🤠 Things to do in Bozeman this weekend

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Howdy, Bozeman!

Congrats to our Bobcat playoff tickets giveaway winner - Erica Gerard! 🎉 Just sent you an email with the details on how to claim your 2 tickets.

There’s a whole lotta fun happening in the valley this weekend, so without further ado, let’s get to it!

In today’s newsletter:

— Sam Buenrostro

Downtown Bozeman’s Winter Art Walk is happening this Friday, December 12th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm!

More than 30 downtown businesses, shops, and galleries will be hosting artist receptions, openings, and live showcases all evening long.

Grab a warm drink, wander Main Street, pop into local galleries, meet the artists behind the work, and enjoy a wonderful celebration of local art.

See you downtown, and check out the art walk map of businesses here!

Want to promote your event, business, or project to thousands of locals who read Howdy Bozeman every week?

🎿 Crosscut opens for the season and it’s Free Ski Day from 9:00am-4:00pm! Stop by the Nordic & Trail Center for your free pass, enjoy first-come rentals, and hit all open trails. The celebration continues Saturday with a cozy Opening Weekend Gathering from 9:00am-3:30pm featuring hot cocoa, snacks, s’mores, and winter updates from the Crosscut team. Details.

🎓 It’s MSU’s Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse! The processional begins at 9:40am with the ceremony starting at 10:00am. No tickets are required, but seating is first come, first served. Details.

❄️ Cottonwood Day School’s Winter Wonderland Festival is happening from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Sip hot chocolate, decorate Elle’s Belles cookies, paint Christmas ornaments, enjoy live music, browse baked goods, meet Santa, and enjoy a performance from Cottonwood students. Details.

🎁 Head to Manhattan for their annual Christmas Stroll from 4:30pm-7:30pm! Local businesses along Main St., Broadway, and S. 5th will be hosting festive open houses, treats, and family-friendly fun all evening long. Details.

🎨 The Winter Art Walk returns to Downtown Bozeman from 6:00pm-8:00pm! More than 30 downtown galleries and shops will host artist openings, receptions, and festive displays. Stop by to stroll, browse, and support local art. Details.

🖼 The Kenyon House Community Art Center kicks off the arTchitects show this during the Winter Art Walk, showcasing artwork by local architects, designers, builders, and other creators in the built-environment world. Stop by 612 W. Main St. between 5:00pm-8:00pm for the opening reception. Details.

🎄 Stop by the Museum of the Rockies for their Homestead Holiday celebrations this Friday and Saturday from 6:00pm-9:00pm! Explore the historic Tinsley House, enjoy a festive planetarium show, make Victorian-style cards or ornaments, listen to live carolers, warm up with treats, and snap a photo with St. Nick. There’s also a cheerful book reading and sing-along in the Hager Auditorium. (Registration required.) Details.

🧊 Bozeman Ice Fest continues at The Emerson with a stacked triple-feature: Anna, Shooting the Moon, and Push the Lines, starting at 7:00pm. Expect a powerful mix of resilience, high-altitude storytelling, and good times. Details.

🏈 The Bobcats are taking on the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at home for the FCS Quarterfinals, with a 7:00pm kickoff. Bundle up, wear your blue and gold, and support our Bobcats! Tickets.

🥁 Join the Women’s Monthlies Drum Circle at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship church from 7:00pm-8:00pm. Stop by for a warm, welcoming space to drum, reflect, and gather with women in community. There’s also an optional beginner lesson at 6:30pm. Details.

🎶 The Bozeman Symphony’s Holiday Spectacular runs all weekend long at the Wilson Auditorium, with four performances of one of Bozeman’s most popular seasonal concerts. Enjoy a heartwarming program filled with holiday favorites like Ave Maria, the Hallelujah Chorus, and the cherished Christmas Carol Sing-Along. Shows are Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets.

👟 Lace up for the Ugly Sweater Fun Run at Bozeman Running Company from 9:00am-11:00am. Come dressed in your best (worst) holiday sweater, jog a festive 5K, and try some Mount to Coast demos. RSVP.

🧑‍🌾 Chance Farm is hosting a special mini Holiday Farmers’ Market from 9:00am-12:00pm at 67 Rocky Road in place of the regular Saturday morning Winter Farmers’ Market (which is closed this weekend). Shop fresh veggies plus pork, chicken, eggs, wreaths, honey, grains, breads, charcuterie, goat kefir, cider donuts, beef, chocolates, and more from a fantastic lineup of local producers. Details.

