Let the Festivities Begin! Festivals around Montana's Yellowstone Country
Sweet Pea Festival, Photo by Bob Allen
Montana's Yellowstone Country communities are tight-knit, love where they live, and are great at celebrating. This is to say; you'll find various festivals strewn across the region honoring everything from art and music to our rich Western history. It's a way to connect with others, enjoy our area's excellent food, music, and culture, and let your hair down and play during the long summer days!
Depot Festival of the Arts
July 2-4, 2023
Livingston, MT
Over 100 artists and craftspeople from around the region gather for this juried show that spans a variety of mediums, including photography, painting, sculpture, woodworking, metal and blacksmithing, jewelry, furniture, glass, fiber arts, drawings and prints, ceramics, and more.
Summerfest on Main
July 15, 2023
12 pm-4 pm, Main Street, Livingston, MT
Enjoy perusing the shops and visiting with local non-profits, along with food and drink specials from local purveyors. Live music by Tecca and Friends!
Headwaters Country Jam
July 27-29, 2023
Three Forks, MT
One of the biggest country festivals in the state, with over 20 country bands on two stages, this year's headliners include Ashely McBryde, Koe Wetzel, and Parker McCollum. Camping available.
Stars on the Yellowstone, International Arts Festival
August 2, 2023
Yellowstone Hot Springs, Gardiner, MT
Experience world-renown performances of classic and contemporary dance, opera, music, and indigenous dancing on the banks of the Yellowstone River.
Sweet Pea Festival
August 4-6, 2023
Lindley Park, Bozeman, MT
A celebration of arts, the Sweet Pea Festival, is a long tradition in Bozeman. Events start early in the week with a Bite of Bozeman, sidewalk chalk drawings, and Music on Main. The weekend brings live music, dance, theater, arts and crafts vendors, fun runs, and great food!
Wildlands Festival
August 4-6, 2023
Doors open at 5 pm; local acts begin at 5:30 pm; headliners start at 8:45.
Big Sky Events Arena, Big Sky, MT
A partnership with actor Tom Skerritt, American Rivers, and Gallatin River Task Force, this three-day music festival benefits river conservation. This year, they welcome the Foo Fighters; James McMurtry and Lord Huron are a few names gracing the stage!
Mountain Man Rendezvous and 1800s Living History Encampment
August 4-13, 2023
10 am – 6 pm, daily
West Yellowstone Old Airport, Highway 20 and Iris Street, West Yellowstone, MT
Entertainment, demonstrations, seminars, storytelling, trader's row, beading, leather work, primitive bow shooting and competition, food, and more make up this festival that steps back in time.
Summer SLAM Festival
August 5-6, 2023
Bogert Park, Bozeman, MT
SLAM (Support Local Artists and Musicians) holds a summer festival with local art, music, Montana-made libations, and family-friendly activities.
Rockin' the Rivers
August 10-12, 2023
1865 Hwy 2 Cardwell, MT
A homegrown celebration of rock is considered another of Montana's biggest music festivals. Artists include Sugar Ray, Bush, and Tim Montana.
Forget Me Knot Fest
August 18-19, 2023
Cooke City and Silver Gate, MT
Cooke City's inaugural music festival is situated in beautiful Cooke City and Silver Gate, MT – 7,500 feet in elevation and tucked between Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains. Enjoy disconnecting with live music in two locations, an artist marketplace, and a Sunday brunch!
Manhattan Potato Festival
August 19, 2023
Downtown Manhattan, MT
The community comes out in droves to celebrate "Spud Fest" and the coveted potato, one of the staples grown in the area. There's a fun run, cookouts, parade, vendors, and kid's activities!
Great Montana Sheep Drive, Photo by Kaden Harrison
Great Montana Sheep Drive
September 3, 2023
10 am, Reed Point, MT
Starting with the annual running of the sheep, this long-time favorite event draws crowds of nearly 8,000 people to this little town. The day includes a parade, a street fair full of vendors, children's rides, hay bale races, sheep shearing, wool spinning, live music, and a street dance.
Carbon County Arts Guild Labor Day Arts Fair
September 4, 2023
9 am – 4 pm, Lions Park, Red Lodge, MT
Hand-crafted art and crafts, plus entertainment, artist demonstrations, and great food!
Oktoberfest
September 9, 2023
2 pm- 9 pm, Red Lodge Ales, Red Lodge, MT
Come by for German food and beer, vendors, games, and fun for all ages. Proceeds benefit the Beartooth Recreation Trails.
Yellowstone Harvest Festival
September 9-10, 2023
Gates open at 11:30 am, Ferry Landing Ranch, Livingston, MT
A family-friendly, outdoor-focused festival on the banks of the Yellowstone River, you'll enjoy hands-on archery and fly-fishing demonstrations, live music, food, beer, and kid's activities.
Red Lodge Songwriter Festival
June 2024
This favorite festival was once again a hit this year. Songwriters from Nashville, Montana, and across the country gather to share their songs and love of music with one another and the public as they perform in venues across downtown Red Lodge.
Red Lodge Songwriters Festival, Photo by Kaden Harrison
Sweet Grass Fest
June 2024
Big Timber, MT
Big Timber hosts the two-day festival with a parade, car show, kid’s activities, live music and two nights of rodeo!