Christmas 2026
Christmas in Helena
The parade, the strolls, the Nutcracker, the craft fairs and Santa: Helena's holiday season from mid-November to Christmas Eve, with the dated listings organizers have posted so far.
The holiday events Helena plans around
Queen City Ballet Company's The Nutcracker
Saturday, November 21, 2026 – Sunday, November 22, 2026 · Helena Civic Center
Arts & Theater
Celebration of Lights (formerly Parade of Lights)
Friday after Thanksgiving, roughly 5 to 8 p.m. · Downtown Helena Walking Mall
Family
Reeder's Alley Holiday Market
Thanksgiving weekend, Friday evening through Sunday · Reeder's Alley
Community
Intermountain Festival of Trees
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Sunday, December 6, 2026 · Helena Civic Center
Community
East Helena Christmas Stroll
Expected Thursday, December 3, 2026 · Main Street, East Helena
Community
Helena Holiday MADE fair
Friday, December 4, 2026 – Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds
Community
Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting and Original Governor's Mansion Holiday Open House
Tree lighting is a weekday evening in the first week of December; the Mansion holiday open house is a Saturday afternoon in early December · Montana State Capitol rotunda; Original Governor's Mansion
Community
On the calendar
Christmas in Helena: common questions
- When is the Helena Parade of Lights (now the Celebration of Lights)?
- Lit floats park along the Walking Mall the Friday after Thanksgiving and the downtown fire tower lights up at 6 p.m. Free.
- When is the East Helena Christmas Stroll?
- East Helena's Main Street businesses stay open late on the first Thursday of December for vendors, a kids' tent, school performances and Santa. Expected Thursday, December 3, 2026; the organizer has not announced it yet. Free to attend; vendors, raffles and food are paid.
- When is The Nutcracker in Helena?
- Queen City Ballet has staged a professional Nutcracker at the Helena Civic Center every November for more than two decades, bringing in guest dancers from companies like Diablo Ballet. Dates: Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, November 22, 2026. Adult tickets ranged $18 to $40 by seating tier in recent years (Economy $18 up to Box $40), with student/senior pricing available and VIP tables of four or six for $220-$320.
- Is there a Christmas craft fair in Helena?
- More than 175 Montana makers fill the fairgrounds the first weekend of December, and Saturday entry after 10 a.m. is free. Dates: Friday, December 4, 2026 to Saturday, December 5, 2026. Free Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5 Early Bird pass Saturday 9 to 10 a.m.; $10 VIP pass Friday 5 to 8 p.m.
- What is the Festival of Trees?
- Intermountain fills the Helena Civic Center with decorated trees and wreaths for five days after Thanksgiving and auctions them to pay for children's mental health services. Dates: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 to Sunday, December 6, 2026. Each event is ticketed separately. 2025 prices: Tea in the Trees $350 per table of 8 or $50 per guest seat; Evening in the Trees $30; Starlight Gala $150 per seat (invitation only); Jingle Bell Jam $25; Family Days $5, kids 3 and under free. 2026 tickets go on sale November 3.
- When is the Capitol Christmas tree lighting?
- The governor lights a Montana-grown Douglas fir in the Capitol rotunda most years in early December, and the Montana Historical Society opens the Original Governor's Mansion for free holiday tours the same week. Both events are free.
- Where can kids get photos with Santa in Helena?
- Helena's 1870s brick alley opens a holiday market on Thanksgiving weekend, with Santa photos in the Stonehouse Grotto and the Holiday Burros. Free to attend.