Start 2022 in Idaho with some laughs, music and a McCall Winter Carnival road trip

It’s true — 2022 is about to hit us.

Have you thought about your New Year’s resolutions yet?

I know, just tackling a year is an accomplishment in itself these days. But if you really need some laughs, and we all probably do, comedians Trey Kennedy (Jan. 12), Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (Jan. 14) and Iliza Shlesinger (Jan. 22) can help with that. The Morrison Center will host all three.

If you prefer bands to stand-up comedy, check out Tool (Jan. 13) or Chris Lane with Ernest and Lily Rose (Jan. 29).

And for classical enthusiasts, the Boise Phil will present “Cinema & Sanctuary” on Jan. 8-9 and Opera Idaho will perform “Carmen” on Jan. 28 and Jan. 30.

And don’t forget to set time aside for a little road trip at the end of this month for a celebration of all things winter. The McCall Winter Carnival kicks off Jan. 28.

Note: Check with event websites or social media before attending. Events might be canceled or postponed after press deadline because of the pandemic, or might have new rules put in place. At Boise events with fewer than 250 people, attendees must wear masks indoors, as well as outdoors if social distancing can’t be maintained. Boise events with 250 people or more require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test upon entry. Ford Idaho Center and other venues may also require proof of vaccination or a negative test, depending on requests from performers.

Festivals/Fairs

Scentsy Commons Holiday Lights: Daily through Jan. 16, 2901 E. Pine Ave., Meridian. More than 450 trees have been wrapped in more than 43 miles of lights, including the light tunnel. And, back by popular demand is the 75-foot tall, light-up Christmas tree. Food trucks on site from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Live stream also available on the event’s Facebook page.

Christmas in Color: 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily, through Jan. 2, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. Socially safe, drive-thru Christmas light extravaganza where guests are immersed in LED tunnels and surrounded by dancing lights sharply synchronized to music as they wind through light displays fully animated and in sync to holiday favorites. A portion of proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. $35 per vehicle, $60 VIP (party pack plus express lane). To reserve a time slot, go to christmasincolor.net/boise.

Driggs Snowscapes — The Art of Sculpting Snow: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Jan. 17-22, Driggs City Plaza, 60 S. Main St., Driggs. Professional snow sculptors, including past winners of local and regional snow sculpting competitions are teaming up with students from North Freemont and Teton Valley High Schools to create a larger- than-life winter snow scene called “Showdown in Snow Town.” Watch demos daily and vote for your favorite sculpture on the last day. driggssnowscapes.org.

▪ Driggs Snow Ball: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, Driggs City Plaza. Sculptures, photo ops, a black light tent, and kid’s activities. Dance under a tent on the plaza to DJ Cut La Whut tunes and light show. People’s and Kid’s Choice favorite snow sculptures will be announced at 7 p.m. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase. $10 general, $5 children. downtowndriggs.org/driggs-snow-ball.html.

McCall Winter Carnival: Friday, Jan. 28, through Sunday, Feb. 6, McCall. Snow sculptures, Torchlight and Mardi Gras Parades, music, daily events spanning everything from art auctions, snowbike races, Monster Dog Pull, more. Details are still getting worked out. mccallchamber.org/winter-carnival.

Performance Art

Boise Phil Cinema & Sanctuary: 208-344-7849, boisephil.org.

▪ 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $28-$89. Students w/ID are half off; pick up tickets at will call.

▪ 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, Brandt Center, Northwest Nazarene University, 707 Fern St., Nampa. $28-$67. Students w/ID get in free at the door; no advance ticketing required.

Opera Idaho “Carmen”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $27.50-$83.75. Ticketmaster, 208-426-1110.

Specialty/Trade Shows

Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. Two indoor casting ponds, fly tying demonstrations, presentations, and displays of all the latest rods, reels, fly tying gear and more. $10 general, free for ages 13 and younger. boisevalleyflyfishers.wildapricot.org.

Spectator Sports

Idaho Steelheads hockey: 7:10 p.m., Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $12-$40. idahocentralarena.com.

▪ vs. Utah Grizzlies: Wednesday, Jan. 5, and Friday-Saturday, Jan. 7-8

▪ vs. Kansas City Mavericks: Wednesday, Jan. 26, and Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29

Theater

”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $49, $69 and $99. Ticketmaster, 208-426-1110.

Daily calendar

Jan. 1

Tropical Latin Celebration w/DJ Giovanni: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $10 general, $20 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster.

Jan. 12

Trey Kennedy: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $39 and $59. Ticketmaster, 208-426-1110.

Jan. 13

Tool: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $65, $85 and $125. ICTickets, 208-442-3232.

Readings and Conversations with Anthony Doerr: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $22.50 and $40.50 Ticketmaster, 208-426-1110.

Jan. 14

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $43.50-$93.50. 208-424-2200, idahocentralarena.com.

Jan. 21

“Ruin”: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. Five unassuming employees are drawn to the stage in the wake of a show cancellation. Through movement, visuals and a narrative, LED presents a film experience with performances from locally based artists: Luma Jasim, Brett Perry, Nell Josephine, Tony Carnell, Cydney Covert and Daniel Ojeda. $10. ledboise.com.

Jan. 22

Iliza Shlesinger: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $35, $45 and $65. Ticketmaster, 208-426-1110.

Jan. 28

Ghost/Volbeat: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. Special guest Twin Temple. $39.50-$99.50. ICTickets, 208-442-3232.

Jan. 29

Chris Lane w/Ernest and Lily Rose: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $32.50 general ($35 door), $62.50 VIP. cttouringid.com or Ticketmaster.