On Dec. 6, 2025, downtown Missoula hosted their annual Holidays on Higgins event featuring the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a Santa Clause visit, festive floats, Missoula Makers, bonfires, carriage rides, and Christmas caroling from our very own Hellgate Chevaliers!

Though in past years it has been a “Parade of Lights” through the streets, they have recently changed it to a “reverse parade” letting the people walk the streets and the booths and floats line the sidewalks. This year the vendors and floats extended through four blocks of downtown.

This year’s event was packed with people on Higgins Avenue from Broadway street all the way down to the XXXXs where the tree lighting took place in front of the Train Station.

The night started off at 4pm with booths and floats. The Missoula Makers Collective brought in 40+ makers, the Missoula Public Library hosted a Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-great, and Out West Wagon Rides offered free horse-drawn carriage rides.

At around 5:30pm the Hellgate Chevaliers began their festive carols filling the air with holiday music. This led straight up to the lighting of the tree at 6pm by Santa Clause and Missoula’s very own Mayor.

After the tree lighting the Big Sky choir joined Hellgate and they sang one song together. Then Big Sky took the stage while Hellgate went and sang in front of the Missoula Symphony building.

According to Downtown Missoula Partnership, this event was put on by Downtown Missoula Partnership and the Missoula Downtown Association. The event drew thousands of people downtown and filled the streets up to around four blocks out. 

This event was admission free and for all ages. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season and come together with the Missoula community for a day full of fun festivities.