Ski season kicks off the day after Thanksgiving or the weekend preceding it with Grand Targhee opening on November 22nd and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on November 29th. Snow King's opening day will be December 5th. But aside from the obvious thrills that late November and December bring to powder hounds, there is a lot of non-skiing fun going on, too. You can take in a live show at the Center for the Arts or Jackson Hole Playhouse, duck into a holiday craft fair, or watch Santa bring smiles to young and old alike in Town Square and out in Teton Village.
Check out the offerings that are happening over the next two months!
November Events
Ongoing throughout the month:
• Jackson Hole Moose Hockey games in the Snow King Sports & Events Center will be held November 15, 16, 22 and 23. The team is back in action for their 27th season of hard-hitting ice hockey in Jackson Hole. Visit snowkingsec.com.
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month (when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit!) just after sunset at Rendezvous Park (R-Park) off of Rte. 390, the Teton Village Rd. Please park in the main parking area and walk to the far side of the hill following the "Public Stargazing" signs. There is $10/person recommended donation. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please.
• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has brought locals and visitors together year-round for more than 15 years, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m.
• Winged Wednesdays at Teton Raptor Center: Held from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Hardeman Barn; a series of free educational programs held on the first Wednesday of each month in which an expert will take you on a deep dive into a specific avian topic.
• The Virginian Saloon in the iconic Virginian Lodge offers live music Thursday through Saturday nights starting at 9 p.m., plus karaoke on Wednesday - virginiansaloon.com
• The Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel hosts live music every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The Wort's sister bar, The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, has music every Monday-Saturday night.
1-2: Teton Mudpots Holiday Sale - Sponsored by the Art Association of Jackson Hole at the Center for the Arts, featuring local artisans - artassociation.org
11: Special Free Screening of "399: Queen of the Tetons" at Center For the Arts - Come watch this free* screening of the powerful PBS-produced documentary, a tribute to the life and legacy of the now late Grizzly 399, who was killed in an accident on the highway south of Jackson on Oct. 22. For free tickets*, click here.
16: Laff Staff Improv Comedy at Center for the Arts - 8 p.m.; tickets $20 - jhcenterforthearts.org
22: Grand Targhee Mountain Resort opens - weather dependent - grandtarghee.com
28: Annual Turkey Trot - 5K run/walk at 9 a.m., starting at the Wilson Boat Ramp access road off Hwy. 22. To register in advance, visit runsignup.com.
29: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens - weather dependent - jacksonhole.com
29: Ski Season Opening Party at the Mangy Moose - Celebrate the start of ski season with local favorites Sneaky Pete and the Secret Weapons; 7 p.m.; tickets $22 -mangymoose.com
29: Annual Town Square Lighting - Sip on hot cocoa, snack on local treats and drop off a letter to Santa in the Stage Stop Building (every night until Dec 25). The event is truly a sight to behold! - jacksonholechamber.com
December Events
Ongoing throughout the month:
• The Holiday musical at Jackson Hole Playhouse begins December 13th. Christmas dinner and show at 6 p.m.; show only at 9 p.m. Continues through January 4, 2025. Call the box office between noon-4 p.m. at 307-733-6994. - jhplayhouse.com
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month (when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit!) just after sunset at Rendezvous Park (R-Park) off of Rte. 390, the Teton Village Rd. Please park in the main parking area and walk to the far side of the hill following the "Public Stargazing" signs. There is $10/person recommended donation. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please.
• Snow King Resort hotel has some holiday fun activities on tap the entire month of December for children staying there with their parents: Mondays are Trivia Night in Hayden's Post from 7-9 p.m.— this will cover topics about winter and the holidays; Tuesdays are Movie Night, featuring holiday favorites; S'mores Night is every Wednesday and includes candy canes and other holiday candies; Thursdays are holiday-themed craft night; Game Nights will be on Fridays, with reindeer ring toss snowman building contests; and Saturdays are hot cocoa nights.
• Bluegrass Tuesday's in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has been bringing locals and visitors together year-round for more than 15 years, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m.
• Jackson Hole Moose Hockey games will be held at 7 p.m. in the Snow King Sports & Events Center on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21. The team is back in action for its 27th season of hard-hitting ice hockey in Jackson Hole. You must reserve your tickets in advance; no walk-ups. Visit snowkingsec.com.
• The iconic Jackson Hole Hootenanny takes place every Monday night at 6 p.m. in the Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel. There will be a special "Holiday Hoot" on December 16th from 5:30-7 p.m.
• The Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel hosts live music every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The Wort's sister bar, The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, has music every Monday-Saturday night.
4: Winged Wednesdays at Teton Raptor Center - Held from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Hardeman Barn; a free educational program in which an expert will take you on a deep dive into a specific avian topic.
5: Wort Hotel Annual Street Lighting and Holiday Street Party - Live music, Santa, complimentary food and drink; 5-7:30 p.m.
