While bears hibernate in winter, Montana residents soak up every season. Even in winter there is no shortage of things to do, including downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing or rekindling memories of childhood winters by sledding on a local hill. The cold and snow also doesn’t stop Montanans from gathering and celebrating the season. A series of annual winter events should be part of your vacation plans.
November – December
Find gifts, wreaths, garlands and more at the Snowline Christmas Market; November 13 – December 12, 2026.
Kick off the winter holiday season with Holidays at the Conrad Mansion, with events taking place all month long.
Craft Brewers Cup at Woodland Ice Center; December 4 – 6, 2026
See live performances at the Wachholz Performing Arts Center: Glacier Symphony: Dvořák’s Cello and New World Symphony, Straight No Chaser, Banff Mountain Film Festival, Glacier Symphony: Handel’s Messiah, VOCTAVE, Glacier Symphony: The Nutcracker with San Diego Ballet, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Glacier Symphony: The Snowman Christmas Festival and Wai Mizutani: The Glorious Sounds of Christmas.
January
Kick off the new year at the Flathead Lake Polar Plunge in Bigfork; January 1, 2027.
Get ready for an exciting showdown at the Griz Hockey Winter Classic; January 16, 2027.
Don’t miss Kalispell’s annual Frosty the Brewfest; January 30, 2027.
Watch the Whitefish Skijoring at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell; January 30 – 31, 2027.
January shows at the Wachholz Performing Arts Center: The Slocan Ramblers and Soles of the Flathead.
February
Watch the Bar Stool Ski Races during Cabin Fever Days in Martin City; February 13, 2027.
February performances at the Wachholz Performing Arts Center: Ailey II, Mat Kearney, International Guitar Night, Lucius, The Simon & Garfunkel Story, Glacier Symphony’s Romeo & Juliet and Electric Freedom.
