Cliff’s Notes on Snow Conditions:
The rain has wreaked havoc with some of the ski resorts that opened last weekend. In a nutshell,
Snowbowl opens this Thursday thru Sunday – be sure to look into conditions before going. Ski Discovery opened last weekend, and has been getting fresh snow all week. Blacktail Mountain – not yet, most likely next week on the 19th. Whitefish Mountain Resort opened last week, and is again this weekend with more new snow (although a bit sticky and slower at the moment). Lookout Pass opened last weekend, and has been receiving more (wet-ish) snow this week, we enough they’re closed for this weekend. And – Lost Trail opens their season this weekend! (Thursday thru Monday). Most of the area XC trails have been early-rolled and groomed; but overall not super great or ideal anywhere quite yet. Check The MUG’s comprehensive Western Montana Snow Conditions page for all the current snow conditions and road conditions, all in one place for our area hills and resorts.

Meet up with TNR at 5:45 pm Thursday at Missoula’s Mountain Line Downtown Transfer Center (or at 6:00 pm at the Lincolnwood Trailhead in the Rattlesnake neighborhood) for a Thursday Night Hike through the North Hills back to Downtown.

Get down to Live Jazz with Chuck Florence, David Horgan and Beth Lo at 6:00 pm Thursday at The Old Post in Downtown Missoula.

Arrive early with your black-belt brainy buds for Trivia Thursday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Sacred Waters Brewing in Kalispell.

The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce and Glacier Bank have arranged for two of Santa’s reindeer to make a special stop before Christmas at Andy’s Crafthouse in Uptown Bigfork 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday.

It’s Bingo Night at the Kalispell Eagles Lodge FOE 234 Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

If wine makes you wiser, it’ll come in handy for Smarty Pants Trivia Thursday Nights hosted by David Crismore & Co. from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Waters Edge Winery in Kalispell.

Join your brainy cider-sippers for Thursday Night Trivia at Western Cider in Missoula from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Thursdays at The Rhino Bar in Downtown Missoula have Bingo at 7:00 pm.

Why wait for “Tomorrow, tomorrow”? – Go today and see the MCT Community Series production of Annie at Missoula Children’s Theatre with performances thru December 21.

Garden City Ballet presents The Nutcracker (a full-length classical ballet) featuring more than 100 local dancers plus invited professional guests in the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier at the Montana Theatre on the UM Campus in Missoula from Thursday thru Sunday.

Rock out with local musicians at the Musicians Open Jam Night, where the stage at Monk’s Bar in Downtown Missoula is yours to shine 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm Thursday.

The Elephant Gerald Project returns to Stave & Hoop Speakeasy in Downtown Missoula for an evening of hot jazz 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Thursday.

Sign up and sing at Thursday Karaoke from 8:30 pm to Midnight, hosted by Pro DJ Entertainment at Missoula Eagles Lodge #32.

Karaoke is hosted by Pro DJ Entertainment & Productions from 9:00 pm to closing time every Tuesday & Thursday on the main stage at The Sunrise Saloon.

Get extra-festive at Draught Works’ annual Christmas Steamer in Missoula 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday, December 12 with the Tuba Santas playing 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the grand group sing of the 12 Beers of Christmas at 7:30 pm.

Enjoy local craft brews with great music by the Mike Murray Acoustic Duo live at Sacred Waters Brewing in Kalispell 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Friday.

Night Blooming Jasmine provides the live music at Missoula’s Ten Spoon Vineyard + Winery this Friday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Join the Clark Fork Coalition to celebrate 40 years of protecting and restoring the Clark Fork River at their Holiday Party & Auction 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Friday at The Wilma in Downtown Missoula.

The monthly Winter Square Dance Series with Lake Missoula Old Time happens at Free Cycles in Missoula 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Friday.

Experience the vibrant spirit of community at the historic Pearl Entertainer Theatre in Ronan, where Western Montana Musicians Cooperative hosts its weekly Friday Open Mic / Open Jam from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

After the Parade of Lights, join Nashville singer-songwriter Sofia Lynch, along with The Lucky Valentines, Sally Newsome and Larry Vanek at The Historic Philipsburg Theatre for a special Christmas concert at 7:00 pm Friday.

The Jack Saloon in Lolo with Karaoke Night is the place to be down Hwy 12, and up Graves Creek Road with Kaleidoscope Entertainment on Friday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Bring your friends, your appetite, and your best songs for Karaoke Friday Night starting at 9:00 pm at A Sip of Montana at Woods Bay in Bigfork.

Solid Sound Karaoke is hosted Fridays & Saturdays in the Bowl Dog Lounge at Missoula’s Westside Lanes from 9:00 pm til closing time.

Get ready for a night of pure energy and killer music with Flash Panda and Jampoke live at Monk’s Bar in Downtown Missoula at 9:00 am Friday.

Sign up for Loki Karaoke starting at 10:00 pm Friday at The Sportspage Bowl Grill & Lounge in Polson.

Come on down to The Badlander in Downtown Missoula this Friday for Badd Beats with DJ Auntie E – doors at 10:00 pm, music starts at 11:00 pm.

Join the Clark Fork River Market for their Winter Market season happening 9:00 am to 1:00 am Saturdays thru April 4 inside The Badlander / Locals Only in Downtown Missoula.

