Parade of Lights - Downtown Missoula Partnership

December 4 from 4-8pm on Higgins Ave

It’s time to light up Higgins Ave for the Reverse Parade of Lights and Holiday Stroll! This year we’re mixing things up while still bringing holiday cheer Downtown. The amazing holiday floats will be parked up and down Higgins Ave from Main Street to the XXXX’s from 4-8pm. Stroll up and down Downtown sidewalks with a hot cocoa in hand and enjoy our floats, festival of trees, and window decorating contest on foot. Or hop in your car and enjoy the floats from four-wheels. Streets will remain open and traffic will flow as usual. However you choose to participate, it’s sure to start your holiday season on a joyful note!

Float registration is open until November 19! Email [email protected] for more info!

Ride the Electric Bus through the Reverse Parade!

Mountain Line is generously providing a Park & Ride route through the reverse parade. Find parking in the Central Park Garage and hop on the lit up electric bus to enjoy the reverse parade. Busses will be leaving approximately every 20 minutes from the Central Park Garage.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

December 4, 1-4pm at the Missoula Public Library

Bring your kiddos Downtown to meet Santa and take photos on December 4th. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving to the Missoula Public Library at 1pm and will be there until 4pm to read stories, hear all about holiday wishes and pose for photos on your phone. Santa’s sleigh will be leaving promptly at 4pm so be sure to get in line! Masks are required at the Missoula Public Library and will be required while standing in line.

November 26-December 5 at 6pm daily

This year in order to mitigate large crowds gathering in one place, we will not have a tree lighting on the day of our Reverse Parade & Holiday Stroll. Instead, we will light the tree at 6pm daily from November 26 to December 5. Grab some hot cocoa from your favorite Downtown café and bring your family to watch Missoula’s favorite tree light up at 6pm.

Family-friendly activities and crafts will available throughout the day on December 4th!

Bathing Beauties Beads (812 Toole Ave) – Take & make beaded snowflake kits. While supplies lasts. Open 10am-7pm.

Betty’s Divine (509 S Higgins Ave) – Take n’ make a Danish Paper Heart Basket from a trashy paperback book, for young and old alike. Free. Open 10am-7pm.

Frame of Mind (1706 Brooks St) – We have 2 kids activity kits that we will be selling for $5.00 each, our photo ornaments as well as a nee activity, holiday stain glass window hangers, etc.

Learning with Meaning (111 N Higgins Ave) – We will be having a gift wrapping table outside One Eleven from 4-6pm and pointing people to our Open House at our school which is at the Old Missoula Public Library. 4-6pm.

Mary’s Mountain Cookies (101 S Higgins Ave) – Free hot chocolate or coffee all day long. Free apron decorating with Families First from 2-4pm.

Noteworthy Paper & Press (219 S 3rd St W) – Letters to Santa: Stop by Noteworthy Paper & Press to write and mail your letters to Santa Claus this year! Use our magic mailbox to mail your letters and Santa himself will write back! Please limit group size to one parent per child and be prepared to wait outside if the store is too crowded. We will also have stationery sheets for your family to take home and return to the magic mailbox at a later date. We will accept letters until December 15th. Masks and hand sanitizing at the door required. $1 suggested donation. 11am-4pm.

The Roxy Theater (718 S Higgins Ave) – Join the Roxy Theater for a FREE marathon of animated holiday classics! There’s no better way to get in the spirit and prepare yourself for the festive season! Come and celebrate the holidays by watching your favorite animated holiday shorts from 12 pm – 4 pm! Hot cocoa and cookies available.

The Sweat Shop Studio (113 W Broadway St) – Grinch slime available for kiddos. 11am-1pm.

Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W Main St) – Make sure Santa remembers your house by painting him his very own special cookie plate! A unique item that can be customized and used year after year, this cookie plate is sure to become a memorable family tradition. We have several different styles and sizes to choose from, so you’re sure to find something everyone will love. This activity will take place at the ZACC, so please be sure to bring your mask. Plates start at $10, and that price includes all glazes and firing*. Worried about Santa’s waistline? We have ornaments, coffee mugs, and lots of other items that Santa is sure to love! *All completed items will be fired and ready for pickup before Christmas!

This event would not be possible without our dedicated sponsors!