Montana Events and Festivals

VALLEY RANCH 4th FEST

The Valley Ranch 4th Fest is a vibrant annual Independence Day celebration that brings together families and communities for a spectacular patriotic experience. This free public event features high-energy live performances from tribute bands delivering iconic hits and unforgettable entertainment throughout the evening. The festival encompasses classic Fourth of July activities including a hot dog eating contest, car show, yard games, and an extensive kids zone with attractions like rock walls, train rides, foam parties, bounce houses, and Gellyball, ensuring entertainment for every age group.

The celebration culminates with what organizers proudly describe as the region's most impressive fireworks display, creating a dazzling finale to the patriotic festivities. Beyond the entertainment, attendees can explore a bustling market featuring dozens of small businesses and boutique vendors, sample diverse cuisine from numerous food trucks, and enjoy the cash bar. With free admission and parking, this eighth annual event has become a cornerstone community celebration, drawing families, friends, and neighbors together for a day filled with American spirit, local culture, and memorable experiences

RED ANTS PANTS
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MONTANA - JULY

The Red Ants Pants Music Festival is a distinctive four-day celebration that transforms a working cow pasture into an extraordinary musical gathering, showcasing premier country and Americana artists against a backdrop of sweeping rural landscapes. The 2025 lineup features headliners including GRAMMY award-winning Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Steve Earle and Reckless Kelly, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Brittney Spencer, continuing a legacy that has welcomed legendary performers like Charley Pride, Brandi Carlile, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Grace Potter, Colter Wall, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The festival combines main stage performances with side stage acts, hands-on workshops in the demo area, and a free street dance that kicks off the weekend festivities, creating an immersive experience that celebrates both musical artistry and traditional rural skills.

This 100% homegrown, volunteer-driven event is powered by a dedicated crew of 90 festival staff members and 250 volunteers, embodying the spirit of community collaboration that defines the experience. All proceeds benefit the Red Ants Pants Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing women's leadership roles, preserving working family farms and ranches, and enriching rural communities. Thanks to festival attendance, the foundation has delivered more than $190,000 in community grants to over 100 entities, making this celebration as much about social impact as musical entertainment. The festival creates what organizers describe as "a pretty unique and worthwhile experience" that rises up like an old-fashioned barn raising, bringing together thousands of people who share a love for music, local food, craft beer, stunning sunsets, and the agricultural heritage that shapes rural America

UNDER THE BIG SKY FESTIVAL
WHITEFISH, MONTANA - JULY

Under the Big Sky offers a comprehensive, all-inclusive country music experience on a beautiful 350-acre ranch just outside of Whitefish, near Glacier National Park. This festival features an all-star lineup including Tyler Childers, Mumford & Sons, The Red Clay Strays, Wynona Judd, Shane Smith & The Saints, and special guest Luke Grimes from the television show "Yellowstone." Beyond the stellar musical performances, festival-goers can look forward to a roughstock rodeo, petting zoo, trail rides, local food vendors, and a beer garden, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of Montana's mountain scenery.

The festival captures the heart of Big Sky Country on this picturesque ranch, offering attendees the perfect blend of world-class entertainment and authentic Montana experiences. July provides some of the most picture-perfect weather in Montana, with warm days and cool evenings, making it ideal for outdoor festivities. When attendees aren't lost in the melodies, they can explore nearby trails offering panoramic views of Glacier National Park, hit the rivers for water activities, or embark on scenic drives through the stunning landscape of northwestern Montana.

THE MONTANA FOLK FESTIVAL
BUTTE, MONTANA - JULY

The Montana Folk Festival stands as one of the largest FREE outdoor music festivals in the Northwest, featuring performances and demonstrations from over 200 musicians, dancers, and craftspeople from across the nation. This three-day celebration takes place in the largest U.S. National Historic Landmark District, Uptown Butte, where six featured stages are nestled among historic headframes that serve as reminders of Butte's incredible mining history. The festival offers continuous live music on various stages, including the original stage with breathtaking panoramic views of Butte, a dance pavilion where dozens of people groove to the music, and a family stage featuring performances for all ages.

Between 2008 and 2010, the National Folk Festival was presented in Butte for its 70th-72nd presentations, and with incredible popularity, organizers chose to extend the festival and continue providing this unique opportunity to Montana residents and tourists. The festival features over 30 food vendors, two different marketplace areas with incredible items for sale, plus the Montana Folklife Area where visitors can experience traditional crafts and cultural demonstrations. With a little bit of everything from multiple musical genres to artisan demonstrations, the festival provides one of the most unique music experiences this side of the Mississippi.

ZOOTOWN FESTIVAL
MISSOULA, MONTANA - JULY

The Zootown Festival brings together two days of music and adventure at the Missoula Fairgrounds for the Independence Day weekend. This innovative festival features an impressive lineup including Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, Mt. Joy, Modest Mouse, Lake Street Divide, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, offering a diverse range of musical styles from indie rock to country and folk. What sets Zootown apart from traditional music festivals is its unique partnership with GuideTime, an excursion company that offers outdoor activities to attendees.

Festival-goers can enhance their experience beyond the music by participating in guided excursions that showcase Montana's breathtaking wilderness. These daily adventures include fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking trails that lead to stunning vistas in the Bitterroot Valley, and floating the Clark Fork River before the music begins. This combination of world-class musical performances and outdoor adventure activities provides a uniquely Montana way to explore the natural beauty of Missoula while enjoying exceptional live entertainment.

