Find the festive event that fits your style to close out the decade
The Coeur d’Alene Resort has a New Year’s event to suit every manner of celebration. Hanging with the littles? Do the early fireworks FAMILY CRUISE and be done in time for your next adventure or to head home for a cozy evening together ($24.50). Ready for a romantic way to ring in the New Year? Try the DESSERT CRUISE including a champagne toast and lakeside front-row view of the midnight fireworks ($30.50-$40.50). Born to boogie? Do the adults-only PARTY CRUISE with a live DJ, champagne toast, fireworks and a super-chill ice luge ($30). Visit tickets.cdacruises.com.
Dress in your finest finery and reserve your spot at the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s DIAMOND SOIREE. Enjoy the amazing buffet, champagne after-party with live music and dancing, and two fireworks shows! ($82 advance/$100 at the door; ages 6-12 until 9 pm only, $25). Visit cdaresort.com/play/events/new_years.
Head there for the food, stay for the evening at COEUR D’ALENE CASINO where the High Mountain Buffet runs from 4-9 pm at ($30) or reserve your spot for two at Chinook for lobster or filet mignon ($120). There’s lots happening, too: bingo, a cash giveaway, costume contest and free, live entertainment including the elegant tribute to jazz singer Mildred Bailey by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s own CeCe Curtis. Visit cdacasino.com.
Go “big” this year with the COEUR D’ALENE BIG BAND from 6-9 pm at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, where the fireworks are free — right outside the door! Stay until midnight to hear Royale and enjoy a champagne toast. ($25 each band, $45 both). Visit Facebook: @cda.eagles.
Want to rock and roll? Then party at THE COEUR D’ALENE INN where Roundabout will play all the rock and roll favorites from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The pre-game starts at 5 pm at Mulligan’s Sports Bar and then the party gets going at 7 pm. ($15 per guest, overnight packages from $79). Visit cdainn.com.
Do a nonalcoholic, family-friendly totally free New Year’s at CALYPSO’S COFFEE ROASTERS with board and card games, food available for purchase and live music from 9 pm-2 am. Visit Facebook: @calypsoscoffee.
Enjoy ICE SKATING at Frontier Ice Arena with one of two events. Check out the “12 Skates of Christmas,” from noon-5:30 pm (visit frontiericearena.org). Later, Transform Ministries and Revelation Church invite all for fellowship, food and family-friendly ALL CHURCH ICE SKATING, from 8-10 pm (visit Facebook: @transformcda).
Want to spend New Year’s eve slopeside? SILVER MOUNTAIN will keep the runs open until 6 pm that day. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Noah’s for a prime rib dinner and live music to ring in the New Year.
Ready to start your own New Year’s traditions? Get together with others for GAME NIGHT. Everyone brings their favorite board or card games and some snacks for a guaranteed good time. Try Figpickels Toy Emporium for ideas.
Forget the late-night festivities and instead focus on the first new day of the new year with a SUNRISE STROLL. Load up the thermos, pack a light breakfast and head out to start the day with a smile. And if you’re near Sanders Beach around noon, you’ll catch a “cool” local tradition: the POLAR BEAR PLUNGE of lake lovers’ first — and coldest — swim of the year.
Special Events
Eagle Watching Cruises
DECEMBER 26-JANUARY 1
Stay warm and toasty while still experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene in the winter and the majesty of the bald eagles that return each winter to feed on salmon. The deluxe cruise includes commentary from a local biologist. $26.25 adults, $18.25 children 6-12, free for kids 5 and under; 855-379-5478.
Holiday Light Show
THROUGH JANUARY 1
It’s not too late to take your holiday guests to one of America’s best holiday light shows. The elaborate light display at the Coeur d’Alene Resort features more than 1.5 million lights on shimmering Lake Coeur d’Alene. Walk the boardwalk and take in the stunning display, or book a Journey to the North Pole Cruise.
