The Roundup: What You’ll Find in This Article

• Key dates, times, and locations for Christmas events in Cody Yellowstone
• Where to catch the Cody Cowboy Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade, Cody Trolley Holiday Lights Tour, and Santa sightings
• How to experience local traditions at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Festival of Trees, and the Santa Fly-In at Yellowstone Regional Airport
• Ideas for holiday shopping in Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse, from Western boutiques to galleries and antiques
• Family-friendly activities, free events, and cozy small-town Christmas moments to plan your Wild West holiday

Cody Yellowstone in winter is pure magic. Wide-open country under fresh snow, crisp mountain air, and endless winter adventures set the scene for a different kind of holiday getaway. Add in a calendar bursting with festive events, and you’ll be dreaming of a Wild West Christmas in no time.

Holiday craft fairs, festive local shopping, and vibrant parades keep the streets lively while the bears are tucked away in cozy dens. This is Christmas on the Old West frontier — lantern-lit storefronts, cowboy charm, and small-town traditions that feel larger than life.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Christmas and holiday events in Cody Yellowstone to help you start planning your trip.

Cody Cowboy Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade
When: November 29, 2025 (Lighted parade starts at 6:00 pm)
Where: Sheridan Avenue, Cody, Wyoming

Cody’s historic downtown district is transformed from Wild West to cozy Christmas when Sheridan Avenue closes to traffic for the Cody Cowboy Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade. Warm up around crackling burn barrels, sample bites from food trucks, join a family-friendly scavenger hunt, and, of course, say hello to Santa as the lighted Christmas parade rolls right through the heart of town.

Local Holiday Shopping in Downtown Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse

Don’t miss a holiday stroll through Cody Yellowstone’s one-of-a-kind local shops. Duck in and out of galleries, Western boutiques, and antique stores to uncover hidden treasures, find special gifts, and meet some of the friendliest merchants in the West.

You’ll find everything from local art and handmade home décor to distinctive antiques, outdoor gear, and classic Western apparel — plenty of ways to cross names off your list (and maybe treat yourself, too).

Cody Trolley Holiday Lights Tour
When: December 15–23

Light up your holidays with a trolley tour of Cody’s best-lit neighborhoods. Cody Trolley Tours are a must-do any time of year, but during Christmas the route shows off our piece of the Wild West dressed in twinkling lights and festive displays. Tours are 50 minutes long and fun for the whole family.

Insider Tip: Bring your coziest layers and your best singing voice! You’ll be belting out favorite Christmas carols with fellow passengers as the trolley rolls past one sparkling street after another.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West Holiday Open House

When: December 6–7, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Sip chuckwagon hot cocoa by an open fire, grab a candy cane, and take in live music, a handbell ensemble, clog dancers, and more during the Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s annual Holiday Open House. For two days, this Smithsonian-affiliated, award-winning complex opens all five of its museums for free, inviting you to dive deep into the story of the American West.

Have winter family photos taken, enjoy discounts at Points West Market, and visit Santa when he stops by Santa’s Reindeer Ranch. It’s a beloved Cody Christmas tradition that locals look forward to all year.

Annual Nutcracker Production by Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre

When: December 13, 7:00 pm, December 14, 2:00 pm
Where: The Wynona Thompson Auditorium, Cody, Wyoming

Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre brings the classic Nutcracker tale to life on a Cody stage with a large cast of local performers, expert lighting and stage design, and guest artists from companies such as Ballet Arizona, New York City Ballet, Juilliard, and the Suzanne Farrell Company of Washington, D.C.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, Clara’s vivid dreams unfold in an enchanting production that feels even more magical against the backdrop of Cody Yellowstone’s own brand of holiday charm.

Festival of Trees: Merry Mingle Tree Lighting & Bingo
When: November 28, 2025, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
Where: 707 Sheridan Avenue

The annual Festival of Trees spreads Wild West holiday cheer with a hot chocolate bar, family bingo, a traditional tea set among the trees, and more. Kick things off at the Merry Mingle tree lighting, then come back for festive events throughout the celebration — Brunch with Santa, a cozy Bedtime Story and Cookies with Mrs. Claus (PJs, blankets, and stuffies encouraged), the ever-popular Fashion Show, and the Feast of the Festival.

Check out the full schedule of events for the Festival of Trees.

Santa Fly-In at Yellowstone Regional Airport
When: December 5, 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Where: Yellowstone Regional Airport

We’ll all have our eyes on the sky the night of December 24, watching for Santa, his reindeer, and his sleigh. But before his big flight, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves touch down at Yellowstone Regional Airport for the annual Santa Fly-In.

Snap holiday photos, help little ones write letters to Santa, decorate cookies, and warm up with a decadent hot chocolate bar.

As you can see, holiday traditions are alive and well in the Wild West. From lighted parades on Sheridan Avenue to trolleys full of carolers and cowboy-style Christmas open houses, Cody Yellowstone puts its own spin on the season.

If Christmas in Cody, Wyoming sounds like your kind of adventure, explore our full calendar of seasonal events and start planning your Wild West holiday today.