The snow has finally melted and summer has at last arrived, bringing with it warm weather, neighborhood BBQs and, of course, music festivals. Music lovers won’t want to miss these upcoming events! We have gathered a list of this year’s exciting live music festivals in Bozeman, Big Sky and Virginia City so that you can get your tickets and get to the shows.

Vigilante Music Festival    
When: June 10th: Noon-10pm
Where: Virginia City
Ticket Cost: $30
The Second Annual Vigilante Music Festival will kick off the summer music season at high noon on June 10 in Virginia City’s Discovery-Ellingsen Park. This one-day festival is an event that all ages can enjoy. Bozeman bands and musicians include Dead Sky, Matt Wallin & His Nervous Breakdown, and The Dead Yellers, with loads of Montana bands in between. All are welcome to enjoy sitting down on fresh green grass, or feel free to bring blankets and chairs. No outside food or beverages are allowed; however, a full bar and food trucks will be available. Please be sure to leave your pets at home for this event, as they tend to have no appreciation for live music.

Music in the Mountains
Where: Town Center Park, Big Sky
When: Thursdays beginning June 22. Gates open at 6pm; music starts at 7pm
Cost: Free
For over a decade, Music in the Mountains has featured some of the most memorable outdoor concerts in Montana. At Town Center Park, artists will join together to create wonderful family-friendly live events. These free concerts will be held every Thursday from June through September, including the annual July 4th concert, the Bravo! Big Sky Music Festival, and a free performance from Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Each Thursday the park opens at 6pm and the music starts at 7pm. So, pull up a lawn chair and sit back to enjoy a live band. The lineup for this event includes

Flapjack on June 22nd, Dammit Lauren! on June 29th, DJs Jenn N Juice and Take A Chance on July 4th, and Desperate Electric on July 6th — as well as many more.

Music on Main
Where: Downtown Bozeman
When:  Thursdays July 6th-Aug 10th: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cost: Free
The 23rd Annual Music on Main summer concert series is back this summer, bringing live music to Historic Downtown Bozeman every Thursday evening from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. This event is a beloved tradition that is free for all to enjoy, thanks to the generous support of The Downtown Bozeman Association and local sponsors.

​The event will be held on Main Street, spanning from Rouse to Black, and will feature an exciting lineup of live bands that will take the stage at 7pm, and play until 8:30pm. Some of the talented bands featured in this six-week event include Dammit Lauren!, Float Like a Buffalo, Swagger, and The Powell Brothers.

​This family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off your summer evenings, with great music, food, and drinks in the heart of Bozeman. So, mark your calendars for a summer of music and community spirit at Music on Main!

Headwaters Country Jam
Where: The Bridge, Three Forks
When: July 27th-29th. Gates open at 9am
Cost: Day pass general admission: $105
Three day general admission: $195
Children 10 years or younger are free for General Admission (not applicable for VIP admission).
Ready to get your country on? This three-day live musical event features some of the best country music around. More than 20 bands perform on two stages, with the beautiful Montana wilderness as a backdrop. Camping sites are available if you feel like sticking around. This year’s lineup includes Peco and the Rooftops, Ernest, and Tracy Lawrence. So, put on your cowboy hat and boots and get to Three Forks for a country event you won’t want to miss.

Sweet Pea Festival
Where: Lindley Park, Bozeman
When: Aug. 4th - 6th. Events begin on Friday at 4pm; at noon Saturday & Sunday.
Cost: $25 for a three-day pass if purchased in advance, $50 if purchased at the Festival. Day passes can either be purchased at the box office or online for $25.
For 46 years, the Sweet Pea Festival has been a beloved tradition in Bozeman, bringing together people from all walks of life for a weekend of music, dance, and theater performances in Lindley Park, located on East Main Street.
​With activities for all ages, the festival offers adult and children’s workshops, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, and a craft beer and wine garden, ensuring everyone will have something to enjoy. As a non-profit organization, the Sweet Pea Festival donates any profits made from the event back to the community in the form of grants for local arts organizations and arts education.

This year’s lineup of live bands promises to be exceptional, with performances by Galactic, Bozeman’s Choice Solo Artist Jacob Roundtree, the Monophonics, Corb Lund, and many others.
​For more information about the festival and its schedule of events, visit the official website at www.sweetpeafestival.org. Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of music and community spirit!

S.L.A.M. Summer Festival
Where: Bogert Park, 200 block of S. Church Ave.
When: August 5th, 10 am-7 pm, August 6th, 10am-5pm
Cost: Free
Get ready to rock out at the Summer SLAM festival, the ultimate free summer event in Bozeman, happening on August 5th and 6th at Bogert Park! This festival has something for everyone, from delicious food to amazing performances, and live music that will have you dancing all day long.

