It was a countdown to 6 p.m. Saturday evening when the Polson Christmas tree's lights first blinked on, spreading light around the lawn at the Lake County Courthouse.

More than 50 people gathered on the 36-degree evening to shift into the Christmas spirit. Brian Miskimins from Anderson Broadcasting emceed the event and played Christmas carols to set the mood.

The Polson Chamber of Commerce served hot chocolate and cookies in front their office, while inside kids iced Christmas cookies and added sprinkles.

Next up on the holiday to-do list is this Friday's Parade of Lights, which brings festive floats twinkling down Main Street at 6 p.m. with Santa in tow. 

Head to Mission Saturday for the St. Ignatius Christmas Festival, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Good Old Days Park. The community tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m., followed by the annual Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Face painting, a craft fair, chili feed, caroling and a raffle are also on tap. 

Ronan is bedecked holiday finery next weekend, beginning with the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 and continuing with Lights Under the Big Sky, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 20-21 at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The annual extravaganza features youth activities, Santa, music, a Christmas Market and thousands of twinkling light displays. New this year is Holiday reTREEt – a holiday tree scene inside the Ronan Community Center.

The Mission Valley Choral Society tops off the season with two annual Christmas Concerts: 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the St. Ignatius Mission and 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. Cathy Gillhouse directs the 30-voice community choir in an inclusive program with contemporary and classical Christmas songs.