Here Come the Holidays: Montana Style

Snow is falling, the air is crisp, day by day more twinkling lights appear, and kids are trying hard to behave; all signs of Christmas drawing near. As soon as that spirit hits, there's a Santa sleigh full of events to welcome the holidays. You can stay close to home in Whitehall for the Alpaca Christmas Affair, Ranching Tradition Fiber's Country Christmas, the annual Christmas Festival, and Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Candlelight Tours or venture farther afield for more events in Anaconda, Butte, Dillon, and Sheridan.

Anaconda's Christmas Stroll on Friday, November 25, from 5:30 to 8 PM, starts with the Christmas Light Parade down Main Street, followed by the tree lighting and a stroll from Kennedy Common. Stay downtown and start your holiday shopping on Park Ave. Take in the live mannequins and beautiful window decorations at various downtown locations or jump into a snowball fight at Durston Park. Kids crafts will be held at Century 21 and Clearwater Real Estate offices, live music in front of the Old Wells Fargo building and Pizza Hut, Santa at the Visitor Center, and Elsa, Anna, and the Abominable Snowman will be found near Glacier Bank. http://www.discoveranaconda.com/events/tree-lighting-and-Christmas-stroll-2022.

On Saturday, November 26, Heart & Soul Alpacas presents the Alpaca Christmas Affair. Start the holiday season by coming to the farm to meet the alpacas, horses, miniature horses, and donkeys and go on a wagon hay ride. It's a great day to visit Santa and get your photo taken in the alpaca photo booth, then get a head start on your holiday shopping at the alpaca product stores and with additional vendors, while warming up with hot cocoa and hot cider. Before you leave, purchase a fresh Christmas tree! 12-5 PM, 26 Bench Rd, Whitehall. Facebook: Alpaca Christmas Affair.

Ranching Tradition Fiber's Country Christmas takes place in Whitehall on two Saturdays, November 26 and December 3. Everyone is invited to head over to the ranch for mostly Montana-made products, perfect for those on your holiday list as well as yourself. Choose among leather bags, leather jewelry, soaps, quilted gifts, jewelry by Lacee, embroidered towels, Montana wool hats, scarves, and sweaters; teas, candles, tinctures, and more, supporting local artisans. Noon–4 PM, 12 Ranch Land Rd, Ranchingtraditionfiber.com/cowboy-country-Christmas.

On Friday, December 2nd enjoy the Uptown Butte Christmas Stroll, which begins with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Courthouse Rotunda followed by the Parade of Lights, led by the Grand Marshall and featuring decorated entries, emergency vehicles, classic cars, walking entries, and musical entries meandering through Uptown Butte. Stay to enjoy music and treats in Uptown stores, more music and dancing at the Courthouse Rotunda, art and craft vendors, pony rides, and Santa and performances in the Rotunda, with shops, restaurants, and attractions decked out in their holiday finery. 5-10 PM, Facebook: Uptown Butte.

On Saturday, December 3, holiday goers can choose between two Christmas Strolls as well as a Festival of Trees. In Sheridan, the traditional holiday event has the support of area merchants and the Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce, who urge everyone to participate. Enjoy a horse-drawn hayride with carolers, Santa photo-ops, bell choirs, and free hot chocolate and goodies, as vendors and businesses will be open with refreshments and entertainment. 5-7:30 PM.

Dillon's Festival of Trees will be held both Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, raising money to help key organizations in the community and "Making Dillon a Better Place." The Annual Christmas Stroll and Parade of Lights lineup begins at 5:30 PM in front of the Courthouse with Santa lighting the tree at 6 PM and kicking off the parade. The decorated trees will be on display with the event dinner and auction taking place Saturday. Facebook: Festival of Trees.

Throughout December Whitehall will be participating in the Elfie Selfie Contest; check the Whitehall Chamber Facebook page for clues and announcements of winners each week. The community really pulls out all the stops on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10, with the annual Christmas Festival, formerly known as the Whitehall Christmas Stroll. The Parade of Lights begins Friday at 5:45 PM. at the lighted Mickey Mouse on the Main Street Green; take in all the nominated decorated houses' light displays on Friday evening, then set aside all day Saturday for the Christmas Festival. Presented by the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, there are a plethora of holiday activities! Choose from vendors at the Community Center from 10 AM to 5 PM, in-store specials, Business Bingo, the snowman obstacle course, the annual Whitehall Saddle Club wreath auction, Santa at the library, the Christmas Carnival, Elfie Selfie, and more. whitehallchamberofcommerce.com/events.

Butte will host two very different events Saturday, December 10, an ice carving contest and the Nutcracker Ballet. The Annual Ice Carving Contest takes place in Uptown Butte and invites all levels of ice carving expertise to join the fun and compete for prizes in different categories. It's a great time as well to support local businesses by shopping, or by catching a meal at one of Uptown's great restaurants. Until 3 PM, non-participants can look for action all over the Hill as carvers chip away at ice blocks, each weighing more than 340 pounds, in front of Uptown businesses, watching as carvers uncover beautiful carvings and culminating as judging determine the prizes in adult, rookie and child categories. 9 AM-3 PM, southwestmt.com/events/annual-ice-carving-contest.

That evening, the Montana Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky's score, takes place at the Mother Lode Theatre. Based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffman, the ballet is one of the largest artistic collaborations in the region and features the work of accomplished dancers, local and national-level choreographers, guest artists, seasoned stage technicians, lighting and costume designers, and a host of dedicated volunteers. The company promises that audiences will enjoy new and exciting choreography and theatrical elements. 6 PM, 316 West Park, 406-723-3602, buttearts.org/the-nutcracker.

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Parks present their Candlelight Tours December 16-18, and 21-23. These special tours, offering the opportunity to see the Caverns through the warm festive glow of candle lanterns, as the original discoverers did, last two hours and cover two miles, with 1.25 miles outside, and gain 300-ft. of elevation, ascending over 100 stairs and descending over 500 stairs. Dress for the weather and warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies, available in the Visitor Center. Children 5 and under are discouraged from attempting the tour. Tour tickets are available online only and go on sale on November 28. 25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Rd., 406-287-3541, fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns.