Events at the Sandpoint Winter Carnival
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Our Winter Carnival crew is hard at work shaping up the 2025 calendar of events. Events will be added here as they are confirmed … so check back to see all the fun to come! We hope to see you in Sandpoint, Idaho for our 52nd annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival!
Friday, February 14
PARADE OF LIGHTS!
The annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival always kicks off with this just-for-fun parade of lights that moves through downtown Sandpoint with a small but (ahem) select group of floats by local groups and businesses. Parade starts at 5:30 p.m., proceeding from the city parking lot at Church Street, to Second Avenue, to Main/Oak, to Fourth Avenue, and then return via Church Street. Afterwards, wander the downtown to enjoy libations, with live music in many locales, and fine dining at Sandpoint’s terrific restaurants.
PDO WINERY BLOCK PARTY!
Just following the Parade of Lights, the Pend d’Oreille Winery hosts a block party in the street before the winery retail location on Third Avenue, between Cedar and Jeff Jones Square. There will be music, hot cocoa, s’mores, a photo booth, a chance to meet the current reigning Miss Sandpoint USA and Miss Dover USA, live performances, and more! Produced in partnership with the Festival at Sandpoint.
POST-PARADE PARTY
Here’s a great way to warm up after the Parade of Lights: Connie’s Cafe & Lounge invites everyone into the lounge at Fourth and Main for live music, craft cocktails and an evening of community and fun. Step into the restaurant for an array of Valentine’s Day specials for you and your sweetheart, including prime rib, lobster raviolis with vodka sauce, craft cocktails and sweet, sweet desserts.
VALENTINE’S DAY IN SANDPOINT!
What could be sweeter than sharing the special day with your honey in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho? Downtown shops, restaurants and entertainment venues are working up a Cupid’s cornucopia of special offers for the day. Be sure to check back to see special offers for sweethearts!
ENJOY A SLEIGH RIDE, DINNER & CONCERT
Out at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, the ranch hosts its annual Valentine’s Day sleigh ride, dinner, and concert event. Sleigh rides can be scheduled at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30. Maria Larson’s brand of light romantic jazz will provide the evening’s musical entertainment. Dinner will be blue cheese stuffed tenderloin and garlic shrimp skewers. Sleigh rides this evening are group sleigh rides. Cost for this event is $130 for adults and $75 for children ages 6-12. A no-host bar will be available to purchase beer and wine. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (208) 263-9066 or click to email.
SCHWEITZER
Schweitzer kicks off Winter Carnival with a variety of happenings. Be sure to check them at Schweitzer.com.
Saturday, February 15
SCHWEITZER EVENTS
It’s President’s Day weekend on the mountain, with a host of happenings. Get the details, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
SLEIGH RIDE, DINNER AND CONCERT
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch extends the Valentine’s weekend with a dinner, sleigh ride, and concert event. The evening starts with a journey through the ranch woods on a two-horse open sleigh, followed by a dinner of slow-roasted prime rib and Chicken Marsala with all the fixings in the log lodge. The concert follows, featuring Nick Canger with his brand of pure country. The complete package is $130.00 per person, $75.00 for children ages 6 to 12, and children ages 5 and under are free. Beer and wine can be purchased additionally. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (208) 263-9066 or click to email.
PAPER FLOWERS ‘REMEMBER FLEETWOOD MAC’ CONCERT
Sandpoint’s premier, state-of-the-art music venue, The Hive, will light up with a journey through the infamous and influential music of Fleetwood Mac’s heyday, as performed by tribute band Paper Flowers. Their live shows invoke the feeling of the Fleetwood Mack in their heyday, around the time of their seminal release, Rumours. Set lists include a range of songs from early recordings into the 80s, as well as a selection of tracks with other celebrated artists. Get more information, and tickets, at LiveFromTheHive.com.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed!
Sunday, February 16
SCHWEITZER
The Winter Carnival action is heavy on the mountain for Presidents’ Weekend. Expect a host of special activities – in addition to all the snowboarding and skiing most powder hounds can handle. See all activities as they’re confirmed, ,at Schweitzer.com.
