Christmas in Cody Yellowstone comes with plenty to celebrate. Sheridan Avenue fills with glowing parade floats, Santa makes an early landing at Yellowstone Regional Airport, and communities across the Big Horn Basin turn out for holiday celebrations that have become local traditions.

There’s plenty happening in Cody Yellowstone this season. Powell and Meeteetse have their own Christmas festivities, the Festival of Trees brings people together for a good cause, and local shops are ready to help you find gifts with a little more personality than anything you’ll find at a mall.

So, pull on your warmest coat and come celebrate Christmas in the Wild West. Here’s what’s happening in Cody Yellowstone for the 2026 holiday season.

When: November 28, 2026, 4:00–8:00 pm (Lighted Parade at 6:00 pm)
Where: Sheridan Avenue, Downtown Cody

There are plenty of reasons to love Sheridan Avenue, but seeing it filled with illuminated Christmas floats is a pretty convincing one.

The Cody Cowboy Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade takes over historic downtown for an evening of holiday shopping, live music, treats, and Western hospitality. Local retailers open their doors for the festivities, giving you an opportunity to pick up a few gifts while enjoying the celebration.

Then, at 6:00 pm, the main event arrives. Cody’s Lighted Christmas Parade travels east along Sheridan Avenue from 9th Street to 15th Street, with decorated floats making their way through the heart of town.

Our tip: Arrive before the parade to explore the shops and grab something warm to drink. You’ll have a much better chance of getting some Christmas shopping done before everyone heads outside to watch the floats.

Santa Fly-In at Yellowstone Regional Airport

When: November 28, 2026, 3:00–5:00 pm
Where: Yellowstone Regional Airport, 2101 Roger Sedam Drive, Cody

Santa’s got a pretty busy December ahead, but he’s making time for one important stop in Cody Yellowstone before the big night.

At the annual Santa Fly-In, Yellowstone Regional Airport trades its usual travel routine for an afternoon of Christmas activities. Bring the kids to write their letters to Santa, decorate cookies, and pose for holiday photos.

The 2026 celebration also includes holiday coloring sheets, a hot chocolate station, chocolate fondue, photo backdrops, and special goodie bags.

Better yet, the Fly-In takes place on the same day as Cody’s Cowboy Christmas Stroll. Spend the afternoon with Santa, then head downtown for the lighted parade at 6:00 pm. That’s a pretty good Saturday in our books.

Soroptimist Creative Craft Fair

When: November 28, 2026
Where: Park County Fairgrounds, 655 East 5th Street, Powell

If handmade gifts are on your Christmas list, make your way to Powell for the annual Soroptimist Creative Craft Fair.

Held at the Park County Fairgrounds, the fair brings together artisans and local producers offering handmade crafts, artwork, and specialty foods. You might find something for the person who’s impossible to shop for, or discover a locally made treat that’s you want to wrap up and gift to yourself. We won’t judge!

It’s a chance to support local makers while finding gifts with a real connection to the Big Horn Basin.

Festival of Trees: Nine Days of Christmas Traditions

When: November 27–December 5, 2026
Where: Cody Regional Health, 707 Sheridan Avenue, Cody

Some Christmas traditions are about more than decorating a tree. Cody’s annual Festival of Trees brings the community together through nine days of celebrations, with decorated trees, seasonal entertainment, and fundraising that supports local nonprofit organizations.

The 2026 schedule has plenty to choose from, including family activities, live music, festive gatherings, and a few occasions to dress up.

Here’s what’s happening:

• November 27 — Memorial Tree Lighting (6:00–8:00 pm): The festival opens with a special evening honoring loved ones, with hot chocolate, cookies, and ornaments. Admission is free, with donations benefiting Spirit Mountain Hospice House.
• November 29 — Brunch with Santa (11:00 am–1:00 pm): Bring the family for a breakfast buffet, photos with Santa by the fireplace, games, and activities. Tickets are $10 for adults, and kids eat free.
• November 30 — Storytime with Mrs. Claus (6:30 pm): Pajamas, blankets, and favorite stuffed animals are encouraged for an evening of stories, cookies, and milk. This one’s free to attend.
• December 1 — Festival Fashion Show (6:30 pm): An evening of fashion, appetizers, desserts, and a mystery bag sale. Individual tickets are $35.
• December 2 — Music Showcase (from 3:30 pm): Enjoy a series of local musical performances, with a new act every half hour. Admission is free.
• December 3 — Ugly Sweater Adult Bingo (6:00–8:00 pm): Put that questionable Christmas sweater to good use. Admission is free, bingo cards cost $2 each, and there are prizes for the best sweaters.
• December 4 — Feast of the Festival (6:30 pm): Dress up for an evening of dinner, music, and a live auction of decorated trees supporting local charities. Tickets are $50 per person.
• December 5 — Tea in the Trees (10:00 am–noon): Finish the festival with tea and brunch among the decorated trees. Guests can purchase individual tickets for $25 or reserve a table for eight for $175.