5: Snow King Mountain Opens - snowkingmountain.com
7: Art Association's 61st Annual Holiday Bazaar - Arts and crafts show, ideal for made-in-Jackson Hole holiday shopping, held at Jackson Hole Conference Center; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; $6 entry fee. - artassociation.org
7: 2nd Annual Ski in Jeans Day at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - This unique event invites skiers and snowboarders of all levels to hit the slopes in their finest denim and enjoy discounted lift tickets ($25 for the day) and $50% off rentals. Après-ski celebrations will feature a mechanical bull, special giveaways, drink deals and more. - jacksonhole.com
9: "Sip and Shop" at the Wort Hotel - Wine and retail therapy; 8+ local artisans and wine or cocktails; $20
12-15: Jackson Hole Film Festival at National Museum of Wildlife Art - An annual edit of international films that have gained notoriety as we near the award season corridor. Tickets start at $20 - wildlifeart.org
13: Shop & Sip at JH Sports and Teton Village Sports - Enjoy free tastings from Wyoming Whiskey from 4-7 p.m.
13-15: Dancers Workshop presents "Fairest of Them All" at Center for the Arts - Dance performance at 2, 4 and 7 p.m. - jhcenterforthearts.org
14-24: Visit Santa on the Square - The jolly big guy in the red suit will be holding court in the StageStop Building from 5 to 7 p.m. nightly
14: Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides open - Weather dependent. Tickets are sold in the National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center in the parking lot. - fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge
16: Holiday Hoot (Hootenanny) at Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel - 5:30-7 p.m.; free
17: Cathedral Voices Chamber presents its free "Sounds of the Season" concert at The Center for the Arts Theater - The Jackson Hole Brass Quintet and the Teton Music School Youth Choir will also perform; 7 p.m.
18: Byron Stripling’s Holiday Swing at the Center for the Arts -
Presented by Grand Teton Music Festival at 7 p.m.; Ring in the holiday cheer with trumpeter Byron Stripling’s infectious yuletide joy and your favorite seasonal tunes. Tickets cost $50-$100; children/students $25-$50 - jhcenterforthearts.org
19: Holiday Cocktails and Tasha and the Goodfellows - The popular local band performs at 7 p.m. in the Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel; free
20: Celebrate the Winter Solstice at R Park - Held from 4-7 p.m. Free chili, mac and cheese, hot drinks and sledding; hot cocktails crafted by Wyoming Whiskey will also be available. As dusk approaches, check out the R Park Lantern Trail, a walkable path through R Park with solar lanterns decorated by local school kids.
21: Jackson Hole Community Band's Winter Holiday Concert - Center for the Arts; free festive concert with traditional holiday favorites
21: Winter People's Market - Farmer's market held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Community Building (305 W Snow King Ave)
21: Tree Lighting, Snow Castles and Free Skate on Teton Village Commons - Grab the family and enjoy a free skate from 4-6 p.m. The official light-up will begin at 5.
19: Holiday Gallery Art Walk - Galleries will be open late, with many serving cider and other festive refreshments, along with special show openings, and holiday events; 5-8 p.m. - jacksonholegalleryassociation.com
22: "Planetarium" in the Snake River Lodge Sundance Room - From 4-6 p.m., take a 30-minute virtual tour of the Cosmos (starting on the hour and half hour) inside a portable Digital Planetarium System.
22: Winter Carnival at Snow King - Sponsored by the Jackson Hole Ski&Snowboard Club; 4-6 p.m.; alpine, nordic, freeride and backcountry activities for all ages; BYO gear
23: Cookie Decorating at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's Cafe 6311 - Enjoy decorating some freshly made sugar cookies; free
"GlowNights" begin in Teton Village and at the Center for the Arts - Annual installation presented by JH Public Art; free admission daily until 10 p.m. with celebration events at each location. - jhpublicart.org
24: Free skating on the Village Commons ice rink - The big jolly guy in red will be ice skating on the rink in the Village Commons from 3-4 p.m.; skate rentals are available in the warming hut.
24: Santa Claus visits Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - The jolly old elf will appear Jackson Hole-style by repelling out of the Aerial Tram at 4:20 p.m.
24: Naughty or Nice Christmas Party at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - Holiday fun for Christmas Eve, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. No advance tickets, first come, first serve. Must be 21+ for this event.
25: Ski/ride with Santa at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Santa will strap some skis on and conquer some of the greens on Teewinot around 10 a.m. and then at Casper and Apres Vous until noon.
Town Square Giant Menorah Lighting - Menorah lighting, Hanukkah songs and treats; menorahs and dreidels will be available; 7 p.m.; hosted by Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming
26: Snow Cats and Avalanche Dogs at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Kid's Ranch, 4-5 p.m. A behind-the-scenes look at the resort's coolest stuff. Meet an avalanche dog and handler and take a tour of a snowcat - jacksonhole.com
28: Holiday Party at Rendezvous Alpine Kitchen at the top of the Bridger Gondola - A high-energy DJ event filled with electrifying beats and good vibes; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
28: Family Scavenger Hunt at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Download the JH Insider app to participate in the WinterFest hunt. A clue will drop at 10 a.m. for a chance to find elves hidden throughout the ski area. Prizes to be redeemed at JH Sports & Teton Village Sports.
28: Sledding Evening at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Glide across the slope on a slow pitch between Bridger and Sweetwater gondolas between 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sleds provided by JHMR.
29: Free Skate Night and Hot Cocoa Pop-Up at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Free skate rentals and hot cocoa from 3:30-5 p.m. on the Village Commons Ice Rink
30: Free Movie Night in Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village - Movies and times TBA
31: New Year's Eve concert at the Mangy Moose Saloon: The LowDown Brass Band and Cache Funk perform; 8 p.m.; tickets $50 - mangymoose.com
31: New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parades - Dusk torchlight parades and fireworks at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain and Grand Targhee