Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Idaho
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) in Idaho, including events in Coeur d'Alene, Caldwell, Driggs and Sun Valley.
Winter Carnival
January / February
McCall, Idaho
Originally created in 1924 and revived in 1965, this annual event and local tradition has been celebrating the winter season for over 40 years.
Favorite parts of the festivities are the Mardi Gras Grand Parade and the snow sculpture contest in which artists from all over the West come to McCall to participate in the 22nd Annual Idaho Snow Sculpting Championship.
Other highlights include Grand Bingo and Monte Carlo Night, tubing races, fun run and a beard & sexy leg contest.
For more information visit: http://mccallwintercarnival.com/
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
February
Moscow, Idaho
For over 40 years the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho has combined the skills of jazz greats and the talents of students from all levels from, elementary school to college, to create an event celebrating the magic of jazz. From a one-day event, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival has grown into a music packed, four-day experience.
Visitors and musicians alike boogie with the best at this musical extravaganza. More than 50 of the world's greatest jazz artists conduct workshops and participate in concert performances.
For more information visit: www.jazz.uidaho.edu
Summerfest
July
Driggs, Idaho
A festival featuring more than 30 hot air balloons in a race overlooking the majestic Grand Teton Mountains.
Four days of balloon rides, games, parades, rodeo action, golf tournament, bike races, a fiddler's contest and a craft and antique fair.
Glider rides and balloon flights are available during the festival and year round.
For more information visit: www.tetonvalleychamber.com
Caldwell Night Rodeo
August
Caldwell, Idaho
Six times in the past seven years the Caldwell Night Rodeo has been nominated for Large Outdoor Rodeos of the year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Originally organized in 1935, the Caldwell Night Rodeo is listed among the top 20 professional rodeos in the nation and attracts more than 40,000 enthusiasts over five nights.
The best professional cowboys in the world make the Caldwell Night Rodeo an annual stop in their schedule. It has been featured on nationwide television and is one of the rodeos listed on the professional rodeo tour.
For more information visit: www.caldwellnightrodeo.com
Shoshone Bannock Indian Festival
August
Fort Hall, Idaho
Each year, thousands flock to the Shoshone Bannock Indian Festival, and event that has attracted Native Americans from all over the country for over four decades. This celebration of Indian culture features traditional Indian dress, dances, parades, all-Indian rodeo, art show, high stakes bingo, fun run, Indian crafts and traditional hand games.
For more information visit: www.shoshonebannocktribes.com/festival/
Three Island Crossing
August
Glenns Ferry, Idaho
Every year, on the 2nd weekend in August, horses and riders follow parts of the original Oregon Trail to reenact a historic pioneer wagon train crossing of the Snake River.
The annual reenactment celebrates the bravery of those early pioneers who made the crossing.
Today, thousands attends the event each year, enjoying a variety of activities including pioneer arts and crafts, musical entertainment, pancake breakfast, mountain man rendezvous, parade, ice cream social, BBQ and black powder shoot.
For more information visit:
http://glensferryidaho.org/three_island_crossing_org.htm
Festival at Sandpoint
August
Sandpoint, Idaho
Presenting a range of classical symphonic, jazz, blues, folk, world, family and popular music, at affordable prices, the nonprofit Festival at Sandpoint takes place in a casual and relaxed atmosphere at Memorial Field in Sandpoint.
A popular attraction since 1983, past artists include Branford Marsalis, Warren Zevon, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more.
For more information visit: www.festivalatsandpoint.com
Ernest Hemingway Festival
September
Sun Valley, Idaho
The Wood River Valley in Idaho, where legendary author Ernest Hemingway hunted and wrote on and off for 22 years, and where he is laid to rest, celebrates the life of the world-renowned writer with an annual Ernest Hemingway Festival™.
Attractions include a talks/lectures, guided tours including the Hemingway Hangouts guided tour, and film.
For more information visit:
www.thecommunitylibrary.org/hemingway/speakers_schedule.html
Trailing of the Sheep
October
Sun Valley, Idaho
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival is a recipient of the Idaho Governor's Award for Outstanding Cultural Heritage Tourism.
Events include a variety of cultural activities and programs relating to the history of sheep ranching in Idaho and the Wood River Valley which includes sheep poetry reading and music, sheep folk life fair, story telling and guided walk to view sheepherder tree carvings.
Additional activities include workshops on spinning, weaving and cooking with lamb, as well as a focus on the Basque and Scottish heritage of the region.
The three-day event concludes with a parade and a chance to trail with local herders and their sheep through downtown Ketchum.
For more information visit: http://www.trailingofthesheep.org/
Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light ShowNovember / December
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Featured on Good Morning America in 2007 as one of the nations best holiday light shows, the Holiday Light Show at the Coeur d'Alene Resort features over 225 holiday displays ringing the boardwalk plus a memorable "Journey to The North Pole" attraction to visit Santa himself!
More than a million lights sparkle across Lake Coeur d'Alene at the largest on-the-water resort holiday light show in America.
Cruise boats offer a close-up view of the animated light displays and holiday scenes
For more information visit: www.coeurdalene.org
