Festivities get the holiday season rolling in the Flathead Valley

Parades, strolls downtown and a chance to visit with Santa are part of the holiday festivities that kick off in the Flathead Valley this weekend.

The Kalispell Downtown Association Holiday Stroll and annual Community Tree Lighting is Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. The tree lighting is at 7 p.m. at Depot Park.  

The event includes shopping, snacks, drinks and music at businesses throughout the downtown. 

American Bank will be serving cookies and cocoa in Depot Park.  

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home will have live reindeer and a place for families to write letters to Santa.  First Presbyterian Church will have the annual Youth Art Show. 

L&M Fine Jewelry will be selling raffle tickets for prizes to benefit the Kalispell Downtown Association.  

For more information, visit downtownkalispell.com.   

The Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a Holiday Pop-Up at Depot Park on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The free event provides the opportunity to shop locally made products, art and wares.  

In Columbia Falls, the Night of Lights parade is on Friday, Dec. 6. 

The annual holiday parade down Nucleus Avenue starts at 6 p.m. and floats should line up at the north end of Nucleus at 5 p.m.  

The theme of this year’s parade is “Holiday Movie.” 

The Rotary Club holds its annual Brunch with Santa in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

Timber Creek Village hosts the event with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. to welcome children and families to talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus and to enjoy a meal. Kids 12 and under are free to enter with a $10 adult ticket.  

In Bigfork, the Parade of Lights is Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. on Electic Avenue.  

This year’s theme, Let it Snow, is inspired by the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre’s production of “White Christmas.” 

Following the parade, Santa arrives at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts and 8 p.m. and will be available for photos.  

Following the parade, the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theatre presents “A Touch of Christmas” concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.  

This is a fundraising concert to benefit the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre. Admission is $13.  

Brach Thomson will play rock, fusion, jazz, funk, blues and more familiar Christmas favorites. Watch and enjoy as he plays live on multiple keyboards, synthesizers and piano. All music is arranged by Thomson using MIDI and computer to give the feel of a larger orchestra and rock/jazz combos.   

Special guests include Richel and Steve Kompst and BPCT choirs.  

For information, visit  bigforksummerplayhouse.com. In Whitefish, the annual Christmas Stroll is Friday, Dec. 13.  

The event includes live holiday music, visits with Santa, arts and craft vendors, food trucks, and businesses will be open late for shoppers.  

The evening begins with the Alpine Bell Ringers Hand Bell Choir Concert at 5 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church followed by the North Valley School Christmas Recital.  

At 6 p.m., the Flathead Valley Community College Vocal Jazz and Chorale Ensemble performs outside the O’Shaughnessy Center. The ensemble performs throughout the evening.  

At 6:15 p.m., the tree lighting ceremony with the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce takes place at Depot Park. Then Santa arrives, making his way down Central Avenue for photos at Huck’s Place.  

The Whitefish and Bigfork Dance company performs at 6:40 p.m. on Central Avenue south of East Third Street.  

At 8:20 p.m., Ross Bridgemand, Halladay Quist and Meredith Patterson with a selection from their "Winter Wonderland" show on the Whitefish Winter Carnival float. 

Between 7:45-8:30 p.m., the chamber’s Shoppers’ Drawing winners are announced. Make a purchase at a Whitefish small business through the evening of the stroll and present the receipts to get a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes. Receipts can be shown at the chamber’s office, 505 Second St. E., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or on the night of the stroll at the chamber’s tent at the south end of the stroll.  

For information, visit whitefishchamber.org