By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The Big Sky Christmas Stroll is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13 in Meadow Village Center and Saturday, Dec. 14 in Town Center, followed by two performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Montana Ballet Company on Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
A longstanding tradition, Big Sky’s annual holiday gathering originated in Meadow Village, but in recent years has expanded to include the fast-growing Town Center.
Erik Morrison organizes Town Center community events including the Big Sky Farmers Market. He’s been involved with Christmas Stroll for about 10 years, and said it’s been a priority to bridge Big Sky’s “old and new” commercial centers, encouraging collaboration across the two unique business communities to grow the annual event.
Big Sky’s traditional event was held on Friday night, Morrison explained. For many years, the Meadow Village community has welcomed local families and workers to celebrate the holiday season, with customs like a tree lighting, a bonfire outside the Big Sky Owners Association, photos with Santa, food and “Legendary Mint Tingles” at Blue Ribbon Builders, and other open houses in Big Sky’s original commercial center.
As for Saturday night, Morrison compares Town Center to Big Sky’s rendition of Rockefeller Center in the 1950s.
“It’s kind of this interesting blend of old, nostalgic throwback of Christmas in a mountain town,” he said. “The ice rink is open and people are free skating around under the lights, some people are sledding on the hill over at Len Hill Park, a big bonfire with people singing carols, s’mores… A throwback feel to classic Christmas.”
Many businesses run sales and events—a giveaway of $20,000 of merchandise to the first 100 visitors to Montana Supply Company, for example—and offer snacks and drinks. Saturday includes a tree lighting and fireworks display.
“It’s hard to put in a nutshell… it’s pretty robust. You’d be hard pressed to go do everything for the stroll,” Morrison said.
He described the importance of the stroll, which he believes is the last best chance for the community to celebrate together before the winter season.
“I think the stroll is a really wonderful time before the season really kicks off and we get into the peak season of tourism and visitors, and kind of a much more hectic taste of life,” Morrison said. “This is an opportunity for all of us who live and work here to gather and come together for one last time… before we all kind of have to step into our roles and really start our season off.”
What’s new for 2024
This year’s Christmas Stroll will feature a few additions and tweaks, especially on the ever-evolving Saturday night in Town Center.
The fireworks show is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. on Saturday. While in years past fireworks ended the stroll, Morrison heard feedback from families that the pyrotechnics were pushing up against bedtime.
The 5 p.m. tree lighting ceremony at Fire Pit Park will precede fireworks, followed by a “Pray For Snow Party” led by DJ Take A Chance.
Morrison is also excited about a new concept called the “Giving Village,” which will bring local nonprofits together for holiday cheer and festivities at the Town Center Plaza near The Wilson Hotel.
“The idea there was to invite all of our community nonprofits and partners who kind of make Big Sky tick, invite those guys to come be a part of the event,” Morrison said.
Horse-drawn wagon rides will begin near the Giving Village, bringing passengers along Town Center’s eastern corridor and dropping off near Beehive Basin Brewery—the local brewery will host a pre-stroll party from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
A hot air balloon from Endeavor Ballooning will be anchored in the same area, lit up like a giant Christmas ornament.
Over at BASE, Santa Claus will hang out at Santa’s Holiday Lounge with activities outdoors including skating and sledding.
The Holiday Market in The Wilson will also be a good opportunity for Christmas shopping, Morrison said. Holiday Market vendors and local stores and galleries will be decked out per usual, looking forward to welcoming new customers in their doors.
“All those businesses are really pumped to see a lot of local and visitor traffic coming in, and ideally shopping small before the holiday,” Morrison said.
Morrison was also excited to work with WMPAC to include “The Nutcracker” in this year’s schedule, as it typically falls on a different weekend. Tickets are available online.
Morrison encourages visitors to scan the QR code on event posters to download the Stroll Guide, which will be available roughly 48 hours before Friday festivities begin.
The full three-day schedule will continue to be updated online.
