Weekend PICKS: Thursday, July 31st thru Sunday, August 3rd
Sayonara July; hello August! The Missoula Underground is here to help you choose from among all the live music, farmers markets, outdoor events, and cool stuff going on all over Western Montana this Thursday thru Sunday. It’s all here with The MUG’s Weekend PICKS!
It’s time to float! Take advantage of UM’s FREE UDash River Shuttle Service to get to the Clark Fork River Access points in Missoula at Sha-Ron and Milltown through July and August.
Downtown ToNight featuring the Missoula Makers Collective Market, food trucks and live music at Caras Park in Downtown Missoula 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday Nights thru August (live music starts at 5:30 pm). Tonight’s featured live music is the Ryan Chrys and The Roughcuts.
Hop in your tube, SUP, raft, kayak, air mattress, or inflatable couch and listen to some local bluegrass while Spruce Alley Sally plays their River Jam (Volume 2!) live while floating along down Clark Fork River on Thursday; put-in at Sha-Ron River Access in East Missoula at 6:30 pm, and take-out at Ogren Park.
181 paintings will be featured at the 26th Annual National Juried Exhibition of the American Impressionist Society exhibit opening 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Friday at Cassens Fine Art in Hamilton.
Celebrate Stevensville’s 112th Annual Creamery Picnic Weekend with festivities happening 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm Friday and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday on Main Street and at Lewis & Clark Park.
Bring the kids to see MCT’s production of Gulliver’s Travels at Missoula Children’s Theatre with performances at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm Friday.
Hamilton’s Downtown Association hosts First Friday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with businesses open late, art galleries showcasing exhibits, live music, food and beverages.
Torrents presents First Friday: REFORGE – Two Voices with Cameron and Quinton Decker at the Confluence Center in Downtown Missoula 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday.
Bernice’s Bakery in Missoula hosts a First Friday Art Show by abstract photographer Judy Anne Johnson 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday.
Enjoy an evening celebrating the powerful artistry of Alaina Buffalo Spirit “Through a Cheyenne Woman’s Eyes” at Missoula Art Museum’s First Friday event 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Fresh off their Thursday float down the river, there’ll be a First Friday Party featuring Spruce Alley Sally at Cranky Sam Public House in Downtoown Missoula from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Middle-aged cat ladies (and dudes) of the world – assemble! at CatVideoFest 2025 premiering at 5:30 pm Friday at The Roxy Theater on Missoula’s Hip Strip with additional showings thru Thursday, August 7.
Circus of Horror brings the freaky freakshow to UM Dennison Theatre in Missoula with performances at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm Friday.
First pitch will be 7:05 pm Friday for the Missoula PaddleHeads vs Glacier Range Riders Superhero Night at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field in Missoula with a Post-Game Fireworks Show.
Country star Ashley McBryde performs live at Happy’s Inn in Libby, with CeCe opening at 7:30 pm Friday.
Celebrate the beginning of August with a First Friday Party on the Patio featuring The Benevolents playing live from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm at The Old Post in Downtown Missoula.
Combine some nature with your Freaky Friday with Bat Night at Lolo Pass Visitor Center Friday from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The summer farmers’ market season is in full swing, including Orchard Homes in Missoula, Anaconda, Columbia Falls and Ronan on Thursday, Polson and Saint Ignatius on Friday, and all the ones in Downtown Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Stevensville, Arlee, and Hot Springs on Saturday morning. On Sunday, there are farmers markets in Seeley Lake, Columbia Falls and Ronan to check out.
The MUG’s Western Montana Summer Farmers Markets guide is ready to help – save the link and get around to all of ’em over the next several months.
The 47th Annual Bigfork Festival of the Arts is 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Get ready to groove at the vibrant third annual Montana Reggae Festival at Montana Tap House at Whitefish Lake from 12:00 pm Noon to 10:00 pm Saturday.
Experience family-friendly magic with Circus on Ice at the George & Jane Dennison Theatre on the UM campus in Missoula with performances at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm Saturday.
Country & soft rock hitmakers The Bellamy Brothers play live at the Montana Cattle Lack Ranch in Arlee Saturday at 4:00 pm.
Parker McCollum appears on his 2025 Tour with special guests Kameron Marlowe and Hudson Westbrook at Missoula’s Big Sky Brewing Amphitheater at 7:30 pm Saturday.
