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Gather the family for ornaments, Santa photos, Buddy’s spaghetti dinner, and a screening of ELF at an upstairs event space on the Flathead Lake shore. This easy four-hour holiday night is perfect for visitors and locals who want a low-fuss seasonal evening.
Gather the family for ornaments, Santa photos, Buddy’s spaghetti dinner, and a screening of ELF at an upstairs event space on the Flathead Lake shore. This easy four-hour holiday night is perfect for visitors and locals who want a low-fuss seasonal evening.
Book with Far West Boat Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Far West Boat Tours · Kalispell, Montana
At the edge of Flathead Lake's western shore, a short drive from Kalispell, you’ll find a lively holiday night that turns a simple movie into a community ritual. A Very Buddy Christmas Movie & Activity night is hosted at the event space accessed at 7135 US Hwy 93 South Lakeside, MT 59922; the program asks families to arrive for crafts, photos with Santa, and Buddy's spaghetti dinner before a screening of ELF. This four-hour evening is built for kids who want fuss-free festive fun within sight of Montana’s big-sky landscape.
The experience is straightforward and family-focused. The evening opens with ornament decorating, sticker pages, coloring stations, and a chance for portraits with Santa. Dinner—Buddy's favorite spaghetti with salad, bread, and dessert—follows at 5:00 PM, and the room converts into a screening space at 6:00 PM for the 2003 comedy ELF. Children leave with goodie bags from a candy bar and memories instead of complicated logistics. Beverages are available; tickets are $15 for kids 16 and under, $25 for adults (includes beverage).
What makes this local offering special is less about the movie and more about where it sits: Lakeside and greater Flathead County sit on the edge of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and under the same horizon that frames Glacier National Park, established in 1910. The event brings small-town holiday customs into a public space, turning a restaurant's new upstairs event room into a place for community ritual. Note the space is currently not wheelchair accessible while an elevator is under construction; children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Logistics are low-friction: arrive around 4:00 PM for activities and photos, bring elf costumes or pajamas, and consider a blanket or pillow for the movie. The host recommends the meeting point above the restaurant—use the stairs to reach the event space. The night is ideal for families visiting Kalispell or staying lakeside who want an easy, festive break from outdoor pursuits like paddling on Flathead Lake or day trips into Glacier National Park. Practical, warm, and smile-ready, A Very Buddy Christmas Movie & Activity night is a compact way to add local holiday flavor to a Montana winter visit.
Parking is available adjacent to the restaurant and the event space is on the second floor; staff will direct guests at check-in. Expect a casual, family pace rather than a formal program, and pack patience for lines during photos with Santa. For travelers combining this with outdoor plans, the timing makes it easy to spend a day on the lake or in Glacier National Park and return for a relaxed holiday evening. Book early—seats fill quickly; many holiday weekends sell out.
Yes — buy tickets through the booking link provided by the host: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/flatheadlakeboattour/items/678849/?asn=fhdn&asn-ref=advcollective&ref=advcollective&bookable-only=yes&full-items=yes&marketplace=yes&flow=no. Events often sell out on holiday weekends.
Ticket includes activities, spaghetti dinner with salad, bread and dessert, a picture with Santa, and a goodie bag from the candy bar. Beverages are available for purchase.
No — the event space is currently not wheelchair accessible because an elevator is under construction. Please contact the host for assistance or accommodation requests.
This family event is geared toward children and families. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Yes — both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on site.
Meet at 7135 US Hwy 93 South Lakeside, MT 59922 and go around the restaurant to the new upstairs event space; staff will direct you at check-in.
Far West Boat Tours operates scenic excursions on Flathead Lake from Kalispell, Montana, aboard the historic Far West cruise ship. The company offers a variety of experiences designed for visitors who want to enjoy the lake’s natural beauty in a relaxed, social setting. Signature offerings include the nearly two-hour Daily Cruise, which provides scenic views of the shoreline with onboard refreshments and an educational narrative about the lake and local landmarks. Seasonal and themed sailings expand the calendar with options such as the Goodbye to Summer Brunch Cruise, Tacos & Tequila, Live Music Cruise, and the Fall Food & Wine Festival. Each event combines food and beverage experiences with the panoramic backdrop of Flathead Lake. The vessel features friendly crew members who assist passengers and provide hospitality during each outing. Onboard refreshments are available on most cruises, and several specialty events include curated menus, beverage pairings, or live entertainment. Far West Boat Tours emphasizes accessible, memorable outings with an emphasis on sightseeing, culinary highlights, and social events on the water. Located in Kalispell, the operation provides a convenient gateway for visitors exploring northwest Montana. The combination of a historic vessel, varied event programming, and scenic departures from Kalispell make Far West Boat Tours a clear option for travelers seeking boat-based experiences on Flathead Lake.
Book with Far West Boat Tours