🎶 Join Music Together Bozeman for Jingle Jams: a cozy, joy-filled class designed to get little ones moving, laughing, and singing along. Each ticket is good for one caregiver and up to two children (infant to age 5). Classes start at 10:00am and 4:00pm. Tickets.

🍪 Join Sassy Sisters Bozeman at 10:00am or 1:00pm for a Christmas Snow Globe Cookie Class. Learn cookie-decorating techniques from Carolyn Gullett as you design three snow-globe treats with the winter character of your choosing. Tickets.

🥕 Stock up at Amaltheia Organic Dairy’s final Holiday Bulk Produce Sale from 9:00am-1:00pm in Belgrade. A wide spread of certified-organic veggies including roots, squash, cabbage, onions, greens, and more are ready to mix and match. Don’t forget to bring your bags! Details.

📚 Join the The Extreme History Project for their History Salon at 1:00pm. Explore Medicare and Medicaid through a historical and contemporary lens with guest speaker Cora Neumann. All are invited to join the conversation. Details.

🎄 The Three Forks Christmas Stroll is happening from 1:00pm-5:00pm! Enjoy a festive afternoon packed with family activities, a parade, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a business window display contest, vendors, and more. Details.

🦌 Sitka hosts Chef Joe Bonavita from 5:00pm-7:00pm for Part II of their Wild Game Cooking Experience. Discover new dishes and elevated techniques for turning your harvest into something memorable. Details.

💃 Celebrate the season with Ballroom Dance Bozeman’s Holiday Party Dance from 7:00pm-10:00pm at the Bozeman Senior Center. Stop by for a welcoming evening of social dancing for all levels - no partner needed! Details.

🎥 Bozeman Ice Fest continues with a showing of Girl Climber, featuring elite mountaineer Emily Harrington, at 7:30pm at The Emerson. The film follows her 24-hour push on El Capitan, her recovery from a near-fatal fall, and her fight to redefine what's possible. Emily will be there in person for a post-screening Q&A! Details.

😂 Don’t Tell Comedy is hosting a comedy show at 8:00pm at a secret indoor location in Bozeman! The mystery location will be revealed to ticket holders on the morning of the show (Saturday morning), where you can expect big laughs, drinks, and a fun evening. (21+ crowd.) Details.

🎄 Craft something special at Pinspiration Bozeman during their Sea Glass Holiday Tree Workshop from 10:00am-12:00pm. Build a lighted sea glass tree or a painted board version, with step-by-step guidance and all materials included. Tickets.

🎁 Studio Wheelhouse hosts its 3rd Annual Holiday Art Market from 12:00pm-5:00pm, featuring 40+ curated local artists, festive gifts, and hands-on art activities like wrapping-paper making and card printing. It’s free and open to the public, so you can come shop, create, and enjoy a cozy holiday afternoon. Details.

📚 Join local romance author Bethany Rosa at Gallatin River Lodge from 2:00pm-5:00pm for the official release of her new book Endless Pursuit. Grab a signed copy, enjoy happy hour offerings, and celebrate with fellow local readers. Details.

🍻 MAP Brewing hosts a Brewery Christmas Party from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Enjoy Christmas cookies, cocoa, and photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch. Festive food and drink specials will be available for purchase and all kids will leave with a free goodie bag! Details.

⛸️ Skate with Santa from 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Gallatin Ice Ressler Rink. (And don’t miss the complimentary holiday figure skating show beforehand from 1:30pm-3:00pm!) Tickets.

🎅 Pop into the AC Hotel Lounge downtown from 4:00pm-7:00pm for a free festive photo op with Santa and friends, plus live holiday tunes from One Lane Bridge. Bring the family (dogs, too!) and enjoy refreshments from the bar. Details.

🥾 Bozeman Ice Fest wraps up with the Local Legends Dinner and Wrap Party at 6:00pm in the Emerson Ballroom. Enjoy dinner and an evening with climber Sam Hennessey as he shares Barronette: A Mountain Profile, with stories, photos, and behind-the-scenes details from climbs on the East Face of Barronette Mountain. Details.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful, festive weekend!

See you on Monday for a look at the new week ahead 👋

(Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @howdybozeman for regular updates on what’s going on in town!)

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