Schedule of Events

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Photos with Santa

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Santa at the Missoula Public Library. Enjoy FREE photos with Santa and share your holiday wishes. MUST be in line by no later than 2:15 pm, as Santa has to check on his reindeer at 3 pm sharp! A special thanks to Ace Hardware for helping decorate the space! 

 

 

 

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FREE Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Thanks to Out West Wagon Rides, you can line up on the corner of East Pine between Higgins Ave. and the Missoula Art Museum and take a free ride. These are first-come, first-served. 

 

 

 

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Holidays on Higgins Evening Festivities

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Holidays on Higgins kicks off! Enjoy stationary floats parked on Higgins from Broadway to the XXXXs, a Missoula Makers Collective Market with 30+ vendors, and cozy up to the burn barrels along Higgins. Stop by the Missoula Downtown Foundation tent for free hot chocolate. 

 

 

 

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Tree Lighting with Santa

6:00 pm

Make your way to the big tree by the XXXXs by 6:00 pm sharp on North Higgins, where Santa Claus himself will ascend a fire truck ladder to magically illuminate the tree and inaugurate the official start to the season in Downtown Missoula!

 

 

 

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Holidays on Higgins concludes

7:00 pm.

Keep the party going by shopping and dining local at all the gems that Downtown Missoula has to offer. 

 

 

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All Day Activities

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Funk It Coffee and Thrift 8am-4pm

Hosting a collaborative Holiday Story Book Building event. Write, or draw to add to the collaborative holiday story!

Missoula Children’s Theatre 9:30am-10:30, 11pm-12pm

Sharing crafts, cookies, and cheer! Elves will be helping kiddos craft while they enjoy cookies and hot cocoa. This is a fundraising event where all proceeds go to the MCT. Click here to purchase tickets

Tosca Olive Oils 10am-7pm

Offering complimentary cocktails, wine, and cocoa. Food starts at 4pm. Enjoy live music.

Montana Decor 10am-5pm

Enjoy cookies and drinks along with 15% off storewide

Montana Gift Corral 10am-5pm

Complimentary huckleberry hot cocoa. Holiday-themed coloring sheets for kids will be offered.

Import Market 10am-4pm

Make your own ornament activity. Hosting a family/pet portrait session with Madeline Stevenson. For more information, click here

Calypso Sandwich Shop 10am-4pm

Holiday drinks, hot cocoa & marshmallows, kid’s reading nook & holiday coloring.

Clark Fork River Market, Badlander & Locals Only 10am-1pm

Hosting Harvest & Craft Series: Wreath making. Demo begins at 10 am, and wreaths are all market day (9-1).

La Belle Vita 10am-5pm

Celebrating the Christmas season with 25% off storewide

Cranky Sam Public House 11am-12:30pm

Kids’ ornament making hosted by Frame of Mind. Brunch, food, and drinks available.

Missoula Makers Collective 11am-4pm

Rubber stamp making workshop to create fun holiday cards and prints. All skill levels are welcome.

DryBar 11am-4pm

Enjoy free hot cocoa. With purchase of service, kids can pick from a complimentary addition: glitter, braid, or ribbon.

REVOLVR 11am-4pm

Hosting in-store beanie decorating while supplies last!

Zootown Arts Community Center 11am-5pm

Come by to create a cookie platter for Santa, an ornament, mug, or Hanukkah-inspired piece. The ZACC open bar will be available from 12pm-4pm. All creations will be fired and ready before December 23rd. Walk-ins only!

AR Workshop 11am-5pm & 6pm-9pm

Hosting a Kids’ ornament bar from 11-5 and an adult Christmas craft bar with snacks and drinks from 6-9

Iron Horse 11am-7pm

Hosting a Fairy Face painting event. $10 Offering holiday wands

Lulu’s Permanent Jewelry 11am-7pm

Hosting a jewelry repurposing workshop. Bring in your old jewelry and enjoy complimentary champagne, treats, and dirty sodas

Bathing Beauties Beads 11am-3pm

12th year of beading snowflakes. $6/person fee with a portion of the proceeds going to Missoula Food Bank

Green Source 11am-3pm

Hosting a nonprofit fundraising event featuring Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, The Pulp, Wild Montana, and Farm Connect. Folks who donate to one or all will receive a free Green Source Product.

VonCommon Studios 11am-4pm

Located in the Missoula Public Library, enjoy free warm beverages and tasty treats while you peruse an eclectic array of fine art, handmade crafts, and one-of-a-kind treasures from talented local vendors and VonCommon Studio’s alumni

Noteworthy Paper & Press 11am- 4pm

Hosting Letters to Santa. Lines may become long; alternatively, bring pre-printed sheets home to fill out and return at a later date. Accepting letters up to December 15th. Put your letters into the magic mailbox and Santa will be sure to write you back!

