Celebrating Christmas in McCall, Idaho
The Best Rental Cabins, Homes, Lakefront Estates and Romantic Getaways in McCall, Donnelly, Cascade & New Meadows
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? McCall, Idaho, is surrounded by beautiful snow-covered scenery. With easy access to skiing, snowmobiling, and tubing, it’s full of magical Christmas adventures that bring an idyllic festive spirit to the holiday season
Though often overlooked in favor of larger winter destinations, McCall offers its own special charm when it comes to Christmas. The quaint downtown area is adorned with twinkling Christmas lights, and your chances of waking up to snow on Christmas morning are very high.
Looking for a cozy place to stay over the Christmas period? Our luxurious mountain rentals are perfect, and you can secure the best possible rates when you book with us directly.
Jump on your snowmobile; it’s time to hit the backcountry! This is everything you need to know about celebrating Christmas in the McCall area.
Christmas in McCall is pure winter magic. In December, McCall is blessed with around 30 inches of snow in addition to the snow that’s already been on the ground since November. If you’re hoping for a white Christmas, McCall is one of your best bets; Mother Nature has a near-perfect record of delivering a white Christmas to McCall.
December weather in McCall is cold but not too cold. Average highs at this time of year in McCall are 30ºF, and average lows are 13ºF. This is the perfect temperature for donning your cozy Christmas sweaters, curling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa, or perusing downtown McCall with your winter coats and checking out all the festive Christmas lights.
To get to McCall, you have two options for flying in: The Boise Airport or the smaller McCall Airport.
The Boise Airport is located about a 2.5-hour drive from McCall. While the McCall Airport is located right in town, it’s a much smaller airport, and flights might be pricier, especially around the holidays.
The easiest way to get to McCall from Boise is to rent a car and drive. If you are going to rent a car, we recommend getting a vehicle with high clearance that’s good for driving in the snow—you’re coming here for a white Christmas, after all.
You can also take a bus with Northwestern Stagelines to make the journey.
Once you’ve arrived in McCall, the easiest way to get around is with a rental car. However, McCall does have good free public transportation and shuttles frequently running to and from Brundage Ski Resort.
McCall is also fairly walkable if you want to explore the town on foot. Just be sure to bundle up.
There are plenty of fun things to do in McCall all year round, but if you plan on spending Christmas in his little mountain town, you’re in for an extra special treat. Here are some of the best things to do while spending Christmas in McCall.
Photo Credit: Anton Pentegov
What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than twirling around the rink? Ice skating is one of the top Christmas activities in McCall.
The Manchester Ice & Events Center is one of the most popular places for ice skating in McCall. They offer public indoor ice skating sessions, ice skating lessons, and even ice bumper cars if you want to change it up a little.
Want to ice skate surrounded by trees under strings of twinkly lights? Check out the McCall outdoor ice skating arena at Gold Glove Park. This outdoor ice skating rink is usually open to the public from 12 pm to 8 pm during the winter season in McCall. Check the McCall Parks and Rec website or social media pages for up-to-date operating dates and times.
Photo Credi: Sergiy Palamarchuk
There’s nothing quite like enjoying delicious holiday pastries while experiencing a white Christmas. You can even leave some out for Santa.
There are a few options for tasty baked goods around Christmas, but Stacey Cakes takes the cake. It’s one of the best places to eat in McCall.
In addition to their famous gingersnaps, Stacey Cakes also offers holiday cookie gift boxes. Perfect for gifting to friends and family or enjoying back at your cozy rental home.
Photo Credit: Toasted Pictures
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to enjoy Christmas in McCall is by getting out at Brundage Mountain Resort and hitting the slopes. In December, Brundage sees an impressive 65” of average snowfall and boasts a mountain base depth of 29”.
Brundage Mountain Resort has 1900 acres of skiable terrain, with various runs for all skill levels. Families can take the little ones over to Beartopia Fun Zone, so everyone is happy.
If you plan on skiing or snowboarding on Christmas Day, you might spot Santa. Rumor has it that after he finishes delivering everyone’s presents, he takes a few laps on Brundage Mountain. What’s better than skiing with Santa?
Nordic skiing is also a fun Christmas activity in McCall, and you can read all about the best Nordic trails in our Nordic skiing guide.
If you’ve ever wanted to try snowtubing, head to the Activity Barn. Hosted on land that serves as a working cattle ranch in McCall’s summertime, the Activity Barn offers fantastic mountain views from the top of its snowtubing hill.
Photo Credit: Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB
Another excellent way to celebrate Christmas in McCall is to ride a winter sleigh. Just a 30-minute drive from McCall, Hap and Florence Points offer amazing horse-drawn sleigh rides where you’ll ride right through large groups of majestic elk.
Photo Credit: Kaplitskaia Love
Date: December 5, 2025, 5.30 pm – 7 pm
If you’re planning a longer Christmas getaway to McCall, you can watch the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in early December. The event takes place on 2nd Street and includes carols, hot cocoa, live music, and photos with Santa.
Date: December 6, 2025, 5.30 pm – 10 pm
The Snow Ball is an annual event in mid-December hosted by Payette Lakes Ski Club. This fun gala features fancy formal attire, dancing, dinner, and a charity auction. If you want to kick off the Christmas season with a glamorous gala, don’t miss the Snow Ball event, but be sure to buy your tickets in advance.
The Holiday MFSC Exhibition is the perfect event to bundle up and get into the Christmas spirit. The McCall Figure Skating Club puts on a holiday-themed ice skating show at the Manchester Ice and Events Center every year.
During the show, skaters of all ages take to the ice with their breathtaking performances. Each performance is perfectly choreographed, and you might even spot Santa out there on the ice.
While this event doesn’t take place during Christmas per se, if you’re looking to keep the holiday spirit going for a little longer, consider extending your winter trip to late January to attend the McCall Winter Carnival.
To stay warm during your Christmas in McCall, you’ll want to pack at least the following:
Every year during Christmas, McCall transforms into a winter wonderland. This small Idaho mountain town is the perfect Christmas destination, especially if you’re seeking a white Christmas.
With our guide to Christmas in McCall in hand, you’re now ready to take on Christmas in McCall. Book your stay today and let the magic begin.
