---

---

---

---

Whoa! Christmas is here – with friends and relatives in town, where to go and what to do? The MUG is here to help!

Once again, The MUG has compiled the most comprehensive list of events in Missoula and around Western Montana, all right here for you to make your own Weekend PICKS – Thursday thru Sunday.

Winter is officially here – and boy, is it. Thursday and Friday will be brutally cold, and fortunately we have all the “indoor” sports covered that are worth checking out.

Fortunately, we’ll be able to crawl out of the deep freeze with daytime highs in the high 30s by Saturday and Sunday. Those days and evenings are pretty quiet for events, but…it’ll be prime time to squeeze in a holiday ski with primo conditions at all the local resorts. Check them for their holiday hours! Montana Snowbowl in Missoula, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Lost Trail, Discovery, Blacktail, and most other area resorts have been open for the season, and many have hours for quality hill time. All the local cross-country and fat biking hotspots are being groomed and skiied and are waiting for you, too. Go!

The great Reggie Watts plays The Wilma on Thursday night – his mix of comedy and music is always a fantastic show. We’re counting at least 35 local music shows of one kind or another in the area throughout the weekend, heavily stacked on Thursday and Friday. We’ve got options!

No matter what direction you wanna get outta town, you can’t go wrong. Activities and events are happening not only around Missoula, but all the way up the Flathead and the Bitterroot valleys, east to Phillipsburg and Anaconda, and out west past Alberton.

Get out and enjoy our locally-owned bars & restaurants with Montana grown / made food and beverages. Support our local farmers and crafts people. Take the family for a crisp hike or some amazing skiing. Catch a classic Christmas movie screening or a stand-up comedy night. Stretch that big brain at one of the local trivia nights. Sing your favorite Christmas karaoke song, or catch a live music show. Enjoy safely and responsibly.

Merry Christmas, friends!

Please confirm event details at the source before you go. Last minute changes are common, especially due to weather and the holiday. With each event listing, we try to include a web page or event link with more information you can check for changes.

---

---

Do you have a Western Montana New Year’s EVEnt you would like to have included on The MUG? Click HERE to submit your event!

---

---

THURSDAY, December 22

---

---

---

---

“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”

— ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

---

---

Thursday, December 22
4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Meet Santa & Live Music
KettleHouse Brewing Co.
605 Cold Smoke Ave, Bonner, Montana

Join us at the Bonner taproom to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! Bring the whole family- we’ll have live music, cocoa, and sweet treats to share!

---

---

Thursday, December 22
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Imagine Ireland
Imagine Nation Brewing Company
1151 W. Broadway Street, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
TNR / Thursday Night XC SKI
Rattlesnake Canyon
Missoula, Montana

With subzero temperatures and a biting wind chill we don’t think anyone is going to show up this week… But, since TNR never cancels, we’re calling for a ski in the Rattlesnake which is usually protected from the wind. Meet at the Main Rattlesnake Trailhead.

Stay warm!

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Live Music featuring the Myah Strauser Duo
MontaVino Winery
38 1st Avenue E, Suite D, Kalispell, Montana

Myah and Griffin will be home for the holidays and we are so thrilled they will be performing in the tasting room.

You do not want to miss this performance. Reservations are not required but definitely suggested.

Myah and Griffin are a folk duo based out of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Myah is a Flathead Valley native, while Griffin is originally from southern Rhode Island. The two came together from opposite sides of the country and met during their time studying music in Nashville, Tennessee. Myah and Griffin are both heavily inspired by artists from the 60’s and 70’s such as Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas and the Papas, Michael Hurley, Neil Diamond, and more. As well as oldies, they play a mix of modern folk, originals, and adult contemporary music.

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sacred Waters Trivia
Sacred Waters Brewing Company
3250 U.S. Highway 2 East Kalispell, Montana

It’s always a packed house so be sure to arrive early to snag a table and, most importantly, a beer!  Max 8 people per team. No phones. Just those brains! Top three teams win beer money. See you there!
1st place team: $30 gift card
2nd place team: $20 gift card
3rd place team: $10 gift card

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bluegrass Christmas
Draught Works Brewery
915 Toole Ave, Missoula, Montana

CANCELED

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kimberlee Carlson Trio
Bitter Root Brewing
101 Marcus Street, Hamilton, Montana

Kimberlee Carlson, from Odessa, Texas, has been singing jazz and swing since 1979. In her jazz trio, she is thrilled to be collaborating with some of Montana’s finest jazz musicians. Ron Meissner-guitar and Pete Hand-bass.

