Looking for a bright spot at the end of 2021? We suggest driving around looking at holiday lights! It’s the perfect socially distanced activity and something the whole family can enjoy! So fill up your mugs with some hot cocoa and enjoy the lights around Missoula!

cheer map

Luckily, a map has already been created and rather than duplicating efforts, we’d like to share this one. Download the “NextDoor” app and then click the button the three dots on the bottom right hand side that say more. A few rows down you’ll see a gingerbread man and “Cheer Map.” If you have decorated your house, you can pin your own address or click skip and see where there are Christmas lights around town!

Here are a few neighborhoods we’ve really enjoyed driving by:

Miller creek

“Candy Cane Lane” or Nicole Court, as it’s known other days of the year, is fully decked out for Christmas.

Take Upper Miller Creek Road to Linda Vista Blvd. Linda Vista Blvd is lit up nicely and leads the way to some pretty incredible holiday lights in the Miller Creek area. As you head down Linda Vista Blvd. take a left onto Scott Allen Drive. You’ll see a number of nicely decorated houses along the way. Then, take a left on Nicole Court or as we call it, ‘Candy Cane Lane’. Each one of the houses on this street have their own holiday display of lights and along the sidewalk, a candy cane adorns each home. You can turn around at the end of the cul-de-sac and from there, find other lights in the area on the Next Door app.

As you’re headed toward Candy Cane Lane, take a look at 4720 Scott Allen Drive. Look for the giant dinosaur inflatables. The family who lives there sets up the dinos in honor of their son “Squish,” who died of a rare form of pediatric cancer last year. Squish’s parents are working hard to draw attention to their fundraiser to buy books for Brent’s Place, a home away from home for child cancer patients in Denver. The family hopes viewers who enjoy the dinosaurs will feel inspired to participate in the fundraiser.

At the bottom of Miller Creek, there’s a lone home on the corner of Orchard & Valley View that’s worth the drive. From the little igloos with Olaf to the giant snow globe and Mickey and Minnie Mouse inflatable decorations, these folks spent a lot of time putting together their creative and classic display. You don’t want to miss this one!

Orchard & Valley view home filled with holiday cheer!

Stone Mountain

Formerly known as Mansion Heights, Stone Mountain is located on the southside of town and just off Hillview Way, Stone Mountain includes a number of beautifully lit homes this year. Even more impressive is the panoramic view of the city lights that can be seen from this neighborhood.

Pleasantview

Located directly off Mullan Road from Flynn Lane near Hellgate Elementary, this neighborhood has a number of homes that have been decorated with holiday cheer.

44 Ranch

Located of Mullan Road turn right onto George Elmer. This neighborhood has gone all out. Almost every house has lights, inflatables and plenty of holiday cheer to go around. This would be a great neighborhood to stroll on foot too!

Ranch Club

Located off Mullan Road a few miles further west than 44 Ranch, houses in The Ranch Club are more spread out, the landscape is dotted with Christmas lights.

Christmas light show missoula

UPDATE for 2021: They are taking this off to replace some bulbs and do maintenance, but plan on returning in 2022!

The standout each year is a display at 4406 Spurgin Road. Starting Wednesday, December 16th, they will have nightly shows from 6-9pm until December 25th. Featuring a huge LED tree, 8 trees on the porch, and more, the display is usually synchronized to music on a radio station. They took the year off last year, but we are so glad they are back and sharing it with our community! For more updates and sneak peeks, follow them on Facebook at Christmas Light Show Missoula.

Just down the street at 4635 Spurgin Road is another can’t-miss. There’s many homemade scenes and decorations, and lots of lights. Decorations with movement include a merry-go- round, ferris wheel, train, dragon tunnel, and Snoopy and friends.

Lolo

Believe it or not, the best light viewing place in Missoula might not actually be in Missoula city limits. The Lolo community organized Lolo Light Fight, encouraging residents to decorate their homes and compete for the following titles: Grizwold Award (best use of lights); Santa’s Choice (overall winner); and Frostys honorable mention (small spaces, condos, apartments and mobile homes). Check out the map to see where to go to view these Christmas wonders.

Holiday Lights Around Missoula