Philipsburg Yule Night | An Annual Christmas Celebration

If you’re looking for a unique holiday experience, look no further than Philipsburg, Montana, and their annual Yule Night celebration. This single day event is jam packed with activities for the whole family. Make sure to plan ahead and book your accommodations for Friday night! With activities planned from around 4pm to 10pm on Friday night, there is no doubt you will want to make a weekend out of the experience. And there is no better Montana getaway than to Philipsburg, Montana.

When you arrive in Philipsburg, get checked into your cozy accommodations (check out the Broadway Hotel, the Kaiser House, or a selection of Airbnbs). Once you are settled in, make your way to Broadway Street where you’ll find a variety of local businesses to explore before the scheduled festivities begin.

One of the most popular destinations in Philipsburg is the Sweet Palace which promises a nostalgic candy shop experience complete with a taffy pull and chocolate counter. You’ll want to make sure to plan your visit to the Sweet Palace on Friday afternoon as the Sweet Palace is closed Saturdays. Just down the street you’ll find the Philipsburg Brewing Company, the perfect place to rest your feet and enjoy a pint of craft beer and YES! they have a selection of non-alcoholic beverages as well.

Historically, the Yule Night festivities begin around 4:00pm on Friday night and with the packed schedule, you’ll have a hard time deciding where to go first – but here are our suggestions!

• Start with the market off Broadway (on the Sansome cross street). The community comes together for the indoor market to feature a variety of vendors, provide snacks, warm drinks and even a photo op with Santa Claus!

• Once you’ve explored the market, swing by the Philipsburg Public Library (located at 106 W Broadway St) for a silent auction and the kids craft room in the back! These holiday crafts are sure to be a crowd pleaser but are the perfect holiday memento to display in your home.
• We even found time for a quick game of Bingo at the Sapphire Gallery in support of the Healthy Granite County Network before heading back outside!
• At this point, we are closing in on Parade time which is the highlight of the evening! The Lighted Christmas Parade route starts at the top of Broadway and goes straight down the road to Gem Mountain’s Gallery. There isn’t a bad viewing spot on the route, but we settled in across from the Sapphire Gallery and couldn’t have asked for a better view. Each year, there is a new theme for the parade.

• After the light parade, you’ll see the bonfires around town come to life. This set up makes for a perfect Hallmark scene. As you wander around town, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a s’more over the fire or warm up with a delicious cup of cocoa. The entire community gets behind Yule night and quite a few of the businesses participate. As you enjoy everything that Yule Night has to offer, look out for various parties taking place around town.
• Now is the time to grab a quick bite to eat before wrapping up at the theater. There’s a number of restaurants throughout Philipsburg ranging from Sushi, American, or Mexican! Try Brick’s Pub, Kiko’s Mexican, Doe Brothers, or Friday Night Pizza.
• After grabbing a bite to eat, the final event of the night is the Christmas Concert at the historic Philipsburg Opera House. This stunning and historic theater is a true labor of love and has seen some renovations over the past couple of years which have breathed new life into the property. This Christmas concert is the perfect end to the evening, and you won’t want to miss the chance to dance the night away.

While the Christmas festivities may only last an evening, you’ll find plenty in the area to warrant a full weekend getaway in the area! Start your morning off at Sherry’s Homestyle Bakery for some delicious breakfast and incredible hospitality! Or just grab a sweet treat for the road :slightly_smiling_face: We grabbed a cake pop – YES it was served in an ice cream cone and couldn’t have been happier with the decision!

In Philipsburg, you aren’t far from some incredible outdoor recreation! Discovery Ski Area offers some of the best downhill skiing and snowboarding in Southwest Montana while the Echo Lake area provides miles of cross-country ski trails! If ice fishing is more your style, Georgetown Lake is the place to be. Other winter activities in the area include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and snow kiting! Why not spend another night in the area and explore the wide-open spaces of Southwest Montana on Saturday!

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Philipsburg Yule Night is sure to get you in the holiday spirit and provide a perfect canvas for creating memories that will last a lifetime. Gather your friends and family and make your way to Philipsburg for an unforgettable holiday themed weekend!