Community volunteers known as the Bigfork Elves will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in front of the Bigfork Inn to decorate the village with fresh garlands and trees, red bows and colored lights. Their efforts will create a colorful background for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration known for good food, great music, art and of course, Santa Claus.

After the decorations are hung the party progresses with the annual Holiday Art Walk from 3-7 p.m. The 17 shops and galleries participating this year will have refreshments and snacks as well as a copy of the art gallery map.

The opportunity to sign up for a $100 gift certificate good for any business participating in the Holiday Art Walk can be found at the bottom of the map. For those driving into town, a suggested starting point would be at Conrad Floral on Montana 35.

The walk will conclude with the Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. in front of the Bigfork Inn. While the rest of the village is decked out in colored lights and red bows, the village tree will shine with gold bows and crystal lights.

The Bigfork Museum of Art and History is also opening their two week show in honor of the holidays, “Festival of Trees,” beginning this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will culminate with a champagne gala on Thurs., Nov. 29, at 5:50 p.m.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at the Bigfork Station and classic carriage rides through Bigfork will be offered from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 8, 15 and 22. The annual holiday parade will be on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

For additional information contact the Bigfork Chamber at 837-5888 or visit www.bigfork.org.