Catch The JIVE for an evening of live hot jazz and vintage swing 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday at Stave & Hoop in Downtown Missoula,
Leave it all out there on the stage with Emo Karaoke Night at hosted by DJ Carlos at Monk’s Bar in Downtown Missoula starting at 9:00 pm Saturday.
Race / Ride your bike in the Bitterroot Valley’s new instant classic gravel race “Get Lost Gravel” 2025 starting at 7:30 am Sunday at Red Barn Bicycles in Hamilton.
Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee hosts their 19th Annual Peace Festival with food, live music, speakers, vendors, cultural events and live yaks in a peaceful garden setting 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday.
Join your friends at Montgomery Distillery in Downtown Missoula for a day of cocktails, motorcycles and good cheer at the 11th Annual Spirits & Spokes Motorcycle Show from Noon to 6:00 pm Sunday.
Embark on a playful journey in “The Perfect Pour,” where mastering the art of pouring tea becomes an extraordinary adventure. With puppetry, juggling, balancing acts, and captivating storytelling at Zootown Arts Community Center in Downtown Missoula at 2:00 pm Sunday.
Logjam Presents welcomes Dispatch & John Butler (with band) for a live concert performance with G. Love & Special Sauce, and Donavon Frankenreiter at the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner at 6:00 pm Sunday.
We have around 65 live music events listed for the weekend – take your pick! It’s the peak of summer patio season now. You can’t go wrong with seeking out all the excellent rooftop bars and outdoor patios to soak in this fantastic summer Montana weather.
No matter what direction you wanna get outta town, you can’t go wrong. Lots of summer weekend activities and events are happening not only around Missoula, but all the way up the Flathead and the Bitterroot valleys, east to Phillipsburg and Anaconda, and out west past Alberton. If you’re headed up to Whitefish and Glacier, there are some outstanding pit stops to make along the way.
Get out & enjoy our locally-owned bars & restaurants with Montana grown / made food and beverages – they need your business! Try a new local brew! Support our local artists and vendors at the area markets. Take the family for a brisk outdoor hike – all the trails are waiting. Conditions are perfect just about everywhere for mountain biking. Summer fishing and floating is at its peak. Catch a classic movie screening or a stand-up comedy night. Stretch that big brain at one of the local trivia nights. Sing your favorite karaoke song, or catch a live music show. Enjoy safely and responsibly.
Please confirm event details at the source before you go. Last minute changes are common, especially due to weather and holidays. With each event listing, we try to include a web page or event link with more information you can check for changes.
“The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
Do you have a Western Montana event coming up that you would like to have included on The MUG? Click HERE to submit your event!
THURSDAY, July 31
Events for July 31, 2025
FRIDAY, August 1
Events for August 1, 2025
SATURDAY, August 2
Events for August 2, 2025
Ugly Pony live at The Rustic Hut
Ugly Pony live at The Rustic Hut in Florence Saturday at 8:00 pm
Solid Sound Karaoke in the Bowl Dog Lounge at Westside Lanes
Solid Sound Karaoke is hosted Fridays & Saturdays in the Bowl Dog Lounge at Missoula's Westside Lanes 9:00 pm til closing time
Emo Karaoke Night at Monk’s Bar
Leave it all out there on the stage with Emo Karaoke Night at hosted by DJ Carlos at Monk's Bar in Downtown Missoula starting at 9:00 pm Saturday, August 2
The Trent Brooks Band at The Sunrise Saloon
Sunrise Saloon and Casino 1101 Strand Avenue, MissoulaThe Trent Brooks Band plays live at 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday at Missoula's Sunrise Saloon
Absolutely Saturday Dance Party with DJ Kris Moon at The Badlander
The Badlander 208 Ryman Street, MissoulaGet down at the Absolutely Saturday Dance Party hosted by DJ Kris Moon at 10:00 pm Saturday at The Badlander in Downtown Missoula
SUNDAY, August 3
Events for August 3, 2025
Get Lost Gravel Race in the Bitterroot Valley – Start/Finish at Red Barn Bicycles
Race / Ride your bike in the Bitterroot Valley's new instant classic gravel race "Get Lost Gravel" 2025 starting at 7:30 am Sunday, August 3 at Red Barn Bicycles in Hamilton
