Celebrations planned around the valley to ring in the new year

Ring in 2025 in style at these New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in the Flathead Valley. 

Events happening Saturday, Dec. 28 

• Use clues to find prizes scattered around Big Mountain in Cruise the Blues, a free scavenger hunt, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The hunt is geared to people who are at least intermediate-level skiers and snowboarders. Find a ticket and turn it in to redeem prizes. For more information visit www.skiwhitefish.com. 

• Cleverly audacious, The Whitefish Cabaret brings comedic theater through original songs, sketch, and parody to the stage at 8 p.m. Dec. 28 at The Second Story, 101 Central Ave., Whitefish. A commentary on social politics, pop culture, and the town of Whitefish itself. Ticket prices range from $24 to $100. To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.thewfcabaret.com.  

A roundup of events happening Tuesday, Dec. 31 

• Ring in the new year on the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The resort will host a torchlight parade and fireworks show from 5 to 6 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to gather at the base of Ed’s Run, near Ed and Mully’s Restaurant, 3905 Big Mountain Road, in the Upper Village, for the best views. Night skiing will close from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. on chair 2 for the parade and fireworks while chairs 3 and 6 remain open until 8:30 p.m.   

• Reel in the new year with the inaugural Dropping of the Fish Dec. 31 at the Firebrand Hotel, 650 Third St. E. in Whitefish. From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., celebrate with an evening of music, dinner and cocktails and then join in the countdown with a champagne toast while an illuminated 8-foot fish descends from the top of the Firebrand.  

• A New Year’s Eve celebration at The Boat Club at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake features live music by Brent Jameson, a balloon drop and fireworks display. The event runs from 9 p.m. to midnight with a balloon drop and fireworks display. Dinner reservations (starting at 5 p.m.) are strongly encouraged by calling 863-4040. 

• Countdown to 2025 at the Craggy Range Bar and Grill in downtown Whitefish with DJ Reidardie playing a live set on the patio. The party starts at 9 p.m. and goes through 1 a.m. There will be a beer pong tournament, photo booth, late night bites and champagne on the house at midnight. No cover charge. 

• The Lodge at McGregor Lake, 12250 U.S. 2 in Marion, hosts the Shauney & The Fisher River Band at 9 p.m. Dec. 31. 

• Boogie back in time at 101 Central’s Disco Party in downtown Whitefish from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The second story will be transformed into a Studio 54-inspired discotheque, featuring aerial dancers and a DJ. Guests are encouraged to wear their “most funky disco duds” for a chance to win “best outfit” and a $250 gift card for Herb and Omni. Tickets range from $79 to $299.  

• Grouse Mountain Lodge hosts live music with Ben Darce on New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m.  

• Roll out in style with live performances by AmpLive of Oakland, California, and Defunk of Alberta, Canada, Dec. 31 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The performance will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $85 and may be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. 

• Play Bingo at the Buffalo Saloon & Casino, 5 Swan Way, Bigfork, from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31. For more information, call 890-3064. 

• Ring in the New Year with a bang at Waters Edge Winery and Bistro’s Y2K Chaos New Year’s Eve party and murder mystery experience hosted by DJ Neon from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and Waters Edge is located at 2593 U.S. 2, Kalispell. Participants are encouraged to wear ’90s garb. For ages 21 and older. Ticket prices range from $65 to $75. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com. 

A roundup of events happening Wednesday, Jan. 1. 

• Celebrate the first day of 2025 with a New Year’s Day Brunch Pajama Party at the Boat Club at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Enjoy over-the-top breakfast items including “hangover specials” and hearty bloody Mary skewers with live DJ spins by Halladay from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wear pajamas and get one free mimosa. Reservations suggested by calling 863-4040.  

• The Sitting Duck on Flathead Lake will serve brunch and cocktails from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan 1. For information, visit www.sittingduckmt.com. 

• Start the year with a splash at the Annual Polar Bear Plunge on Flathead Lake hosted by The Raven, 15321 Montana 35, Bigfork, on Jan.1. A parade kicks off the event around 1:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and bring a change of clothes, warm socks and water shoes. Warm up after with refreshments served by The Raven Brew Pub and hot cocktails by The Sitting Duck. Free admission.  

• Start those New Year’s Day resolutions at the First Day Hike event Jan. 1. Participating parks include: Flathead Lake State Park, Lone Pine State Park, Whitefish State Park, Thompson Chain of Lakes, Logan, Lake Mary Ronan and Somers Beach State Park. Hikers are reminded to wear weather-appropriate clothing, bring a water bottle and ice cleats or snowshoes if trail conditions are snowy or icy. Earn points for a chance to win prizes by submitting photos of activities done in the park to wayfarers@mt.gov. Photos, names of participants, and miles hiked/ran must be submitted via email by 6 p.m. Jan. 3 to be entered.  For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks. 

• Families are invited to pick up Junior Ranger to-go kits and explore the outdoors. The educational kits are designed for children in grades second through sixth. Offered biweekly through Feb. 28, 2025, the kits contain materials covering topics such as birding, snow science and lake ecology. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park, the Flathead Lake Biological Station, and Fish Wildlife, and Parks regional headquarters in Kalispell. Kits are limited to one per household. The Jan. 3 kit covers winter lake ecology.