As the Montana capital, Helena is never short of a top event or two in and around the downtown regions. In fact, you can guarantee there’ll be plenty of community-tinged local events in the peak summer months and beyond.
Many of the passing visitors who use the city as a stopgap between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park are pleased to find all the main traditional events and festivals in full flow, along with many more lower-key events that span the entire year.
In this article, we will look at the top events in Helena, Montana that you won’t want to miss out on in your travels into Big Sky Country.
Top Events in Helena, Montana
Beyond the Big Sky – June-August
From June through August, the Montana Learning Center (MLC) opens its observatories for some public stargazing sessions for one evening per month. This is done as part of the center’s annual astronomy expo and typically occurs on June 24, July 23, and August 5.
The campus is located along the banks of Canyon Ferry Lake, and the observatory is made available at sunset following various presentations from astronomy experts.
After this, the event attendees have the opportunity to put some of the tips in the presentation to practical use and gain more understanding of the night skies—with the help of the MLC’s state-of-the-art telescopic equipment which includes Montana’s largest telescope.
Symphony Under the Stars – July
July 16 means it’s time for the Helena Symphony—AKA the Annual Intrepid Credit Union Symphony. This free event is held outdoors under the stars between 8.00 pm and 10.00 pm, on Helena’s Carroll College campus.
Indeed the symphony is one of the city’s major summer events and typically attracts over 10,000 attendees. Watch the blankets and picnics come out as the symphonic sounds present a popular mix of tunes—while the sun sets in the big Montana sky over Helena.
The event finishes up big-style with a dazzling fireworks extravaganza.
Prickly Pear Land Trust Block Party – July 21
What, another Block Party so soon? As it turns out the Prickly Pear Land Trust will also be having its annual Block Party at the Walking Mall in Helena’s Last Chance Gulch. This event is operated along with the enlisted help of the local Ten Mile Creek Brewery and Big Dipper Ice Cream.
Here’s another free, family-friendly event and another summer opportunity to grab lawn chairs and blankets—and maybe a picnic. There’s plenty of live music to enjoy from local acts at this community celebration of the beloved surrounding trails and open lands of the city.