Sun Valley Resort Kicks Off Holiday Season with Winter Wonderland Festival

November 28, 2022

Mountain spirit comes alive in Sun Valley with the return of beloved community events, traditions, open air markets and festive village decorations.

Sun Valley, ID (Nov. 28, 2022) – Sun Valley Resort announces its 2022 Winter Wonderland Festival lineup inviting guests and the community to celebrate the holidays with activities and events for the entire family. Beginning the weekend of Dec. 10, Winter Wonderland will kick off three weeks of ongoing festivities including Shop for a Cause, classic Christmas concerts, live ice carvings, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Open Air Market, Christmas Eve show with torchlight parade and fireworks, and much more.

The Village will come alive with holiday cheer on Saturday, Dec.10, kicking off the festive season from 12-4pm. Carolers will be strolling and singing, Santa will be available for photos in his workshop (aka the Boiler Room) and the public can view and vote on Gingerbread Houses entered into the community contest to support local nonprofits. A cookie decorating party will also take place in the Boiler Room and individual cookies can be purchased for $12.50/each. The evening will wrap up with a showing of “Elf” at the Opera House beginning at 4:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Opera House day of for $5 or in advance at the Rec Office. Throughout the weekend, select retail locations in the Village will donate a portion of all sales to local nonprofits 43 North, NAMI-WRV, and the Senior Connection in the annual Shop for a Cause event. A Holiday Sip & Shop event will take place at Brass Ranch River Run from 2:00pm-6:00pm, where customers are invited to shop the latest in ski fashion in-store with brand experts. In store snacks and beverages provided, as well as a gift with purchase.

Holiday activities will continue Dec. 15 and 16 with the Classic Christmas Concert. This family friendly concert begins at 7pm both Thursday and Friday night in the Opera House and is sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit with singing, dancing, and storytelling. Tickets can be purchased at the Guest Center or online at sunvalley.com. General admission tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

The sixth-annual European-style open air market will take place Friday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 18 on the Duck Pond Lawn, with everything from locally made artisan goods, holiday gifts, holiday wreaths, roasted nuts and more. On Saturday, Dec. 17, apres ski music at River Run Lodge and a live ice carving near Village Station lead up to the locals’ favorite annual tree lighting ceremony. Music begins at 5:30pm and there will be complimentary hot chocolate and cookies as well as a cash bar. Lights will go on at 6pm sharp.

From Monday, Dec. 19 to Thursday, Dec. 22, there will be a variety of movie screenings at the Opera House including Sun Valley Serenade, Warren Miller’s Daymaker and the new Puss in Boots flick. Tickets are available for purchase at the door. Holiday children’s storytelling with the Community Library will happen Monday, Dec. 19 and Wednesday Dec. 21 from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Stop by the Sun Room in Sun Valley Lodge to hear some old and new classics. All children will receive a holiday treat bag as they leave.

Christmas Eve is a celebration-packed day starting at brunch with Santa in the Sun Valley Clubhouse from 9am-2pm which is also available on Dec. 23. There will be a special holiday buffet with kid friendly dishes and traditional favorites as well as live and festive holiday music. $79+/adults, $39/kids and reservations are required and can be made by calling 208-622-2919. Wind down from the ski day with live music by Aaron Golay Band inside River Run Lodge. In the Village, the Sun Valley Carolers will take the stage at 5:30pm with some Christmas favorites and there will be a live reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Rounding out the evening with a spectacle, the annual torchlight parade will make its way down Dollar Mountain and fireworks will light up the sky. As always, complimentary cookies and cocoa will be served for all to enjoy.

On New Year’s Eve, hit the slopes with your friends and family at Dollar Mountain and enjoy some night turns, music under the stars and fireworks. This is a special ticketed event and not included on a season pass. The celebration will begin at 5pm and culminate with fireworks at 9pm. Tickets are $50 per adult and $35 per child 12 and under.

To stay up to date, and learn more information about these activities, please visit the Resort’s events page at www.sunvalley.com/holidays

HOLIDAY MEDIA IMAGES | Sun Valley Resort

WINTER MEDIA IMAGES | Sun Valley Resort

WINTER WONDERLAND FLYER | Sun Valley Resort

VIDEO/YouTube | Sun Valley Resort

Please fill out this form and credit Sun Valley Resort for any image used.

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Media Contacts:

Local: Jenna Vagias | jvagias@sunvalley.com | 406.224.7312

National: Jess Fiaschetti | Jess@OutsidePR.com | 415.565.9530

About Sun Valley Resort

Sun Valley Resort was founded in 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort. Located in the Idaho mountains, it is truly a four-season resort with a wide array of activities. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts enjoy world-class skiing, snowboarding, skating, hiking, biking, golfing, fishing, shooting, concerts, shopping, restaurants, and conferences, and special event space. Sun Valley is a member of The Grand America Hotels and Resorts family. Sister properties include Snowbasin Ski Resort, The Grand America Hotel, Little America Hotel (all Salt Lake City, Utah); The Westgate Hotel, San Diego, Calif.; Little America Flagstaff, Ariz.; Little America, Wyo., and Little America, Cheyenne, Wyo.

Sun Valley is served by Hailey’s Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN). The airport is located 14 miles from the resort and is easily accessed from six major cities: San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX), Salt Lake City (SLC), Denver (DEN), and Chicago (ORD). All Sun Valley Resort guests receive complimentary roundtrip airport transportation.

www.sunvalley.com | 800.786.8259 | @sunvalley | #sunvalley