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Christmas with kids in Nampa
In Nampa, Christmas gathers around the Train Depot. A giant evergreen is lit on Front Street each year, and neighbors have been coming for decades to see it glow.
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The story of Christmas in Nampa
How Nampa celebrates
Nampa's Christmas season begins with the downtown Christmas tree lighting at the Nampa Train Depot, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The tree is a donated evergreen: a 60-foot spruce from Tim and Bonnie Torgerson in one year, and in another a Colorado spruce about 45 feet tall with 28,000 lights. A longtime resident told the Idaho Press she had attended about 30 tree lightings. Santa and Mrs. Claus appear for photos at the depot, and the library hosts Mrs. Claus for a children's story time that afternoon.
Christmas last year in Nampa
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, downtown Nampa held its Christmas tree lighting with entertainment at 5 pm from the NNU Jazz Quartet and the Boys and Girls Club Choir, and the lighting at 6 pm. Earlier in the day families found s'mores and vendor booths from 11 am, a Winter Wonderland Market, free carriage rides from noon to 4 pm, and Mrs. Claus story time at the Nampa Public Library from 1 to 1:30 pm. The Salvation Army served free hot chocolate, and parking was free all day in the downtown garage.
Fun facts about Christmas in Nampa
Nampa's tree comes as a gift. In one year a Nampa homeowner donated a 40-foot evergreen because it was growing too close to her house, and a local tree company cut it down and hauled it for free, as it had for many years. About 2,500 lights were planned for that tree. Another year's tree stood 60 feet tall and a massive crowd squeezed around it. The tree stands in front of the train depot at 1200 Front Street.
Trains and Christmas in Nampa
In Nampa, the Christmas tree stands in front of the Nampa Train Depot at 1200 Front Street, so the old station is the heart of the season. In 2025, Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children at the depot for photos after the tree lighting, and free carriage rides rolled in front of it. The Canyon County Historical Society Museum is listed right beside the depot, so downtown families can mix the lights with a bit of local history.
Traditions today
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting: A giant evergreen is lit at 6 pm in front of the Nampa Train Depot, with live music before it.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus photos: Santa and Mrs. Claus pose with families at the Train Depot after the tree lighting.
- Mrs. Claus story time: Mrs. Claus reads to children at the Nampa Public Library on tree lighting day.
- Free carriage rides: Horse drawn carriages circle downtown from noon to 4 pm, first come first served.
- Winter Wonderland Market: The Nampa Farmer's Market sets up a holiday market in Lloyd Square all day.
- Angel tree tags: Tags on the tree let neighbors take one to support a child or family in need.
A fact for kids
Nampa's Christmas tree was once a gift from a neighbor whose evergreen was growing too close to her house, and a local company hauled it downtown for free.
Questions about Christmas in Nampa
What is the biggest Christmas tradition in Nampa?
The downtown Christmas tree lighting at the Nampa Train Depot is the biggest tradition. A giant evergreen is lit on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, with live music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, carriage rides and hot chocolate. A longtime resident said she had attended about 30 tree lightings.
Where is the Nampa Christmas tree?
The tree stands in front of the Nampa Train Depot at 1200 Front Street in downtown Nampa. The area near the depot and Lloyd Square fills with music, vendors and families on lighting day. Our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page lists this year's confirmed date and time.
How tall is the Nampa Christmas tree?
It changes by year, because each tree is donated. One year the tree was a 60-foot green spruce, another was a 45-foot Colorado spruce, and a third was about 40 feet. Whatever the size, it rises over the crowd, so kids can see it from far away.
How many lights are on the Nampa Christmas tree?
In 2022, the 45-foot Colorado spruce was to be decorated with 28,000 lights. An earlier tree, at about 40 feet, was planned with about 2,500 lights. The lighting itself has been at 6 pm in recent years, so families can arrive early and enjoy the music first.
Where does the Nampa tree come from?
Each tree is donated. One was a 40-foot evergreen given by a homeowner whose tree was growing too close to her foundation, and a local tree company cut it down and carried it downtown for free. Another was a 60-foot spruce donated by Tim and Bonnie Torgerson.
Who lights the Nampa tree?
