The holidays are here! It’s time to break out the hot cocoa, the decorations and festive music, and gather family and friends to celebrate the season. It also means it’s time to take part in traditions that make this time of year extra special. From decorating a tree with a unique Christmas tree topper to baking your grandmother’s recipe, traditions help make the holidays our own.

Bozeman businesses know that, too, and many have their own holiday traditions to make the season sparkle. From annual events, signature decorations, and community gatherings, here’s a list of the Top 10 holiday traditions from Bozeman businesses. You might even decide to adopt some as your own!

Nutcracker Display at Lewis and Clark Motel
Every year, the Lewis and Clark Motel at 824 West Main displays an impressive collection of hundreds of nutcrackers in its lobby for the holiday season. With traditional, themed, and even animatronic nutcrackers of every shape and size, anyone is welcome to stop by and learn about the different items in this display. Whether you’re interested in taking a self-guided tour around the nutcrackers to learn about their origin and history, or you simply want to wander and immerse yourself in this winter wonderland, this beautiful display is a must-see this holiday season.

A Christmas Carol at the Ellen Theater
The Ellen Theater in downtown Bozeman is over 100 years old and is certainly a historic staple in Bozeman. To celebrate the holidays, the theater puts on A Christmas Carol every year, bringing together the grouch Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future in a magical tale about the importance of kindness and generosity. The play runs from Dec. 5 to Dec. 21 with shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas Stroll Window Display Competition
Every year, as part of the iconic Christmas Stroll in downtown Bozeman, the Downtown Bozeman Association puts on a window display competition to encourage businesses to share in the holiday spirit by decorating their storefronts for the season. Businesses like The Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company and Bozeman Spirits Distillery are regular participants in the competition, but you can see all the displays just by taking a walk downtown this December. Go experience this collective tradition, and maybe even snag a few gifts from local businesses while you’re there!

Homestead Holiday at the Museum of the Rockies
If you’re looking for a fun, interactive, and educational tradition to take part in this holiday season, try the Museum of the Rockies’ Homestead Holiday. Every year, the museum brings the historic Tinsley House to life, where participants can make their own Victorian-style holiday card or ornament. The Hager Auditorium will host a holiday book reading, while a fun, festive show will also be available in the Taylor Planetarium. Enjoy Christmas carols, treats, and photos with Santa, too. This signature event takes place on Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6-9 p.m. this year. Check it out for fun with the whole family.

The Bozeman Symphony’s Holiday Spectacular
The Bozeman Symphony’s popular Holiday Spectacular concert returns for its fifth year this December. The concert’s program features a mix of popular holiday songs, and includes a Christmas Carol Sing-Along. Shows take place Friday, Dec. 12, Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14 this year. Come prepared by listening to the Bozeman Symphony’s 2025 Holiday Spectacular playlist on Spotify. Bring friends and family along for this interactive concert to get the holiday spirit flowing.

Victorian Holiday Tea at the Story Mansion
Friends of the Story Mansion organizes this annual tradition, which sends participants back in time with a Victorian Tea Party. The event takes place Sunday, Dec. 7, with seating times at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Enjoy being served homemade baked goods and savory treats in the historic Story Mansion, and break out your own vintage clothing to really step back in time! This is a great way to connect with friends, family, and Bozeman’s history while getting a nice, warm start to the holiday season.

The Nutcracker Ballet
This year marks the 42nd production of The Nutcracker by Montana Ballet Company. One of the largest artistic collaborations in the region, this year’s Nutcracker will be in conjunction with the Bozeman Symphony and Opera Montana’s Youth Chorus. Performances are historically held during Christmas Stroll weekend at the Willson Auditorium.

Winter Art Walk
Another iconic Downtown Bozeman Event, the winter art walk gives downtown businesses a chance to host and feature local artists, with some even handing out light bites and complimentary drinks to those browsing! This year’s walk takes place on Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to bask in Bozeman’s art scene and find some unique gifts for your loved ones this holiday.

Holiday Markets
A list about traditions for Bozeman businesses would be remiss without a mention of all the holiday markets hosted around the valley. These markets offer a great opportunity to meet small, local sellers in Bozeman, many of whom have dedicated hours of their time to crafting handmade, holiday-specific products.

The Bozeman Farmer’s Market will host its Winter Market on Dec. 6, 20, and 27, and will feature a variety of produce vendors in addition to local artisans. Studio Wheelhouse will host its annual art market on Dec. 14, where participants can browse the work of local artists for free and even make their own holiday artwork. If you’re looking for a more spirited event, the Bozeman Yule Festival and Holiday Market takes place on Dec. 19 and 20. In addition to hosting local vendors, the event will have live music, a gingerbread decorating competition, and opportunities to snap photos with Santa.

Bridger Bowl’s Torchlight Parade
Every year, Bridger Bowl lights fireworks and puts on a torchlight parade to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Attendees of this free event will see skiers holding torches glide down Bridger Bowl’s slopes, creating a snake of light down the mountain; a fireworks show ends the procession. The event often features live music, with dinner offered in Bridger Bowl’s lodges. This event is a great way to celebrate Bozeman’s ski culture while celebrating the new year!