Mission Valley Calendar

Annie Jr. – 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 9, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3 and 10 at Polson High Auditorium; Polson High School and Middle School students this musical about the audacious orphan. Tickets are $8-$10; visit polsonhs.booktix.net.

Polson Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 1 on Main Street; spectacular floats, food vendors, late-night shopping and, of course, Santa are all part of this family holiday event. To register a float, visit www.polsonchamber.com.

Reception and Open House: The Magic of Giving – 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Sandpiper Gallery; works by gallery members are on display through Dec. 31 in this annual holiday show and sale.   

Youth Art Workshop: Cradleboard and Yaya Doll Ornaments – 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 1 at the Arlee Community Development Corporation; free art class for kids in grades 3-8 is taught by Indigenous artist Jenny Fisher. Space is limited; call 406-726-5550 or email info@arleecdc.org.

Christmas Carnival, Tree-Lighting, Parade of Lights – Dec. 2 in St. Ignatius; the annual carnival begins at 1 p.m. at the high school gym and includes games, face painting, crafts, a Christmas movie and an ugly sweater contest. A tree-lighting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Gariepy Park, followed by the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m., and a chili feed, raffle and live reindeer at Good Old Days Park.

Winter Market – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 2 at Red Lion Inn and Suites in Polson; local vendors offer stocking stuffers, tables settings, decorations and gifts.

Festival of Trees – Dec. 2 at KwaTaqNuk Resort; the gala event generates funds for the Mission Valley Youth Foundation, which serves youth-based nonprofit organizations, programs and charities. Decorated trees and wreaths are delivered to Friday and auctioned off at the festival Saturday evening; for details email mvyouthfoundation@gmail.com.

Busy Elves Workshop – 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Sherri McDonald Hospitality Room at the Salish Kootenai College gym in Pablo; the evening includes a light meal, family crafts, door prizes and a photo booth. Kids must be accompanied by an adult; call 406-675-2700, ext. 1152.

Ronan Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 8 in downtown Ronan; floats line up at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street behind St. Luke Hospital for the annual parade, followed by the Holiday Treasures drawings at the Visitor Center, hot cocoa, and pictures with the Jolly Old Gent. Call 406-833-0570 for more info. The 325 Bar hosts a holiday bazaar prior to the parade at 4 p.m.

Mission Valley 4-H Holiday Bazaar – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 9 at St. Ignatius High School; holiday bazaar, hosted by Mission Valley Ranch Hands 4-H Club, offers crafts, baked goods, jewelry, beadwork, clothing, candy and more.

Open Mic and Jam – 7 p.m. Fridays at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, Ronan; also on tap is a weekly Community Jam at 7 p.m. Saturdays. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.