Welcome the holiday season at a Treasure Valley community event

BOISE

Through Sunday: Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees, Boise Centre.

Friday: Idaho Foodbank Empty Bowls event, The Grove Plaza, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday:

- Boise Holiday Parade, 9:45 a.m., Downtown.

- Tree lighting from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Grove.

Monday: Lighting the Capitol Christmas Tree with Gov. Butch and first lady Lori Otter, who invite folks to bring canned food for the Idaho Foodbank (every child who does will get a free book). Starts at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Bannock Street and Capitol Boulevard.

NAMPA

Saturday-Monday: Canyon County Festival of Trees at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. Runs 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday.

CALDWELL

Dec. 5: Night Light Parade starts at 6 p.m. at O'Connor Field House and continues down Blaine Street.

MERIDIAN

Dec. 5:

- 10 a.m.: Winter Land Parade on Main from Franklin to Fairview Avenue.

- 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Christmas Street Faire on Idaho Street between Main and Second.

- 5:30 p.m.: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on the big screen at Generation Plaza, corner of Main and Idaho.

- 6 p.m.: Tree lighting with Mayor Tammy de Weerd and Santa Claus, Generation Plaza.

- 7:30 p.m.: Meridian Symphony Concert at Meridian Middle School, 1507 W. 8th St. Follow the link to the symphony from IdahoStatesman.com.

KUNA

Dec. 5: Down Home Country Christmas.

- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: craft bazaar, Old 4th Street Gym.

- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: senior center craft fair, 229 Ave. B.

- 6 p.m.: Night Light Parade, Main Street.

- 7 p.m.: Tree, wreath and basket silent auction, Old 4th Street Gym. Proceeds go to the Kuna Food Bank.

STAR

All events at Star City Hall, 10769 W. State St.

Dec. 5: Tree lighting with Mayor Nate Mitchell, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 5-6: Star Chamber Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

- Star Lions will provide free cookies and cocoa.

- Star Outreach will collect winter coats and canned food.

- Star Elementary School will sponsor the decorative-wreath silent auction.

EAGLE

Dec. 5: 2009 Eagle Country Christmas sponsored by the Eagle Arts Commission.

- 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Heritage Park Gazebo: School and community groups sing and play music.

- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Heritage Park: Visit with Santa, enjoy kids activities, join a canned food drive and more.

- More events at Eagle Plaza and the Albertsons parking lot.

- 6 p.m.: Tree lighting by Mayor Phil Bandy.

- 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Eagle Seventh-day Adventist Church: Christmas caroling, kids crafts room, free hot soup, and animals available for petting - including a camel.

Compiled by Statesman staff