The City of Nampa hosts the lighting. In 2025 the evening began at 5 pm with music from the NNU Jazz Quartet and the Boys and Girls Club Choir, and the tree was lit at 6 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared afterward.
Does Santa visit the Nampa tree lighting?
Yes. After the tree is lit, Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for photos at the Nampa Train Depot. This has been part of the evening in recent years. Our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page lists the confirmed plans for this year.
Is there a story time with Mrs. Claus in Nampa?
Yes. Mrs. Claus has read to children at the Nampa Public Library on tree lighting day, from 1 to 1:30 pm in the Children's Area, in 2024 and 2025. Check our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page for this year's confirmed time.
Are there carriage rides in downtown Nampa?
Yes. Free horse drawn carriage rides run in front of the Nampa Train Depot on tree lighting day. In 2025 they ran from noon to 4 pm, first come first served. In 2024 there was a special hour for guests with special needs from noon to 1 pm.
What is the Winter Wonderland Market in Nampa?
It is a holiday market run by the Nampa Farmer's Market in Lloyd Square on tree lighting day. In 2025 it opened at 11 am. Families can browse local booths before the lighting and then walk over to the Train Depot for the music and the tree.
What is the Battle of the Bells?
Battle of the Bells is a Salvation Army fundraiser held on tree lighting day in downtown Nampa. Salvation Army volunteers also hand out free hot chocolate. It is a nice way to talk with kids about giving back during the holidays.
What are angel tree tags in Nampa?
Angel tree tags are placed on the downtown Christmas tree, and community members can take one to support a child or family in need. It is a way for neighbors to help local families during the holidays, and a good chance to talk with kids about sharing.
Is parking free at the Nampa tree lighting?
Yes. In 2025 parking was free all day in the Downtown Garage at 11th Avenue South and 3rd Street South. In 2024 the downtown parking garage next to the Nampa Public Library was also free. Our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page lists current details.
What time is the Nampa tree lighting?
In 2025 the music began at 5 pm and the tree was lit at 6 pm. A 2022 lighting began at 5:15 pm with the lighting at 6 pm. For this year, see our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page, since dates change from year to year.
How big is the crowd at the Nampa tree lighting?
It can be very large. One Idaho Press story described a massive crowd that nearly squeezed together around the tree, stretching from Front Street and 1st Avenue South past Pete's Tavern. Bring a stroller or carrier for little ones, and arrive early for a good spot.
How can I explain the tree lighting to a young child?
Tell them a neighbor gave the tree, a local company carried it downtown, and everyone gathers until the lights come on. Add that Mrs. Claus reads a story at the library earlier in the day. Kids enjoy knowing that the whole town helps make it happen.
What is the Nampa Train Depot?
The Nampa Train Depot is a historic station at 1200 Front Street in downtown Nampa, where the Christmas tree is placed each year. The city's event page places the Canyon County Historical Society Museum right beside it. We did not verify more depot history for this page.
Are there train museums near Nampa for Christmas?
We did not find a verified train museum list for Idaho, but the Nampa Train Depot is the heart of the season. In 2025 families saw Santa and Mrs. Claus there and rode free carriages out front. The Canyon County Historical Society Museum sits beside it.
Is the Nampa tree lighting free?
Yes. The 2025 tree lighting was free, as were the carriage rides, hot chocolate from the Salvation Army and parking in the Downtown Garage. Market vendors and downtown restaurants sell their own items. See our Nampa Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
Why is Christmas in Nampa special?
Nampa gathers around a single big tree beside a historic depot. Neighbors donate the evergreen, a local company hauls it, a library hosts Mrs. Claus, and downtown fills with carriage rides, music and hot chocolate. One longtime resident told the Idaho Press she had attended about 30 tree lightings.
Sources
- Christmas Tree Lighting 2025, City of Nampa
- Nampa Christmas tree erected in front of the train depot, KTVB
- Nampa's Christmas tree finds its home for the holidays, Idaho News 6
- Hard work and holiday wonder send downtown Nampa into the Christmas season, Idaho Press
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Shop Small Saturday, Visit Nampa
- Storytime with Mrs. Claus, Nampa Public Library