Christmas Stroll returns to Whitefish Dec. 9

by Whitefish Pilot
| December 7, 2022 1:00 AM

The holidays are upon us, and that means it’s time for one of the biggest family events of the season in the Flathead – the annual Whitefish Christmas Stroll, sponsored by Stockman Bank.

Downtown Whitefish will come alive Friday, Dec. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m., with the lighting of the Depot Park Christmas Tree, the arrival of Santa Claus in a horse-drawn wagon, street corner caroling, fire-dancing and juggling, among many other activities.

There will be music by the Alpine Bell Ringers, North Valley Music School, the FVCC Vocal Ensemble and Whitefish High School’s Birdland Jazz Ensemble. The Stroll features great artists, crafters, food vendors and nonprofits set up booths along Central Avenue. Plus, plenty of toasty fire pits to help keep you warm.

Make sure to check out the winners of the annual Window Decorating Contest and The Great Whitefish Gingerbread Contest sponsored by Deaton and Company Real Estate, and let the kids make a gingerbread cookie of their own, or a one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament at the Stumptown Art Studio.

King Ullr and the Winter Carnival Royalty will be on-hand for the festivities, Santa will be doing “selfies” at FORLOH and the Bar W Guest Ranch will offer free wagon rides around Depot Park throughout the evening. You can also pet a Clydesdale with the folks from the Clydesdale Outpost, and check out the SnowBike Nation “Bike Cave.”

All that, plus dozens of great Whitefish restaurants, shops and stores to help brighten your holidays and whittle down that Wish List. And, a chance to win hundreds of dollars in prizes in our annual Shopper’s Drawings, simply by shopping (or dining) in Whitefish this week leading up to the event.

Shoppers can exchange their receipts for raffle tickets at the Chamber Tent on Friday night (one ticket for every $20 spent), and win one of six great gift packages donated by local businesses.

The Whitefish Winter Stroll is presented by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce and Stockman Bank. For more information, call 862-3501, or visit whitefishchamber.org.