Your Ultimate Guide to Spending the Holiday Season in Billings, MT

Written By Natalie Davis

October has come and gone, which means the holiday season is officially here!

Whether you’re “Team Christmas Starts on November 1st” or “Team Wait Until After Thanksgiving”, the events are already flooding the calendars and its never too early to start planning your holiday happenings. 

Montana is such a magical place during the holiday season and Billings specifically doesn’t run short of ways to get into the festive spirit.  

Whether you’re looking for a unique winter weekend getaway, festivities fit for the whole family, or simply want to explore the surrounding areas, this blog post has you covered!

So pull out your favorite seasonal sweater and get ready for the hap-hap-happiest season in Big Sky Country! 🎄

Christmas Getaway Destinations in Montana

Luxurious accommodations, daily meals, decorated Christmas tree in your cabin, AND a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve? Sounds pretty magical, huh? ✨

Well, that’s exactly what you get when you stay with the Resort at Paws Up over Christmas!

Whether you’re building gingerbread houses, downhill tubing or soaking in your outdoor hot tub at your private luxury home, you’ll get the gift you wanted most: quality time with your favorite people!

The Christmas festivities start early when you stay with The Ranch at Rock Creek!

From December 21st through December 27th you’ll be met with a full Christmas itinerary to soak in all of the holiday fun, from caroling, ornament making, photos with Santa, and delicious meals, you’ll get a no-stress, just joy experience!

Just two hours outside of Billings, you’ll find the beautiful Sage Lodge, where you can spend your holiday enjoying the cozy lobby fireplace, holiday movies, cookie decorating, and much more!

For a closer look at their 2024 holiday festivities, click here. 🎅🏼

Just an hour’s drive from Billings, Red Lodge is the perfect holiday escape for a cozy winter staycation. This charming mountain town is packed with small-town charm and scenic views that feel straight out of a Hallmark movie!

Enjoy holiday lights along Main Street, unique local shops, and delightful cafes serving up festive treats. Red Lodge is also known for its skiing and snowboarding scene, so if you’re into that, it’s the best place to be this time of year. 

Christmas Parades, Festivals and Events in Billings, MT

  • The Nutcracker Ballet (Starting early November)

The Nutcracker Ballet is a classic Christmas event and this year you have various opportunities to catch a show of your own! 🩰

From Billings to Bozeman and Missoula, find a date that fits your calendar and grab your tickets before the sell out. 

The Holiday Food & Gift Festival is a perfect kick-off to your holiday season. It's the perfect opportunity to find just the right thing for everyone on your shopping list with homemade gifts from over 200 vendors from around the region. 🛍

It’s City Vineyard’s biggest shopping and wine tasting event of the year!

Start your holiday shopping early, save on exclusive, one night only deals, and sample fine wine and gourmet food while you’re doing it!

VIP tables and general admission tickets are available – Reservations Required: 406-867-1491 (Billings) or 406-404-1351 (Bozeman).

Holiday shopping on your brain? Downtown Billings has you covered! Enjoy refreshments and shopping specials at your favorite stores throughout Downtown Billings. 17 shops will stay open late to kick off the holiday shopping season, so grab your friends for a fun night out!

Need a cozy, indoor activity for cold or rainy days? Moss Mansion has you covered with their holiday tours! Opt for a self paced or guided tour throughout the mansion grounds. Days and times vary November through January and no reservations are required!

A two day holiday shopping event full of perfect gift options from local businesses, artisans and craftsmen, located at the new Stillwater County Civic Center.

There will be apparel, beauty and spa products, health and wellness products, home and kitchen products and décor, jewelry, arts, crafts and so much more! Lunch will be available for purchase both days from 11 am until it's all sold out.

  • Turkey Trot (November 28)

Looking for a way to get active on turkey day? Both Red Lodge AND Billings have you covered!

