Ring in the new year with celebrations around the Flathead Valley

Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023 the right way with these New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in the Flathead Valley.

Here’s a roundup of events happening on Saturday, Dec. 31.

• The Flathead Valley’s Big Sky Brews Cruise starts at 3 p.m. Take a guided brewery tour and sample your way through the valley’s craft beer scene. Arrive as a lone explorer or bring your favorite pack of goofballs along for the ride. Tour includes transportation between three breweries, a behind-the-scenes look at a brewhouse, an overview of the brewing process, an education about different beer styles, and four delicious samples of beer at each stop.

The Big Sky Brews cruise has partnered with all the local breweries for these four-hour tours. Book online at www.BigSkyBrewsCruise.com or call 406-303-3559.

• Based in the beautiful Flathead Valley, Whiskey Rose is a veteran band of musicians playing energetic rock music selections spanning five decades and they will be helping patrons kick off the New Year right from 9 p.m to midnight at Dusty Star Saloon, 2205 U.S. 93 S. in Kalispell.

• Sacred Waters Brewing Co., 3250 U.S. 2 E. in Kalispell, is hosting the band Minstrel & Muse from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Iron Horse Golf Club, at 2150 Iron Horse Drive in Whitefish, will have New Year’s Eve entertainment, with a dinner buffet seating at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $80 and tickets for children 12 and under are $25. Only adults 18 and over allowed after 10:30 p.m., with a DJ and dancing until 1 a.m. A champagne toast and fireworks will be held at midnight. Cost is $25 for those adults attending from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. only. For reservations, email hhalbakken@ironhorsemt.com

• The Remington Bar, 130 Central Ave. in Whitefish, is hosting psychedelic rock band Flash Panda from Missoula. The doors open at 9 p.m. and the show will begin at 10 p.m.

• Ring in the New Year with karaoke at The Sitting Duck on Flathead Lake, 15265 Montana Highway 35, Bigfork. Free appetizers and champagne toast at midnight, with celebrations beginning at 9 p.m. and ending at 2 a.m. Come early to grab a bite to eat, with the kitchen serving full food menu until 8 p.m.

• Celebrate at Casey’s Hawaiian Luau in downtown Whitefish, 101 Central Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. with DJ Freddy B at 9 p.m., a Hawaiian shirt contest at 11 p.m. and a beach ball drop at midnight. This event is 21 plus, advance tickets can be purchased online. General admission will also be available.

• New Year’s Eve at the Boat Club at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, 1380 Wisconsin Ave. Festivities begin in the bar at 9 p.m. to midnight with musician Brent Jameson and a balloon drop and fireworks at midnight.

• New Year’s Eve party at the Firebrand, 650 E. 3rd St. in Whitefish, with dinner, cocktails and Destination DJ playing from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A balloon drop and champagne toast will be held at midnight.

• New Year’s Eve with 20 Grand at the Great Northern Bar, 27 Central Ave., Whitefish. 20 Grand, a nine-piece funk powerhouse with influences ranging from hip hop, jazz and soul, will perform. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the band will begin at 9:30 p.m.

• Ring in the New Year on the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The resort will host a torchlight parade and fireworks show from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m, just outside of Ed and Mully’s in the upper vilage. Ski under the lights on chairs 2, 3 and 6 from to 8:30 p.m. Night skiing will close from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on chair 2 for the torchlight and fireworks, chair 3 and 6 will remain open.

• Way Down North Trio, a duo from Northwest Montana performing Americana originals and covers, will be playing at Gunsight Saloon, 624 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. Performance starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

• Andy’s Crafthouse, 8030 Montana 35, Bigfork will be holding a New Years Eve and 13th Anniversary Party from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Live music by the Nick Crawford Band starting at 9 p.m., with toast and appetizers at midnight. Andy’s carfthouse will also be opening at 11 a.m. as usual and will offer their full food and beverage menu until close.

• There will be a New Year’s Eve Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Water’s Edge Winery & Bistro, 2593 U.S. 2 E 8 in Kalispell. This New Years Eve party is a recipe for disaster served hot with a four-course plated meal and wine pairing, fully guided game play, a heaping side of hilarity, with several shots of fun, games, prizes and backstabbing shenanigans. Ticket price includes gratuity for the food service. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased at https://trailerpark2022.eventbrite.com

• Singer-songwriter and classical guitarist Elizabeth Busch Letourneau will play classics from around the world and original songs in an “Old World New Year’s Eve” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at White Raven Winery, 7457 U.S. 2 E., Columbia Falls

Here’s a roundup of events happening on Sunday, Jan. 1.

• New Year’s Day brunch from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, 1380 Wisconsin Ave. Enjoy brunch along with a special bloody mary bar and mimosas for that extra little "pick me up." Reservations suggested. Call 406-863-4040.

• The Annual Polar Bear Plunge into Flathead Lake hosted by The Raven, 15321 Montana 35, Bigfork. This long-time tradition starts with doors open at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. and features breakfast, bloody marys and burgers. The plunge takes place at 2 p.m. — remember to bring a change of clothes, warm socks, and water shoes.

• Bingo from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sitting Duck on Flathead Lake, 15265 Montana 35 in Bigfork. Enjoy some fun bingo with great food, a warm fire, and incredible winter views of Flathead Lake. The Sitting Duck will be serving brunch before they start bingo at 3 p.m.