Visit Spokane, the official destination marketing organization of Spokane County, and the Downtown Spokane Partnership, the leading champion for revitalization of downtown Spokane, are transforming the heart of downtown into “Merry & Magical Lane” this holiday season. Located on Post Street, from River Park Square at Main to the Davenport Hotel on First Avenue, Merry & Magical Lane is the region’s newest holiday destination for visitors from near and far.
“Downtown is shining bright this holiday season with new lighting, festive decorations, activities, and special deals all season long,” said Downtown Spokane Partnership President & CEO Emilie Cameron. “We’re excited to partner with Visit Spokane to create a unique and welcoming new experience for Spokane to make holiday memories together. This project is just the beginning of exciting plans for future activations to improve visitor experiences and enhance safety so that visitors, employees, and residents can enjoy downtown all year.”
This project adds new overhead lighting, crisscrossing Post Street and the neighboring alley behind 809 W Main Avenue. Alongside new decorative lighting spanning 80 trees along Post Street, Main, and Riverside Avenues, Merry & Magical Lane will feature new LED lighting inside the skywalk above Post Street, sidewalk planters filled with holiday trees and seasonal décor, decorated street poles, and windows along Post painted by local artists. With finishing touches underway on Merry & Magical Lane, installations will be complete on November 23, 2024, with a free celebration under the new lights in time for River Park Square’s arrival of Santa and tree lighting, Riverfront Park’s holiday tree lighting, and the annual display of beautifully decorated trees for Christmas Tree Elegance between the Davenport Hotel and River Park Square.
“Spokane has long been the holiday epicenter of the Inland Northwest,” said Visit Spokane President & CEO Rose Noble. “Working with the Downtown Spokane Partnership, we wanted to create a warm, welcoming experience for visitors this holiday season and beyond. The new overhead lighting on Post Street is brightening the popular path between River Park Square and our hotels, creating a new beloved tradition that will continue to enhance downtown’s charm for years to come.”
Merry & Magical Lane is powered by Visit Spokane and the Downtown Spokane Partnership. Contributors include Spokane Transit Authority, Washington Trust Bank, Davenport Hotels, and River Park Square. And partnership and support from the City of Spokane and local companies, including DCI Engineers, RenCorp Building Services, and Rainbow Electric.
Leveraging the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s recent award of ARPA funds from the City of Spokane to enhance alley infrastructure, Merry & Magical Lane extends similar lighting crisscrossing overhead into the alley between Main and Riverside Avenues, creating a new pedestrian-friendly path for visitors, employees, and residents. The alley provides a glimpse of similar projects planned for nearby in 2025.
Kick Off Holiday Celebrations on Merry & Magical Lane
Merry & Magical Lane will feature holiday activities from November through January. Be the first to celebrate the holiday season under the lights with live entertainment, seasonal treats, local business specials, and more.
WHERE: Merry & Magical Lane | 110 N Post Street
WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 3:00–7:30 pm
- Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting at River Park Square | 5:00 pm (Presented by STCU)
- Wheatland Bank Horse & Carriage Rides | 4:00–5:00 pm & 5:30–7:30 pm
- Brushes and Boughs – Tree Paint-Off for Charity | 4:00–7:30 pm (818 W Riverside)
- Cocoa Station | 4:00–7:30 pm (Brought to you by Visit Spokane)
- Roaming Photo Booth | 5:30–7:30 pm
For more details on the Merry & Magical Lane celebration and other holiday activities, visit VisitSpokane.com.
Lighting up Garland, Sprague Union, and Perry Districts
In addition to the lights on Post Street, in 2023, as part of a neighborhood focus, Visit Spokane launched holiday lighting in the Garland and Sprague Union Districts. In 2024, the South Perry District received fresh holiday lighting.
The lights are installed during the holidays and remain up through January to help boost traffic during the off-season. In 2025, Visit Spokane hopes to add lighting to the North Monroe and Hillyard Business Districts.
At Visit Spokane, we believe in investing in destination placemaking to enhance the quality of place for residents while creating unforgettable experiences for visitors,” said Visit Spokane Vice President of Marketing Jeff Hawley. “Our goal is to generate opportunities that highlight our neighborhoods and drive more foot traffic to local businesses that aren’t in the downtown core.”
The lights are installed during the holidays and remain up through January to help boost traffic during the off-season. In 2025, Visit Spokane hopes to add lighting to the North Monroe and Hillyard Business Districts.