Celebrate the festive magic of Missoula with our holiday event guide. Whether you're rediscovering your city or seeing it for the first time, this guide showcases the best of Missoula's holidays.
One of the highlights of the season is the Missoula Parade of Lights, where the streets come alive with twinkling displays and festive floats. Another notable event, the Missoula HandMADE fair, features local artisans showcasing unique handcrafted gifts perfect for holiday shopping. And you definitely don't want to miss the Helena Holiday MADE fair, which offers a diverse array of locally made goods in a cheerful atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Missoula
- Missoula Parade of Lights
- Missoula HandMADE fair
- Missoula New Year's Eve Celebration
- Helena Holiday MADE fair (Helena)
- Garden City Ballet: The Nutcracker
- Missoula Symphony: Holiday Pops
- International Choral Festival of Missoula
- Whitefish Christmas Stroll (Whitefish)
- Missoula Community Theater: A Christmas Story
- Bozeman MADE fair (Bozeman)
See these and even more events listed below!
Missoula Holiday Light Displays
Missoula Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Festive floats and market with bonfires and carolers.
Description:
Missoula's Holidays on Higgins is a vibrant holiday celebration featuring festively adorned floats, the Missoula Makers Collective Market, bonfires, carolers, and hot toddies. The event includes a tree lighting ceremony and children's activities.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Missoula Parade of Lights
Missoula Holiday Markets and Shopping
Missoula HandMADE fair
What to Expect:
Celebrating local artistry and craftsmanship.
Description:
The Missoula HandMADE fair is a curated collection of over 200 skilled artisans and a handful of non-profits, showcasing unique, one-of-a-kind creations in a modern handcrafted open-air market.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Missoula HandMADE fair
Helena Holiday MADE fair
What to Expect:
Curated collection of local and regional handcrafted goods.
Description:
The Helena Holiday MADE fair is a modern handcrafted market featuring over 175 local artists and non-profits. It offers a curated collection of affordable, functional works of art and fine heirloom pieces. The event includes VIP passes for early access and benefits a local non-profit by accepting non-perishable food items for Helena Food Share.
Where: Helena | More Info: Helena Holiday MADE fair
Vintage & Handmade European Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of vintage and handmade goods.
Description:
The Little Red Truck Vintage Market in Helena features a curated selection of vintage and handmade goods, including industrial, farm, western, retro, and kitsch items. The event showcases artisanal jewelry and other unique collectibles, bringing together a community of passionate vendors and craftsmen.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Vintage & Handmade European Christmas Market
Whitefish Christmas Stroll
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local artisans and food vendors.
Description:
The Whitefish Christmas Stroll is a community tradition featuring holiday music, photos with Santa, caroling, a tree lighting ceremony, street artisans, and food vendors. Activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate, and a Great Whitefish Gingerbread Contest.
Where: Whitefish | More Info: Whitefish Christmas Stroll
Bozeman MADE fair
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and non-profits.
Description:
The Bozeman MADE fair is a modern handcrafted market featuring a curated collection of over 190 skilled artisans and non-profits. It offers a variety of affordable functional art and heirloom fine art pieces, with special VIP and Early Bird passes available for early access.
Where: Bozeman | More Info: Bozeman MADE fair
Missoula Holiday Shows and Entertainment
International Choral Festival of Missoula
What to Expect:
World-class choral performances by international choirs.
Description:
The Montana International Choral Festival is a non-competitive event that brings world-renowned choirs to perform in picturesque Missoula, Montana. It celebrates diverse cultural traditions and features a free Opening Night Concert, an open-to-the-public masterclass, and the legendary Grand Finale.
Where: Missoula | More Info: International Choral Festival of Missoula
Missoula Community Theater: A Christmas Story
What to Expect:
Live stage adaptation of a beloved holiday classic.
Description:
A Christmas Story, the Musical, set in 1940s Indiana, follows young Ralphie Parker's quest for a special Christmas gift amidst local bullies, a Bunny suit, and a leg lamp. This charming classic, based on the 1983 film, features iconic cultural references and has garnered three Tony Award nominations.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Missoula Community Theater: A Christmas Story
Missoula Symphony: Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with symphony and chorale.
Description:
The Missoula Symphony's Holiday Pops concert features a captivating blend of timeless holiday classics and modern favorites performed by talented musicians accompanied by the angelic voices of the Missoula Symphony Chorale. This event evokes true holiday spirit with cherished carols and festive symphonic masterpieces that warm the heart and fill the soul.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Missoula Symphony: Holiday Pops
Tuba Christmas
What to Expect:
Large-scale ensemble performance of Christmas carols by tuba and euphonium players.
Description:
Tuba Christmas is a global event where hundreds of musicians gather to play Christmas carols on tubas, euphoniums, sousaphones, and baritones, celebrating the instruments and their players.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Tuba Christmas
Garden City Ballet: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Garden City Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a timeless classical ballet with exquisite handmade costumes and professional guest artists. Dancers of all ages have the rare opportunity to perform in sold-out audiences, learning timeless choreography under outstanding instruction.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Garden City Ballet: The Nutcracker
Missoula New Year's Eve Celebration
What to Expect:
Diverse arts and cultural activities across Missoula.
Description:
Missoula on Main is a grand celebration of arts and cultures, featuring over 30 unique events throughout Missoula. Join us for a day filled with exciting activities catering to both the young and the young at heart, including free and ticketed events.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Missoula New Year's Eve Celebration
Missoula Other Holiday Activities
Lantern Tours at Historical Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive living history program with cast characters.
Description:
Step back in time and celebrate the holiday season through decades of Western Montana history. This living history program includes five vignettes in historic buildings, featuring fascinating cast characters who share their lives and experiences. Guests will help celebrate holidays with reenactors in an interactive program designed for all ages.
Where: Missoula | More Info: Lantern Tours at Historical Museum
Community Christmas Party at Daly Mansion
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive decorations and family activities.
Description:
The Community Christmas Party at Daly Mansion features self-guided tours of the fully decorated mansion, cooking and decorating activities, kids' crafts, refreshments, live music, and photos with Santa from noon to 3 PM.