When you think of the Flathead Valley during the holidays, does your mind immediately go to skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort? We get it – it’s one of our family’s favorite activities. But, holidays in the Valley are full of recreational activities off the mountain, too. As a mom of three kids, the holidays are a special time for my family, as we look to get out of the house and and make memories together. We are lucky to live in the Flathead Valley, as it is full of family-friendly activities, many of which we’ve loved over the years.
Are you hosting guests this month and need some entertainment ideas? Have kids and want to get out of the house for some fun yourself? We’ve got you covered with a month of tried-and-true family friendly events in the Flathead Valley. Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 3rd
- Festival of Trees at 333 S Main Street, Kalispell | 4:00PM
- Art Walk and Holiday Stroll in downtown Kalispell | 5:00PM
- Night of Lights Parade located on Nucleus Ave in Columbia Falls, presented by the Rotary Club of Columbia Falls | 6:30PM
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish | 7:00PM
- Winter Dance Celebration, Featuring Act 2 of the Nutcracker, presented by Noble Dance, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center | 7:00PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Saturday, December 4th
- Kids’ Christmas Shopping at the Shops at Station 8 in Columbia Falls | Reservations Required
- Winter Dance Celebration, Featuring Act 2 of the Nutcracker, presented by Noble Dance, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center | 2:00PM and 7:00PM
- Parade of Lights and Santa’s Arrival, starting at Grand and Electric Avenues in Bigfork | 6:00PM
*note: we love this small town parade in the most adorably decorated town. We like to head down early for some shopping and dinner before the parade. A family favorite and kid friendly restaurant is the Flathead Lake Brewery. - Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 7:00PM
- A Touch of Christmas multi-keyboarding Christmas Extravaganza! at the Bigfork Playhouse | 7:30PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Sunday, December 5th
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 4:00PM
- Winter Dance Celebration, Featuring Act 2 of the Nutcracker, presented by Noble Dance, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center | 4:00PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Monday, December 6th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Tuesday, December 7th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Wednesday, December 8th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Thursday, December 9th
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 7:00PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Friday, December 10th
- Whitefish Christmas Stroll in downtown Whitefish | 5:00PM
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 7:00PM
- Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 7:30PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Saturday, December 11th
- Kids’ Christmas Shopping at the Shops at Station 8 in Columbia Falls | Reservations Required
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 7:00PM
- Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 7:30PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Sunday, December 12th
- Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 2:00PM
- Elf The Musical, presented by Whitefish Theatre Company, at the O’Shaughnessy Center | 4:00PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Monday, December 13th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Tuesday, December 14th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Wednesday, December 15th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Thursday, December 16th
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Friday, December 17th
- Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 7:30PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Saturday, December 18th
- Glacier Skate Academy presents Christmas on Ice at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish | 4:00PM and 7:00PM
*note: Katherine is a coach for the Glacier Skate Academy and will be on-site cheering for and celebrating her students at this event! - Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 7:30PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Sunday, December 19th
- Glacier Skate Academy presents Christmas on Ice at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish | 2:00PM
*note: Katherine is a coach for the Glacier Skate Academy and will be on-site cheering for and celebrating her students at this event! - Elf Jr. The Musical, at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Bigfork | 2:00PM
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
Monday, December 20th
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Tuesday, December 21st
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Wednesday, December 22nd
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Thursday, December 23rd
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Enjoy a sleigh ride at Bar W Ranch in Whitefish | reservations required
- Take a photo with Santa at Cabela’s in Kalispell
Friday, December 24th
- Visit the Ice Bar and grab a cocktail (for you) and a hot chocolate and s’mores for the kiddos at Whitefish Lake Lodge | 4:00PM – 7:00PM
- Torchlight Parade and Santa’s Gift Giveaway at Whitefish Mountain Resort | 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Other Activities to Consider
- Visit the Izaak Walton Inn, where you can enjoy many of the resort’s amenities, including cross country skiing. Even better? Take the Amtrak Empire Builder Train from Whitefish to Essex, Montana where Isaak Walton Inn staff will transport you directly to the Inn |note: advance notice required for pickup
- Tour the area’s best Christmas Lights via Trolley! | Montana Trolley Company | Tours run December 6th – January 2nd at the Flathead County Fairgrounds or Private Tours Available
*Note: we did this a few years ago and it was incredible! - Ice Skating (indoors) at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish
- Ice Skating (outdoors) at Woodland Park in Kalispell
Did we miss any events your family loves during the holidays? Contact us and let us know so we can add them to the list. We love how the holidays can bring out the best in people – and our community. Whatever your traditions are, and wherever your holidays take you – most importantly – may you enjoy them.