​But that’s not all—the festival also features an incredible artists’ market, where you can discover unique creations and watch artists’ demonstrations. Plus, the Montana-made libations garden is the perfect spot to cool off and sip on local beverages while taking in the sights and sounds of the festival.

Families are encouraged to enjoy this event, with plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained. There is also a silent auction, where you can bid on one-of-a-kind items while supporting a great cause.

​Don’t miss out on the fun at the Summer SLAM festival—grab your friends and family and head to Bogert Park for a day of music, food, and entertainment you won’t forget!

Wildlands Festival
Where: Big Sky Events Arena, Big Sky
When: Aug 4-6; Gates open at 5pm
Cost: $150+
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at this year’s Wildlands Fetival, celebrating Montana’s breathtaking open spaces and wildlands through the power of music. This two-night festival is a must-attend event for anyone who appreciates great music and the beauty of the outdoors.

​Headlining the festival are the legendary Foo Fighters, making a highly anticipated return to Montana for the first time since 2017. With an incredible 15 Grammy Awards under their belt, this is a performance that music fans won’t want to miss. But act fast, as tickets for this event are selling out quickly! In addition to the Foo Fighters, the festival will feature other amazing artists such as The Breeders, and Taipei Houston. Get ready for an amazing lineup of music that will bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate the wonder of nature.

Rockin’ the Rivers
Where: The Bridge, Three Forks, Montana
When: Aug. 10th -12th; Gates open at 8am
Cost: Three day VIP pass, not valid for camping or parking: $350
General admission: $180
Camping pass: $160
It’s here again! Rockin’ the Rivers has come to supply us with another fun-filled weekend with some legendary rock favorites, along with hot up-and-comers. Get ready to experience the thrill of live music with a crowd of like-minded people who share your passion for rock ‘n’ roll. Once you’ve arrived, you’d better be ready to party all weekend long! Reserve RV and/or camping spots at https://www.rockintherivers.com/

​Rockin’ the Rivers is a Montana tradition of enjoying live rock ‘n’ roll with the friends you came with, and the friends you meet along the way. Some of the featured artists you can expect at this year’s festival are Dirty Honey, Memphis May Fire and Sugar Ray.

Rappin’ The Rivers
Where: The Bridge, Three Forks, Montana
When:  August 18th from 5pm-3am, and August 19th from 12pm-3am
Cost: $80
No-Coast Entertainment is proud to bring the first-ever Montana Rap and EDM festival to the area. Whether you’re setting up a tent, parking an RV, or simply stopping by for the day, there is lots of fun to be had. With food vendors, merchandising and live music, there is plenty to do. Aside from live music, there are several awarded events happening at Rappin’ The Rivers as well,  including MC Battle, Dance Contest, Comedy Contest, Best Moustache, Best Belt Buckle, and Beauty Pageant including awards for King & Queen of Rappin’ The Rivers Festival 2023.

​The list of acts includes: Asher Roth w/a live band, Mac Lethal, Dirtysnatcha, Chevy Woods, Stevie Stone, The Luniz, OG Nixin, Total Devastation, Odd Squad Family, Carnage The Executioner, Stagga Lee, Statik G, Filth and Foul, and  others TBA.
​All tickets for the festival are available on Eventbrite. The “Early Bird” two-day concert is currently on sale for just $80 each, and two-day “Early Bird” camping passes are currently $70. 

Alpenglow Festival
Where: The Ponderosa Social Club, 515 West Aspen Street, Bozeman
When: Aug. 25, 4pm
Cost: $20-$75
In its second year, Alpenglow is a celebration of community, featuring world-class talent. Create cherished memories with friends while relaxing to fantastic music underneath the evening glow.

Yellowstone Harvest
Where: Ferry Landing Ranch Livingston, MT
When: September 9 & 10
Cost: $45-90  www.yellowstoneharvestfest.com
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Montana at our family-friendly festival, offering outdoor activities like hands-on archery and fly fishing demos, as well as over 50 arts and crafts vendors. Indulge in amazing food and beer from Katabatic Brewing, and enjoy a range of family activities. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable weekend of music, adventure, and community in beautiful Yellowstone Country. Headliners include The Brothers Comatose, and John King.

​Needless to say, this summer we will have plenty to do with the season being full of festivals and events for the whole family, made easy to find in the Greater Yellowstone Events Calendar created by Bozeman Magazine. Be sure to take some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy the sunshine and the good music these events offer. Have fun, stay safe, and don’t forget the sunscreen.