It isn’t hard to sell people on Montana…and Butte is no exception. From our breweries to celebrations of diverse cultures to easy access to outdoor recreation, the list of reasons why Butte is great goes on and on. Society assumes smaller towns lack the excitement of big cities, but we consider that to be untrue. Butte is home to a quite a few festivals to keep its community – and out-of-state tourists – busy and entertained! Check out for yourself the following list of festivals in Butte, Montana.
Silver Bow County Fair (August 1-3, 2019)
An annual, family-oriented tradition, the Silver-Bow County Fair has been entertaining the Butte community since 1951. Get the true Montana experience while watching livestock judging, stock shows, and country-inspired competitions. The County Fair also supports its youth in the community by showcasing their 4-H exhibits, a national youth development organization, and celebrating their efforts with 4-H. No fair is complete without music and carnival rides, which Silver-Bow County certainly has covered. From local music to ferry rides, this annual fair is a must-attend event.
An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival (August 9-11, 2019)
A celebration of Irish culture and heritage, the An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival takes place annually in August. Drawing in people from all over the United States, it is considered one of the best Irish festivals and it’s easy to see why. This Irish festival boasts a variety of arts and craft vendors, Irish dance performances and classes, traditional Irish cuisine, and more. Founded by the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society, this festival keeps the Gaelic culture and language well and alive in Montana.
SNoFlinga (January 16-19, 2020)
Of course we have winter festivals in Montana – Montanans make the best out of all seasons! SNoFlinga, with its goal of promoting winter recreation, makes it easy to pick up new winter activities, no matter the skill level. Discover all the winter opportunities around Butte, such as skiing, complete in the annual triathlon – consisting of a 5K run, 10K nordic ski, and a fat bike race – all while enjoying live music and food. Bundle up and make the best out of the cold by embracing winter recreation!
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2020)
Considering that Butte’s history of copper mining drew in immigrants across the world – and most notably, the Irish – it is no surprise that St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most exciting events in this city. This holiday is so notorious in Butte that it draws in tourists from around the world, enticed by its celebration of Irish heritage. Year over year, the population of Butte on this day actually doubles in size thanks to the visitors from across the globe. The day starts with mass at 8:00am, followed by a grand parade led by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, with festivities continuing throughout the day. In Butte – one of America’s most Irish cities – see for yourself what makes St. Patrick’s Day so special here.
Montana Folk Festival (July 10-12, 2020)
The year 2020 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Montana Folk Festival, a festival designed to promote the natural and cultural wonders of Montana. What better setting to celebrate Montana’s heritage than the iconic headframes of Butte’s mining history backed by stunning views of the Northern Rockies? The Montana Folk Festival showcases some of the nation’s best classic artists – including Montana-based favorites – as well as two marketplaces, ethnically diverse food, and Montana-themed demonstrations/workshops. The two marketplaces – Montana Traditions Arts Market and the First People’s Market – feature arts and crafts from a variety of traditional and Native American artists and craftspeople.
Discover more Butte events at: www.co.silverbow.mt.us/490/Events-Festivals
