Top 20 Spokane Winter Activities
There are three kinds of Spokanites in the winter:
First – Those whose personality revolves around hating driving in the snow
Second – Those who can’t wait to go out and experience all the holiday fun in Spokane
Third – Those of us who know that winter in Spokane is thrilling! Yes, it will be cold, and yes, there will be snow, but it’s all an adventure that likely involves beautiful lights and delightful hot cocoa.
Which Spokanite are YOU?
Luckily for all of us, we can be a mixture of all three Spokanite personalities, as there are many Spokane winter activities to choose from this holiday season. Some of these fun activities are close enough. You don’t even have to drive if you don’t want to.
In Spokane, you’ll find fun activities for families, couples, friends, and even solo excursions for all budget levels.
Check out our top picks for the best Spokane winter activities.
Top Winter Activities Around Spokane, WA
Carriage Rides by Wheatland Bank
Sleigh your way through Spokane with free carriage rides sponsored by Wheatland Bank. These fun rides through downtown are the perfect way to snuggle up next to your special someone while taking in the beautiful lights of downtown Spokane.
Numerica Tree Lighting Ceremony in Riverfront Park
Saturday, Nov. 26, 4-7 p.m.
Kick off the holidays after Thanksgiving with the Numerica Tree Lighting Ceremony in Riverfront Park. Gather near the Numerica Ice Ribbon to watch as the massive Christmas tree shines bright for the first time this season.
Pick out a Christmas Tree
After Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to visit many of the U-Pick tree farms around our area, including the few listed below:
- Wildland Cooperative (Formerly known as Green Bluff Tree Farm)
- Carver Farms
- Hansen’s Green Bluff Orchard
- Holly Lane Tree Farm
- Veley Farm
You and your family can wander through the Christmas tree farm, sipping on your favorite hot cocoa, and choose a tree that fits your home.
Generally, you will want to visit the tree farms within the first two weeks following Thanksgiving, otherwise you might miss their harvest window.
If you do miss out on the U-Pick Christmas tree farms, there are plenty of tree sellers that will pop up all over Spokane in the next few weeks.
Igloos at the Davenport Grand
Enjoy some sips and savory bites inside igloos at the Davenport Grand! These fun igloos have the perfect view of the Riverfront Park Pavilion’s light show and feature a delightful selection of winter cocktails and appetizers.
Santa Express at the River Park Square Mall
Nov. 27 – Dec. 22, 2022
So often, we buy gifts for the kiddos in our lives, but they don’t have an option to pick out presents for the adults without us being there to pay for them.
Santa Express is an opportunity for kids to shop for all the important people in their life at reasonable prices.
From mugs to knick-knacks, there’s a little something for everyone and it’s all straight from the heart.
Ice Skating Numerica Skate Ribbon
Nov. 19, 2022 – April 2023
Dust off your ice skates or rent a pair at the Numerica Skate Ribbon for some fun ice skating in Riverfront Park.
Sledding at Mt. Spokane
Opens Dec. 3, 2022
Mount Spokane is the perfect location for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and sledding. Grab a lift ticket, your trusty toboggan or even a tube for a ride down the snow-covered mountain surrounded by evergreen trees.
Visit Soulful Soups and Spirits in downtown Spokane
Warm up with a cozy cup of soup and freshly made beer bread at Soulful Soups and Spirits in downtown Spokane. Their menu changes every day and you can find out what’s being served by visiting their Facebook page.
Looking for more comfort food to indulge in? Check out our list of the best comfort food around Spokane or our top 10 list of the best mac and cheese in Spokane!
Checking out Christmas lights
If there’s one thing Spokane loves more than craft beer or good hiking trails, it’s definitely pretty lights; It’s no surprise that Spokane goes all out for holiday light displays across the city.
Pour yourself a thermos of hot chocolate and take a drive through your neighborhood and check out the beautiful holiday light displays.
Wander through Gaiser Conservatory
The Gaiser Conservatory is a greenhouse in Manito Park, next to the Duncan Gardens. Filled to the brim with flowers, tropical plants, cacti and more, it’s a beautiful oasis year-round. In the winter, it becomes a haven for plants surrounded by holiday lights and decorations.
Visit Santa Claus at River Park Square or at the Northtown Mall
Nov. 18 – Dec. 21, 2022
Seeing Santa Claus is a childhood tradition for those that celebrate Christmas. Bring the kiddos to meet Santa Claus and get their photos taken.
Shop Small Business Saturday
Nov. 26, 2022
Support local and small businesses on Small Business Saturday! Spokane is home to hundreds of small businesses – clothing boutiques, bakers, candle-makers, pottery shops, plant shops and much (much) more.
Manito Drive-Thru Lights Display
Manito Park’s festivities don’t stop at the Gaiser Conservatory Display. During the darkness of the pandemic, Manito Park decided to light up the holidays with a new tradition: A drive-thru lights display.
Terrain Brrrzaar
Dec. 17, 2022
Visit River Park Square on the busiest shopping weekend of the year during the Brrrzaar to support local artists, makers and crafters. Shop artisan goods, listen to live music and find the perfect gifts for friends and family.
Pavilion Holiday Light Show
Visit the Pavilion on Fridays and Saturdays for one of the most beautiful light displays in the city. The stunning Pavilion at Riverfront Park treats viewers to a masterpiece of dancing lights and ever-changing colors.
Winter Market at The Pavilion
Nov. 30 – Dec. 27, 2022
Sample different food trucks and find other local small businesses and farmers during the Winter Market located at The Pavilion on Wednesdays.
Christmas Tree Elegance at The Historic Davenport Hotel
Nov. 29 – Dec. 11, 2022
A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is one of the best ways to add some holiday cheer to your home. Every year, the Spokane Symphony raises money by decorating gorgeous themed trees by partnering with local businesses and raffling them off. These trees are then displayed at The Historic Davenport Hotel before being moved to River Park Square.
Northwest Winterfest
Dec. 2, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
Northwest Winterfest – Celebration of the Holidays
Take a walk through the Pacific Northwest’s largest lantern display from December 1st-January 2nd. Kids ages ten and under are free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
Check out 49 Degrees North for Skiing and Snowboarding
Enjoy a scenic drive up to Chewelah to go skiing and snowboarding at 49 Degrees North. This mountain resort offers classes for skiers and snowboarders and has intermediate and expert-level slopes for those who are more experienced.
Spokane Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022
Ugly sweater parties have had a chokehold on holiday events for the last few years and it’s easy to see why. With all of the formality of the holiday seasons, ugly sweater parties are a humorous and relaxed way to celebrate the holidays while being comfortable. The Spokane Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl is a chance to wear your craziest ugly holiday sweater and hit the best bars in town. Tickets are on sale now.
Celebrate the Holidays in Spokane, Washington
No matter the season, there’s always something exciting to do in Spokane. As you have read, the holidays are no exception.
This list of 20 activities is just the tip of a huge to-do list, as Spokane shows UP (per usual) for all things holy and jolly! Please share what activities you’ll be participating in this year!
Christine Burns
Christine Burns is a local entrepreneur, public speaker, content creator, model, and writer from Spokane, WA. She’s an expert in marketing and owns Posted Consulting LLC, an award-winning PR firm. Born and raised in the Inland Northwest, Christine loves to support and advocate for local businesses and artists, and even hosts the annual Spokane Small Business Convention in the spring.