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm
JD & Chuck
The Shoe, Lakeview Dining & Spirits
820 Shoreline Drive, Polson, Montana

---

---

---

---

Thursday, December 22
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Trivia
Western Cider
501 N. California Street, Missoula, Montana

Trivia at Western Cider! Come alone or bring your team for five rounds of questions ranging from current events and music to team-selected categories and much more. Plus, there are weekly prizes! We start right at 7:00 pm, so make sure to arrive early to settle in, get your drinks, and prepare to strain your brain!

---

---

Thursday, December 22 – 7:30 pm
Friday, December 23 – 7:30 pm
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Cutler Bros. Theatre
301 Main Street, Deer Lodge, Montana

A theatrical adaptation of the Christmas Classic about a kid getting lost in New York while his family is on Christmas Vacation.

---

---

---

Thursday, December 22
8:00 pm
Thursty Ear Thursday with Kyle Curtis Jazz Trio
Stave & Hoop
223 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, Montana

$5 cover added to tabs after 8:00 pm.

The Kyle Curtis Trio bring a fresh take on holiday jazz from the University of Montana to the heart of festive, downtown Missoula. Comprised of Kyle Curtis (p), Kyler Rebich (b), & Connor Racicot (d), the trio resonates creativity, hard work & passion.

---

---

Thursday, December 22
Trivia 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm / Karaoke 8:30 pm – 1:00 am
Hosted by Pro DJ Entertainment
Eagles Lodge
2420 South Ave W, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Thursday, December 22
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Reggie Watts
The Wilma
131 Higgins Avenue, Missoula, Montana 

ABOUT REGGIE WATTS

Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who currently stars as the bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines between music and comedy, wowing audiences with performances that are 100% improvised.

Watts’ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.” The A.V. Club described Spatial as “signature Watts, meaning it’s alternately exhilarating, silly, exhausting and transcendent,” and Exclaim! Magazine called his performance “engaging, absurd, thoughtful and, most importantly, wholly unpredictable.”

As a solo performer, Watts brand of musical/comedy fusion has led to sold out headlining tours in the U.S. and Europe, including festivals such as Bonnaroo, SXSW, Bumbershoot, Just For Laughs, Pemberton and more.

Last year, Watts released his own content app called WattsApp, a techno-savvy look into his life, work, and techno junk drawer. WattsApp has all original content including a show
called, Droneversations where he interviews guests while it’s filmed by drones along with other fun content.

In 2010, Watts released his debut comedy special, Why Shit So Crazy? on Comedy Central Records, and is now available to stream on Netflix. Why Shit So Crazy? featured Watts in live performances at New York venues such as Galapagos, The Bellhouse, and Le Poisson Rouge, bookended with brief sketches and music videos. Later that year, at the invitation of Jack White, Watts recorded Reggie Watts: Live at Third Man Records which was released in limited edition vinyl. In 2012, Watts recorded his second comedy special, Reggie Watts: A Live At Central Park, which was released by Comedy Central.

Watts was born in Germany, raised in Montana, and currently resides in Los Angeles.

---

---

Thursday, December 22
9:00 pm
Country Rock Karaoke with DJ Nite Wolf
Dark Horse Bar
1805 Regent St, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Thursday, December 22
9:30 pm – 1:00 am
John Dunnigan
Great Northern Bar
27 Central Avenue, Whitefish, Montana

---

---

---

---

FRIDAY, December 23

---

---

---

Friday, December 23
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ugly Sweater Contest
Smelter City Brewing
101 Main Street, Anaconda, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Zachary Christ
Bias Brewing
412 S Main St, Kalispell, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pinegrass Bluegrass Christmas Show
Ten Spoon Vineyard + Winery
4175 Rattlesnake Drive, Missoula, Montana

$5 Cover / Kids Free
CANCELED

---

---

Thursday, December 22
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Live Music with Brian Thurber
Montana Bonfire
15300 MT 35, Woods Bay, Montana

---

---

---

---

Friday, December 23
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Christmas Eve Eve Benefit Concert featuring Tom Catmull
Bedford Building
223 South 2nd St, Hamilton, Montana

Support the Bitterroot Dragon Brigade and spend a night on the town!

Montana superstars Tom Catmull’s Last Resort and Las Vegas-based duo Bad Moon Rising are here to brighten your winter. The night before Christmas Eve, come down to the Bedford Building for an evening of great music, heavy snacks, drinks, and of course, holiday cheer. Here’s the schedule:

6:30 pm – Doors open
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Bad Moon Rising
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm – Tom Catmull

Tickets include entry, music, and food. Drinks will be available for purchase. Location is the Bedford Building in Hamilton (City Hall).

