Bozeman Summer Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Summer is, in our opinion, the best time of the year in Bozeman. There are so many community events going on like outdoor concerts, farmers markets, festivals and car shows. The only hard part is trying to do them all! Here are the summer events in Bozeman that you don't want to miss.

DOWNTOWN ART WALKS

The Bozeman art walks are one of downtown's best summer events! On the 2nd Friday of each month, the downtown art galleries and shops stay open from 6:00-8:00 p.m displaying artwork from featured artists along with hors-d'oeuvres and refreshments. It's always fun to stroll down main street on a summer evening, enjoying the art and refreshments and soaking up the good energy of all the people out and about. This year the Bozeman art walk dates are June 14th, July 12th, August 9 and September 13th.

MUSIC ON MAIN

This will be the 19th year for Bozeman's much-loved Music on Main event! It's hard to believe that when it first began it was a small event on one of Bozeman's side streets. Now, it's one of Bozeman's busiest events of the year, where thousands of people flood to main street to enjoy live music, food, and drinks. The 2019 Music on Main season kicks off June 27th and continues every Thursday through August 15th. Music is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and there's a Kids Zone with bouncy houses and games. Click here for a list of bands.

MUSIC ON THE GREEN

We really love our live music here in Bozeman. Music on the Green takes place on the lawn of the Bozeman Public Library on Sunday evenings, a perfect way to wrap up the weekend. They only happen once a month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. There are food vendors so all you need to bring is a blanket or a chair!

For more summer music options, check out the Rialto and Live from the Divide!

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

Start your weekend early by heading to the Architects Wife downtown for Food Truck Fridays. Beginning in June, you can grab lunch any time from 11:30 am - 2:00 p.m from the many local food trucks that will be there!

LUNCH ON THE LAWN

This is a summertime tradition for many Bozeman locals and a great way to spend a lunch hour in the middle of the week. Lunch on the Lawn happens at the Emerson Cultural Center every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m - 1:30 p.m through the end of August. There is live music, food vendors and many activities for kids.

BOGERT FARMERS' MARKET

Voted Bozeman's Best Local Event in 2018, the Bogert Farmers' Market happens every Tuesday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m, June through September. It's a great place for people to gather, socialize and support our local farmers, artists, and craftsman. Locals tip: after you've had your fill at the farmers market, head up to the top of nearby Peets Hill to watch the sunset over the city.

GALLATIN VALLEY FARMERS' MARKET

We're so lucky to have not one, but two great Farmers' Markets in Bozeman! The Gallatin Valley Farmers Market is Bozeman's largest farmers market. It has been around for over 40 years and takes place at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. on Saturday's from 9 am to noon. From June 22nd - September 14th, you will find this market every Saturday from 9:00 a.m to noon.

BOZEMAN FILM FESTIVAL

This celebration of independent filmmaking will take place June 6th-9th, 2019 at some of Bozeman's most beautiful venues, The Ellen Theatre, The Rialto, The Emerson Cultural Center, The Willson Auditorium, Museum of the Rockies and Montana State University. With more than 70 films, Q & A sessions, panel discussions, parties, and community events this is a really special event to take part in. Click here for information on the films, times and tickets.

MONTANA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

The Montana Shakespeare in the Park has been bringing us free, live, professional productions since 1973. The shows always take place in local parks or public places making them accessible to everyone. This year they will be performing Henry IV Part I and The Merry Wives of Windsor. The first show of the season will be June 12th at the Montana State University Duck Pond and it will continue through June 22nd. Click here for the full schedule.

LIVING HISTORY FARM AT THE MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES

If you haven't been the Living History Farm at the Museum of the Rockies, make sure to add it to your summer bucket list. The Tinsely House was relocated to the Museum in 1989 and throughout the summer months, costumed interpreters take you back in time as you tour the homestead, garden, and blacksmiths shop. It is open every day from 10 am - 4 pm and the best part is, it's free admission! (the rest of the museum charges regular admission prices).

BIG SKY COUNTY STATE FAIR

If you haven't been yet, this is your chance to experience a traditional western fair. Live music, livestock, children's activities, exhibits, a carnival rodeo, contests and more will keep you entertained for days. The fair will be from July 17th-21st, 2019.

BOZEMAN STAMPEDE

This non-profit rodeo began in 2010 by a group of Bozemanites who wanted to bring back the sanctioned rodeo to Bozeman. The goal is to provide a fun community event while benefiting Bozeman businesses while raising money for local agricultural groups. This year the Stampede will be August 8th, 9th, and 10th.

CRUISIN' ON MAIN ANNUAL CAR SHOW

Bozeman's Crusin' on Main is heaven for car enthusiasts. On Sunday, August 18th, downtown Bozeman will fill up with hundreds of classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There will be live music, food, prize drawings, and so much fun. This is a great event for the whole family! Click here for more information or to register your car.

BRIDGER RIDGE RUN

This isn't so much an event, rather, a really tough challenge and quite the Bozeman tradition. The Ridge Run is 19.65 miles of brutal climbing and descending along the Ridge of the Bridger Mountains starting at the trail to Sacajawea Peak and ending at the parking lot of the M. If you're not up to running the actual race, you can still get in on the fun and volunteer or cheer people on from various points (they will need it!)

SWEET PEA FESTIVAL

No Bozeman summer events list would be complete without the beloved Sweet Pea Festival! This will be the 42nd year for the three-day festival that is held the first weekend of every August at Lindley Park in Bozeman. The festival turns into a nearly week-long celebration in Bozeman, beginning on Tuesday with Chalk on the Walk, Bite of Bozeman on Wednesday, and the Sweet Pea Runs and parade on Saturday morning. The festival itself kicks off Friday evening and throughout the entire weekend, there will be music, art, dance performances, kids activities, food, a beer and wine garden and so much more. This is a huge community event that brings together locals and visitors every year. For information, click here.

SLAM FESTIVAL

After 9 years, the SLAM festival has firmly found its place in Bozeman. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art education by showcasing the talent of local Montana residents. It is a free event at Bogert Park on the first weekend in August. There will be live music and dance performances throughout both days, live artist demonstrations, a community yoga class, local food vendors, beer garden and local artists selling their goods. SLAM has quickly become a Bozeman favorite as a free, family-friendly, local event.

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