Spokane Holiday Traditions

Written by admin on December 2nd, 2009

Things to Do: Fun Holiday Traditions in Spokane
Sparkling holiday lights, joyful singing carolers, ice skating in the park, and opulent Christmas trees are just a few of the sights to be seen in the heart of Spokane this season. The city offers an abundance of holiday traditions for you to experience, from celebrations of history to celebrations of modern culture. Below are just a few annual Spokane events to enjoy. All are family friendly.

The Nutcracker: A Magical Delight of Dance and Music
Let yourself be transported to a fantasy land of colorful characters, dancing sweets and snowflakes, and toy soldiers through the beauty of dance and music. The Spokane Symphony presents Peter Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker Ballet with nationally acclaimed Ballet Memphis and seventy local dancers for just four performances from December 18 to December 20 at the INB Performing Arts Center, so get your tickets soon! This year’s show includes new surprises added to this classic, timeless story. Tickets are available through TicketsWest (1-800-325-SEAT). If you are travelling to Spokane for the show, why drive home? Stratford Suites, the finest extended stay lodging in the Spokane area, offers beautiful, furnished apartment style rooms for you and your family, with the privacy of a second bedroom in every room.

Did you know? The first performance of The Nutcracker, in St. Petersburg, Russia, December 17, 1892, was disliked by critics and the audience. Subsequent productions went over a little better, but it wasn’t until George Balanchine, a master choreographer, created a new version in 1954 for the New York City Ballet that The Nutcracker really started capturing the hearts of audiences and became a holiday tradition.

Horse and Carriage Rides: Slow Trot Back in Time
Climb aboard an old-fashioned carriage drawn by handsome horses for a ride through downtown Spokane. Sponsored by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District and Spokane Teachers Credit Union, you can catch this free nostalgic ride at Main and Wall from November 27 through Christmas Eve, and the driver will even throw in free candy canes and coupons for local coffee shops. The carriage runs Fridays 3–8 pm, weekends 12–5 pm, and Christmas Eve noon–3 pm. Just show up; no reservations required! Go to the Downtown Spokane website for more information about this popular Spokane attraction.

Patsy Clark Mansion

Holiday Heritage Home Tour
Can’t get enough of Spokane’s rich architectural legacy? Then don’t miss the Spokane Preservation Advocates’ tour of three historic Browne’s Addition homes: the Patsy Clark Mansion, the Phelps House, and the Fotheringham House, on Sunday, December 6, 12–4 pm. Tickets are $15.00, and you don’t need to buy them in advance; just purchase during the tour at 2118 or 2208 W. 2nd Ave. Meet at noon in Coeur d’ Alene Park (on 2nd Avenue in Browne’s Addition). For more information, go to www.spokanepreservation.org or call 509-456-3828.

Historic Campbell House Holiday Tour
From November 27 through January 2, one of Spokane’s most famous mansions, The Campbell House, is decorated in authentic turn-of-the-twentieth-century Victorian Christmas style. The English Tudor Revival home is one of many gorgeous houses in Spokane designed by renowned Spokane architect Kirkland Cutter. The owner, Amasa Campbell, made his fortune in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. He and his wife, Grace, settled in the wild west mining town of Wallace, Idaho, but moved with their young daughter, Helen, to the more secure Spokane after labor disputes twice caused the Coeur d’Alene Mining District to be placed under martial law. The guided, informative tour showcases the beautiful, ornate home, the typical life of a wealthy Spokane family over one hundred years ago, and the typical life of the servants of such a family. During the holiday season, you will also learn about holiday traditions of the time.

Helen Campbell donated the house to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society after her mother’s death in 1924, ensuring its preservation. It is located next to the MAC museum (tour tickets are available at the MAC registration desk) in the historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood; while you are there, take a little stroll of the surrounding blocks, which hold several other well preserved historic homes. Visit the MAC website for viewing hours, or call 509-456-3931.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace

Ice Skating and More in Riverfront Park
If you thought the scenic 100-acre park on the Spokane River was just for summer, think again! Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace is one of the best outdoor skating rinks in the nation. You can make a day’s adventure out of your visit with a go-around on the hand-carved wooden critters of the beautifully restored hundred-year-old Loof Carrousel, a game of indoor mini-golf, and a holiday film on the giant screen at the IMAX Theatre. Discount package tickets are available: go to the ticket counter under the big Pavilion at the park, visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com, or call 1-800-336-PARK for details.

Christmas Tree Elegance
The completely restored historic Davenport Hotel (10 S. Post Street) provides a luxurious, lovely backdrop for Christmas Tree Elegance, a seasonal celebration presented by Washington Trust Bank and produced by the Spokane Symphony Associates. From December 1–12, you can view uniquely decorated trees donated by local businesses in the mezzanine of the dazzling Davenport. Events include a tree lighting ceremony, Spokane Symphony Soiree concerts, Gala Dinner Dance, and a raffle drawing to win a tree. Proceeds benefit the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. For more information, go to www.spokanesymphonyassoc.org or call 509-458-8733.

Your Holiday Traditions: Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel is the Perfect Solution
Do your holiday traditions include visitors from outside the Spokane area? The friendly staff of Stratford Suites, conveniently located just five minutes from the Spokane airport and ten minutes from downtown Spokane at 11808 W. Center Ln., Airway Heights, will take excellent care of them! Guests will enjoy luxurious, home-like accommodations with a full kitchen, a second bedroom that allows for ease and privacy when travelling with children, and a 50-inch HDTV in every room. We understand that details make the difference between an OK Spokane hotel stay and an outstanding one. Think pillow top mattresses, down pillows, all leather furniture, executive style shuttle service, and free high-speed wireless internet. Call 509-321-1600 or 888-705-8877 to reserve your room!