You’ll find additional details and ticket information in the full Festival of Trees schedule.

Powell’s Christmas Fest & Lighted Parade

When: December 4–5, 2026
Where: Downtown Powell and Plaza Diane

Powell isn’t finished celebrating after Sample the Season. The town returns for another round of Christmas festivities during Powell’s Christmas Fest & Lighted Parade.

The celebration begins Friday with cocoa, community caroling, and the lighting of the Plaza Diane Enchanted Forest at 5:45 pm. Grab a cup of cocoa, toast a marshmallow, and join the festivities as the lights come on.

Saturday brings more entertainment at Plaza Diane, including performances, gingerbread cookies, and Santa’s Workshop, where children can get their hands busy with holiday crafts.

Then there’s the Lighted Parade. Local floats roll through town decked out for Christmas, with Santa himself making an appearance aboard an antique Powell Fire Department truck.

Stick around for dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the evening. Powell knows how to throw a hometown Christmas celebration.

Christmas in Meeteetse

When: December 5, 2026
Where: Meeteetse, Wyoming

Meeteetse may be small, but this town knows how to celebrate Christmas. The annual Christmas in Meeteetse celebration brings local businesses and community groups together for a day of holiday fun, with plenty of reasons to explore the historic downtown.

Past celebrations have featured horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts, Santa visits, and seasonal treats from local businesses. The full 2026 schedule is still being finalized, but December 5 is confirmed. Mark your calendar and come see how this little Western town celebrates the season.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West Holiday Open House

When: December 5–6, 2026
Where: Buffalo Bill Center of the West, 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody

Buffalo Bill knew how to put on a show, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Holiday Open House is a fine excuse to gather the family for some Christmas fun.

Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, catch live holiday entertainment, and bring the kids to meet Santa and take part in a holiday coloring contest. There are door prizes up for grabs, a membership raffle, and plenty of seasonal activities throughout the Center.

Best of all, admission is free both days, giving you a chance to explore all five museums while you’re there. From Western art and Buffalo Bill’s legacy to the wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone region, there’s plenty to discover between the Christmas festivities.

Annual Nutcracker Production by Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre

When: December 12, 2026, at 7:00 pm and December 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm
Where: Wynona Thompson Auditorium, 1225 10th Street, Cody

For 29 years, Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre has brought Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Mouse King to the stage in Cody.

The 29th Annual Nutcracker Production returns this December with a full-length performance set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score.

The production brings together local dancers, professional artists, and elaborate costumes and sets. It’s a chance to see talented performers from our own community share the stage in a production that’s become a holiday tradition for Cody families.

There are two public performances to choose from, so pick your seats and settle in for a Christmas classic.

Find tickets and performance details through Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre.

Cody Trolley Holiday Lights Tour

When: December 15-23, 2026
Where: Cody, Wyoming

Want to see just how seriously Cody takes its Christmas decorating? Let somebody else do the driving.

Each December, Cody Trolley Tours offers a Holiday Lights Tour through some of the town’s best-decorated neighborhoods. Climb aboard for a 50-minute ride past glowing homes and Christmas displays, with plenty of caroling along the way.

It’s a fun way to see the community’s holiday handiwork, especially if you’ve got little ones who would rather admire the lights from a warm seat than make another walk through the cold.

Christmas Shopping in Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse

Christmas shopping in Cody Yellowstone comes with a few advantages. There are no endless mall corridors to navigate, and you can find gifts that reflect the people, makers, and Western traditions of the region.

Start along Sheridan Avenue in downtown Cody, where Western shops, galleries, and locally owned businesses make it easy to spend an afternoon browsing.

For a few ideas, stop by The Cowboy Palace for hats, boots, and Western apparel, or check out the gear and gifts at Custom Cowboy Shop. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is another option for Western art, books, and gifts inspired by the region’s history.

In Powell, head to Bent Street, where Abide 307 Boutique carries clothing, accessories, and handmade goods from local makers. For something sweet, stop by Queen Bee Gardens for Wyoming-made honey caramels, English toffee, and other treats that make excellent stocking stuffers.

And don’t overlook Meeteetse. Its historic downtown is home to small shops, galleries, and the Meeteetse Chocolatier, where cowboy chocolatier Tim Kellogg creates artisan truffles inspired by Wyoming. A box of those would make a fine Christmas gift, assuming it survives the drive home.

Explore more places to shop in Cody Yellowstone.