Out and About

Actions

Community Calendar - December Events

Community Calendar December 7
Highgate Senior Living Christmas Crafts
Santa Reindeer at Scheels
Posted at 8:50 AM, Nov 28, 2022
and last updated 2022-12-08 11:56:51-05

Do you have an upcoming event you want people to know about - a fundraiser, a holiday party for the community, etc? Let us know by clicking here. We will update this list as we get submissions.


DECEMBER: CMR Performing Arts Department presents the timeless musical "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast." Showtimes are December 1-2 at 7:30 pm, December 3rd at 2 pm, and December 8-10 at 7:30 pm. At the Bill Williamson Auditorium on the CMR Campus. This show has comedy, drama, dance and all the songs that you remember from the first time you saw the show. Tickets are $10 for general admission. For ticket information call 406-268-6117.

DECEMBER: Highgate Senior Living Christmas Crafts, every day through December 24th, at 3000 11th Ave South. Lots of items handmade by our team members and our residents for sale in our lobby area, stop by and find something unique and fun for Christmas. All proceeds go to support the Alzheimer’s Association, Shortest Day, and Walk To End Ahzheimers. For more information, contact Mary at greatfalls.crc@highgateseniorliving.com or call 406-454-0991.

DECEMBER 8: Please join us at the CMR Museum for Native Voices from 4pm until 6pm as we welcome Brandon Fish with guest speaker Helen Carlson. Brandon will discuss how the Great Falls landscape was shaped through an indigenous lens. He will continue his lecture with a "walk and talk" through the Winold Reiss Exhibition as well as the Bison Gallery. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Jessica Nebel at nebel@cmrussell.org or 406-727-1939. The CMR Museum is at 400 13th Street North.

DECEMBER 8: Head Start presents Winter Art Show for their toddlers and preschoolers to show off their winter and holiday-themed art work. This event also includes hot chocolate and snacks along with crafts for the whole family. The event will be from 3pm until 6pm at 1220 3rd Avenue South. For more information, contact Alyssa Adams at alyssaa@gfoppinc.org.

DECEMBER 9: Join Great Falls author Giordano J. Lahaderne for a brief talk and reading - and book signing - from his new young adult novel, "The Mambo Wizard: Breakfast is Served!" The event will be from 6pm until 8pm at Cassiopeia Books (606 Central Avenue). For more information, call 406-315-1515.

DECEMBER 9: Taylor's Auto Max will present a free drive-in movie - the holiday classic "Elf!" The event is free and open to all. Movie starts at 6:30pm and there will be popcorn and hot chocolate free of charge, and the True Brew Espresso truck will be on site for those who wish to purchase their favorite coffee drink. Visit the event page for more information.

DECEMBER 10: Great Falls Farmers Market is hosting a Very Merry Christmas Craft Show. The event will be from 9am until 3pm at the Civic Center in downtown Great Falls.

DECEMBER 10: The Last Chance Christmas Bazaar will be from 9am until 5pm at Montana ExpoPark. The best place to get all your last minute gifts from 80+ vendors. Handmade Crafts, One-of-a-Kind items, Christmas Gifts, vintage items, jewelry, home decor, metal art, wood designs, boutiques, wreaths, and so much more. As always, free admission. Check out the event page for your chance to win some booth cash to spend at the show. For more information, call Dawn at 406-590-6710.

Last Chance Christmas Bazaar

DECEMBER 10: Kick off the holiday season at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Kids Secret Shopping Days & Trim the Tree from 9am until 1pm. Free admission to the center, Kids Secret Shopping Days - let us take your kids Christmas shopping. No gift over $10.00, something for everyone on their Christmas list, elf help, and we wrap all their gifts for them. Mom & Dad can sit back with a complimentary coffee and cookie (while supplies last). Then decorate three handcrafted ornaments - two for your tree and one for the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center's tree. It's a FUN and FESTIVE time for the whole family! The center is at 4201 Giant Springs Road. For more information, call Kelly Paladino at 406-452-5661.

