Winter Carnival 2026: Week 1

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

It may feel like spring outside, but that doesn’t mean the Winter Carnival won’t be in full swing Friday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 22. Sandpoint and Schweitzer have prepared two weeks of special events for outdoor adventurers, gamers, couples and families. Here’s what’s happening during Week 1:

Friday, Feb. 13

Galentine’s Day

Bella Terra Boutique (223 N. First Ave.) kicks things off at 10 a.m. with a permanent jewelry station, photo booth, all-day sales and Northpoint Spa giveaways.

Parade of Lights

Floats created by local organizations and businesses will gather at 5:30 p.m. in the city parking lot off Church Street. From there, the procession makes a loop, heading from Second Avenue, down Oak Street and Main Street to First Avenue, then returning via Cedar Street.

Block Party

The night continues with the Pend d’Oreille Winery Block Party — co-hosted by the Festival at Sandpoint — in front of the tasting rooms (301 Cedar St.). The celebrations run from 6-8 p.m. and will include cocoa, s’mores, food pop-ups and performances by area fire spinners and belly dancers.

The Let It Glow parade at Schweitzer. Courtesy photo

Lunar New Year celebrations

Lion and ribbon dancers from the Spokane Chinese Association will perform around Sandpoint at Sunshine on Cedar on the Cedar Street Bridge (343 N. First Ave., Suite 208), Burlwood Dreams (201 N. First Ave.) and Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby’s (503 Cedar St. and 102 S. Second Ave.) to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Sunshine on Cedar will offer commemorative gifts, as well as dinner and drink specials, along with the 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. performances.

Live music w/Double Shot Band at Connie’s Cafe and Lounge

This local duo will perform classic rock covers from 4-6 p.m. and then 7-9 p.m. at 232 Cedar St.

Live music w/Todd Cowart at the 219 Lounge

Beginning at 8 p.m., this one-man-band will play classic folk and rock covers at 219 N. First Ave. Listen at toddcowart.com.

Live music w/Paper Flowers at The Hive

The area’s favorite Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Paper Flowers, begins their set at 8 p.m. at 207 N. First Ave. Tickets start at $35 at livefromthehive.com.

Live music w/The Van Stone Band at Taps Bar

The Spokane-based group will perform a mix of rock, soul and reggae covers from 3-6 p.m. at 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Road.

Sleigh ride, dinner and concert at Western Pleasure

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sleigh ride, dinner and a country concert with Steve Starkey at 1413 Upper Gold Creek Road. Tickets are $140 per adult, $85 for children ages 6-12 and FREE for ages 5 and under. Reserve a spot by calling 208-236-9066.

Schweitzer activities

Celebrating Presidents’ Day weekend, Schweitzer Mountain will set up its usual “snow bar” near the village’s clock tower, highlighting No-Li, Grand Teton and Firestone Walker Brewing companies from 3-7 p.m. Other events include a snowshoe hike, snowmobile tours, snowtubing, twilight skiing and the Adult Starlight Race Series. Visit schweiter.com for a full breakdown.

Saturday, Feb. 14

Music w/DJ Zoozy, DJ No Ego Nights and Lady Oda at Taps Bar

Three disk jockeys and EDM musicians will perform all day, beginning with DJ Zoozy from noon-2 p.m., DJ No Ego Nights from 2-4 p.m. and Lady Oda from 6-9 p.m.

Music w/Aaron Golay and the Original Sin at the 219 Lounge

Golay will pick favorites from his three Americana, roots, rock and soul albums beginning at 9 p.m. Listen at aarongolay.com.

Music w/Paper Flowers at The Hive

This Paper Flowers concert will be dedicated to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35 at livefromthehive.com. 

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Marigold Bistro

The local breakfast and lunch spot (414 Church St.) will host a special dinner event from 4:30-8 p.m. with a unique menu inspired by 41 South, a gone-but-not-forgotten favorite. Reserve a table by calling 208-253-9514.

‘Love or Luck’ trivia at Connie’s Lounge

$5 gets teams of two into this special, couples-themed trivia event. Questions begin at 7 p.m.

Country swing dance lessons at Barrel 33

Walk the Line will teach dance lessons from 4-6 p.m. at the wine bar (100 N. First Ave.).

Sandpoint Farmers’ Market at the library

The summer market is hosting a monthly winter pop-up at the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library (1407 Cedar St.), featuring local bakers, farmers and other artisans selling their goods from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sleigh ride, dinner and concert at Western Pleasure

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sleigh ride, dinner and an Americana and Celtic concert with Bridges Home.

Schweitzer activities

The outdoor snow bar near the village’s clock tower will highlight No-Li, Grand Teton and Firestone Walker Brewing companies from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Other events include kids crafting and s’more-roasting.

Sunday, Feb. 15

Music w/ DJ No Ego Nights and Jason Perry at Taps

DJ No Ego Nights will spin some disks from 1-3:30 p.m., followed by live funk and rock with Jason Perry from 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Teatime Winter Serenade

The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint (110 Main St.) will serve tea and treats to accompany a cozy performance of classical and contemporary-inspired music by its faculty. The concert runs from 2-3:30 p.m., and tickets are $27 for adults or $17 for students and seniors at sandpointconservatory.org.

Live music w/ Float Like a Buffalo at the 219 Lounge

This self-described funk-ska-reggae-jam-rock band will follow up on last year’s sold-out show at the Niner, starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or online at 219lounge.com.

Schweitzer activities

The outdoor snow bar near the village’s clock tower features No-Li, Grand Teton and Firestone Walker Brewing companies from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. At 6 p.m., skiers and snowboarders can grab lights and proceed down the mountain in the Let It Glow Parade, followed by a fireworks display visible from the slopes and village.

Monday, Feb. 16

Open bluegrass jam at Connie’s Lounge

Local musicians will come together for a bluegrass jam session by the fire beginning at 5 p.m.

Kaniksu Land Trust fundraiser trivia

Idaho Pour Authority (203 Cedar St.) will partner with Kaniksu Land Trust for a special fundraiser trivia night at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Live music w/ Ltl Wlf at the KRFY Little Live Radio Hour

The Hive will host the first 2026 installment of Panhandle Community Radio 88.5 KRFY’s live variety show with performances by Justin Landis and Josh Hedlund — a.k.a. Ltl Wlf — and the Mighty KRFY players. Doors open at 6 p.m. and attendees must find their seat before the 7 p.m. broadcast begins.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Brain Freeze Trivia Throwdown

Connie’s Lounge hosts a winter-themed trivia night at 7 p.m. Bring a $5 entry fee.

Thursday, Feb. 19

Pegs on Fire cribbage tournament

Connie’s Lounge will hold a special cribbage tournament at 6 p.m., charging $5 to play.

ToastyFest at Matchwood Brewing

Rounding out the week, the brewing company will once again join forces with Evans Brothers Coffee and Toasty Mobile Saunas for a cozy, mini-festival at the Granary District (513 Oak St.), running from 4-8 p.m. The celebration is meant to promote health, wellness and community, with saunas, cold plunges, massages, tarot readings, food and music by DJ Lady Oda.

For all Winter Carnival updates, visit sandpointwintercarnival.com.

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