TEA TIME SERENADE AT THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY
The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint is our town’s school for performing arts … and the Tea Time Serenade puts the winter faculty on stage. The conservatory’s Little Carnegie Hall in the historic original City Hall will be the venue for this exposition of warm classical music by the extraordinarily talented MCS faculty All proceeds benefiting the youth of our community who wish to learn to sing or play an instrument. At 110 Main Street, 2-3 p.m. More information and tickets at SandpointConservatory.org.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Monday, February 17
SCHWEITZER
The Carnival fun continues on the mountain for the concluding day of Presidents’ Weekend. Get the details as events are confirmed, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Tuesday, February 18
LITTLE LIVE RADIO HOUR
The Little Live Radio Hour is a live production of 88.5 KRFY Community Radio featuring accomplished local musicians playing at the Panida Little Theater, 300 First Ave., and also broadcast live at 88.5 FM. It’s free (and fun!) to attend in person, beginning at 8 p.m., or tune in on your trusty radio or by live stream at KRFY.org. Produced in partnership with the Panida Theater and the Festival at Sandpoint.
SCHWEITZER
After that packed first weekend of Winter Carnival fun, maybe it’s time to get centered on the mountain. Check out the Cambium Spa for some excellent choices for relaxation. Get details on other mountain happenings, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Wednesday, February 19
SCHWEITZER
Make it a day full of skiing and snowboarding at Schweitzer … where midweek lift lines are practically nonexistant. Info and lift tickets at Schweitzer.com.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Thursday, February 20
SCHWEITZER
There’s fun to be had on the hill. One event of distinction for snowboarders: Never Summer Snowboards is kicking off a three-day demo event with free demos on their handcrafted all-mountain, freestyle or powder boards… for free. Must have driver’s license and credit/debit card. Get details on all the day’s mountain happenings, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
‘THE SLED HILL’ PREMIERE
“The Sled Hill” is a new and hotly anticipated short film from Tanner French Films that tells the story of Sandpoint’s historic sledding hill, acquired just last year by the Kaniksu Land Trust as an adjunct to the community forest at Pine Street Woods. The evening kicks off with a pre-showing mixer, followed by the film and then a showing of Patagonia’s “Fire Lines” — a powerful story about fire, trails and forging a brighter future and featuring local Pend Oreille Pedalers strategic advisor, Greg Williams. Showtime is 6 p.m. with doors open at 5, at the Panida Theater downtown. See more and get tickets.
Friday, February 21
SCHWEITZER
Tubing and night skiing are among the haps on the hill as Winter Carnival enters its concluding weekend. Also among events on-mountain is the Never Summer Snowboard Demo. The Colorado-based Never Summer will be providing free demos on their handcrafted all-mountain, freestyle or powder boards… for free. Must have driver’s license and credit/debit card. More special events for the day are in the works; check back for those, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Saturday, February 22
SCHWEITZER
There’s no shortage of fun activities on the mountain. Among events on-mountain is the concluding day of the Never Summer Snowboard Demo. The Colorado-based Never Summer will be providing free demos on their handcrafted all-mountain, freestyle or powder boards… for free. Must have driver’s license and credit/debit card.
Additional events are in the works. See more, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
FAMILY DAY ON THE BRIDGE
The Cedar Street Bridge Public Market is celebrating its 1-Year Anniversary of new ownership and management with a fun-filled Family Day! There will be games, face painting, specials, a photo booth, hot cocoa bar and deals throughout the Bridge. Come by for the fun, anytime from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., in the heart of downtown at Cedar Street and First Avenue.
MORE EVENTS TO COME!
Check back here for all the day’s events, as they are confirmed for the 2025 Winter Carnival!
Sunday, February 23
SCHWEITZER
Schweitzer wraps up its Winter Carnival week with special events. Check back for all the details as they’re released, plus all the info for a full ski or snowboarding day, at Schweitzer.com.
EICHARDT’S K9 KEG PULL
It’s the final, and a favorite event of the Winter Carnival week! Dogs and their owners race down a snowy course on Cedar Street in front of Eichardt’s Pub. Dogs pull kegs appropriate to their size – for a St. Bernard, that’s a full-size keg, but for a chihuahua it’s a beer can – as they race the clock for best time and prizes. The day is a fundraiser for the Better Together Animal Alliance pet shelter. Registration starts at 10:15 a.m. with races beginning at 11 a.m. It’s a heart-warming event that draws a cheery crowd, so come enjoy the fun out in the street in front of Eichardt’s.