🤠 Things to do in Bozeman this weekend

TOGETHER WITH

Howdy, Bozeman!

The holiday season is upon us and there’s a lot of festive fun this weekend, so let’s get right into it.

In today’s newsletter:

— Sam Buenrostro

P.S. If you replied to Monday’s email with the word “COFFEE”, you’re already entered into the Ghost Town Coffee Roasters giveaway and don’t need to reply to this email! (We’ll reveal the winner in Monday’s newsletter).

If you HAVEN’T done that yet, and you’d like free entry into this week’s giveaway, reply to this email with the word “COFFEE”.

This weekend, the Montana Ballet Company is performing The Nutcracker at the Willson Auditorium!

MBC’s annual production of The Nutcracker, presented in collaboration with the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, features brand-new choreography, beautiful sets and costumes, exciting theatrical elements, and internationally recognized guest artists.

📅 Showtimes:

If this is on your holiday bucket list, get your tickets here!

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

🫖 Gangbusters Pottery hosts its 14th Annual Holiday Party & Sale from 3:00pm-9:00pm, featuring handmade pottery, studio tours, fresh oysters, festive cocktails, and live music at 7:00pm. A fun, artsy way to ease into the weekend! Details.

🎁 A Christmas Carol returns to The Ellen, with shows running from this Friday through December 21st. This heartfelt, holiday favorite follows Scrooge’s journey through past, present, and future and remains one of Bozeman’s most beloved seasonal traditions. Tickets.

👯 Holiday Noir returns to The Emerson this Friday and Saturday from 7:30pm-10:00pm. This 18+ avant-garde, cabaret-meets-comedy spin on holiday entertainment features over 60 local performers. Tickets.

🥞 The Bozeman Kiwanis Club hosts its 101st Annual “Cakes for Kids” Pancake Breakfast from 7:00am-1:00pm at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Swing by for pancakes, coffee, and a visit from Santa, all in support of local youth programs. Details.

🎅 The Santa Run for Education kicks off the Christmas Stroll from 9:00am-12:00pm, a festive 5K supporting local schools. The race starts and ends behind the Willson Gym, with prizes for the top finishers. Costumes are encouraged and hot cocoa and cookies will be waiting at the finish line. Registration.

🐶 Heart of the Valley is hosting its annual Santa Paws photo event at 10:00am! Bring your pet for a festive picture with Santa (perfect for your Christmas cards!) and a suggested $10 donation to support the shelter’s animals. Details.

👩‍🌾 Rathvinden Farm is hosting a Wreath-Making Workshop in their new barn from 10:00am-12:00pm. Class includes light refreshments and all the materials you need to design your own holiday wreath (including dried flowers and greens grown on the farm!). Details.

🦌 Sacajawea Audubon Society is hosting a Winter Tracking Class in Hyalite Canyon from 1:00pm-4:00pm. You’ll spend the afternoon learning to identify tracks, read animal movement, and interpret the stories written in fresh snow. Tickets.

🩰 Montana Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker returns to the Wilson Auditorium with performances on Saturday (2:00pm and 7:00pm) and Sunday (11:30am and 4:30pm). Enjoy new choreography, beautiful sets and costumes, and live music from the Bozeman Symphony, and guest artists during this cherished holiday tradition. Tickets.

🎄 Downtown Bozeman’s 45th Annual Christmas Stroll returns from 4:30pm-7:30pm. Main Street will be packed with food vendors, caroling, horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, and a lot more. Free to attend! Details.

🩰 Sol Barre is offering a free, donation-based barre class at 9:00am, with all contributions benefiting Bridgercare. It’s a great chance to try barre for the first time (or jump back in), and the class is open and accessible to all fitness levels! Details.

🍳 Celebrate the season with Breakfast with Santa at the new Field and Stream Lodge from 10:00am-12:00pm. Enjoy a festive buffet from the Dry Fly Saloon, sugar cookie decorating for the kids, a Bloody Mary bar for the adults, and plenty of time for family photos with Santa. Tickets.

🛍 The Little Pink Coffee Trailer is hosting a Holiday Artist Market from 10:00am-2:00pm inside The Market Food Hall. Browse work from a curated group of local makers who specialize in ceramics, metalsmithing, textiles, maps, florals, and fine art, all while grabbing a cozy drink. Details.

🐻 Little Bear School House Museum is hosting an Old Time Christmas from 12:00pm-4:00pm. Enjoy a cozy afternoon with popcorn over the fire, cocoa and cookies, ornament decorating, vintage crafts, cast iron cooking, and museum tours. Donations appreciated! Details.

🌲 OptOut’s 2nd annual Holiday Wreath Workshop returns to the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, with sessions at 10:30am, 12:00pm, and 1:30pm. OptOut students gather fresh local greens so you can make a wreath from scratch, with all materials and guidance provided. Tickets.

🐴 Enjoy a magical winter sleigh ride at Gallatin River Lodge, with sleighs departing every 30 minutes from 3:00pm-6:00pm. A sweet way to soak up the season, complete with jingle bells, cocoa, and a backup wagon if the snow is light. Details.

🎨 Join Ain’t a Better Way to Paint at Bar 3 Bar-B-Q from 4:00pm-6:00pm for a Christmas Ornament Painting Class. Each participant will paint four ornaments (front and back), with plenty of designs to choose from or space to freehand your own. Tickets.

🎷 Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity returns to Bozeman at 4:00pm at the Hope Lutheran Center for the Arts. This beloved holiday production blends jazz, carols, and storytelling in a warm, joyful performance. Tickets.

🐦 The Bozeman Doc Series presents The Tale of Silyan at 7:00pm at the Emerson. The Montana premiere of Tamara Kotevska’s new documentary is about an injured white stork and the solitary Macedonian farmer who rescues him, in a quiet, moving story about unexpected connection and companionship. Details.

🎻 Second String Orchestra, Bozeman’s community chamber strings ensemble, performs at Pilgrim Congregational Church at 7:30pm. The evening features a mix of classical pieces, familiar favorites, and a special guest violinist. Free and open to the public. Details.

As a reminder: This week, we’re doing a giveaway for a $25 gift card to Ghost Town Coffee Roasters! (On Instagram @ghosttowncoffee)

The giveaway runs from today until this Sunday, 12/7, at 11:59pm, and we’ll announce the winner in next Monday’s newsletter.

If you haven’t entered this week’s giveaway yet, reply to this email with the word “COFFEE” (if you replied to Monday’s email with the word “COFFEE”, you’re already entered and don’t need to reply again).

Thanks for reading!

We’ll be back 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!)

P.S. If someone forwarded this to you and you’re not subscribed, click below to join Howdy Bozeman for free.