STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
There’s just one week to go to Christmas weekend. And this weekend leading up to it is full of holiday happenings from Sun Valley’s annual Christmas tree lighting to the Live Nativity in Hailey to a Sip n’ Shop for Unega Dog Rescue in Ketchum.
A new event this weekend is Saturday’s Family Festivities & Christmas Concert put together by Sun Valley Opera and Broadway.
“We have been wanting to offer a more community-oriented event, and we realized that there wasn't an event that offered everything--Santa, carolers, cookies, adult beverages and kid’s beverages, plus a concert where everyone can sing along,” said Robyn Watson, the organization’s executive director.
Here’s the lineup so you can plan your weekend:
FRIDAY, Dec. 15
Noon-4 p.m. Sip n’ Shop fundraiser for Unega Mountain Dog Rescue at J McLaughlin shop, 520 E. 4th St. in Ketchum. There’ll be goodie bags for doggies, treats and sips, and 15 percent of sales will benefit the rescue. Three of the charity’s giant Pyrenees will be at the store to greet shoppers.
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live music at River Run Lodge featuring Buddy Devore & The Faded Cowboys
5:3-7 p.m. Free ice skating at Campion Ice House in Hailey.
6:30 p.m. Holiday movie shown at Sun Valley Opera House
SATURDAY, Dec. 16
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Open Air Holiday Market will feature European-style vendors selling holiday wreaths, arts and crafts and foodstuffs around the Duck Pond Lawn outside the Sun Valley Inn with stroll-along music provided by Colla Voce
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring High Pine Whiskey Yell
2-6 p.m. Spa Retail Sip n’ Shop at The Spa at Sun Valley will feature light snacks and beverages along with new items from lululemon, Beyond Yoga, Saxx, Nagedi and more.
3-5 p.m. Family Festivities & Christmas Concert at The Argyros presented by Sun Valley Opera and Broadway. Features Heidi Hogan, granddaughter of film star Ann Sothern and a vocalist with several groups in the Wood River Valley, including The Vuarnettes. Also performing will be members of the Caritas Chorale and a group of carolers led by John Maulden. Will include a visit from Santa, cocoa, cider, coffee and wine, along with hors d’oeuvres and homemade Christmas cookies.
Free for children 12 and under, $10 for teens and $40 for adults, with tickets available at www.sunvalley.opera.com.
4 p.m. Live Ice Carving Demonstration near Village Station.
5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting outside Sun Valley Inn kicks off with a caroling performance by the Faculty Lounge and ends with the tree lighting at 6 and a visit from Santa. Complimentary cookies and cocoa will be served.
6:30 p.m. Holiday movie at Sun Valley Opera House
SUNDAY, Dec. 17
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Open air Holiday Market continues.
5 p.m. Live Nativity featuring camels, donkeys and sheep outside the Life Church, 931 N. River St. in Hailey. Guests should arrive by 4:30 for parking, hay bale seating and complimentary cocoa and cookies.
MONDAY, Dec. 18
3:30 p.m. Storytellers from The Community Library will present a Holiday Children’s Storytelling in the Sun Room of the Sun Valley Lodge. Attendees will receive a holiday treat bag.
5 p.m. Free screening of “Sun Valley Serenade,” which put Sun Valley Resort on the map for countless Americans, will be at the Sun Valley Opera House. The madcap musical adventure on the ski slopes and ice rink of Sun Valley features Sona Henie, John Payne and Milton Berle and music by the Glenn Miller Orchestra featuring such hits as “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “It Happened in Sun Valley.”
7 p.m. Warren Miller movie “All Time,” which focuses on 74 years of Warren Miller movies, screens at the Sun Valley Opera House
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20
3:30 p.m. Storytellers from The Community Library will present a Holiday Children’s Storytelling in the Sun Room of the Sun alley Lodge. Attendees will receive a holiday treat bag.
THURSDAY, Dec. 21
Sun Valleys 87th birthday and Winter solstice
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Mark Mueller
7 p.m. Free outdoor screening of “Sun Valley Serenade” at Lodge Pool
7 p.m. “A Sun Valley Story” Holiday Concert at Sun Valley Opera House. The concert is the re-imagining of the first Christmas in Sun Valley through music and storytelling set to holiday classics and original musical compositions by Colin Martin, accompanied by Brooks Hartell, Brad Hershey, Jason Vontver and Katie Buxton. Will also feature special performances by the Wood River Jewish community and Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. Call 208-622-2135 for tickets.
FRIDAY, Dec. 22
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Kevin Ware
7 p.m. “A Sun Valley Story” Holiday Concert at Sun Valley Opera House
SATURDAY, Dec. 23
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Brunch with Santa at Sun Valley Clubhouse. Brunch includes Eggs Florentine Benedict, Brioche French Toast, Prime Rib, Pacific King Salmon, Swiss Gruyere Mornay Orecchiette and more. Tickets are $89 for adults and $39 for children, available at 208-622-2919.
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Adam Williams Band
6:30 p.m. Outdoor Kids Movie at Lodge Pool
SUNDAY, Dec. 24
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Brunch with Santa at Sun Valley Clubhouse
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Music at River Run Lodge featuring Colin Martin
5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Ice Show, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at Lodge Terrace and Dollar Mountain. Complimentary cookies and cocoa will be served on the lodge terrace.
MONDAY, Dec. 25
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Katie Buxton
TUESDAY, Dec. 26
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Jon Divello
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring The Pisten Bullys
THURSDAY, Dec. 28
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring the Kim Stocking Band
7 p.m. Free screening of “Sun Valley Serenade” outside at the Lodge Pool.
FRIDAY, Dec. 29
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Secuestrado
SATURDAY, Dec. 30
2-5 p.m. Apres Ski Live Music at River Run Lodge featuring Jon Divello
7:30 p.m. Stand-up Comedy Show featuring Don Friesen, two-time winner of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, at the Sun Valley Opera House.
SUNDAY, Dec. 31
6-9 p.m. New Year’s Eve night skiing at Dollar Mountain, featuring groovy tunes and fireworks at 9. Tickets are $55 for adults and $40 for kids, available at 208-622-2135.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. New Year’s Eve Snow Ball Party at River Run Lodge. Guests are invited to don the glam for complimentary champagne from 9 to 10 p.m. and delicious bites and a live D and photobooth. Tickets are $125, available at 208-622-2135.
All Day. Last day to view and vote on gingerbread houses in the Community Gingerbread Contest at the Boiler Room.