on the 19th. A different program is shown each night. Get tickets at Panida.org.

21 TANGO Night. Join for a beginner Argentine Tango lesson at 6:00 p.m., followed by a practica at 7:00 p.m. at Barrel 33 Sandpoint, 100 N. 1st Ave. No partner is necessary, and please wear shoes you can pivot in. Admission is $15 per person, and participants receive 10% off food and beverages. The evening is taught by instructor Muffy Nye. For more information, call (406) 599‑5696.

23 Toyota Ski Free Friday. Bring your Toyota, Scion, or Lexus to Schweitzer on January 23, 2026 and you get one free lift ticket for the day. Get more info at Schweitzer.com.

24 Winter Farmers Market. Join at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. for live music, festive vibes, and seasonal shopping with the Farmers' Market at Sandpoint from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Held in the Community Rooms.

24 Book Signing. Check out this meet and greet with local authors at The Bernklau, 316 Pine St. from 10 a.m. to three p.m. Attending authors: J.Q. Wenzel, Kendra Oliviera, Mark P. Ready, Michael Desind.

24 Swan Lake. The Grand Kyiv Ballet brings Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake to the stage with stunning costumes, intricate sets, and world-class dancers from the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet Theater. This classic tale of Prince Siegfried and the enchanted Princess Odette unfolds with grace, emotional depth, and the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil. Don't miss it at the Panida, 300 N. First Ave. at 7 p.m. with doors opening an hour prior to the show. Get tickets at Panida.org.

28 TANGO Night. Join for a beginner Argentine Tango lesson at 6:00 p.m., followed by a practica at 7:00 p.m. at Barrel 33 Sandpoint, 100 N. 1st Ave. No partner is necessary, and please wear shoes you can pivot in. Admission is $15 per person, and participants receive 10% off food and beverages. The evening is taught by instructor Muffy Nye. For more information, call (406) 599‑5696.

30-Feb. 7 Cheaper By The Dozen: Live Theater. Cheaper by the Dozen comes to The Panida, 100 N. First Ave, with performances on January 30, 31, February 1, 6, and 7. Showtimes vary depending on date. This fast-paced, funny, and heartfelt play follows Frank Gilbreth as he runs his household of twelve children with the same logic he applies at work, balancing discipline, love, and humor along the way. Tickets are $20-$25, and more information is available at honeypearlproductions.ludus.com.