Buy $16 tickets in advance for the best price! A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $20 each.

---

---

Friday, December 23
7:00 pm
It’s a Wonderful Life
Philipsburg Theatre
140 S. Sansome Street, Philipsburg, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
7:00 pm
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Mount Powell Tap Room
320 Main Street, Deer Lodge, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
7:00 pm
Pre Christmas gathering and live music with Acoustic Roll
Cell Block Tavern
818 Main Street, Deer Lodge, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Michael Boucher
MontaVino Winery
38 1st Ave E, Suite D, Kalispell, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mary Place and Blue Moon
The Old Post
103 W Spruce St, Missoula, Montana

Come boogie down at The Old Post with Blue Moon. Playing Rhythm and Blues for you. Mary Place vocal, piano and bass, Mikel Greathouse vocal and guitar, Roger Moquin vocal and drums.

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:00 pm
Karaoke with DJ Nite Wolf
Sunrise Saloon
1101 Strand Ave, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:00 pm
Karaoke
The Rustic Hut
5415 US Hwy 93 South, Florence, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Karaoke at the Duck
The Sitting Duck
15265 MT Hwy 35, Bigfork, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:00 pm – 12:00 am
The Markophones One Man Band
Perfect Shot Tavern
218 Main Street, Polson, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Wailin’ Aaron Jennings
Union Club Bar & Grill
208 E Main St, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
9:30 pm – 1:30 am
MYNXX
Great Northern Bar
27 Central Ave, Whitefish, Montana

---

---

Friday, December 23
10:00 pm
DJ Johnny’s
Casey’s Whitefish
101 Central Avenue, Whitefish, Montana

Come out THIS Friday for DJ Johnny’s best night ever!
Cover is free if you bring an item for the Food Bank, OR Call Casey’s beforehand for a secret password.

$10 Cover // 21+

---

---

SATURDAY, December 24

---

---

Saturday, December 24
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Missoula Valley Winter Market
Southgate Mall (Scheels Entrance)
2901 Brooks Street, Missoula, Montana

The Missoula Valley Winter Market is an outlet to extend the summer farmers and crafts market season from November through April in Western Montana. We have over 40 vendors with everything from local produce to cheese and eggs, as well as quality art and crafts. Stop by, grab a pastry and a coffee, shop for the week’s groceries or buy a holiday gift for that special someone.

Free

---

---

Saturday, December 24
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Christmas With The Clydesdales
Clydesdale Outpost
100 Outpost Drive, Whitefish, Montana

$15 admission, Children under the age of 3 receive complimentary access.

Saturday is your last chance to spend Christmas With The Clydesdales. Visit Santa’s Barn with local artists, specialty cocktails & mulled wine a the BRR… BAR with benefits going to Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana and hosted by Treasure State Hospitality, Photos with Santa and a Clydesdale decorated by Home Consign and Design… and of course our Clydesdales! Join us for a holiday spectacular unlike anything else in the Flathead including VIP Igloos, furnished by Empress Tents & Events, & 300 ft ice skate trail (weather dependent)! See website for more details.

​DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

We also offer Daytime Activities separate from the Main Event including Clydesdale-driven sleigh rides, a Children’s Storytime of our original children’s book, Santa’s Secret Sleigh, and other winter day activities as well. See website for more details.

(Schedule and Events may be weather dependent and some are subject to change, including the ice skate trail which depends on routine freezing temperatures.)

---

---

Saturday, December 24
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Colton C live
Showthyme Act II
548 Electric Ave, Bigfork, Montana

---

---

Saturday, December 24
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Andrew Huppert
FINN Restaurant
100 Madison Street, Missoula, Montana

---

---

Saturday, December 24
9:00 pm
Karaoke with DJ Nite Wolf
Sunrise Saloon
1101 Strand Ave, Missoula, Montana

FREE

---

---

Saturday, December 24
10:00 pm – 2:00 am
DJ Kris Moon
The Badlander
208 Ryman St, Missoula, Montana

---

---

SUNDAY, December 25

---

---

---

---

Please confirm event details at the source before you go. Last minute changes are common, especially due to weather and holiday schedules. With each event listing, we try to include a web page or event link with more information you can check for changes.

---

---

Do you have a Western Montana event you would like to have included on The MUG? Click HERE to submit your event!

---

---

---

---

---

---

---