Livingston is known not just for its rodeos, but for its strong sense of community and small-town charm, especially during winter. Each year, two major traditional communal events take place: Light-up Livingston and the Christmas Stroll. Light-up Livingston is held on the following Saturday after Thanksgiving, located at the Depot Center & Park, and featured activities for any age: holiday lights and tree lighting, photos with Santa, a hot chocolate stand, candy canes, crafts, popcorn, and massages. Carolers from the Park High Chamber Choir performed, along with students: Hunter Viers and Xander Becnel, who sang live Christmas music after winning the O’Donnell singing competition. Light-up Livingston has become a cherished tradition for locals.
Livingston’s Historic Christmas Stroll kicks off on the first Friday of December. For this event, Main Street was transformed into a festive holiday scene with shops staying open late for seasonal shopping. This year’s Stroll featured fun festivities: wagon rides, photos with Santa at Livingston Home Outfitters where guests received a small gift, and numerous small-business pop-ups along Main Street. Characters like the Grinch and Nutcrackers walked around, and businesses such as Wolf’s Mercantile and Curated Closet turned their spaces into festive winter wonderlands. ERA Landmark Real Estate also held a gingerbread house contest, where community members voted and received an “I voted” gingerbread sticker.
Some Park High students and one graduate shared their experiences. Zoey Polk (junior), moved to Livingston her freshman year, and has attended every Christmas Stroll since. She described the ice carving as the most magical part, recalling vivid sights of tacky Christmas outfits, jewelry, and the smell of peppermint hot chocolate. Siara Bailey (junior), a lifelong Montanan, has been to nearly every Christmas celebration in town. For her, the lights are the most enchanting element, accompanied by the sounds of chatter, sleigh bells, and Christmas music. Alexis Orr (adult) has been attending the Stroll since she was six. Her favorite childhood memories include sipping free hot cocoa, roasting s’mores, and waiting for Santa, who’d give her a small gift with a teddy bear, gloves, a hat, and a candy cane. She noted that the Stroll felt more magical when she was younger, especially when local shops handed out stamps that could be collected and traded for a prize.
Though the stroll changes from time to time, it’s a beloved tradition for gathering, shopping, and celebrating the season in the heart of Livingston.