Seeley Lake Sunday Market
Seeley Lake Community Foundation 3150 Hwy 83 North, Seeley LakeMake a Sunday morning visit to the Seeley Lake Montana Sunday Market at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation open 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day weekend in 2025
Bigfork Festival of the Arts
Downtown Bigfork Montana 500 Electric Avenue, BigforkThe 47th Annual Bigfork Festival of the Arts is 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Saturday, August 2 and Sunday August 3
Badrock Farmers Market in Columbia Falls
Badrock Farmers Market 320 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia FallsVisit Badrock Farmers Market in Columbia Falls every Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, June 1 thru October 12 to stock up on locally harvested and handcrafted goods
19th Annual Peace Festival at Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee hosts their 19th Annual Peace Festival with food, live music, speakers, vendors, cultural events and live yaks in a peaceful garden setting 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday, August 3
Ronan’s Market on Main
Main Street Ronan Main Street, RonanRonan's new Market on Main 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Sundays thru October 26 at 325 Main Street
Bingo in the Bay Sunday at A Sip of Montana
A Sip of Montana – Woods Bay Tap House, Bar & Casino 14509 MT Hwy 35, BigforkCome on down to A Sip of Montana on Woods Bay, and play BINGO from Noon to 3:00 pm Sunday with your favorite host Sultry Sarah
UDash Free Clark Fork River Shuttles from UM to Sha-Ron and Milltown State Park
Washington-Grizzly Stadium 32 Campus Drive, MissoulaTake advantage of UM's FREE UDash River Shuttle Service to get to the Clark Fork River Access points in Missoula at Sha-Ron and Milltown through July and August
Spirits & Spokes Motorcycle Show at Montgomery Distillery
Join your friends at Montgomery Distillery in Downtown Missoula for a day of cocktails, motorcycles and good cheer at the 11th Annual Spirits & Spokes Motorcycle Show from Noon to 6:00 pm Sunday, August 3
Lamplighter Entertainment presents The Perfect Pour at the ZACC
Lamplighter Entertainment presents The Perfect Pour at Zootown Arts Community Center in Downtown Missoula Sunday at 2:00 pm
Neal Elder on the back porch at The Jack Saloon
Neal Elder performs live on the back porch Sunday afternoon August 3 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at The Jack Saloon in Lolo
Irish Music at Wildwood Brewing
Irish Music at Wildwood Brewing in Stevensville from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Sunday
Dram Tuff Bingo at Dram Shop Central
Dram Shop Central 2700 Paxson Street, Ste G, MissoulaDram Tuff Bingo hosted by Paul and Stu at 6:00 pm each Sunday thru summer at Dram Shop Central in Missoula
Summer Sunday Jazz Series at Draught Works
Draught Works 915 Toole Avenue, Missoula +1 moreUnwind with live jazz 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm every Sunday night with 2025 Summer Jazz Series at Missoula's Draught Works
Dispatch & John Butler (with Band) + G. Love & Special Sauce and Donavon Frankenreiter at KettleHouse Amphitheater
Logjam Presents welcomes Dispatch & John Butler (with band) for a live concert performance with G. Love & Special Sauce, and Donavon Frankenreiter at the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner at 6:00 pm Sunday, August 3
The Wildwoods w/Rancher at Zootown Arts Community Center
Folk/Americana trio The Wildwoods plays with Rancher opening at 7:30 pm Sunday, August 3 at Zootown Arts Community Center in Downtown Missoula
Very Funny Weekly Comedy Open Mic at VFW Post 209
Bone Dry Comedy hosts Very Funny Weekly Comedy Open Mic every Sunday at 8:00 pm at Ole Beck VFW Post 209 in Downtown Missoula
Sunday Funday Karaoke with DJ Nite Wolf at The Sunrise Saloon
Sunrise Saloon and Casino 1101 Strand Avenue, MissoulaSunday Funday Karaoke hosted by DJ Nite Wolf from 8:00 pm til Midnight at Missoula's Sunrise Saloon
Please confirm event details at the source before you go. Last minute changes are common, especially due to holidays and weather. With each event listing, we try to include a web page or event link with more information you can check for changes.
Do you have a Western Montana event you would like to have included on The MUG? Click HERE to submit your event!










