Your Best Year Ever: Lewistown's Annual Event Calendar

Mutton Bustin at the Central Montana Fair Rodeo

No matter what time of year, there's always something fun to look forward to in Lewistown, Montana. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are the can't-miss events for our family - and probably will become yours too! In chronological order:

Montana Winter Fair - mid January

Have you ever tried Skijoring? This amazing high speed competition features a horse and rider pulling a skier through a course of jumps and gates. These races are the highlight of the Montana Winter Fair but there is also the Savor the Flavors of Montana dinner and live band. This incredible farm-to-table meal showcases Montana-grown products from wheat to beef to whiskey - and sells out every year.

Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing - January & February

One of Justin and I's favorite Winter dates is to take an afternoon and go snowshoeing or cross country skiing. There are so many fun trails just outside Lewistown - or if you only have an hour or two - you can head to Pine Meadows Golf Course for a quick cross country ski with a friend! We always try to allow time to head to Big Spring Brewery for a well-deserved IPA and a huckleberry bbq burger afterwards.

The Judith Theatre - First-Run Movies Any Time of Year

Built in 1914, this historic movie house has 2 screens and plays first-run movies so you'll never miss out! The building has been beautifully preserved and offers comfortable seating and a full snack bar for your movie enjoyment. The Sorensen Family spends a lot of time here - it is the most charming small town theater!

Community Brandings - April & May

Brandings are a time when neighbors and friends come together to get some work done - and celebrate the arrival of this year's calf herd at the same time. It really is a party! Calves are branded with their owner's brand, given shots and flea and fly spray, and released back to their mommas. A big barbeque and coolers full of drinks await the workers, serving as a thank you for the hard work and celebration of this year's bounty.

Lewistown Farmers' Market - Saturdays June - September

We look forward to this opening every Spring! Central Montana produces some of the best fruits, vegetables, and meats on Earth and they are on full display at the Farmers' Market. Baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, elderberry syrup, jams, and handcrafts are also on offer - arrive early to snag a delectable caramel roll to go with you morning coffee. Fair warning - sometimes puppies are also for sale! Every Saturday morning at Symmes Park.

Lewistown Pool & Waterslides - June - August

This is such a great community pool - large, clean, and with an awesome diving board and 3 waterslides! Every Summer, the pool offers two 2-week sessions of swimming lessons for all levels and a competitive swim team that practices and participates in Meets all Summer long. Go Lewistown Sea Lions! The pool is open June - August. Bring a couple extra dollars for the waterslide pass!

4th of July Celebration

Lewistown’s Independence Day festivities include a patriotic parade down Main Street with plenty of candy and popsicles to go around. Following the parade, ice cream is served at Symmes Park while you enjoy the Classic Car Show, typically hosted by the Central Montana Historical Society. In the evening, there's a Street Dance with a live local band (our favorite is The Sideliners) and then fireworks at dusk!

Float Big Spring Creek - mid July

Blowing up our tubes and floating this Creek is one of our favorite Summer activities as a family. Fill a Stanley with your favorite drink and then sit back and relax in the sunshine. True bliss! We've found our favorite route (takes about 1.5 hours in July) with easy get-in and get-out spots with parking. We are happy to share it with you!

Hiking the Judith Mountains - All Summer!

We are a family that loves to hike and there is no shortage of breathtaking trails around Lewistown! Our most frequented routes are above Maiden Canyon to Judith Peak as well as the Limekiln Trail to the Lewistown Lookout. These hikes vary from 4 - 6 miles and are the perfect distance for our family.

Central Montana Fair - Last Full Week of July

The Central Montana Fair is a highlight of our Summer season, featuring 5 days of thrilling carnival rides, 2 nights of PRCA rodeo, a big-name concert, demolition derby, a community beer garden, and fair food we look forward to all year. Fair is also the best opportunity to see Lewistown's best livestock on display as members of 4-H compete for the coveted blue ribbons. This is a magical week of long days spent with friends.

Judith Mountain 10K - First Saturday in August

This incredible run is a recent addition to Central Montana and it's already a fixture! This 10K trail run sells out in hours and is the perfect way to start your weekend. The race starts at Judith Mountain Lodge and takes you to some of the best vistas on Judith Mountain (they also offer a 6K hike option). Join Justin on the trails!

Centerfest Music Festival - First Saturday in August

This music festival takes place in a small town but it sure pulls some big names! Centerfest has been voted the Best Music Festival by Distinctly Montana Magazine two years in a row and sold out for the first time in 2025 with headliner KT Tunstall. This year is going to be even bigger - we've already snagged our tickets!

Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering - mid August

This unique event celebrates the storytelling tradition of the American West. Poets and musicians gather to share their work, and attendees enjoy workshops and performances that highlight cowboy culture. This gathering is truly one of a kind!

Gigantic Warm Springs - any hot day in Summer

This is one of Central Montana's hidden gems - a magical warm spring! We've all heard of hot springs, but this incredible swimming hole is designated a warm spring because it stays at a refreshing 68 degrees all Summer long. The water is crystal clear and you can see bubbles rising up through the pebble bottom. Pack a cooler full of drinks and snacks, bring some camping chairs and inflatables, and plan to spend the day. There is a small fee per person and they only accept cash - so come ready!

The Chokecherry Festival - Saturday after Labor Day

The Chokecherry Festival is one of Lewistown’s most beloved (and tasty) annual traditions. Celebrating the region’s native chokecherry—a small, tart fruit used in syrups, jams, and local specialties—the festival marks the arrival of Fall with a full day of small-town charm. Visitors can enjoy a classic pancake breakfast with chokecherry syrup, browse hundreds of arts and craft vendors, and enjoy live music at the evening Lewistown Trails fundraiser, Ales for Trails!

Friday Night Lights - September & October

Friday night football at Fergus High School is more than just a game—it’s a community tradition! As the sun sets behind the mountains, families, friends, and neighbors gather under the lights to cheer on the Golden Eagles. The stands fill with school spirit, the pep band plays, and generations of locals reconnect. Community matters in Lewistown and Friday night football is a shared experience that brings everyone together in a way that feels uniquely Montana.

Hunting, Hunting, Hunting! - November

Our eldest son got his first Elk this year and he was so proud! He completed his Hunter Safely course in the Spring, passed the test, and was licensed for hunting as a 12 year old. We took the harvested elk for processing and our son chose several cuts of elk steak, ground elk, and many different elk Summer sausages and jerky sticks. We be eatin' good round here!

Christmas Stroll - Friday evening after Thanksgiving

To kick off the Christmas season, the Christmas Stroll transforms downtown Lewistown into a winter wonderland with lights and decorations. Main Street closes down for the Christmas Parade to roll through with a special visit from Santa on his sleigh - and sometimes the Grinch! Bonfires are lit and food trucks come out to supply cocoa and treats to enjoy while you visit with friends. Local shops stay open late so you can kickstart your holiday shopping while enjoying caroling by local students and musicians.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these annual events in Central Montana offer a fantastic way to experience the culture and community spirit of this charming town. Make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out!