Sun Valley Resort’s Winter Wonderland Festival Kicks Off December 11th
Sun Valley Resort announces its 2021 Winter Wonderland Festival line up including the return of some local favorites including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Open Air Holiday Market, and Christmas Eve Ice Show with Torchlight Parade and fireworks.
Winter Wonderland festivities will kick off the weekend of December 11th & 12th with a variety of activities for the whole family. The Open Air Holiday Market will bring local artisans selling their creations in the Sun Valley Village from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Children are welcome to decorate festive cookies in the Boiler Room on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Individual cookie kits are available for $19.50. Beginning on December 4th, children can enjoy a scavenger hunt in the Village shops throughout the holiday season by picking up a card at the Guest Center.
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in the Village in front of the duck pond Saturday, December 11th with music beginning at 5:30 p.m., complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, and a cash bar. Lights will go on at 6 p.m. sharp! Santa may be seen strolling around the Resort but to keep him healthy and safe for his Christmas Eve journeys, photos and hellos must be taken from a distance.
Holiday activities will continue the weekend of December 17th & 18th with the Classic Christmas Concert. This family friendly concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday night in the Opera House and will get everyone in the Christmas spirit with singing, dancing, and storytelling. Tickets can be purchased at the Guest Center or online at sunvalley.com. General admission tickets are $25.
Visitors to the Sun Valley Village on Saturday, December 18th will enjoy live ice carving demonstrations while strolling and shopping. On December 18th & 19th, shoppers at select stores in the Village including the Brass Ranch, Pete Lane’s, Signatures, and the Lodge Gift Shop can take care of everything on their holiday list while supporting local nonprofits in the community with the “Shop for a Cause” days. A percentage of all purchases will support the Environmental Resource Center, 43 North, and Girls on the Run in the Wood River Valley.
The Annual Christmas Eve Ice Show returns this year with members of our local skating community performing to music ranging from Christmas classics and modern favorites complete with a performance from the beloved Sun Valley Carolers. This will be a ticketed event to limit capacity for the health and safety of our staff and guests. Tickets are on sale now and will be available on a first come first serve basis for $10 per person. All proceeds from the event will be donated to our community food center, the Hunger Coalition and the I Have A Dream Foundation which supports the educational success of underserved children. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show begins at 5:30 p.m. Immediately following the Ice Show, the torchlight parade will wind down Dollar Mountain. The evening’s festivities will culminate in a grand finale of fireworks. The parade and fireworks can be viewed from the Village, Ice Rink area, or from the Pavilion Lot. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back this magical tradition on Christmas Eve for our community and support two important local charities in the process” said Pete Sonntag, Sun Valley Resort’s Vice President and General Manager.
The Sun Valley Carolers begin their evening performances on December 21st throughout the Village through December 28th. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit sunvalley.com. On New Year’s Eve, hit the slopes with your friends and family at Dollar Mountain and enjoy some night turns, music under the stars and fireworks. This is a special ticketed event and not included on a season pass. The celebration will begin at 5 p.m. and culminate with fireworks at 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 per adult and $35 per child 12 and under.
In compliance with local ordinances, visitors are required to wear face masks while indoors. To stay up to date, and learn more information about these activities, please visit the Resort’s events page at https://www.sunvalley.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/.
