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Holiday parade and downtown lighting kickoff night
Kick off the holidays as parade entries light up Sherman Avenue, followed by carols, a countdown, fireworks, and a dazzling downtown light display.
Event details
Coeur d’Alene’s holiday season kicks off with an evening parade down Sherman Avenue (typically the Friday after Thanksgiving around 6 p.m.), followed by the lighting of over 1.5 million bulbs that turn downtown into one of the Northwest’s brightest holiday displays. Floats, marching bands, and community groups make their way through downtown while spectators line the sidewalks bundled in winter gear, then everyone gathers near the Coeur d’Alene Resort lawn around 7:30 p.m. for caroling, a synchronized light-flip countdown, and a fireworks finale over the lake.
Late November temps in North Idaho typically run 25-40°F, so dress in serious layers, bring thermoses of hot cocoa, and claim your parade spot by 5:30 p.m. if you want curbside views. The best vantage point for both parade and fireworks is near the Sherman/Lakeside intersection, where you can see the route and still pivot to the waterfront for the light ceremony. After the official events wrap (around 8 p.m.), the lights stay on all season, making downtown worth a slow walk-through once the crowds disperse.
Turn the lighting ceremony into a long weekend by booking a cozy lakefront property through Lake.com, ideally with a fireplace and water views for the full winter-getaway atmosphere. Spend Saturday exploring the lights on foot, then warm up with dinner at Crickets Restaurant (opened 1993) or Capone’s (established 1977). Sunday morning, take the Resort’s holiday cruise (reservations required) for a lake-level perspective on the shoreline light displays, or hike Tubbs Hill for snowy trail views and a quieter pace after the weekend crowds head home.
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