Goody’s photo by Talo Pinto with permission (2010)
While most events for 2020 were re-purposed, the nonprofits and organizations they benefit still need your support during 2021 and beyond.
The North End makes every holiday a fun event. We’re famous for Halloween and New Year’s has exploded with the new Idaho Potato Drop at the Idaho Capitol. Our Winter holidays are pretty special too. Our neighbors along Harrison Boulevard get into the holiday spirit by lighting up historic homes as shown below in these beautiful Michael Falvey photos.
Hyde Park Candle Lantern Festival
See all the new Christmas decorations in Hyde Park, make candle lanterns and spend time with your family and neighbors.
The Candle Lantern Festival is a long-standing tradition in the North end and takes place each year in Historic Hyde Park. The festival started in 2004 and is open to all ages with plans to have something for everyone through the evening. Activities over the years have included the Random Ladies singers, Santa storytelling at Goody’s, the candle lantern parade up and down 13th Street in Hyde Park and specials at local restaurants.
Photos below are by yours truly and more from Michael Falvey.
2017 Candle Lantern Parade
Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza
Since 2005 world renowned jazz artist and Northender Curtis Stigers has produced a benefit concert on two evenings for the Interfaith Sanctuary called the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza.
The program is a wonderfully irreverent, inspiring and wacky holiday variety show hosted by Curtis and Jodi Peterson featuring some of our most talented local musicians, dancers, comedians and community leaders all donating their time and talents for a great cause.
For ticket information and more about Curtis – click here.
Photo courtesy of the Idaho Statesman
Other Annual Holiday Events
Downtown Boise Christmas Church Walk
The event is a tour of the historical churches in downtown Boise coordinated by the Coalition of Idaho Living Historians & Idaho Colonial Society. Come enjoy organ, choral, and other instrumental music as well as Christmas decorations, holiday treats, and beverages all while enjoying the amazing architecture of the downtown churches. Come learn a bit about the history of these churches in downtown Boise. St John’s Cathedral will also do a concert on the 26th from 530pm – 6pm right after the finish of the tour.
Capitol City Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, and First Methodist Church. For more 2018 information click here.
Annual North End Holiday House Tour
Join the North End Neighborhood Association for our Annual Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 15th from 1-5PM. Five beautiful and historic homes are featured, each unique and with many stories to tell. The tour is self-guided and easily walkable, with hosts in each open home. Tickets are $20 each and are available now through the day of the tour. Bring your email receipt to Goody’s in Hyde Park at 1502 N 13th Street to pick up wristbands and maps.
Ticket sales benefit NENA to help preserve the Boise’s historic North End and support our community with neighborhood improvement grants. 2018 info click here.
Community Giving
Boise is a giving community and the North End does its part. Support during the holidays grows for our local nonprofits like the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, City Lights Home for Women, Idaho Foodbank and others. Giving back takes all forms. From food drives to gift trees and promotions to clothing drives.
Happy Holidays from Northend.org!
Photo by Bob Vaughn – visit his gallery by clicking here