Mission Valley Calendar

“A Christmas Carol” – 7 p.m. Dec. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson; the Port Polson Players launch their 50th season with Charles Dickens classic tale, reprised as a musical extravaganza with a cast of 30 and live music. Go to PortPolsonPlayers.com or call 406-883-9212 for reservations.

Polson Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 6 on Main Street in Polson

St. Ignatius Christmas Festival – 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Good Old Days Park; the community tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m., followed by the annual Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Face painting, a craft fair, chili feed, caroling and a raffle are also on tap. 

Christmas Bazaar – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson; browse the selection of handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, cookies and treats. 

Mission Valley Youth Foundation’s Festival of Trees – Dec. 7 at KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson; proceeds fund youth activities. 

Women’s Self Defense Class – 9:30-11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the CSKT Senior Center in Ronan; Amberly Walker teaches this free class. Call 406-830-8864 for info.

Yaya Doll Crafting Class – 4-7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Arlee Community Development Corporation; participants 12 years and up can bring their own fabric scraps to put a personal touch on their Yaya dolls in this hands-on workshop, which also explores cultural traditions and fosters learning and sharing. Materials will be provided and a light supper will be served. Reserve a space by calling 406-726-5550 or emailing info@arleecdc.org.

“Rural Montana – Connect to Thrive” – 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 12 online; the Montana Library Network is hosting this free virtual program featuring two rural public health enthusiasts who discuss findings from surveys and interviews with rural Montanans about the health, vitality, needs, strengths, and future of their communities. Register at: tinyurl.com/RuralMontanaThrives.

Ronan Parade of Lights – 6 p.m. Dec. 13 through downtown Ronan

Lights Under the Big Sky – 5-9 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 20-21 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan; youth activities, Santa, music, a Christmas Market and thousands of lights are on tap. New this year is Holiday reTREEt – a holiday tree scene inside the Ronan Community Center. For info, look for the event on Facebook.

Mission Valley Choral Society Christmas Concerts – 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the St. Ignatius Mission and 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson; Cathy Gillhouse directs the 30-voice community choir in an inclusive program with contemporary and classical Christmas songs. Admission is free; call 406-261-3304 or 406-260-6103 for info.

Polson Winter Market – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Red Lion in Polson; Santa and Mrs. Claus plan to arrive at 11 a.m. Vendors sell their wares all day; call 406-849-1021.

Ninepipes Christmas Bird Count – Dec. 15 at the refuge south of Ronan; for more information contact Jim Oates, oates65@gmail.com or 406-270-7826.

Winter Market – noon-3 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 29 at the Ronan Boys and Girls Club; shop local for the holidays. 

Winter Night Lights – continuing through Dec. 31, with a reception 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gifts in Polson; this members-only holiday show showcases the creations of Sandpiper artists. Visit sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com.

David Spear: Walk the Walk – Then and Now” – through Dec. 31 in the Three Woodcocks Fire Arts Building at Salish Kootenai College; Two Eagle River photography instructor and world-class photographer David Spear shares his work. The exhibit follows last summer's show by his students from 2001-2024, titled "Talk the Talk – Then and Now." The gallery is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

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.

Arts & Crafts in Polson — 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Summit Independent Living, 3 Ninth Ave. West, Suite 1 in Polson; join CSKT elder Tammie Miller for an afternoon of crafting, companionship and snacks. Bring a craft project or use available materials to start one. Open to people of all abilities; call 406-215-1604 for more information.

Upcoming meetings

Kiwanis – First Thursday of the month, noon at Kwataqnuk Resort, and third Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m. at Bunkers, Polson Bay Golf Course; Kiwanis is an international organization dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time. Meetings are open to the public.

Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group – noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays (no meeting Dec. 25) of each month at the Church of the Nazarene, 42653 Old Highway 93, in Pablo; anyone affected by cancer is invited to participate in this group led by Matthew Connally of the Ronan/Polson Nazarene Church. Learn more at www.cheerfulheart.org or email cheartinc@gmail.com.

Climate Café – 9-11 a.m. on the third Friday of every month at the Flathead Lakers office in Polson; partake in a thoughtful conversation about climate change.

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.