Big Dipper 11:30-10:30pm

Offering a special flavor “Holidays on Higgins”. An eggnog ice cream with Bake Sale Shop gingerbread cookie swirled in

Residence Inn & Animal Wonders 12-3 pm

Animal ambassadors, children’s activities & more!

The Crystal Limit 12pm- 7pm

Crystal wrapping workshop. First pendant or ornament is free

The Roxy Theatre 12pm-4pm

Free marathon of animated holiday classics. Hot Cocoa is available for purchase

Lake Missoula Tea Company 12pm- 5pm

Create a custom tea blend and design a label to match. Choose from a variety of herbs and teas. Name it, label it, and brew!

A Carousel for Missoula 12pm-5pm

Carousel guests can purchase a Ride All Day wristband for $10 and use it to enjoy unlimited drop-in Carousel Rides throughout the day

Sacred Ally 12pm-2pm

Hosting Kids’ crafts

Jeanette Rankin Peace Center 1pm-4pm

Hosting peace crane making with complimentary hot cocoa and apple cider

Betty’s Divine & Divine Trash Vintage 1pm-5pm

Hosting a community beading circle; $5/ bracelet. Also hosting selfies with the notoriously Naughty Madam Kringle (free holiday pasties with purchase all day long while supplies last)

Bernice’s Bakery 1pm-4pm

Hosting free kids’ cookie decorating

Montana Natural History Center 1pm- 3pm

Free kids activity: Snow Science. Featuring art, science experiments, and more

Western Cider 1pm-3pm

Wreath making hosted by the Montana Natural History Center. Bring home a completed wreath, hot cocoa, and a candy cane. $25 non-MNHC member fee and $20 MNHC member fee

Pearl Boba Tea 2pm-5pm

Hosting an annual free kids’ coloring contest. Kids will have the opportunity to create their own boba drink to be featured as the January drink special! Also offering two drink specials

Worden’s Market 4pm-7pm

Serving frito pie, lamb stew, and other treats outside of Wordens

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Stationary Float

Enjoy 30+ stationary floats during Holidays on Higgins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Missoula Makers Collective Market

The evening portion of Holidays on Higgins will include a holiday makers market with over 40+ talented artists and makers. 

This portion of the event is coordinated by the Missoula Makers Collective Market. Visit their site here to learn how you can sell your art and crafts during the market. Space is limited!

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Downtown Carriage Rides

Looking for a fun winter activity that doesn’t take you far out of the city? The Downtown Missoula Partnership hosts free carriage rides thanks to sponsorship from TDS Fiber and Boone Karlberg P.C. These carriage rides are guided by Out West Wagon Rides and are 100% free of charge — on a first-come come first-served basis.

These rides take place the first three weekends of December on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 3:00 pm. To hitch a ride, just line up on the corner of East Pine between Higgins Ave. and the Missoula Art Museum.

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FAQs

Where should I park for Holidays on Higgins?

Parking is free on weekends in all downtown parking spaces, including the parking garages. Leased spaces in garages are also available for public use on evenings and weekends—you will not be ticketed or towed.

Want to skip parking altogether? Ride the Line! Mountain Line offers zero-fare service, and all routes come downtown.

 

What is a stationary parade?

A stationary parade features floats that remain in place while visitors walk along the avenue to view them at their own pace. This allows for more interaction with displays and attractions. This format also opens up opportunities for more businesses and organizations to participate, supports the makers market, and lowers costs for parade entrants.

 

How should I dress for Holidays on Higgins?

It’s December in Montana—expect cold temperatures. Dress in warm layers, and don’t forget a hat and gloves. Burn barrels will be placed throughout the event site, but being prepared for the cold is essential. Bonus points for festive attire!

 

Can I bring dogs?

We strongly suggest the pups stay home! Otherwise, dogs must remain on a leash, be well-trained around people and children, and stay at least ten feet from food vendors.

 

How can I serve as a food vendor at Holidays on Higgins?

Food vendors are limited due to colder weather and the shorter evening schedule. Priority is given to vendors offering ready-to-eat snacks and treats such as popcorn, cotton candy, or candied nuts. Email [email protected] to inquire about availability.

 

How can I serve as a craft/art vendor at Holidays on Higgins?

Craft and art vendors must apply through the Missoula Makers Collective. Space is limited, and applications typically open in early October on their website.

 

Do I need to pay to participate in Holidays on Higgins?

No. Pictures with Santa, carriage rides, and the evening events are all free, thanks to generous sponsors.
Some daytime activities for children and adults may have a small fee.

 

Can I volunteer for Holidays on Higgins?

Yes. Volunteers are always needed to help with setup, teardown, and onsite activities. Contact [email protected] for more information.

 

What happened to the Parade of Lights?

After COVID, the Parade of Lights was rebranded and transformed into Holidays on Higgins to create a more interactive experience and reduce the challenges of coordinating a moving parade in downtown Missoula during winter.

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