Not everyone gets to celebrate a white Christmas, and if you are one of the unfortunate ones who doesn’t, you may be looking towards West Yellowstone for your Christmas journey. Offering snowy days and nights that can really make you feel the spirit of the holiday, our small and rustic corner of the world shines brighter this time of year, offering a variety of holiday activities that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas, especially when you choose one of our Sweet Home Montana holiday hideaways for a comfortable and endearing holiday celebration. This guide to Christmas lights and displays in West Yellowstone will help you find the joy and comfort you have been missing over the holidays.
The Shops and Businesses in Downtown West Yellowstone
Although the big cities seem to have toned down the decorating when it comes to Christmas, here in West Yellowstone the tradition of big decorations remain strong. Finish up your Christmas shopping at our local stores, enjoying the lights that reflect off the snow at night, doubling the effect and bringing color to your life. Inside, Christmas music may be playing and more decorations will help you rediscover your love of the holiday, turning the chore of shopping into a happy adventure that will add to your enjoyment of the season. The restaurants of West Yellowstone will also be decorated, their lights shining bright, while also offering Christmas trees that greet you at the doors, reminding you that the holiday will be here before you know it. Serving meals that are hearty and hot, warming your insides as well as your soul, they may not be open on Christmas day, but the days leading up to it will offer your favorite comfort foods.
West Yellowstone Christmas Stroll, December 20
This annual event is one we at Sweet Home Montana look forward to every year, offering a jump start to our holiday celebrations that is festive and fun and encompasses every Christmas tradition, including the lighting of our town tree. Below, we have listed some of our favorite parts of this wonderful event, perhaps leading you and your family towards a new holiday tradition.
- Holiday Selfies – The Chamber of Commerce will be offering a variety of holiday backdrops perfect for family pictures or a quick selfie you can post on your favorite social network site, showing your friends and family how much Christmas fun you are having. This activity can take place all day, and many of the backdrops will feature Christmas lights that will shine even in bright daylight.
- Reindeer Games – The shops will be open extended hours on this day of celebration, giving travelers another opportunity to finish up their holiday shopping, while also offering a variety of “reindeer games” at Santa’s Workshop. Prices will be a shopping spree, so be sure to play.
- S’more Stations – You never know when you need a gooey and chocolatey marshmallow treat to help restore your flagging energy, and for that reason, there will be multiple S’more Stations set up around town in the afternoon.
- Christmas Movies – What is better than watching a Christmas movie on a snowy day in West Yellowstone? Watching it for free on the huge screen at Yellowstone Giant Screen Theater, located at 101 S Canyon Street. Last year, the movie “du jour” was the Santa Clause, but it hasn’t been announced as of yet if it is going to be the same this year or if they are choosing a different Christmas movie to screen.
- Parade of Lights – We love a parade, and the West Yellowstone Parade of Lights offers magical floats that are shimmering and glittering for the big holiday. Snaking its way along the streets of downtown, spreading cheer, excitement, and building anticipation for the events that follow, this small town parade will warm your heart in a big way.
- The Lighting of the Christmas Tree – The parade ends at the town tree, towering over the West Yellowstone landscape, waiting for the click of the switch that sets it alight. The beauty of this moment will burrow its way into your soul and as you stand out in the cold, watching the tree light up the night, staring at the people who surround you, you will know that your Christmas journey to West Yellowstone is destined to become a new family tradition. Pictures with Santa begin after the lighting, adding more joy to the moment.
The Neighborhoods That Surround Your Holiday Hideaway
We love Christmas and the homes that surround your Sweet Home Montana holiday hideaway will be adorned in their holiday finest, encouraging you and your family to bundle up, perhaps fill a thermos with hot cocoa, and take your own Christmas stroll around the neighborhood. Reserve your favorite holiday escape today!