BILLINGS EVENTS
BILLINGS March St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celtic Fair
A tradition in the Billings community for 40 years, this parade celebrates a cherished part of the Billings heritage and features over 60 floats. The celebration takes place on the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day and is accompanied by the corresponding outdoor Celtic Fair. The Parade, Celtic Fair & Street Party fill the streets with food truck fare, family-friendly activities, Irish dance music, cloggers, bag-pipers, and live entertainment.
April
PBR
One of the fastest growing sports in the world, where the best bull riding athletes are pitted against the toughest animals on the planet in an 8-second man versus beast duel. Each event is wrapped in a rock concert environment, complete with pulsating music, explosive pyrotechnics and fast-paced production. Qualifiers head to the PBR World Championships in Las Vegas to compete. See the action firsthand at MetraPark right here in Billings.
May
Montana Women’s Run
This is the largest race in the state, and one of the largest women’s events in the region. The focus is to promote health and fitness among women, and it gives funds back to the community to further this goal. The Montana Women’s Run includes 8 Getting Started Clinics to get women ready for the race, a Kids’ Run for kids 10 and under, and a Pint Night with an inspirational speaker.
B i l l i n g s R e lo c at i o n G u i d e
July
June Strawberry Festival
Located in the streets of downtown Billings, this is a cherished community event that opens the summer season on the second Saturday in June. Experience rich diversity in arts and crafts, fresh produce and strawberries, food-truck fare from Asian to BBQ, live street entertainment, and strawberry shortcake created by the Chefs and Cooks of Montana. With an interactive children’s area including free crafts and activities for all ages, this draws people throughout the northwest region. Alive After Five
Alive After 5 is Downtown’s most anticipated summer concert series that takes place weekly on Thursdays from 5:00pm -8:00pm at a different outdoor venue in downtown Billings throughout June and July. Each summer, the series entertainment lineup ranges from local and regional favorites to nationally touring bands. Each concert includes various food vendors with outdoor food menu options to choose from. Symphony in the Park
The event introduces many people to live, symphonic music. It begins with an Instrument Petting Zoo, followed by the Billings Community Band, a young conductor’s contest, and then the Billings Symphony Orchestra performs. This is a favorite Billings tradition! Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair 56
and relax to an evening of music under the big Montana sky while enjoying picnic fare from participating food vendors.
Big Sky State Games
This is an Olympic-style amateur sports festival for people of all ages and abilities. The Games are a member of the National Congress of State Games and recognized by the United States Olympic Committee. From its beginning, over 300,000 athletes from over 250 Montana communities have participated. The State Games feature the sports of the Olympic and Pan-American Games, as well as emerging sports and local favorites. Visit BigSkyGames.org for schedules and more information. Downtown Farmers Market
Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market runs in downtown Billings from July to October every Saturday morning from 8am-noon. It is a nonprofit cooperative consisting of local farmers, gardeners, small business owners, and connoisseurs of local food. Head downtown ready to enjoy the environment, people, fabulous vegetables, fruit, snacks, meat products, hot and ready to eat foods like egg rolls and crepes, and the overall joyous environment. Montana Brews & BBQs
This annual event takes place on a Saturday in late July along the beautiful lakeside setting at MetraPark. It is the only true “Brewfest” in the state featuring keg beers only