DECEMBER 10: Stop by the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter between 3pm and 6pm and get your pet's photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can even be in the photo if you want to. $10 per photo (digitally delivered). All proceeds go to the Animal Shelter. For more information, call 406-454-2276. The shelter is at 1010 25th Avenue NE.

Great Falls Animal Shelter offering pet pix with Santa
Great Falls Animal Shelter offering pet pix with Santa

DECEMBER 10: Wheels Of Thunder roller rink will host Breakfast with Santa: pancakes, juice, fruit, decorate cookies, crafts, balloon lady, face painting, pictures with Santa, Grinch and Max and roller skating for $45 for 5 people; space is limited. Also on December 10 from 2pm until 4pm is Lunch with Santa: one pizza a pitcher of soda or 2 plates supreme nachos with a pitcher of soda, ice cream sundae, Roller skating picture with Santa, Grinch, and Max, Roller skating, crafts, cookie decorating, door prizes all during the lunch event; $45 for 5 people. The roller rink is at 1609 12th Avenue North. For more information, call 406-866-0850.

DECEMBER 10: Historian Mark Johnson will present "Montana's Historic Chinese Communities" at 1pm at The History Museum (422 Second Street South). Especially for kids - after the presentation, craft your own paper lantern! Paper lanterns have been used in China for almost 2,000 years. Today lanterns are used to decorate festivals and important events. This activity is free and open to all ages. Especially for kids: After the presentation, craft your own paper lantern! Paper lanterns have been used in China for almost 2,000 years. Today lanterns are used to decorate festivals and important events. This activity is free and open to all ages. For more information, call the museum at 406-452-3462, or visit the website.

DECEMBER 11: The performing group of the Montana School for the Deaf & The Blind, Expressions Of Silence, will host its annual Christmas program from 1pm until 2pm. The event will be in the Mustang Center at the school, located at 3911 Central Avenue. Deaf and Hard of Hearing students perform to festive Christmas music using sign language. Cookies and punch will follow the performance. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information, call Jennifer Wasson at 406-771-6143.

DECEMBER 12: Hip, hip, hooray! The reindeer are coming back to play at Scheels (Holiday Village Mall)! Join us Monday, December 12th, from 4pm until 7pm for one of the most (free!) magical events of the year!

Santa Reindeer at Scheels

DECEMBER 15: Cascade County Law Clinic will host a “co-parenting orientation” forum about working with the other parent on a parenting plan. Speakers will include a judge, a mediator, and a therapist/educator. It will be from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Hoines Law Office at 401 Third Avenue North (lower level). For more information, call the Cascade County Law Clinic at 406-452-6269.

DECEMBER 15: Free play, snacks, crafts, and a special visit from Santa Claus during a Free Christmas Party at the Children's Museum of Montana. Runs from 9:30am until 5pm so toddlers can have the morning and us older kids get the afternoon until 5 pm. The museum is at 22 Railroad Square (behind the Civic Center in downtown Great Falls).

DECEMBER 15-18: Victory Church's Light Show Extravaganza is back! We are excited to host this nighttime spectacular from December 15th - 18th, from 6pm until 8pm. Come out and enjoy our drive-in light show with complimentary hot cocoa and popcorn. The church is at 3001 13th Street South.

DECEMBER 16 and 17: Check out decorated houses along Candy Cane Lane from 6pm-8:30pm starting at Jaycee Park (225 23rd Avenue NE). Join us for cocoa, a map of the registered decorated houses, and see Santa and Mrs. Claus. If you would like to register your decorated house, you must do it by December 9. Click here for more registration information. For more information about Candy Cane Lane, email GreatFallsCandyCaneLane@gmail.com, or click here for the website.

Candy Cane Lane 2017
Candy Cane Lane

DECEMBER 17: Santa will be at Amy's Morning Perk inside the west-side North 40 from 1pm until 3pm! Cookies and milk while supplies last. Taking donations for toys for tots. Bring your camera! For more information, call Bernadette at 406-750-5262.

