Locals Love This Annual Festival That Happens Each May in Montana

Bigfork, Montana, is one of the best small towns in the Treasure State for some time away. This beautiful town of approximately 5,300 people sits in the northern part of the state, next to Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. It is also just a short drive to Glacier National Park and is one of the best Christmas towns in Montana.

However, there is another reason to visit Bigfork, and it will make your heart race and your adrenaline pump — it is the annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Bigfork, Montana, is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities. Surrounding this small town are bucket-list-worthy hiking trails, boating opportunities in the summer, and skiing and snowshoeing destinations in the winter. It is also where you can find some incredible whitewater action, which is celebrated at the Bigfork Whitewater Festival.

Plan to spend your Memorial Day Weekend each year in northern Montana. This whitewater festival is the longest-running event in Bigfork and is celebrating its 50th year in 2025. This exciting weekend event will take place from May 22 to May 24, 2026.

This event is a delightful way to kick off the summer with three days full of action-packed and community-involved events. People travel worldwide to participate in this festival and watch the excitement on the water.

Bigfork is the perfect destination for this whitewater festival. Nearby, the Swan River spills into Big Fork Bay, creating what locals call "The Wild Mile," or class IV whitewater. To make this area even more unique, this stretch of the river features a nature trail on its north side and travels into downtown Bigfork, providing plenty of space for spectators to watch the action on the water.

For three days, there is event after event on the water, such as a slalom race, stand-up paddleboard races, and rafting competitions. Spectators can watch these events throughout the weekend and cheer on some of their favorite thrill seekers. However, the competitions are just the beginning of this annual event. For those who don’t want to get wet (like me!), you can also enjoy events like a pancake breakfast, quilt show, boat show, and, of course, the parade.

And no trip to Bigfork is complete without browsing the many locally-owned shops, galleries, and restaurants scattered around town. I also recommend spending a day (or several days!), outdoors at Wayfarers unit of Flathead Lake State Park. This is a beautiful place for a picnic, enjoying the views, or camping under the stars.

Bigfork Whitewater Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer adventures and make the most of your Memorial Day Weekend. It is one Montana event that certainly does not lack excitement. For more information, including a schedule of events and information on the various competitions, visit the Bigfork Whitewater Festival website.

And if you're looking for more things to do or eat in the area during the festival, visit our itinerary planner for nearby recommendations!