17 Things To Do In Bozeman This Summer
Published: June 2023
I mean it when I say that Summer is the best time to be in Bozeman. The days are long (9pm sunsets), the skies are bright blue, the temperature is hot and dry (80° and sunny), people are happy, and there is always something out in nature to do. Mother Nature blessed Bozeman with a lot of rain this Spring so my fingers are crossed that we're skipping the fire season.
If you’re visiting Bozeman for the first time, welcome. I hope you enjoy “The Last Best Place” and leave it a bit better than you found. If you’re local to Bozeman or Big Sky, get your calendars marked for a season of fun. If you’re searching for additional things to do in Bozeman that tailor more to your lifestyle, please send me a message.
Art, Culture and Music
Just like the farmers markets, the Art & Music scene in Bozeman is meant to get people out of their houses and into town or nature. Summer nights in Bozeman are beautiful because the temperature is just the right amount of warm and the sun is still high (doesn’t set until around 9:30). Which leaves people in a friendly, social mood to hang out and enjoy. Most of the Arts & Music events happen on Main Street in Downtown Bozeman.
Bozeman's signature events of the summer
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Summer Art Walks (Once a Month)
These monthly Art Walks are a great opportunity to stroll Main Street and support local painters, ceramicists, jewelers, craftsmen and more. The galleries in Downtown Bozeman keep their shops open and often bring a couple of extra guests artists to showcase. You will have the opportunity to meet the artists and watch live demos. Something to note is that not all small businesses on main street stay open on these nights.
Ladies Nights in the Cannery District
Grab your girl friends for a night out in the Cannery District filled with shopping, eating and socializing.
4-8PM
June 29, July 27, August 31
Music On Main (Thursdays)
Every Thursday, a new band performs to make music on main, “Music on Main.” This is a lively event that has been happening for over 15 years. Grab a beer, a bite to eat and stroll Main Street with Bozeman locals.
Roller Skate Nights
Biome Slow Craft is hosting monthly roller skate nights at the Haynes Pavillion. Open to those who own or need to rent skates.
Sweet Pea Festival (Aug 4 - 6)
Celebrate the 46th Annual Sweet Pea Festival in its signature location of Lindley Park. This festival is a three-day celebration of the arts. You can expect theater performances by day and music performances by night with local food vendors to grab a bite from. This festival does have an admission fee and is welcome to families.
Slam Festival (Aug 4 - 6)
This arts & music festival happens the same weekend of Sweet Pea festival. What’s the difference between Slam and Sweet Pea? Slam is FREE! It has a more casual and inclusive energy but does not skimp on talent selection.
Local Farmers Markets
With the warmer weather in Bozeman, the outdoor farmers markets are the place to be in the evenings. Farmers Markets can be tricky to fit into your schedule but I wanted to include various farmers markets across the Gallatin Valley to explore on different days of the week. Be sure to bring your reusable tote, a little cash, and a water bottle to stay hydrated when you go to any of these local Montana markets.
Explore The Gallatin Valley
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Shields Valley Farmers Market (Mondays)
đź“Ť Holliday Park, Clyde Park, MT
🕓 Mondays 4:30–7pm
🗓️ July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14
Bozeman Farmers Market (Tuesdays)
đź“Ť Lindley Park, Bozeman
🕓 Tuesdays 5–8pm
🗓️ June 20–September 12
Formerly known as the Bogert Farmers Market, this bustling farmers market is now on the East side of Lindley Park. Here you will find a good balance of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, english muffins, art, and food trucks. I recommend meeting up with a friend to stroll the market, purchase your items and then grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks.
Big Sky Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
đź“Ť Fire Pit Park, Big Sky
🕓 Wednesdays 5–8pm
🗓️ June 7- September 27
If you’re staying up at Big Sky during the week, this farmers market is a must visit. You’ll be able to pick up produce, hear from local artists and sip a cold beer. There are even vendors from Bozeman that will drive up the canyon on Wednesdays to serve this mountain community.
Livingston Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
đź“ŤMiles Band Shell Park, Livingston
🕓 Wednesdays 4:30–7:30pm
🗓️ June 7–September 13
I have heard (and seen!) great things about Livingston’s Farmers Market. I am hoping to make it quick. 28-minute drive from Bozeman to Livingston to experience this farmers market soon.
Manhattan Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
Three Forks Farmers Market (Thursdays)
Belgrade Farmers Market (Thursdays)
Gallatin Valley Farmers Market (Saturdays)
đź“Ť Gallatin Fairgrounds, Bozeman
🕓 Saturdays 9am–noon
🗓️ June 17–September 9
This farmers market is for weekend goers. The Gallatin Valley Farmers Market is probably the largest market that we have in the valley. A small portion is outside for about 15 overflow vendors while the majority of vendors are inside the pavilion. To me, this market skews more towards arts & crafts and less seasonal produce.
Food Festivals & Dining Experiences
People will ask me, “What’s the food scene like in Bozeman?” Well let me tell you that it’s growing in a good way. Bozeman is a mixture of local favorites, western classics, new talent and emerging flavors. This summer, there are a handful of food festivals and unique Montana dining experiences to enjoy. The most available Montana dining experiences are farm-to-table style experiences.
A Taste of Montana Cuisine
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Farm-to-Table Dinner at Bodhi Farms
If you’re looking to have a delicious meal surrounded in a beautiful meadow with a creek trinkling downstream, then reserve yourself a table at Bodhi Farms. This charming farm offers a little bit of everything: kids camps, glamping, farm-to-table food, yoga classes, weddings and workshops. I met with some friends last summer for dinner here and it was an elevated Montana menu. Ingredients sourced from local ranchers and growers throughout the Gallatin Valley. We sat outside at a wooden picnic table and enjoyed a lovely evening with a gorgeous sunset.
Chuckwagon BBQ at 320 Ranch
Head up to the 320 Ranch in Big Sky for an old fashioned Montana barbecue dinner. Reservations required.
Cooking Classes at La Cuisine
Maybe you’re looking to be a little bit more hands on this summer and not just eat. That’s where a La Cuisne cooking class comes in. This kitchen store offers cooking classes for all levels and various cuisine types. You may find yourself learning from Chef Cory Dragone of Blacksmith Italian or Chocolatiers Wlady and Shannon of Le Chatelaine Chocolates.
The Bite of Bozeman - CANCELLED
Unfortunately, there was not enough participation amongst food businesses to make this event happen for 2023.
A short description of what it was supposed to be below.
Want to try all the food in Bozeman in one night? Well now you can at the Bite of Bozeman. This iconic event is for all the restaurants in Bozeman to create a unique food item for the event and sample it to the community. Some restaurants stay true to their roots, while others add a touch of flare. This is a tasty event that you DO NOT want to miss. This event was postponed for 2022 but it’s back and each item will be $5. The Bite of Bozeman is the unofficial kick off to the Sweet Pea festival that happens two days later.
Big Sky Food, Wine & Spirits Festival - Already happened
A four-day event with curated food and spirits tasting experiences. Each event requires a ticket and can get pricey. Choose your events wisely.