DECEMBER 17: The Sons Of Norway Lodsen Lodge will host a Bake Sale at 1314 7th Street South in Great Falls. Starting at 9 a.m. and going until it is gone! Scandinavian and other baked goodies. Frozen Viking meatballs will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit the Lodsen Lodge page on Facebook.

DECEMBER 17: The Great Falls Hilton Garden Inn will host Twas the Week Before Christmas Winter Solstice Art & Craft Show from 10am until 5pm. The hotel is at 2520 14th Street SW. We have a variety of Montana Artists and Crafters from around Montana for all of your Gift and Decorating needs. Santa will be there from 12:00 to 3:00 with photo opps available. Kids craft corner to keep the kiddos entertained while you shop or wait to visit with Santa! Come join the festivities at a beautiful Venue and support Montana Small Business! Free Admission! For more information, call 406-750-5566, or email solsticeartsandcraftshow@gmail.com

DECEMBER 18: Join us for the Music of Christmas at 4pm at the Mansfield Center! Gather with your family and friends to hear a message of hope told by children in the community. This free event will bring peace and joy into your heart during this Christmas season! For more information, contact themtgathering@gmail.com.




EVENTS COMING UP IN 2023
JANUARY 7: The Great Falls Civic Center will host a Cards & Collectibles Show from 10am until 4pm on January 7. The event will be in the Missouri Room.

JANUARY 13: The Highwood Public School Foundation is sponsoring the first annual "Keep the Chill Off" Chili Cook-Off fundraiser from 6pm until 10pm. There are two ways to participate: pay $50 to enter your homemade chili in the competition, or pay to sample all the entries. ($10 adults, $7 children, $35 family maximum.) In addition to the cook-off, there will be a full bar and silent auction. For more information, contact Nan Granger at 406-788-3150 or kngranger@gmail.com.

JANUARY 14: Annual Ice Fishing Derby in Valier - 100% payout. Great raffles and prizes to winners! From 8am until 3 pm at Lake Frances in Valier. For more information, visit the Facebook page, or email the Valier Area Development Corporation at vadc@valier.org.

FEBRUARY 3: Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is hosting Chefs, Champagne, and Art at The Newberry (420 Central Avenue). Chefs, Champagne, and Art is a way to showcase the artful food and talented Chefs right here in Great Falls and its surrounding area. This event is both a chef competition and fundraiser for the museum, with a silent auction full of amazing experiences. Featured chefs competing are Chef Gregory Rodgers from the Celtic Cowboy; Chef Jim Duehlmeir from Meadowlark Country Club; Chef Rachael Hedeen from the Ranches at Belt Creek; Chef Eric Roach from Highgate Senior Living; and Carie Bates and Melissa McQuillen from All The Things Charcuterie. Click here for ticket information. For more information, call Sarah Justice at 406.727.8255.

Chefs, Champagne, and Art

FEBRUARY 4: The BALL is a fundraiser for Great Falls Central and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Schools. The BALL is held at The Civic Center and will begin at 5:30pm. Dinner will be catered by Smoked BBQ, Drinks, Live and Silent auction. The recipient for the Legacy Award this year will be Hugh Smith and we couldn't be more excited to honor Hugh! All proceeds are split between Our Lady of Lourdes and Great Falls Central Catholic High School. For more information, contact Dawn at dbushard@greatfallscentral.org.

FEBRUARY 4: Great Falls Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited is hosting their 38th annual fundraising banquet. Besides the best walleye dinner in town, there will be a live auction, silent auction, 50/50's, games, displays and more! Tickets are $40, table of 8 for $320. Sponsor tables are available, ask about pricing. The event will be from 4pm until 10pm at Montana ExpoPark. For more information, call 406-590-6565 or 406-868-2676.

MARCH 11: Safari Club dinner and auction to raise money for wildlife conservation held by the second-largest Safari Club International group in the world, live and online auction. From 6pm until 9pm at the Heritage Inn on Fox Farm Road. For more information contact Randall Knowles at KnowlesMontana@Juno.com, or visit the SCI website.