Summer Events in Montana's Yellowstone Country

This spring weather has everyone pumped! Across Montana's Yellowstone Country, our communities are announcing their summer events, and the lineup is fantastic. Some, like farmers markets, art walks and rodeos that are ongoing, but you'll also find amazing concert series, festivals, live theater runs and musical performances peppered throughout the summer. There is so much going on it's hard to fit it all in!

These events are loved not just by our visitors but also by our residents. You'll get a real feel for the flavor of a town, and each one is just a little different.

 

Gardiner

The summer season kicks off in Gardiner with the Hell's A-Roarin' Horse Drive on May 24. The horses, owned by Hell's A-Roarin Outfitters, winter in eastern Montana, and each year, when they are herded back to the ranch, the public can watch a traditional horse drive through town. It's a beautiful site that provides excellent photo opportunities. Following the drive is a BBQ, auctions, and live music by Wylie and the Wild West. Proceeds from the event are donated to provide track chairs (off-road wheel chairs) for disabled veterans so they can enjoy the outdoors!

Sweet Grass and Stillwater Counties

Also, in this neck of the woods, Big Timber hosts Crazy Mountain Fiber Fest, which celebrates the area's long history of wool production with fiber art demonstrations, classes and other activities. The Sweet Grass Fest on June 27-28 brings rodeo, live music, a car show, vendors, and a parade!  The Stillwater Expo on May 17 is a great way for outdoor recreationists to connect with industry experts  to learn about the latest gear and hands-on demonstrations. The Stillwater Balloon Rally in Columbus, June 6-8, is an event the whole family will love, as is the Montana BBQ Cook-Off in Absarokee, June 14. (This year, they have a kid's cook-off as well!)

Livingston

Livingston is hopping all year, but especially during the summer. Beginning June 5, the Shane Center hosts a free concert series under the Blake Pavilion. The shows are free and open to the public every Thursday in June and July!

 

Bozeman

If you like to dig in and get gritty on vacation, Bozeman is hosting two major events: the Montana Spartan Trifecta Weekend, June 21-22, and the Belgium Waffle Ride, June 28-29. For those who are "not-so-hard-core," the annual Sweet Pea Festival and Summer SLAM Fest are the first weekend in August and are a wonderful celebration of art, music, theater and culture.

 

Red Lodge, Cooke City and Silver Gate

In Red Lodge, the Montana Renaissance Festival returns June 7-8, the Red Lodge Songwriter's Festival June 19-21, followed by the Beartooth Rally and Red Lodge Car Show. Cooke City and Silver Gate host the Forget Me Knot Fest, Aug. 15-16. (Don't forget to make some time to explore the Beartooth Highway if you're in this neck of the woods.)

Big Sky and West Yellowstone

Big Sky hosts Music in the Mountains on the other side of the region, and West Yellowstone has a Music in the Park summer concert series. (Both are free and family-friendly!) West Yellowstone also has a great Fourth of July celebration, and the Old Faithful Cycle Tour is a local favorite in the fall.

 

Belgrade and Three Forks

Belgrade is hosting Belgrade Summer Nights, a monthly downtown summer block party. Watch the lineup in Three Forks for the Headwaters Country Jam and Rappin' the Rivers.

You can find a detailed list of events on our website, where you'll find more than enough to fill your social calendar.

Cheers to planning a lovely summer!