❉ Winter Visit to Missoula – Local Festive Events ❉

Typing away at Clyde Coffee, a local coffee shop favorite in Zootown, otherwise known by the wider world as Missoula, Montana. Indie music playing, several others with their laptops open, coffee grinding and slow humming chatter fill the cozy ambiance. There is a sense of contentment and comfort I find here. The feelings could be from the brisk 20 min. cold winter walk I took to get here, or the somewhat similar mountain cozy style everyone seems to fall into. Stylistic, yet functional, warm, hygge, inviting. 

I look up, my friend Em is here, “hello!” I join her and a few others at a nearby table to enjoy breakfast munchies. Another friend walks in. Em says “this is my very good friend and landlord!” We chat, a flow of friendly interactions, this is what Missoula is like. My friends leave to go on a hot springs adventure that I was invited to, but I decided stay back and commit myself to the craft of writing today. There are always adventures to be had and one must make compromises. The community here is strong, as this is one of the most beautiful things about this small and yet growing town. Live here a few years, and you’ll find yourself weaving into the everyday magic that is kismet here. 

With that said, the best way to experience Missoula is by way of local events! If you are reading this and don’t know anyone from this town, I’d recommend finding a local event to go to.  Check out missoulaevents.net, as this is the ‘holy grail’ of events for the town. It might even be a good idea to check out events beforehand so you can plan your ‘local’ visit when there are lots of fun things going on. Another sure way to find local events is going to the Break Cafe on Higgins Ave, walk in, and right before you get to the coffee counter, look right, and there’s a door filled with event flyers that either happened or will happen. Other great places to find flyers are literally all around town on shop windows. As mentioned, the community is vibrant and flyers will give you an idea of what the latest happenings are.

Flyers from places like the Peas Farm, the ZACC, Still Room, Freecycles, all host community events year-round. Annual events like the Missoula Holiday Made Fair, holiday party at Bernice’s Bakery, Movies at the local movie theater – The Roxy, music shows at the Top Hat, upcoming theater performances at MCT. There are many! As I list some of them, I realize I might just need to write a Zootown blog: part 2.

After I gather event happenings, preferably from the Break Cafe, which events I will go check out, I’ll grab a cup of joe and slice of strawberry rhubarb pie. Sit at a table near the window and watch the world pass by. Think ‘Gilmore Girls’ town, and you’ve got the it.

Truth be told, I’ve been visiting this town for just shy of two decades. I’ve lived here twice. The first time for 2 months, and the second time for 3 years. My twin sister attended the University of Montana here in 2007 and so I came out to visit her, and I saw it as her town, her people, her place. It had a smaller population back then, no direct flights that I recall, less fancy stores on Higgins st. It felt pretty remote coming from various cities I lived in, and that was the charm of it. I’d come here to see my sister, ski at Snow Bowl, drink at the local breweries, bicycle in the snow, hang with her crew of friends. Redneck meets hipster meets outdoor enthusiasts! Many found themselves here from other states, attracted to the slow pace of life, fly fishing, mountain life. With a strong university town which keeps the median age at 32, with a new influx of young people every year, many staying for the community, culture, and quality of life.

I’d say most people favor coming to Missoula in the summer, but if you’re a fan of seasons, the cold, snow and feeling cozy indoors, then it’s worth visiting in the winter. I’m here in mid December, and it’s quite delightful. It’s typically pretty cold and grey, but today, the blue skies are out and the sun is shining, so I got lucky! There’s a layer of frost on the ground with the golden hills, snow capped mountains. The one thing I love the most is seeing the mist in the folding of the mountains around 7-8am. There’s something so majestic about how nature shows itself in this way. I used to live in a cute small apartment with very tall windows that looked directly at Mount Sentinel, and to this day, it brings about peace and joy and acceptance of the seasons that we all go through. 

With the winter season comes holiday happenings! This past weekend I was able to catch the annual Little Red Truck European Christmas market at the Fairgrounds. 3 buildings filled with local craft makers showcasing their unique styles, a wide array of funky earrings, vintage wears, coffee mugs, candles, lotions, hand crafted knives, warm beaver skin mittens, the list of adorable and cozy knit items go on and on. They had traditional Glühwein ( spiced mulled wine ), mini sugar donuts, German sausages, and mini dumplings. We took it upon ourselves to try all the things, while standing outside in a market of vendors, enjoying the crisp winter air amidst the holiday festivities. 

We then hopped over to Holiday on Higgins – The annual holiday street fair downtown, also filled with many more craft makers and food vendors. I’m not sure how Missoula became the epicenter of unique funky earrings and attire, but it sure does not disappoint! Plenty of day events for kids like ornament decoration and Santa Claus visits. As the day got darker, the twinkling Christmas lights came out and the tree lighting ceremony at the X’s commenced.

As I walked around town, I remembered why this place feels like home. I have history here, yes, but more than that. It feels so welcoming and familiar. There is so much packed into this mountain town, yet, nature is all around, a river changing with every season. One day… I think I’ll move back to this beautiful place, but for now, I get to visit like a local and write about it.