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Finding Santa 2013: Billings, Montana

Ho, Ho, Ho! Tis the season to dive headlong into a whole slew of holiday traditions, a favorite of many being tracking down Santa and taking the annual picture with jolly, old Saint Nick. Here at Simply Family Magazine, we’re hoping to take some of the guesswork out of your Santa seeking, hooking you up with the when’s and where’s of Santa sightings in Billings, MT throughout this holiday season.

Be sure to bookmark this article and check back, as we’ll be updating it throughout the month as new information becomes available. New additions will be denoted with an *asterisk. 

One and Done…

Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 @ 9am - Cookies with Claus @ Rimrock Mall (in front of Women’s Dillard’s) – Mrs. Claus and Santa will be out and about for a cookies and milk celebration; leading Christmas sing-a-longs, and reading their favorite holiday stories. The first 100 children will receive a personalized ornament directly from Santa’s workshop! This event is free for families with children of all ages.

*Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013 @ 1pm  - Santa appearance at Laurel Public Library - Santa will popping in for a visit at the Laurel Public Library, located at 720 West 3rd Street in Laurel.

For a Limited Time Only…

Festival of Trees @ Shrine Auditorium – Santa will be on hand throughout the weekend of The Family Tree Center’s annual fundraiser.

  • Friday, Dec. 6, 2013 @ 5pm-8pm – Family Fun Night: In addition to games, crafts, and more Santa will also be available for photo opportunities.
  • Saturday, Dec. 6, 2013 @ 9am-8pm – Arctic Art & Playland: As with Family Fun Night families can partake in games, crafts, take in the trees and entertainment, as well as get some face-to-face time with Santa.
  • Saturday, Dec. 6, 2013 @ 11am-1pm – Brunch with Santa

Click here to get the full Festival of Trees schedule (and admission fees), which runs from Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 7.

Polar Express @ Billings Depot

Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 14-15 @ 4pm & 7pm

Tickets: $24.99/child +1 adult (if more than one adult is coming with a single child, a limited amount of adult tickets will be available for $15, to be purchased at the door).

This popular event invites the kiddos to come in their jammies, as they snuggle in on Billings Depot’s fuzzy red rug with cookies and hot cocoa and watch as the “magical story of the ‘Polar Express’” unfolds before their eyes. The story is brought to life by RockyMountainCollege’s theater department. This event also includes a sing-along and photo opportunities with Santa (including an autograph!). The kids will also receive a conductor’s hat, wooden train whistle, and magic bell.

To purchase tickets go to www.billingsdepot.org. Tickets are limited, so be sure to get yours ASAP!

*Beartooth Harley-Davidson

Saturday, Dec. 14 @ 11am-4pm & Sunday, Dec. 15 @ 11am-4pm

Bring the whole family to Beartooth Harley-Davidson in Billings, located at 6900 Interstate 90 Frontage Road, for pictures with Santa! Photos are $5 taken by Photo Creations.  

Throughout December…

Photos with Santa @ Rimrock Mall

Nov. 16 – Dec. 24, 2013

Sharing Christmas wishes and having the photo to commemorate that special moment, visit Santa during these times:

  • Nov. 30 – Dec. 21: Mondays-Saturdays 10am-7pm (breaks 1:30pm-2pm and 5:15pm-6pm); Sundays 12pm-6pm (break at 2-3pm).
  • Dec. 22 – Dec. 23: 10am-7pm (breaks at 1:30pm-2pm and 5:15pm-6pm).
  • Dec. 24: 10am-5pm (break at 1:30pm-2pm).

Click here for pricing information. The actual visit with Santa is free.

Free pictures with Santa at Cabelas

Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15 @ 10am-12pm, 1pm-2pm

Find Santa in the archery department, where pictures are “always fun and free whether you’ve been naughty or nice,” according to Cabelas’ website.

Santa @ ZooLights

Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-23

When ZooMontana brightens up during December with ZooLights, Santa will be on hand making appearances in the ‘Grizzly Gifts and Otter Stuff’ Gift Shop. Families are invited to stop by the gift shop following the light tour for crafts, fun, shopping, and photo ops with Santa (you bring the camera). Santa will be spreading holiday cheer every evening of ZooLights except for Dec. 24 (too busy) and Dec. 31 (man’s gotta rest).

The cost for the ZooLights tours (done from the toasty warmth of your own car) is $10/car, $15/van, $20/bus. Discounts: $2 off for members and $1 off with a donation of an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

 To have your organization’s Santa sightings included, please email Simply Becca at localevents@simplyfamilymagazine.com.

 We invite you to share your favorite Santa stories in the comments below!

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