Top 5 Inexpensive Christmas Activities in Montana 2009

The holidays are an amazing time of the year. A time filled with wonderful food and fun activities filled with the holiday spirit. This year I have been trying to think of how to spend the holidays in fun and inexpensive ways. Here in Montana there are many activities going on this holiday season that are both great family events and that won't break your wallet!

My top pick for this holiday season: Check out your local Festival of Trees-Helena, MT 12/2-12/6
I love the festival of trees. There is typically one scheduled in most major cities. Here in Helena, the festival of trees is a great tradition that helps support Intermountain Children's center. Our Festival includes fabulously decorated trees and wreaths, and many family activities. The theme this year is "100 Christmas Miracles" and will be held December 2-6. There is a Music of Christmas Concert, Featuring~ Georgia Lindgrenon Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Complimentary dessert and beverages will be served. This concert is $10 at the door. The Jingle Bell Jam Dance, Featuring~ The Clintons will be on Saturday, December 5th, 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $20 per person in advance $25 at the door. Family Fun Days, General audience, children's activities, continuous live entertainment, photos with Santa! Saturday, December 5th & Sunday, December 6th.10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. $3 per person, children under 10 admitted free! For more information see http://www.intermountain.org/fot/index.php?page=schedule.php

My next pick for Christmas in Montana is the Christmas Stroll in Bozeman, MT. 12/5
When I lived in Bozeman this was one of my favorite holiday events, and I look forward to going back year after year. It seems like the entire town of Bozeman heads to Main-street for this beautiful holiday celebration. There are carolers, there's food, musicians (my favorite is the Tuba Christmas group!, and even Santa!) The Children's Parade kicks off the Main Street activities at 4:30pm, which include music, food vendors, children's outdoor activities, horse drawn hay wagon rides, street performers and shopping. This event is free unless you want to buy some of the great food and wares for sale along main street. Get some music and fun for no charge! Local organizations will be selling hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies, cider, hot dogs, burgers, soup, caramel apples, cotton candy, etc. Don't forget your Christmas Stroll Button available for $3.00. Buttons are available at downtown businesses including First Security Bank, Ace Hardware, Heebs, Scheel's, Chalet, Van's County Market, Smith's Grocery Store and more.See http://bozemancvb.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=8939&siteid=18 for more info!

An Old Fashioned Christmas-Virginia City, Mt and Nevada City, MT 12/5-12/6
While I have never been to Virginia City for Christmas, I really want to go. These events sound amazing! Virginia City is a great living history activity anyway, but I can imagine that Christmas here would be very entertaining. Events include living history events in Nevada City, tree lighting, a potluck feast, sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, bonfire, holiday bake sale, a stroll on the boardwalk, music, food and much much more. There will be a Gingerbread House contest, children's ornament making, cookie decorating, tree lighting and Santa's arrival with photo opportunities. Check out http://www.visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=12796 for more info!

Symphony Holiday Concerts-Helena Symphony, Bozeman Symphony-throughout November and December
I am a big believer and lover of music. So during the holiday season I love going to holiday concerts. Please do check out your local city symphony as well as any school or university groups putting on holiday shows. Some of these may cost some money, but look for the less expensive upper sections to find better priced seats. You will still be able to listen to some amazing music! A school or university may even be free for their holiday concerts and the students would love to have community support for their hard work! For the Helena symphony I would love to attend the production of Handel's MESSIAH or the Nutcracker ballet with Queen City's Ballet company. The Bozeman symphony's Holiday Festival is always an amazing event. This year it includes the winners of the MASO young artist competition. See http://www.bozemansymphony.org/concert-performances/2009/a-holiday-festival/ and http://www.helenasymphony.org/ for more information. Also see http://www.montana.edu/wwwmusic/files/concerts_F2009.html and http://www.sfa.umt.edu/music/ for information about holiday concerts at MSU and U of MT this year.

To end out the holiday season my pick is: fireworks under the Big Sky, 12/31/09-01/01/10
What a better way to round out the holiday season! Celebrate the end of your Christmas break with a bang! During the day enjoy a great parade, go sledding or for a sleigh ride, have fun at a wonderful New Years dinner and dance, then watch the Big Sky be illuminated with color and light! What a way to end a wonderful Montana holiday season! No cost for the fireworks! See more information at http://www.bigskymontananet.com/events/event_details.php?event_ID=%203039

Whatever you choose to do this year for the holidays I hope it is a wonderful Christmas and New years for you!