Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

Billings’ Holiday Bucket List

December 2023

by jessica renstrom

Scroll on to check out the full version of Simply Local's 2023 Holiday Bucket List or print out a copy to check off throughout December!

Print out the full version of Simply Local Magazine's 2023 Holiday Bucket List!

Pick the perfect handcrafted gifts at the Maker’s Market at 4220 State Avenue
Attend Billings Symphony’s Christmas On Broadway on December 16
Warm up with hot cocoa at Black Dog Coffee House
Enjoy a Christmas Light Tour with Billings Trolley & Bus Company
Hunt for the perfect Christmas tree in Red Lodge
Go sledding at Rimpoint Park
Decorate cookies for Santa in a Sweet Sundries class
Choose a festive wreath at Gainan’s
Stock up on candy canes at Candy Town USA
Take in a holiday film at Art House Billings or the historic Babcock Theatre

Get pictures with Santa at Rimrock Mall
Go ice skating with friends at Centennial Ice Arena
Experience magical light displays at ZooMontana’s Holiday Nights
Hit the slopes with your skis or snowboard at Red Lodge Mountain
Experience Whoville & the Grinch at Josephine Crossing
Find Rudolph and the Misfit Toys on Glantz Drive
Peruse classic Christmas stories at This House of Books
Enjoy A Christmas Carol: Musical at NOVA
Try cross-country skiing at Two Moon Park
Create a painting for someone you love at Bitterroot Sip & Paint
Donate gifts to CLDI’s Christmas Store for children in our community

Create your own ornaments at A|R Workshop
Fill up on sweet stocking stuffers from Brockel’s Chocolates
Build a snowman in Pioneer Park
Write a card to a resident of St. John’s United Assisted Living
Get popcorn for a Christmas movie night from Ceci’s Popcorn
Volunteer at the Billings Food Bank
Help your home smell like Christmas with candles from Veronica Candle Co.
Take a walk in the snow and admire the view from Zimmerman Park
Host a holiday meal in a new apron from Zest

Listen to classic Christmas carols by Almeda Bradshaw at Church for the City on December 7
Start a snowball fight in Sacajawea Park
Send a loved one (or Santa!) a holiday card from the Joy of Living Gift Shop
Sip hot cider out of a handcrafted mug from 504 Square Feet
Help fill an empty stocking for a local senior through Big Sky Senior Services
Take family photos in the snow at Riverfront Park
Find the perfect antique holiday decor at Liberty & Vine Country Store
Learn to knit your own stocking at the Yarn Bar
Go dashing in the snow on a sleigh ride at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky
Make paper snowflakes with supplies from Art’s Paper & Paint

Originally printed in the December 2023 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Never miss an issue, check out SLM's digital editions here!

Jessica Renstrom

Jessica is a Billings local with a background in marketing and a degree in Communications. She loves being a mom and soaking up time with her young children, especially during the holidays! You can catch her feeling festive and listening to Christmas music basically every day in December.

The Stockings Were Hung: Stocking Stuffers for Everyone on Your List

The timeless tradition of hanging stockings by the mantle and waking to find them filled with trinkets, candies, and toys comes from a folkloric tale rooted in joyful giving, and every year the custom continues to fill homes with expectation and delight on Christmas morning. Take a look at this list of fun and practical stocking stuffers we’ve curated for you.

2023 Santa Sightings

There are ever-growing options for tracking Santa’s magical journey on Christmas Eve, but what about finding him for those special, ahead-of-Christmas encounters?

2023 Holiday Happenings

From here to there and there to here, holiday fun is EVERYWHERE! We’ve mapped out the holly jolly good times (along with opportunities to be a handy helper) for you and yours to mark your calendars and make the most of this holiday season.

All is Calm: The In-Between of Christmas & New Year’s

In the in-between of Christmas and New Year’s, when the kids are still on break and we don’t really know what day it is, we can find the calm and enjoy real face time with each other. Come along as we brainstorm ideas for making the most of this mid-schoolyear break.