Christmas on display

COEUR d'ALENE - If you're ready to usher in the Christmas season in grand style tonight, consider putting activities in downtown Coeur d'Alene at the top of your list.

A parade sponsored by Old World Christmas will be held along Sherman Avenue starting at 5 p.m.

By 6 p.m., crowds gather along the lakefront to sing Christmas carols and light candles. More than 30,000 spectators are expected.

The fireworks show, presented by Duane and Lola Hagadone and their family, is expected to be one of the grandest displays yet.

The guest of honor, Jason Jaeger, director of sales and marketing at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, will lead the crowd in counting down to set off the fireworks above Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Immediately after the 1,200-shell extravaganza, more than 1.5 million lights will blink on.

In this 27th edition of The Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show, the lights will shine through Jan. 1, with Journey to the North Pole Cruises departing nightly across the lake. New attractions for this year's show, organizers say, are Santa's Village at the Plaza Shops, a fire-breathing dragon that appears during the cruise and upgraded technology at the North Pole.

For Journey to the North Pole Cruise tickets: (208) 664-7268 or cdaresort.com

"A Christmas Cabaret," a holiday musical presented at The Resort by Ellen Travolta, offers holiday laughter and songs. Tickets are going fast and several performances are already sold out. For more, see achristmascabaret.com or (208) 765-4000.