29 May Round Up: Details from the Religion: Best of the West

Music fests

June 20 – 22
Old Salt Festival
Helmville, MT  |  oldsaltfestival.com

Enjoy the Old Salt Co-op’s renowned wood-fired cooking; Americana musicians, including Nikki Lane, Jake Worthington, and Brennan Leigh; Montana rancher demonstrations and discussions in the Land Talk Lounge; and artisanal wares from Western makers at this third annual celebration held on the Mannix Family Ranch. 

July 4 – 5
Zootown Festival
Missoula, MT  |  zootownfestival.com

The inaugural Zootown Festival hits the Missoula Fairgrounds with performances by internationally renowned artists, including Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, and Modest Mouse, as well as daily outdoor adventures and a range of food and beverage vendors. 

July 11 – 13
Montana Folk Festival
Butte, MT  |  montanafolkfestival.com

Montana Folk Festival | COURTESY OF MONTANA FOLK FESTIVAL

One of the largest free outdoor music festivals in the Northwest, the Montana Folk Festival offers non-stop live performances across six stages; art and craft vendors in two separate marketplaces — the Montana Traditions Arts Market and the First Peoples’ Market, which features Native American artists and craftspeople; nearly 30 food and drink vendors providing a range of regional and international cuisine; and Montana culture and community.

July 18 – 20
Under the Big Sky
Whitefish, MT  |  underthebigskyfest.com

This year’s Outriders Under the Big Sky Music, Rodeo, and Roundup offers a supercharged lineup of musical giants like Mumford & Sons, Tyler Childers, The Red Clay Strays, and Wynonna Judd, all performing on the 350-acre Big Mountain Ranch. A rough-stock rodeo, Western activities, and  outdoor adventures round out the three-day festival.

July 24 – 27
Red Ants Pants 
Music Festival
White Sulphur Springs, MT
redantspantsmusicfestival.com

Founded in 2011 by the nonprofit Red Ants Pants Foundation — which is dedicated to supporting women’s leadership, working family farms and ranches, and rural communities — the Red Ants Pants Music Festival proceeds fund a wide range of community grants, programs, and workshops. This year’s main-stage headliners include Steve Earle and Reckless Kelly, Brittney Spencer, Humbird, Jon Muq, and Tylor & The Train Robbers.

August 1 – 3
Sweet Pea Festival
Bozeman, MT  |  sweetpeafestival.org

Sweet Pea Festival | COURTESY OF SWEET PEA FESTIVAL

For nearly half a century, the Sweet Pea Festival has drawn visitors from far and wide for three full days of arts, culture, and community. This year’s event features a parade, makers and artists marketplace, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors, theater, dance, and live music in celebration of arts in the Northern Rockies. 

August 8 – 10
Targhee 
Bluegrass Festival
Alta, WY  |  grandtarghee.com/bluegrass

With a range of packages and pass options, including camping, kids’ activities, merchandise, and events admissions, the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival is a popular summertime draw for good reason. 
This year’s headliners include Greensky Bluegrass with Holly Bowling, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Leftover Salmon.

More Live Music of Note:

May 22 – August 31
Kettlehouse Amphitheater
Bonner, MT  |  logjampresents.com/venue/kettlehouse-amphitheater

Located adjacent to the Kettlehouse Brewery on the banks of the Blackfoot River, the Kettlehouse Amphitheater, just outside of Missoula, Montana, features world-renowned artist performances throughout the summer in a breathtaking natural venue. 

June – August
Big Sky Brewing Summer Concert Series
Missoula, MT  |  bigskybrew.com/taproom/summer-concert-series

This popular concert series is held at Big Sky Brewing’s Missoula amphitheater, and this year’s lineup includes Slightly Stoopid, CAAMP, and Parker McCollum.

June 26 – August 28
Music in the Mountains
Big Sky, MT  |  bigskyarts.org/pages/mitm

Music in the Mountains offers free, family-friendly concerts every Thursday at 6 p.m., 
from late June through late August, as well as an annual July 4 concert and Metal in the Mountains.

July 3 – August 23
Grand Teton 
Music Festival
Jackson, WY  |  gtmf.org

Some of the world’s most renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestral musicians will converge under the leadership of music director Sir Donald Runnicles for the 64th season of the Grand Teton Music Festival. 

July 28 – August 21
Sun Valley 
Music Festival
Sun Valley, ID  |  svmusicfestival.org

This free classical music series showcases world-class performances by esteemed musicians from around the globe.