7 Ways to Get in the Holiday Spirit in Bozeman

1. Shop Local

With so many talented artists & creators, shopping local is easy in Bozeman! Winter SLAM will be at the Emerson Cultural Center on December 3rd this year starting at 10 am. You can find goods from more than 30 local artists. If you can’t make that event, it’s easy to just take a stroll downtown to find gifts at some of our favorite local shops like Intrigue Ink, Hey Day, and Vargo’s Jazz City & Books. Click here for our list of 8 Made in Montana gifts that we love.

2. Volunteer

We are always so proud of the way our community dedicates itself to giving back, not only during the holiday season but all year long! There are so many wonderful organizations in Bozeman that need volunteers this winter. Salvation Army, Fork & Spoon, the Warming Center, the Food Bank, and events like Huffing for Stuffing are all looking for volunteers. The HRDC website is a great place to start, click here to see volunteer positions available, or click here to see our list of 10 ways to volunteer in Bozeman.

3. Check Out the Lights

Is there anything more Christmassy than Christmas lights? There are some seriously impressive Christmas light displays in Bozeman this year that will definitely get you in the holiday spirit! Click here for our list of the best Christmas lights in Bozeman.

4. Stroll

The Christmas Stroll is THE Bozeman event you don’t want to miss this holiday season. This 42-year-old tradition kicks off the Christmas season, shutting down Main Street and filling the streets with food vendors, music, caroling, shopping, and sometimes even a hot air balloon! The event is such a Bozeman favorite that now it fills a whole day. In the morning there is a 5k Santa Run for Education, and Winter SLAM at the Emerson Cultural Center.  At 4:30, you can meet Santa at the Emerson Center to follow him down Main Street where he lights the Christmas decorations on Main Street and kicks off the Christmas Stroll!

5. Go to a Show

Honestly, it doesn’t even matter what’s playing, just walking into the beautiful Ellen Theatre puts us in the holiday spirit! But if you do want to go to a show, live performances of A Christmas Carol begin at the Ellen Theatre on December 9th and run through December 22nd. The Montana Ballet Company is putting on its annual Nutcracker performance at the Willson Auditorium December 3-4. 

6. Get Your Running Shoes on

If you want to get a little fresh air and exercise while supporting great causes, consider joining one of Bozeman’s holiday races. Huffing for Stuffing is a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Bozeman that raises money for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. There is something for everyone with a 10k, 5k, 5k Fun Run and a Kids Run. Click here for more info.

The 5k Santa Run on December 3 is the first event in Bozeman’s epic Christmas Stroll weekend. This run raises money for the Bozeman, Belgrade, Gallatin Gateway, Manhattan and Monforton public schools. Runners will be entered to win some awesome prizes including a Bridger Bowl 10-time pass, a yeti cooler, and snow tires. Those are worth running for!

7. Art Walk

Bozeman’s winter Art Walk is one of our favorite winter events! Downtown shops and galleries open their doors, offering hors d’oeuvres and beverages to the public while featuring work from local artists. This is another great way to get some of your holiday shopping done while supporting our local artists and businesses! The Art Walk is December 9 from 6-8 p.m.

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