Celebrate the magic of the season in Great Falls with our ultimate guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Great Falls or just branching out, this guide will light up your holidays.
One event to explore is the Great Falls Holiday Festival, where festive lights and community spirit abound, making it a charming destination for families. Another highlight is the Big Sky Christmas Celebration, known for its enchanting atmosphere and local artisan market. And the Billings Christmas Fair is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring unique crafts and seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Great Falls
- Great Falls Holiday Festival
- Big Sky Christmas Celebration (Big Sky)
- Billings Christmas Fair (Billings)
- Big Sky Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade (Big Sky)
- ACF Christmas Show (Kalispell)
- Kalispell Christmas Crafts (Kalispell)
- Livingston Christmas Market (Livingston)
- Parade of Lights
- Market Beautiful Christmas market (Kalispell)
- Santa’s Village
See these and even more events listed below!
Great Falls Holiday Light Displays
Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Festively decorated floats and Santa lighting the city's Christmas tree.
Description:
The 25th Annual Parade of Lights in downtown Great Falls features a procession of festively decorated floats beginning at 6th Street and traveling down Central Avenue. Santa will light the city's beautiful Christmas tree after the parade, celebrating the holiday season.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Parade of Lights
Great Falls Holiday Markets and Shopping
Kalispell Christmas Crafts
What to Expect:
Indoor showcase of handmade crafts and local food vendors.
Description:
The Kalispell Christmas Crafts event at the Flathead County Fairgrounds features handmade goods from local artisans, an indoor setting, and a variety of food trucks offering snacks and meals.
Where: Kalispell | More Info: Kalispell Christmas Crafts
Market Beautiful Christmas market
What to Expect:
Unique vintage finds and live music.
Description:
The Market Beautiful Christmas market in Kalispell, Montana, offers a whimsical and vintage shopping experience with live music, hot cider, and Santa visits. Early shopping is available on Friday evenings, and general admission is open on Saturday with free entry for kids under 12.
Where: Kalispell | More Info: Market Beautiful Christmas market
Livingston Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans selling handmade products.
Description:
The Livingston Christmas Market offers a variety of handmade crafts, art, baked goods, and specialty items from local vendors, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.
Where: Livingston | More Info: Livingston Christmas Market
Billings Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Unique products and services from over 200 vendors.
Description:
The Holiday Food and Gift Festival is the largest holiday shopping event of the season, featuring over 200 vendors offering unique products and services. Last year, more than 11,000 shoppers attended the 2-day show, buying a variety of items. Admission is $5 at the door or $2 with a donation of a non-perishable food item or other accepted items.
Where: Billings | More Info: Billings Christmas Fair
ACF Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday market with handmade vendors and food trucks.
Description:
The ACF Christmas Show at the Flathead County Fairgrounds features handmade vendors, food trucks, and an indoor event with free admission. It takes place on November 29-30 and December 1, 2024, from 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Where: Kalispell | More Info: ACF Christmas Show
Great Falls Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Great Falls Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Annual Christmas tree lighting with local school choir performances and petting zoo.
Description:
The Great Falls Holiday Festival is a free community event celebrating the beginning of the holiday season with an annual Christmas tree lighting. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while local school choirs perform. Visit the petting zoo and pony rides before Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to light the tree. Children can share their holiday wishes with Santa, and a live nativity will be featured.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Great Falls Holiday Festival
Magical Christmas Ballet 2024
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet features an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, perfect for all ages.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Magical Christmas Ballet 2024
Big Sky Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday activities in a festive town setting.
Description:
The Big Sky Christmas Celebration is a holiday event featuring a tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, illuminated cross-country ski and fat bike trails, sleigh and wagon rides, classic holiday films, carolers, and fireworks.
Where: Big Sky | More Info: Big Sky Christmas Celebration
Big Sky Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
What to Expect:
Torchlight procession and fireworks display on a mountain peak.
Description:
The Big Sky Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade features a procession of torch-bearing skiers descending Andesite Mountain, followed by festive fireworks lighting up Lone Peak. This event is visible from Mountain Village and is a cherished holiday tradition.
Where: Big Sky | More Info: Big Sky Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade
Pictures with Santa
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet, whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Share the tradition of pure holiday magic with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, perfect for friends and family of all ages.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Pictures with Santa
Great Falls Other Holiday Activities
Banff Mountain Film Festival
What to Expect:
Inspiring films showcasing adventure and nature.
Description:
The Banff Mountain Film Festival features epic films showcasing adventure, nature, and human achievement, highlighting the world's most breathtaking landscapes and inspiring stories.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Banff Mountain Film Festival
Showdown Montana
What to Expect:
Unique blend of skiing and community events.
Description:
Showdown Montana offers a variety of winter activities, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. The mountain features 34 trails with 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% expert terrain. It also hosts various events like the Canned Food Drive and Ski with Santa.
Where: Neihart | More Info: Showdown Montana
Silver Crest Trails
What to Expect:
Groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Description:
Silver Crest Trails offer 14.2 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing paths in Montana, providing a serene winter experience with easy to intermediate difficulty levels.
Where: Neihart | More Info: Silver Crest Trails
Santa’s Village
What to Expect:
New family roller coaster simulating reindeer flight.
Description:
Santa’s Village is a Christmas-themed park offering unlimited rides, shows, and attractions. The park features a brand new family roller coaster, the Midnight Flyer, which simulates flying with reindeer. It includes various rides, animal attractions, and great food options, ensuring a fun experience for all visitors.
Where: Great Falls | More Info: Santa’s Village
Polar Plunge
What to Expect:
Supporting local athletes through icy water challenges.
Description:
The Great Falls Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity for individuals, clubs, organizations, and schools to support local Special Olympics Montana athletes by jumping, running, or slowly crawling into frigid icy waters.