The Missoula Valley Winter Market returns from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm every Saturday through December 27, and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm January 3 through April 11 inside Southgate Mall near the Scheels entrance.

Don’t miss Santa’s Wonderland and Very Merry Market – where the magic of Christmas comes alive at Stevensville Elementary School 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday.

Polish off your rusty classic skiing technique and stretch your lungs at the 4th Annual 10km Rust Buster Classic XC Ski race at Chief Joseph Pass at 10:00 am Saturday.

Visit Downtown Hamilton for the monthly Culture Crawl – featuring local Montana artists, music, poetry reading, author signings and more from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm the 2nd Saturday every month,

Enjoy free carriage rides around Downtown Hamilton from 12:00 pm Noon to 3:00 pm Saturdays thru Christmas – meet at Bauder Home on North 4th Street for pick-up.

It’s time for the FCS Quarterfinals, and there’s only one place to be – gates open at 12:00 pm Noon for Saturday’s 1:30 pm kickoff at Washington-Grizzly Stadium for UM Griz Football vs. the USD Coyotes – Go Griz!

Join Dolce Canto for Canticum Novum: Timeless Carols in a Modern Light, a celebration of the season that bridges centuries of song inside the St. Ignatius Mission at 3:00 pm Saturday.

The Deep Mountain Bluegrass Band plays live with Gabe Jostrom on fiddle 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday at Sacred Waters Brewing in Kalispell.

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula hosts their annual Lantern Tours with multiple times available daily this Friday thru Sunday.

Saturday night is a guaranteed good time when The Northern Lights Band plays live on stage from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm at The Jack Saloon in Lolo.

Experience the vibrant spirit of community at the historic Pearl Entertainer Theatre in Ronan, where Western Montana Musicians Cooperative hosts its weekly Saturday Community Open Jam, starting at 7:00 pm.

Southern Oregon’s Free Creatures mix alt-rock, trip hop, hip hop, funk, and psych-rock into an irresistible live show full of groove, improvisation, and soul at Monk’s Bar in Downtown Missoula at 8:00 pm Saturday.

Enjoy a Whitefish holiday tradition, Winter Wonderland featuring Meredith Patterson and The Second Story Band at 101 Central from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday.

Learn & enjoy the art of Caliente’ Salsa Dancing with Salsa 406! Latin Night starting at 9:00 pm the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Dark Horse Bar in Missoula.

Soak up some good old-school outlaw and original country music with Chris Bohenek performing live at the Perfect Shot Tavern in Polson from 9:00 pm Saturday.

It’s always a good ol’ time when Zootown Karaoke hosts Karaoke Night starting at 9:00 pm every Saturday at KT’s Hayloft Saloon in Lolo.

Shop with 30+ local vendors at the PCHS Holiday Bazaar 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday at Powell County High School in Deer Lodge.

Your last-minute gift shopping ways will be rewarded with a day at the 2025 Missoula Holiday MADE Fair at UM Adams Center 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday.

Come on down to A Sip of Montana on Woods Bay, and play BINGO on the Bay from Noon to 3:00 pm Sunday with your favorite host Sultry Sarah.

Winter Market Ronan continues on Sundays from 12:00 pm Noon to 3:00 pm at the Boys & Girls Club in Ronan.

Logjam Presents welcomes the University of Montana Jazz Program’s annual Holiday Swing Set FREE live concert performance for families and kids at The Wilma in Downtown Missoula 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday.

Join Dolce Canto for Canticum Novum: Timeless Carols in a Modern Light, a celebration of the season that bridges centuries of song in Missoula’s St. Francis Xavier Church at 3:00 pm Sunday.

It’s Bingo with a Beat! – Soundcheck Bingo at 6:00 pm every Sunday at KT’s Hayloft Saloon in Lolo.

Logjam Presents welcomes the University of Montana Jazz Program’s annual Holiday Swing live concert performance at The Wilma in Downtown Missoula at 6:30 pm Sunday.

Bone Dry Comedy hosts Very Funny Weekly Comedy Open Mic every Sunday at 8:00 pm at Ole Beck VFW Post 209 in Downtown Missoula.

We have around 50 live music events listed for the weekend – take your pick!

No matter what direction you wanna get outta town, you can’t go wrong. Lots of pre-Christmas holiday activities and events are happening not only around Missoula, but all the way up the Flathead, Mission and Bitterroot valleys, east to Phillipsburg and Anaconda, and out west past Alberton. If you’re headed up to Whitefish and Glacier and even Northwestern Montana, there are some outstanding pit stops to make along the way.

Get out & enjoy our locally-owned bars & restaurants with Montana grown / made food and beverages – they need your business! Try a new local winter brew! Support our local artists and vendors at the area markets. Take the family for a brisk outdoor November hike – all the trails are waiting. Several area ski resorts are opening this weekend! – check The MUG’s comprehensive Western Montana Snow Conditions page for all the current conditions and road conditions, in one place for our area hills and resorts. Fishing on the lakes and rivers is good, and hunting season is winding down. Catch a classic movie screening or a stand-up comedy night. Stretch that big brain at one of the local trivia nights. Sing your favorite karaoke song, or catch a live music show. Enjoy safely and responsibly.

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