HEADWATERS COUNTRY JAM
THREE FORKS, MONTANA - JULY

The Headwaters Country Jam is a pure country music experience featuring classic and contemporary greats of the genre in a three-day festival and campout setting. This event showcases over 20 artists performing on two stages under the big Montana sky, creating an authentic country music atmosphere. The 2025 lineup features prominent artists including Koe Wetzel, Dwight Yoakam, Flatland Calvary, Treaty Oak Revival, The Mavericks, and Tucker Wetmore, representing both established country legends and rising stars in the genre.

Set in the scenic area of Three Forks, this festival offers attendees the chance to camp out and fully immerse themselves in the country music experience while enjoying Montana's beautiful landscape. The festival celebrates the rich tradition of country music with both classic hits and contemporary sounds, providing a comprehensive country music experience for fans of all ages and preferences.

WILDLANDS FESTIVAL
BIG SKY, MONTANA - AUGUST

The Wildlands Festival brings world-class musicians to the beautiful mountain setting of Big Sky, Montana, with a mission that goes beyond entertainment to support the conservation of wild and scenic places, both locally and nationwide. This year's lineup features renowned artists including Dave Matthews, Lukas Nelson, and Molly Tuttle, who perform against the pristine backdrop of Montana's wilderness. The festival's beneficiaries include American Rivers and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, making this event perfect for fans of great music and environmental conservation alike.

Whether attendees are drawn by the incredible musical performances or the conservation mission, the Wildlands Festival offers a chance to experience amazing live music while knowing they're making a positive difference for environmental causes. The festival combines the enjoyment of high-quality musical entertainment with the satisfaction of supporting important conservation efforts, all set in one of Montana's most spectacular mountain locations.

NORTHWEST MONTANA FAIR & RODEO
KALISPELL, MONTANA - AUGUST

Discover the excitement, heritage, and culture of Northwest Montana at this spectacular event that boasts over 120 years of tradition. The Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo comes alive each August featuring three nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo action, two huge concerts, exciting carnival rides, and fabulous fair food. The 2025 edition features major musical performances by rock legend Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and country music star Scotty McCreery, adding star power to an already impressive event. Fair highlights include amazing displays of local talent, the Livestock Show and Sale, and offerings from more than 100 commercial exhibitors.

The heart of the fair showcases over 6,000 hand-crafted, created, personally raised, or grown exhibits that demonstrate the interests, talents, and passions of regional residents. From quilts to mini-horses, flowers to rabbits, visitors are sure to experience blue-ribbon displays throughout the fairgrounds. The event serves as both a celebration of rural Northwestern Montana culture and a year-round event center that hosts more than 750 events annually, making it a cornerstone of the regional community.

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
MISSOULA, MONTANA - FEBRUARY

Now entering its 22nd year, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival stands as the premier venue for non-fiction film in the American West, taking place February 14-23, 2025. This Academy Award-qualifying festival draws an audience of 20,000 and film entries from every corner of the globe to a uniquely intimate mountain town setting with local Montana flavor. The festival hosts over 200 visiting artists, presents an average of 150 non-fiction films, and offers a variety of exciting events at the historic Wilma Theater and neighboring downtown Missoula venues. Selected for multiple years running by MovieMaker Magazine's 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, BSDFF is a top-100 rated festival on FilmFreeway.

In addition to screenings, the Big Sky DocShop is a five-day industry event that includes panels, master classes, workshops, and the Big Sky Pitch session. DocShop's participants have included major industry players such as HBO Documentary Films, Showtime Documentary Films, Tribeca Film Institute, Sundance Doc Fund, The New York Times Op-Docs, ESPN Films, Participant Media, BBC Storyville, CNN Films, and many others. The festival also extends its reach beyond Missoula by screening films in schools across the state of Montana, reaching over 4,000 students in just four days, giving participating filmmakers the unique opportunity to visit classrooms and engage students in discussion about documentary filmmaking.

WHITEFISH WINTER CARNIVAL
WHITEFISH, MONTANA - FEBRUARY

The Whitefish Winter Carnival represents one of Montana's most beloved winter celebrations, taking place in the picturesque mountain resort town of Whitefish. This popular winter event transforms the town into a winter wonderland, celebrating the season with activities that embrace Montana's snowy landscape and outdoor winter recreation opportunities. The carnival features traditional winter activities and community gatherings that bring residents and visitors together during the heart of winter.

Set against the backdrop of the Whitefish Mountain Resort and the stunning Flathead Valley, this carnival offers a perfect blend of winter sports, community activities, and mountain town charm. The event celebrates the unique culture of winter recreation that defines much of northwestern Montana, providing both residents and visitors with ways to embrace and enjoy the long Montana winter season.

MONTANA STATE FAIR
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA - JULY & AUGUST

The Montana State Fair represents the state's premier agricultural and entertainment celebration, marking its 93rd anniversary with another summer full of fun and tradition. This massive event serves as the centerpiece of Montana's fair season, bringing together families and communities from across the state to celebrate agriculture, livestock, entertainment, and local culture. The fair features traditional elements including livestock shows and competitions, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, games, and a variety of food vendors offering everything from fair classics to local Montana specialties.

As Montana's flagship fair, this event showcases the best of the state's agricultural heritage while providing entertainment for visitors of all ages. The fair combines the excitement of carnival atmosphere with educational opportunities about farming, ranching, and rural life that defines much of Montana's character and economy.