Downtown Holiday Happenings 2025 Connect to the Holiday Spirit in Downtown Missoula!

There are many ways to experience the Heart of Missoula, support local businesses, and connect to your community during the Holidays this year! You can find all the information you need to support Downtown’s small businesses and experience holiday cheer right here.

Get into the holiday spirit and come Downtown for these annual events!

Small Business Saturday

This holiday season, all Missoulians are encouraged to support our local economy and small businesses by shopping and dining in Downtown Missoula during Small Business Season. Downtown businesses are extending hours of operation, offering special promotions, and providing personal touches and connections along the way. Downtown will hold Small Business Saturday on November 29, 2025.

Downtown Holiday Window Decorating Contest

Take a stroll through Downtown and take in the holiday lights and displays created by our Downtown businesses. Vote for your favorites in five categories November 29-December 18.

Downtown Carriage Rides

Carriage Rides will be every Saturday and Sunday leading up to Christmas, December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 from 12:00 pm -3:00 pm. The Downtown Missoula Partnership hosts free carriage rides thanks to sponsorship from TDS Fiber and Boone Karlberg P.C. Rides are first-come, first-served and pick up on East Pine near the Museum Art Museum Park and across from Pearl Boba Tea. Rides this year are provided by Out West Wagon Rides. Also, special thanks to Missoula County for helping to provide carriage storage!

Holidays on Higgins

December 6, 2025

All day: Family friendly activities throughout Downtown all day

11am-3pm: Santa at the Missoula Public Library. Must be in line by no later than 2:15 pm (Santa has to check on his reindeer at 3pm sharp!).

4-7pm: Holiday Stroll – view floats parked along Higgins from Broadway to the XXXXs. 

4-7pm: Winter Makers Market from Spruce to the XXXX’s

Lighting of the Downtown Holiday Tree

December 6: the lighting of the Downtown Holiday tree will take place at 6:00pm, the evening of Holidays on Higgins.

Teddy Bear Tea Parties

The time has come to share the magic of Christmas with your children! The annual Teddy Bear Tea Parties will be held through the holiday season, taking children on a journey with Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus.

Teddy Bear Teas is an event most enjoyable for children 2-10 years of age. Children are invited to dress up and bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal to this magical holiday tea party while they enjoy music, stories, and a holiday craft.

Teddy Bear Teas will be December 13 & 14 in the Residence Inn Downtown.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Missoula-area economy, and many locally-owned small businesses have been drastically impacted by the pandemic. This holiday season, all Missoulians are encouraged to support our local economy and small businesses by shopping in Downtown Missoula during Small Business Season. Downtown businesses are extending hours of operation, offering special promotions, and providing personal touches and connections along the way.

Small Business Saturday in Downtown: November 29
Full listings of Downtown’s retail locations can be found HERE.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Missoula-area economy, and many locally-owned small businesses have been drastically impacted by the pandemic. This holiday season, all Missoulians are encouraged to support our local economy and small businesses by dining in Downtown Missoula during Small Business Season. Downtown businesses are extending hours of operation, offering special promotions, and providing personal touches and connections along the way.

Small Business Saturday in Downtown: November 29
Full listings of Downtown’s dining locations can be found HERE.

Having trouble coming up with a gift for the person who has everything? Aren’t sure what to get your employees this year? The holiday hustle and bustle is made easier thanks to the Downtown Gift Card! Accepted at over 200 local businesses, the Missoula Downtown Gift Card and is the most versatile gift in Missoula. Each year, over $400,000 is redeemed at our Downtown businesses thanks to the Downtown gift card meaning money stays in our local community. Put your money where your heart is and order your gift cards today!

Three ways to purchase Missoula Downtown Gift Cards:

  1. Purchase at the Downtown Missoula Partnership (218 E. Main) or at the Paddleheads Post (140 N. Higgins)
  2. Order online for quick and easy pick-up at the Downtown Missoula Partnership
  3. Order online and have your card(s) shipped directly to you or wherever you’d like them to go

Looking to support local businesses during the holidays? Of course you are! Traveling into and parking in Downtown can be quick and easy with these pro tips:

✨Let Zero-Fare Mountain Line take you into Downtown. Nearly every route comes into Downtown and drops you off in centrally-located stops throughout the Heart of Missoula. It’s dashing through the snow, but with engine horse-power. Mountain Line route schedules can be found HERE.

✨Downtown has THREE centrally located parking garages: Central Park (128 W. Main), Park Place (201 E. Front), and ROAM (305 E. Front). During the week, the first hour in all three garages is FREE, and only $1.00 after the first hour. 

✨Parking in the garages is FREE after 6pm weekdays and FREE Saturdays & Sundays. Tip: the gate arms are down in the garages 24/7, but paid parking is only enforced Monday through Friday 8am-6pm.

✨On-street parking is FREE after 5pm weekdays and Saturdays & Sundays

✨Leased spots found in lots owned by the Missoula Parking Commission, including the parking garages, are available for public use Monday through Friday after 5pm and all day on Saturdays & Sundays.

Need more information about traveling into Downtown? Visit our Getting Around page.

Over the past 15 years, the Missoula Downtown Foundation has raised and invested more than $3.5 million in Downtown Missoula. That total includes investments in Caras Park, the Riverfront Terrace at Brennan’s Wave, the Beartracks Underbridge Playspace, Arts & Culture Impact Grant Program, Downtown Wayfinding Pedestrian Directional Signs, Downtown flower baskets, boulevard banners, the Small Business Support Fund, the Heritage Missoula Legacy Trail kiosks and medallions, and infrastructure upgrades for the Downtown holiday décor.

Consider the Missoula Downtown Foundation as part of your year-end giving plan. More information can be found HERE.

While Downtown may be the Heartbeat of Missoula, our community is stronger when ALL of Missoula’s businesses thrive. For additional information on other businesses in Missoula, connect with the organizations below: