Missoula on Main, the community arts festival coordinated by Arts Missoula, will return this year as a two-day event on Dec. 30–31 with expanded, walkable programming across downtown venues, Heather Adams, executive director of Arts Missoula, told MCAT host Joel Baird.

Adams said the schedule was reconfigured after community feedback so more activities are concentrated along Main Street and spread over two days to reduce scheduling conflicts. "We're back to expanding, you know, but, we're trying to do it thoughtfully, and we've actually spread it out over 2 days now," she said.

Programming includes a "day of dance" at Westside Theater with four classes (Heels, Pilates, Shine and Oula) offered free with a suggested donation; donations for those classes will go to the instructors. At the Denison Theater on Dec. 30, Arts Missoula will host a ticketed "Cultures in Concert" performance from 4 to 6 p.m. and an evening "spotlight" teen singing competition featuring 19 contestants in middle- and high-school divisions. Adams said she expects the consolidation of smaller performances into showcases — for example a combined dance concert of 12 organizations — will introduce audiences to a wider range of groups.

The Missoula Public Library will host multiple free activities across its four floors, including drumming, poetry and an "all-city" jazz performance; organizers added a "Relaxation Room" for attendees seeking a lower-sensory space. Adams noted that other downtown venues, notably the Zach, will host bands and a countdown to midnight with live music.

Ticketing and access: Joel Baird said a single ticket is $17 and an all-access pass costs $40; Adams noted early-bird pricing is available through Dec. 15 and confirmed that library events are free and children 10 and under attend free. Adams also described logistics: staff planning typically begins in June, and the event relies on roughly 50 volunteers. Volunteers who commit two to three hours during the event receive an all-access pass.

Adams asked interested attendees, artists and volunteers to consult the new website, artsmissoula.org, for a full schedule, volunteer sign-up information and updates. "If people are watching, people are interested, artsmissoula.org is a great place to start," Joel said at the close of the interview.