🤠 Plan ahead: Things to do in Bozeman this July

Howdy, Bozeman!

It’s time for our next monthly Plan Ahead newsletter for some of the best happenings in and around Bozeman this July.

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🍔 Enjoy a community BBQ on Wednesday, July 1st from 5:00pm-9:00pm at Bozeman Spirits. Grab something from Daniels Meats’ 24/7 vending machine and bring it over to grill, or just enjoy free burgers and hot dogs on site. The evening includes live music, lawn games, the release of Bozeman Spirits’ special 10-Year Barrel Aged Rum celebrating America’s 250th, and a community toast at 6pm. Details.

🎶 Downtown’s Music on Main summer concert series returns to downtown Bozeman on Thursday, July 2nd (and every Thursday in July) with free live music from 7:00pm-8:30pm, food, and drinks running through August. Details.

🤠 Valley View Rodeo has three nights of rodeos at the Fairgrounds on Thursday July 2nd, Friday the 3rd, and Saturday the 4th, with regular rodeos on the 2nd and 3rd (gates at 5:30pm, rodeo at 7:00pm), building to the first-ever Valley View Ranch Rodeo on the 4th, with a fireworks show to cap the night. Arrive early to browse the new Cowboy Market featuring local Montana vendors from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Details.

🎬 The Pasture Drive-In has a screening of National Treasure on Friday, July 3rd. Gates open at 7:30pm, movie starts at 9:50pm, followed by a fireworks show. Dinner, popcorn, candy, and drinks available. Details.

🥕 The Gallatin Valley Farmers Market continues every Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Fairgrounds (with the 7/18 market happening at Story Mansion), featuring local vendors, fresh produce, and live music. Details.

🏃 The 19th annual Reach Race for Independence runs Saturday, July 4th from 8:00am-11:00am, starting at the Reach Work Center on Gallatin Park Drive. Choose from a 10K (8am), 5K (8:25am), or 1K (8:30am) through scenic north Bozeman trails along the Cherry River. Details.

🇺🇸 Celebrate Independence Day with Bozeman’s annual fireworks show on Saturday, July 4th at the Fairgrounds, with the display beginning at 10:00pm. Details.

🎆 Kimpton Armory Hotel’s Sky Shed throws a rooftop party for America’s 250th on Saturday, July 4th from 8:00pm-12:00am, with live music, light bites, a cash bar, and prime rooftop views of fireworks. Details.

🌱 The weekly Bozeman Farmers’ Market continues at Lindley Park on every Tuesday in July from 5:00pm-8:00pm, featuring Montana farmers, makers, and small businesses. Details.

🍣 Join Chef Joe for a hands-on sushi class at Bridger Kitchens on Wednesday, July 8th from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Details.

🤠 Big Sky PBR is back! Big Sky’s Biggest Week kicks off with Montana’s Premier Horse Sale (July 9-11), followed by the Big Sky Community Rodeo (July 10), Running of the Bulls Trail Race (July 12), a Free Community Day with mutton bustin’ and the inaugural Pinewood Classic (July 14), the Dick Allgood Community Bingo Night (July 14), and a golf tournament (July 15). The week culminates in three nights of championship bull riding (July 16-18), with after-party concerts from Alana Springsteen (July 17) and Dylan Gossett (July 18) on the Aperture Global Real Estate Stage. Details.

🎨 Stroll through downtown Bozeman for the latest Summer Art Walk on Friday, July 10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm, and enjoy local galleries, shops, and businesses showcasing local artists. Details.

🎨 The Emerson Art Walk returns on Friday, July 10th from 5:00pm-9:00pm at the Emerson North Lawn and throughout the building. Enjoy live music, food trucks and vendors, gallery exhibits, and family-friendly activities, free to attend. Details.

🎨 The Birdhouse Collective’s Art Market is back from 5:00pm-8:00pm as part of Downtown Bozeman's Summer Art Walk. It’s a curated outdoor market held on North Bozeman Avenue between Main and Mendenhall, with local artists, makers, jewelers, and creatives in the heart of downtown. Details.

🎺 Montana TheatreWorks presents The Music Man at The Ellen Theatre, July 10th-26th. The five-time Tony Award-winning classic features a cast of 42 and a live 18-piece orchestra, performing on multiple days throughout July. Details.

🚗 Cars & Coffee returns on Saturday, July 11th at Ressler Chevrolet from 9:00am-11:00am. Check out classic cars and performance machines while connecting with fellow automotive enthusiasts over free coffee. Details.

🛍️ The 406 Flea x Portal Vintage Pop-Up Series returns Saturday, July 11th from 11:00am-3:00pm at 660 N Ida Ave. Shop vintage finds and enjoy the sauna and cold plunge facilities at Portal. Details.

🎡 The Big Sky Country State Fair takes over the Fairgrounds from Wednesday, July 15th through Sunday, July 19th, with carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, the Bozeman Roundup Rodeo, FFA Mutton Bustin’, dock diving, and more. Details.

🎤 Fair week’s concert nights run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the Big Sky Country State Fair, with performances from Chase Rice, Preston Cooper, Deerock, Morgan Wade, American Authors, Stone Temple Pilots, and Local H. Details.

