Southern Idaho Holiday Calendar Fills Up, But Most Dates Are Still Guesses
From free chili dinners in Filer to light shows in Burley, local organizers are planning their events, but 2026 schedules have not been finalized for every tradition.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Southern Idaho residents face a planning puzzle this holiday season. While seven major Christmas traditions are expected to return, most organizers have not yet published their official 2026 details. Attendees must rely on historical patterns to schedule their trips, creating uncertainty for families trying to coordinate their holidays. Local radio host KIDO Talk Radio notes that checking Facebook pages is currently the only reliable way to confirm dates before driving out to these events.
The season likely kicks off on Friday, November 27, with Christmas in the Nighttime Sky at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Filer. This event has run for 35 years and moved to the fairgrounds last year to accommodate larger crowds. In 2025, approximately 3,300 people attended. The evening includes a free chili and potato dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m., a visit from Santa, and a fireworks show choreographed to Christmas music. Admission requires one new, unwrapped toy per family, which goes to local children in need.
Twin Falls will also host the Festival of Lights Parade on Friday, December 4. The parade runs down Main Avenue from Dierkes Street to Jerome Street starting at 6 p.m. Twin Falls Police have closed roads as early as 3 p.m. in previous years, and vehicles left on the street risk being towed. A tree lighting ceremony follows at the Downtown Commons across from City Hall. Many attendees plan to warm up at O’Dunken’s before the floats begin rolling.
For those preferring a quieter evening, the Orton Botanical Garden in Twin Falls offers Christmas in the Garden from November 27 through December 30. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m., with admission at $7. Children 12 and under enter for free. The garden warns that paths are gravel, so only motorized wheelchairs are recommended for mobility devices. The garden is still seeking volunteers to help set up the lights in November.
In Burley, the Halloween Straw Maze transforms into Lost in Christmas. The event opens November 27 and 28, then runs on selected weekends and weeknights through January 2. Prices range from $10 to $12 depending on the day. The farm at 845 E 500 S features a zip line, giant slides, and holiday movies. In Rupert, the Christmas Market opens on the historic square on November 27, 28, and December 4, 5, with vendor spots already filled.
Grace Church in Rupert hosts a free drive-thru live nativity on December 10 and 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitors stay in their cars while driving past stations depicting the birth of Jesus. The Living Nativity of Twin Falls, which features live animals and a marketplace, has not confirmed if it will return in 2026. Last year, it ran from December 11 to 13 at 1267 Madrona Street North, with visitors encouraged to bring a canned good for local pantries.
