New Year's Eve Free Events- Donations welcome

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Missoula Public Library and our All Under One Roof partners (spectrUM Discovery Area, Missoula’s Community Media Resource (MCAT), UM Living Lab) celebrate Missoula on Main…and Beyond… This annual art and culture celebration, now in its 30th year, is presented by ARTS Missoula. Join us for tons of fun for all ages from 12-4 PM on Sunday, December 31.

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 12:30pm

Let's kick off the festivities with a time-honored round dance song, setting the tone for a memorable celebration. We'll gather on the library's first floor, beginning with a meaningful land acknowledgment to honor the indigenous people of this area. It's a beautiful way to commence our event with respect and cultural appreciation.

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

In collaboration with Missoula Public Library’s Makerspace, Create out of this world masks to venture into 2024…and beyond! Masquerade parade through the 1st floor Marketplace at 1:30pm and 3:30pm 

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Contemplate Your Future at MCAT!

Our popular free Tarot Card Reading is back for 2024! Let cards help you think about your new year intentions and expectations. We will also several Happy New Year Backgrounds for you to take celebration selfies with friends and loved ones.

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Celebrate  with spectrUM Discovery Area on New Year’s Eve with hands-on Science Demos

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Stop by the Demo Kitchen to sip a warm beverage and to make a Galactic Snack! 

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Aluminum Foil Moon Craft (younger kids) Cosmic Galaxy Sensory Bottle Craft (little older kids)

Location: Missoula Public Library

455 E Main St

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Step away from the excitement and take a moment to turn inward in our Blackfoot Communications Boardroom, which will be a dedicated space for quiet contemplation.

Location: The ZACC

216 W Main St.

Time: 12pm - 1:30pm

Local nonprofit leader by day and a creative by night, Heather Harp premieres her first combined piano performance and art show. In 2019, she mesmerized audiences playing her atmospheric dream-like piano music in Palmerston North, New Zealand, our local Missoula Senior Center, and First Night. Since her last stage performance, Harp dived into a new art form of “feltings” – creating wall hangings made of felt fabric hand-sewn with curvaceous shapes in bold colors of the sea and sky, creating emotions of light, hope, and optimism.

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 4)

455 E Main St

Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

The Missoula All-City Jazz Ensembles is a non-profit organization which was founded in 2017 to provide an opportunity for area high school musicians to work on their skills in an improvisation format separate from their existing high school band programs. The organization is now available to provide an education experience to high school & middle school students throughout the Missoula community. 

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 1)

455 E Main St

Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

The Absent Wilson Conspiracy explores acoustic, and electric jazz through contemplative and spacious original compositions. Drawing rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic textures from across the spectrum of classic and contemporary jazz, the band is driven by a deep love of the collective improvisation at the heart of jazz.

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 2)

455 E Main St

Time: 1pm - 2pm

Students learn the traditional, artistic, and competitive forms of Irish dancing in a welcoming and supportive environment from qualified Irish Dance instructors with extensive training in Ireland. 

Location: Headwaters Foundation

119 W. Main St. Second Floor

Time: 12pm - 1:30pm

Ring in the new year the "write" way with Clark Fork Prep and the Missoula Writing Collaborative. Experts will be on hand to help writers of all ages toast 2023 through inventive poetry. Either keep your words to yourself or stick around to share your creation during Word Dog's Poetry Slam immediately following. Suggested donation for event: $10.

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 2)

455 E Main St

Time: 1:45pm - 2:45pm

Buck Hitswithastick, Bitterroot Salish Educational Indigenous Regalia Performance. Sponsored by Spectrum

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 4)

455 E Main St

Time: 2pm - 3pm

If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm!"

Come join Drum Brothers in a hands-on rhythm  session for ages 8 and up! Learn the basic techniques of West African hand drumming and experience the joy and power of community music-making. Extra drums will be available and no previous experience is necessary.

Location: Headwaters Foundation

119 W. Main St. Second Floor

Time: 2:30pm - 4pm

Word Dog is a free, public event open to all who like to listen. Our event with Missoula on Main will be a condensed version of our regular events. We will have some pre-selected speakers as well as some open mic spots available. if you would like to share please arrive before 2:30 to sign up, the sign up sheet will be posted by 2:15. Suggested donation for event: $10.

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 1)

455 E Main St

Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Sundog North is a Missoula-based Americana trio featuring Laurie Banks on bass, Michael Huberman on dobro, mandolin, and banjo, and Fred Lerch on acoustic guitar. They bring a dynamic mix of their acoustic instruments blended with harmonies to their originals, and fun covers of other artists.

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 2)

455 E Main St

Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Turning the Wheel Missoula invites you to our ROMP: an all-ages dance party! 

2nd Floor in the Imaginarium

An hour of easy movement games to release stress, connect with each other, and find our source of joy and playfulness. Our ROMP revitalizes community and personal wellness by bringing families together to play in a safe and inclusive environment. Come as you are!  Find new ways for you and your family to enjoy and relate with each other! 

Location: Missoula Public Library (Level 4)

455 E Main St

Time: 3:30pm - 4:30pm 

Made up of musicians from diverse performance background including jazz, classical, and folk genres, Big Skylight’s original music is inspired by the subtle differences in the color and timbre of light across the Montana sky.  Big Skylight features founder and handpan performer Dawn Mcgee, Neutrino Yeatts, Handpan, Steve Kalling Double Bass, and Bethany Joyce, Cello.

Location: The Elks Club

112 N Pattee St.

Time: 3:30pm - 4:45pm 

Join us at the Elks Club this New Year's Eve for an unforgettable evening of salsa dancing! This complimentary event welcomes participants of all skill levels. While attendance is free, we kindly suggest a donation of $10 to support the festivities and ensure a fantastic experience for everyone. Don't miss out on the chance to groove and celebrate the arrival of the new year in style!

Location: Jeannette Rankin Peace Center

519 S Higgins Ave

Time: 5pm - 7pm

A longtime New Year's Eve tradition, the Peace Center is back to offer a thoughtful wish for the new year. Join us in making a luminary for peace and help create this live art installation  - making a giant peace sign together. We will have the bags, candles, and items to write with. All you have to do is stop by!

Location: United Methodist Church.

Time: 8pm - Midnight

Discover the perfect family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration! From 8 to 9:30 pm, indulge in Chili and exciting kid's activities, followed by a delightful transition into the evening with Mocktails and Dancing from 9:30 pm to Midnight. Be a part of this complimentary event, and consider making a suggested donation of $10 to enhance the experience. Your presence will add to the joy of the festivities!