Geez, where did September go? The MUG is here with all our Weekend PICKS to help you make it to all the music, markets and events Thursday thru Sunday that you don’t want to miss around Missoula and Western Montana.

A couple of the Farmers Markets up north are wrapping up their summer seasons this Thursday. The Farmers Market at Libby is 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Asa Wood School in Libby, and the Columbia Falls Community Market happens 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with Justin Harris and The Pocket Aces performing live to close it out.

Charla Bauman plays live at Old Bull Brewing in Frenchtown Thursday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Songwriter Morgan Thomas plays live 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday at Bitter Root Brewing in Hamilton.

Jay Alm plays live at Missoula’s Ranch Club 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday.

Missoula Art Museum hosts celebrated poet, essayist, and translator Jane Hirshfield as part of UM’s Creative Writing Series 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday.

Missoula’s own Meggie McDonald plays live 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday at Big Sky Brewing Co.

Meet up with TNR at 6:00 pm at Bridge Pizza on Higgins for this week’s Thursday Night Missoula MTB Ride to Rattlesnake up the Grant Creek Divide, down Ravine Trail & back to Bridge.

Join Kelley Sinclair and Benny Weag 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday, September 25 for an evening of live music right on Flathead Lake at The Harbor Grille in Lakeside.

Shakespeare & Co. hosts a reading and discussion with Missoula-based author Gary W. Hawk of his new book “Into This Radiance: Kayaking Flathead Lake” 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday.

Richie Reinholdt and Aaron Jennings play live as The Pesky Varmints at Missoula’s Draught Works 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday.

Logjam Presents & Teton Gravity Research present a screening of “Pressure Drop” at The Wilma in Downtown Missoula at 7:30 pm Thursday.

Pinky and the Floyd celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s iconic album “Wish You Were Here” with a special performance at Wachholz College Center in Kalispell at 7:30 pm Thursday.

If your brain’s stuffed full of a lifetime of music, bring it on in to Missoula’s Sunrise Saloon at 8:30 pm Thursday for “Name That Tune” Night.

The Mission Falls Market closes out the summer season with the Mission Valley Garlic Festival at the Good Old Days Park Pavilion just off Hwy 93 in Saint Ignatius, and from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm Friday.

Friday is also the last market of the season for the Troy Farmers Market at the Troy Museum & Visitors Center 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Live music, hors d’oeuvres and the latest & greatest local beverages with the Fall Beer & Wine Fest at The Trough in Missoula 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday.

Celebrate Oktoberfest the German way at Bayern Brewing in Missoula 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday.

Wolf and The Moons live ‘n’ lively at The Old Post in Missoula Friday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

If you’re a fan of the series, don’t miss the White Lotus Trivia Party with themed cocktails served at Westslope Distillery in Hamilton 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday.

Experience the vibrant spirit of community at the historic Pearl Entertainer Theatre in Ronan, where Western Montana Musicians Cooperative hosts its weekly Friday Open Mic / Open Jam from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Groove Solventless & Logjam Presents welcome JCKSN for a FREE live performance with Heatin’ Up and GOODGOODRUM at the Top Hat in Downtown Missoula at 10:30 pm Friday.

The farmers’ market season is on its final stretch into autumn, including Anaconda, Columbia Falls, Ronan and Libby on Thursday, Polson, Plains, Troy and Saint Ignatius on Friday, and all the ones in Downtown Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispell, Stevensville, Arlee, and Hot Springs (last weekend) 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 during the remaining weeks of the season.

Take your horses, family and buddies to the 14th Annual Bitterroot Rough Riders Saddle Club horseback trail ride starting at 8:30 am at The Jack Saloon in Lolo on Saturday.

Celebrate Oktoberfest with live music from the Zootown Trumpets and Oktubafest at Missoula’s Dram Shop Central 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm Saturday.

Hellgate Roller Derby Roller Derby has their Last Bout of the Year at Missoula Fairgrounds’ Outdoor Pavilion 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm Saturday.

Philipsburg Brewing Company will be pouring brews and listening to tunes in The Vault with John Montoya on Saturday, September 27 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Folk Rock touring sensation Bill Price performs live at Waters Edge Winery in Kalispell Saturday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Austin Punk / Ska band The Brothels play live with Ticks & Scabies and Seditious Activity 6:00 pm Saturday, September 27 at Missoula’s Mobash Skate Park.

Morgan Thomas live at Draught Works Brewery in Missoula Saturday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Pacific Northwest Americana songwriter Stephanie Anne Johnson performs 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Saturday, at Missoula’s Longstaff House.

It’ll be more than worth the short drive when Ticket Sauce Trio leads an 80s & 90s Rock Fest 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday, September 27 at River Edge Resort in Alberton.

Sing along & dance to Billy G at The Jack Saloon up Graves Creek Road in Lolo 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday.

UM Griz Football opens this season’s Big Sky Conference play going in 3-0 on the season meeting the Idaho Vandals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium with kickoff at 8:15 pm Saturday.

It’s always a good ol’ time when Zootown Karaoke hosts Karaoke Night starting at 9:00 pm every Saturday at KT’s Hayloft Saloon in Lolo.

May the “baaaaadest” goat win at the 4th Annual Goat Races at Highlander Beer in Missoula Sunday from Noon to 3:00 pm.

Guest musicians Maureen Murchie, violin, and Nathan Whittaker, cello, lead the Bitterroot Baroque Orchestra in a program exploring The Concerto in the 18th century at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Sunday.

Crescendo Concerts features Loren Stillman & John Wicks performing with the Hellgate Jazz Trio at the Missoula Public Library Sunday beginning at 3:00 pm.

Unwind and enjoy the soulful sounds from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the Fall Sunday Night Jazz Series, this week featuring Evan Nesbitt , in the taproom at Missoula’s Draught Works.

Sunday Funday Karaoke is hosted by DJ Nite Wolf from 8:00 pm til Midnight at Missoula’s Sunrise Saloon.

We have around 60 live music events listed for the weekend – take your pick! Autumn is here; take advantage of patio season while it’s still good. You can’t go wrong with seeking out all the excellent rooftop bars and outdoor patios to soak in this late-September Montana weather.

No matter what direction you wanna get outta town, you can’t go wrong. Lots of fall harvest and Oktoberfest activities and events are happening not only around Missoula, but all the way up the Flathead, Mission and Bitterroot valleys, east to Phillipsburg and Anaconda, and out west past Alberton. If you’re headed up to Whitefish and Glacier and even Northwestern Montana, 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. Pre-fall conditions are excellent just about everywhere for mountain biking. Late summer fishing on the rivers is excellent, and the lakes are great for no-crowd SUPing, kayaking and canoeing. 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.

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne

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, September 25

FRIDAY, September 26

- Advertise w/The MUG -

SATURDAY, September 27

SUNDAY, September 28

- Advertise w/The MUG -

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!

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