Christmas Collection - Great Falls

Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - Sunday, November 08, 2009

The Annual Christmas Collection is held from Wednesday evening through Sunday afternoon on the second floor of Paris Gibson Square, which is transformed into a holiday wonderland and a premiere holiday arts and crafts shopping extravaganza. Ranging from cute and quirky to extraordinarily beautiful, this eagerly anticipated annual event features original work by hundreds of the finest crafts people and artists in the Northwest. Proceeds from each year's Christmas Collection benefit Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art's exhibitions and programs.

Housed in a 100-year-old registered National Historic Landmark building, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is the second largest contemporary art museum in Montana. While shopping at Christmas Collection, visitors are encouraged to explore the museum galleries and tour the historic building, originally opened in 1896 as the city's first high school. The admission fee to the Museum is included in the Christmas Collection ticket price.

Christmas Collection treats more than 5,000 people each year to a winter wonderland of treats for the eyes, ears, and taste buds! Arts and crafts from throughout the Northwest region are displayed in delightfully decorated theme rooms including Cabin Fever, Grandma's Parlor, Country Christmas, The Gibson Inn, and Arctic Village.

Wednesday evening features the elegant, by-ticket-only Preview Evening Gala from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Entertained by festive holiday performers and treated to fine hors d'oeuvres, preview evening guests have the privilege of being the first to explore the Christmas Collection bounty. Tickets are $25 per person and are limited to 250. Be sure and purchase yours early! Saturday there will be children's activities while you shop.

General admission hours begin on Thursday. The Collection is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 7:00pm, and Sunday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Admission is $3 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and is free on Sunday. Museum members receive free admission all four days.

So bring your shopping list, holiday spirit and enjoy the Christmas Collection! Please call to purchase Preview Evening tickets or for more information.