Red Lodge’s free family (and dog) friendly turkey trot is happening at the Rodeo Grounds in Red Lodge, the course is a 3-mile, double out and back which makes it perfect for the 1/2 trot option of 1.5 miles as well. 🦃

The Billings Turkey Trot will be at the Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum and you’ll get the chance to take fun holiday photos!

The Holiday Parade is a long-time tradition for the Billings community to usher in the holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

With families gathered for the weekend to eat and shop, the Holiday Parade is a great way to celebrate the season by joining the community to see over 60 holiday floats decorated for the holiday theme with Santa riding as the parade finale. 🎅🏼

Join Zoo Montana in Billings this 2023 holiday season for a magical Christmas Lighting Experience at Zoo Montana. 🎄

From November 29th through December 31st, immerse yourself and your family in the festive spirit with over 10 million dazzling lights, enchanting large-scale displays, sleigh rides, cherished photo opportunities with Santa, cozy S'more tents, and so much more!

Witness Zoo Montana's transformation into a winter wonderland, creating cherished memories and celebrating the joy of the holiday season together!

Get dressed up in your favorite festive outfit and go enjoy the beautiful Christmas trees and holiday decorations inside the historic Moss Mansion.

Your ticket will include a glass of champagne (non alcoholic options also available) and some light desserts as you enjoy Christmas music and make your way through the house!

The annual Festival of Trees at the MetraPark is a 3-day event hosted by the Family Tree Nurturing Center that starts off with an annual Gala where you can stroll through a winter wonderland while sipping champagne and enjoy 40 beautifully decorated trees.

All dollars raised at the festival go toward the many child abuse prevention programs in place at Family Tree Nurturing Center. 

On Friday, you can enjoy Tea in the Trees, a gift boutique, live entertainment, and a carnival to end the night. On Saturday, you can stroll through the trees, get photos with Santa, and enjoy on-site food trucks and entertainment!

December’s First Friday in Downtown Billings features the 23rd annual Downtown Holiday Stroll, with events throughout the evening starting at 5pm. The stroll includes various downtown businesses, retail shops, and other activated downtown spaces with extended hours, holiday-centric events, specials, holiday beverages and snacks, and loads of holiday cheer.

Featured on this night is also the Holiday Art Walk from 5pm – 9pm, which celebrates the fine art with local and regional artists, at nearly 40 art galleries and downtown locations.

For two evenings, the shops in downtown Red Lodge open their doors late with goodies and treats, while the entire town comes out for holiday cheer that you see in movies!

The Stroll starts at 6pm with the increasingly popular Blade Parade and stores stay open until around 9pm. Bundle up the kids and bring your holiday shopping list!

There’s nothing quite like making holiday wreaths and candles to make you feel like you’ve stepped right into Santa’s workshop! If you’re searching for some fun DIY workshops this Christmas season, The Front Porch in Laurel, MT is the place to be. 

Click here for a list of workshops and to sign up for the one that’s the best fit for you!

Looking for a fun Christmas themed date night? Moss Mansion has you covered with one of the coolest holiday parties of the year!

Dress in your ugliest Christmas sweater and enjoy an evening of dinner and drinks while you collect evidence to crack the case.

Reservations are $95 per person and tickets include character name and description, costume suggestions, a 3-course dinner, wine, and participation in the mystery throughout the evening. 

This family friendly event in Butte is a perfect way to spend a Friday evening! Enjoy The Children's Light Parade with Santa and performances in the Rotunda following throughout the night.

It’s a great time to shop the local stores for those holiday gifts and enjoy lots of festive foods and drinks available in the many restaurants nearby!

Looking for more Billings Christmas events? 

As you can see, Montana is full of ways to celebrate during the holiday season!

No matter where you find yourself in the state, you’re sure to find a festive parade, Santa sighting, and lots of shopping options for everyone on your list.

If you’re searching for more Billings Christmas events (and beyond!) our event calendar has you covered. We keep it updated all year round so you never miss what’s happening locally.

Here’s to creating lasting memories with those you love.

Happy Holidays! 💚❤️

Natalie Davis
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