School is back in session and the air is getting more chilly! Pumpkin Spiced everything is flying off the shelves as we prep for another wonderful fall here in Southwest Montana. Check out this busy list of highlighted events for the upcoming season the whole family can enjoy in Bozeman, Montana and the surrounding Southwest Montana area.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman Symphony Concert Series | Sept 24 & 25 | Oct 29 & 30 | Dec 10 & 11 | "Welcome to the Bozeman Symphony’s 2022/23 Concert Season! Join your Bozeman Symphony at the Willson Auditorium for a thrilling 2022/23 Concert Season, as we gather to celebrate the orchestra, our 55th anniversary, and Music Director Norman Huynh’s vibrant symphonic journey through music and time."

Museum of the Rockies - Haunted Mountain Theater | Oct 21-23 & 28-30 | Experience the Northern Rocky Mountains’ spookier history and folklore brought to life through a production that blends live theater with the Taylor Planetarium’s state-of-the-art capabilities. This year’s production will center around the last hanging in Bozeman and the gruesome murder associated with it, being trapped underground, restless ghosts, and more. Based on authentic research, the stories prove one thing, sometimes life is scarier than fiction. Following the planetarium show, explore the historic Tinsley House by lantern light, if you dare! Experience chilling campfire tales, encounter spirits, and enjoy a seasonal treat.

Downtown Bozeman Trick or Treating | Oct 31 | Join our downtown businesses for a safe way to enjoy traditional trick or treating in beautiful Downtown Bozeman. Over 150 businesses welcome kids and families with candy and Halloween decorations!

Intermountain Opera presents The Falling and the Rising | Nov 4, 5, 6 | "The Falling and the Rising is a new American opera by Zach Redler & Jerre Dye commissioned by the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus to create an emotional connection between the public and the military who protects them. Just 80 minutes long and based on real life interviews with wounded veterans, The Falling and the Rising beautifully portrays the struggles, sacrifices, and strength of the men and women who serve us every day."

Can the Griz Food Drive | Nov, TBD | 2022 marks the 23rd year of the Can the Griz Food Drive. This food drive is a friendly, off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for their local food bank - the winner gets Bragging Rights. Can the Griz proceeds go to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank and benefits Bounty of the Bridgers campus food pantry. The Bobcats have successfully canned the Griz 17 of 21 years! Let's get another W, Bobcats! Stay tuned for the official dates.

16th Annual Huffing for Stuffing | Nov 24 @ 8am-12pm | "Huffing For Stuffing combines community spirit with a lively race atmosphere to improve the lives of many of our community members. Since our inception in 2007, Huffing For Stuffing has provided over half a million dollars in funding to our local food bank! The race is held each Thanksgiving morning at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. All abilities are welcome.  We want you to be a part of Gallatin Valley’s favorite Thanksgiving holiday tradition! Huffing For Stuffing is presented by HRDC's Gallatin Valley Food Bank in partnership with Big Sky Wind Drinkers."

Christmas Stroll | Dec 3 @ 4:30-7:30pm | "Be a part of Downtown Bozeman’s greatest holiday tradition…the Christmas Stroll. Always on the first Saturday in December, come downtown to officially kick-off the Holiday Season! First, Santa Claus works his way down Main Street, singing Christmas carols and lighting the downtown holiday lights with more than 5,000 people in tow to help get people into the holiday spirit. Then enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa Claus, entertainment, holiday treats and much more! The fun lasts until 7:30PM. Buttons will be available for purchase after Thanksgiving at various Bozeman locations."

Big Sky, Montana

6th Annual Haunted Peaks Festival | Oct 28-30 | "A three-day Halloween celebration in Big Sky Town Center. This all-ages event is filled with traditional holiday activities like the Dia De Los Muertos celebration, a costume block party with acts like BoomBox, Magic Beans, and Shakewell, Mini Monster Mash costume contest and trick or treat, a horror film festival, Yappy Hour costume party for people and pets, a haunted run to the pub, Pumpkin King & Queen carving competition, and other great Fall fun."

Opening Day: Ski Big Sky Resort | Nov 24 | Come and join us for the first day on the mountain!

BSSHA Winter Skating Rink Schedule | Mid-Dec - Mar | The rink will be open from mid-December – March with a variety of programs for kids and adults. The rink will be located in the same area as in the past, but access will now be through the north side while construction continues on BASE. Parking will be in the lot behind the Lone Peak Movie Theater. *Dates tentative to be updated.

Christmas Stroll | TBD | "There’s lots to celebrate in Big Sky at the annual Christmas Stroll. Highlights of this festive evening include the tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, illuminated cross country ski/fat bike trails and walkways, sleigh/wagon rides, classic holiday films on the big screen at Lone Peak Cinema, carolers, music, good cheer, fireworks, and more!

Big Sky Winter Fest | Feb 3-6 | "Join us Feb. 3 through 6 for the inaugural Big Sky Winter Fest – four days of family-friendly winter celebration including Viking Races, Frozen Foot Fun Run, skijoring, ice sculptures, live music and street dance from the heart of Big Sky, Montana. Charitable funds raised throughout Big Sky Winter Fest will benefit Big Sky Ski Education Foundation."

Livingston, Montana

Livingston Art Walk | Sept 23 @ 5:30-8pm | Livingston has a rich, expansive art community, and we want the world to know about it! The Livingston Gallery Association is a group of business owners who work together to promote our local art and culture by collective advertising in prime locations and by creating  Fourth Friday Night Art Walks.

Yellowstone Harvest Fest Fun Run | Sept 25 @ 8:30am | This amazing 5k fun run takes participants through the changing cottonwoods by the Yellowstone River in Sacajawea Park and then back through the streets of Downtown Livingston. This event is timed, but that only matters if you care how fast you run. Participants can run, walk or stroll the course. Families are encouraged!

Storytelling Night: Witching Hour | Oct 13 @ 7-8:30pm | "Elk River Arts & Lectures is hosting a live event on Thursday, October 13th to showcase the magical, mysterious, and true “Witching Hour” stories from our community! We are looking for folks to share real-life tales from the Twilight Zone – your eerie and enchanted encounters, sleepless nights, uncanny interactions, creepy conjurings, unsolved mysteries, and more!"

Ennis, Montana

36th Annual Hunters Feed | Oct 21 @ 3-5pm | Hunters Feed is held every year before rifle season opens. We welcome to our Main St. hunters, families, friends and food enthusiasts. Chefs of all abilities offer up their best and most creative wild game dishes.

Spirit of Christmas Stroll | Dec 9 @ 5pm | Come experience Ennis during an old-fashioned Christmas Stroll. Merchants will be open late, featuring Christmas treats for all! Ice Sculpture Demonstration, the Lions Club Park by the Madison River will be lit for the holiday season at 5pm, and the Town Christmas Tree will be lit at 6pm in Peter T’s Park!