🍜 Ngon’s Kitchen hosts its first pop-up dinner at La Cuisine on Thursday, July 16th from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Chef Thuy serves an intimate, multi-course, family-style Vietnamese dinner inspired by Hanoi’s refined cooking traditions and the coastal freshness of Ha Long, where she grew up. Details.

🛍️ The Downtown Bozeman Association presents the 2026 Summer Crazy Days Sidewalk Sale, July 17th-19th, with downtown retailers offering amazing sales on summer merchandise, plus dine-in and take-out specials from restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Free to attend, rain or shine, and timing varies by business, typically 10:00am-6:00pm. Details.

🤠 Under the Big Sky Festival takes over Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, July 17th-19th, with headliners Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Cody Jinks, and more leading a massive country and Americana lineup. Details.

🌻 4 Daughters Farm opens its flower field for its first U-Pick of the season on Saturday, July 18th from 8:30am-12:00pm. Pick a handful or a full bucket (snips provided) and pick some gorgeous flowers. Details.

🏃 The 33rd annual Jim Bridger Trail Run is Saturday, July 18th, where you can sign up for the 10-mile trail run or the 5K Fun Run. Both wrap up with a post-race BBQ, beer, and raffle prizes. Details.

🍺 MAP Brewing throws its Patio Party on Saturday, July 18th from 2:00pm-7:00pm, with yard games, live music, cotton candy, a dunk tank, and inflatable activities from Big Time Inflatables. Details.

💖 Join Girlypop Bozeman’s Walk Club from 9:30am-11:00am at the base of Peets Hill for a fun, low-pressure way to get outside, move your body, and connect with other women in the community. Details.

🎶 Of Monsters and Men plays the second of two nights at Pine Creek Lodge on Sunday, July 19th from 7:00pm-10:00pm (night one show is sold out). Details.

🐜 The 15th anniversary Red Ants Pants Music Festival returns to White Sulphur Springs, July 22nd-26th, with 30+ bands performing and proceeds supporting the Red Ants Pants Foundation’s work for rural communities and women’s leadership. Details.

🌾 The fourth annual Montana Farm-To-Table Food Festival returns to Bodhi Farms on Wednesday, July 22nd from 3:00pm-8:00pm, featuring local chefs and fresh-sourced Montana ingredients. Western Wallflower plays creekside from 3:00pm-5:00pm, with Honeyholler taking the main stage from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Details.

🌿 The Emerson hosts The OneGreenThing Forum on Thursday, July 23rd from 10:00am-6:00pm, bringing together national leaders in sustainability, conservation, and wellness for a day of talks, hands-on activities, and community connection. Use code OGTFORUM26 for 50% off tickets. Details.

🏺 Tinworks hosts a Community Clay Night on Thursday, July 23rd from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Clay, tools, and firing are all provided. Details.

🎸 Headwaters Country Jam lands just down the road in Three Forks, July 23rd-25th, with Wyatt Flores, Clint Black, and Gavin Adcock headlining, and camping available on-site. Details.

♿ It’s the first annual Bozeman ADA Celebration at Lindley Park on Saturday, July 25th from 9:00am-4:00pm. The day includes an accessible 5K Run, Walk & Roll plus a kids’ fun run, local vendors, food, live music, a ribbon-cutting for Lindley Park’s newly built accessible trails, the unveiling of the Bozeman Interactive Accessibility Map, and a Mayor’s proclamation. Details.

🪴 Phoenix Garden Center hosts a free Houseplants 101 info session on Saturday, July 25th from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Perfect for beginning and intermediate plant parents looking to keep their houseplants healthy and happy. Details.

🎶 Fitz & the Tantrums bring their Man on the Moon Tour to The ELM on Tuesday, July 28th, with Dylan Chambers opening. Doors at 7:00pm, show starts at 8:00pm for a fun high-energy live show. All ages welcome. Details.

☀️ Bozeman’s Northside Neighborhood hosts its Summer Stroll on Wednesday, July 29th from 4:00pm-8:00pm, with a scavenger hunt, live music, food and drinks, and a chance to support local businesses and get to know neighbors. All are welcome. Details.

🏔️ Wildlands returns to the Big Sky Events Arena for its sixth year, July 31st-August 1st. Friday headliners are Riley Green and LeAnn Rimes, while Saturday brings Carrie Underwood and Kaitlin Butts, with Jamie McLean and Fader MaGavin and the Risky Livers rounding out the expanded lineup. New this year is the free Wildlands Family Jam on Saturday morning from 10:00am-noon, featuring a pancake breakfast, face painting, and a performance from Papa Strings with Jamie McLean. Details.

🦌 Randy Newberg hosts the first-ever Freezer Burn Party at MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab on Friday, July 31st from 4:00pm-10:00pm, marking the grand finale of Elk Week and the kickoff to 2026 hunting season. Bring your own venison or steaks to grill, enjoy free beer from Bridger Brewing, and enter raffles supporting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Details.

Let me know what you’re most excited to attend, have a wonderful July, and as always, I’ll see you out there!

(Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @howdybozeman for regular updates on what’s going on in town.)

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