These 12 Unique Festivals In Montana Are Something Everyone Should Experience Once
It’s always festival time in Big Sky Country! We love to celebrate our seasons, our heritage, and our wonderful culture and rich history. But these aren’t just any ‘ole run-of-the-mill events. Full of excitement and quirkiness, these 12 unique festivals in Montana should be slated on your calendar at least once. But once you try them, we bet you’ll hit a bunch every year!
The Sweet Pea Festival is a three-day event that is held the first weekend of August. With a children’s parade, Shakespeare in the Park, Chalk Walk, and many other forms of entertainment and food, there’s something for everyone at Sweet Pea.
Sweet Pea Festival, 424 E Main St #203b, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Editor’s Note: After 35 successful years, Testy Festy has shuttered its doors. Too bad because it was one of the largest and most popular festivals in Montana. But don’t worry, there’s plenty more to do in the town of Clinton.
Cherry pie, cherry cooking contests, local vendors… this July festival in the beautiful town of Polson is fun for the whole family. It is not only oh-so-tasty but one of the best festivals in Montana too!
The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is old-school, Wild West Montana at its finest. Held the third full weekend in May each year in the town of Miles City, this annual event is one of the most well-known Montana festivals. Bucking horse riding, bull riding, and other rodeo events are all part of the fun here.
World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, 42 Garryowen Rd, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
Editor’s Note: After 16 successful years, the Evel Knievel Days Festival in Butte has made its final ride. The event celebrated the legendary career of hometown hero Evel Knievel and the mark he made in the motorcycle stunt riding world. However, if you're looking for other great things to do in Butte, check out some of its historic landmarks.
Huckleberries grow wild in some Montana regions, and for over 30 years, the Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival has celebrated this delicious fruit every August. A true Montana tradition, this is a festival not to be missed!
The annual Winter Carnival in the town of Red Lodge is full of fun and excitement. Held in March there is a torch light parade, fun costumes, fireworks, and other carnival-themed events.
Ranked by National Geographic as one of the world’s Top 10 Winter Carnivals this festival celebrates Ullr, the snow god, and his court. Held in Whitefish, the Whitefish Winter Carnival is definitely one of the best festivals in Montana. Food, entertainment, an amazing fireworks display, and lots of shenanigans are all a part of the annual fun.
Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
9. Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment, Hardin
Almost 140 years ago, "Custer's Last Stand" became a historic event in our nation. This June festival in the town of Hardin commemorates this important yet sobering anniversary of the encampment of the Sioux Nation Native Americans along the banks of the Little Bighorn River where the famous Sitting Bull had placed his tribe’s camp. The annual reenactment is one of the most important historic traditions in Montana and is attended by thousands of people from across the state.
Held in June at Gibson Park in Great Falls, this festival is an opportunity to relive history through the pages of the daily journals Lewis and Clark kept, which are shared with visitors through presentations, ceremonies, exhibits, and events.
Held in Butte, this free music festival comes to town every July. Celebrating the unique culture of folk music, the 3-day festival also encompasses delicious ethnic and festival foods, folklife demonstrations, a family fun area, workshops, and more that celebrate Montana’s unique heritage.
Montana Folk Festival, 66 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701, USA
12. Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous, Lewistown
A four-day Montana cowboy poetry gathering in August is as fun as it sounds. Between the music, poems, and the Western Art & Gear Show, it’s worth making the trip to the beautiful town of Lewistown to experience it all. As festivals go, it is one of the most unique festivals in Montana.
Lewistown, MT 59457, USA
Have you attended any of these festivals? Which ones were your favorites? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences.
If you’re looking for other cool things to do in Big Sky Country, there are lots of activities that are free!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Festivals in Montana
July 21, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
I’m looking for a summer music festival in Montana.
There are numerous really fun and lively summer music festivals in Montana, each one possessing its own unique flavor and flair. Among them is the annual Red Ants Pants Music Festival. It’s one of the most distinctive events in the state because it was created, in part, to promote and support many of the state’s rural communities in the areas of farming, women’s empowerment, and other issues. The line-up of live entertainment at the festival is astounding, making it one of the most popular festivals in Montana.
Are there any ghost towns in Montana?
Yes, there are lots of spooky ghost towns dotted all across the state of Montana. From former fraternity halls to abandoned mining camps and a host of other formerly populated entities and areas, you’ll find plenty of supernatural happenings. You can delve into several of these by embarking upon a haunting road trip that traverses through the town of Garnet, Virginia City, and Missoula, just to name a few.
What is one of the best steakhouses in Montana?
As you might imagine, the answer to that question totally depends upon whom you ask! But one of the most well-known is definitely The McAllister Inn. Located in its namesake town of McAllister, this steakhouse exudes a laid-back atmosphere yet serves the most elegant steaks you can imagine. They are also known for their great burgers and occasional prime rib specials. The enterprise is also an Inn, so you might want to stay overnight and enjoy a meal here more than once – it’s that good!
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Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
