Your Guide to the 4th of July in Montana (2026)

This year's 4th of July hits different it's America's 250th birthday, and Montana is going all out. Here's where to celebrate Independence Day across the state.

Great Falls

The annual 4th of July Parade kicks off at 11 AM. Immediately after, the 4th of July Hootenanny takes over the corner of 5th and Central with a free outdoor concert this year featuring Cooper Alan. Then at 10:15 PM, the People's Park & Recreation fireworks launch from West Bank Park. The Great Falls Voyagers also play at 7 PM with their own post-game fireworks.

Lincoln

The 74th Annual Lincoln Rodeo runs July 4th and 5th at 1 PM, featuring bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, bulls, broncs, ladies and junior barrels, ladies breakaway, and "The Famous Ring of Fire." Saturday's performance includes a Top 6 Saddle Bronc showdown with $500 added and a trophy buckle. On July 4th, the celebration at Hooper Park starts at 4 PM with food and drink vendors, a dunk tank, cornhole tournament, 50/50 raffle, games, and music, capped off with a fireworks show at sunset.

Butte

The festivities start on July 3rd when Town Pump sponsors the annual fireworks show launched from the base of Butte's famous "Big M" above Montana Tech. It's widely considered the most spectacular fireworks display in the state. On July 4th, the parade starts at 10 AM at the Butte Civic Center and runs down Harrison Avenue. Butte's 4th of July celebration stretches back to 1876, making it one of the oldest in the state.

Livingston

Running July 1-4 at the Park County Fairgrounds, this is Montana's oldest rodeo and one of its most beloved. It's a PRCA and WPRA sanctioned event that attracts top-tier cowboys and cowgirls competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. Gates open at 6 PM each night, performances start at 8 PM, and every night ends with a fireworks show. The 4th itself features a parade through downtown Livingston.

Missoula

Missoula’s 50th Annual 4th at the Fort celebration at Historic Fort Missoula starts at 10 AM with live music, wagon rides, food trucks, old-fashioned games, museum tours, and local vendors spread across the grounds. Later in the day, the Missoula PaddleHeads bring the crowd downtown before fireworks light up the night. Between the riverfront, packed patios, and mountain backdrop, the whole city feels like one big summer block party.

Whitefish

The celebration is centered at Whitefish City Beach with food vendors, live music, and family activities starting in the early evening. Fireworks go off at dusk, which in July in Montana means around 10:30 PM. The Whitefish Arts Festival also runs July 3–5 at Depot Park now in its 47th year with over 100 artists, food vendors, and live entertainment. The city runs a free shuttle from the O'Shaughnessy Center starting at 7 PM.

Polson

The Polson Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the "Big 250" Independence celebration on July 3rd with the Polson Bay Independence Eve Fireworks Show a professional-grade display over Flathead Lake that the community funds entirely through donations. On July 4th, the celebration continues with a hometown parade at noon, followed by private fireworks shows lighting up across Polson Bay throughout the evening. Polson has earned its reputation as one of Montana's most celebrated spots for Independence Day.

Ennis

The two-day event kicks off July 3rd with the first round of the NRA-sanctioned Ennis Rodeo at 7 PM barrel racing, bronc busting, steer wrestling, bull riding under that wide Madison Valley sky. On July 4th, the morning starts with the Fireman's Pancake Breakfast at the Ennis Volunteer Fire Hall, followed by the Main Street Parade at 10 AM with color guards, vintage tractors, classic cars, and rodeo royalty. The rodeo finals begin at 4 PM.

Flathead Valley

Kalispell hosts its annual 4th of July Parade through downtown, followed by an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social at the historic Conrad Mansion free ice cream, live music, and food trucks on the mansion grounds. In Bigfork, the parade steps off at noon with decorated floats winding through the charming downtown village. And in Lakeside, the annual fireworks show launches from a floating barge off the shore of Flathead Lake it's entirely community-funded and goes off around 11 PM. The beauty of the Flathead is that you can hit multiple celebrations in one day they're all within a short drive of each other.

Bozeman

Bozeman's fireworks show takes place at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, starting at 10 PM and running about 25 minutes. It's the city's second annual show at this location and is made possible by a public-private partnership. The show is free and visible from around the fairgrounds area. If you're looking for more, Lyle Lovett is performing at The ELM on the evening of the 4th doors at 7, show at 9. For a full rodeo experience, the Ennis Rodeo is just an hour south and makes for an easy day trip.

Billings

If you're on the eastern side of the state, Billings' Celebrate Freedom event at MetraPark is the move. The free, all-ages event starts at 6 PM on July 4th with live music and fireworks around 10 PM. For an alternative, the town of Laurel just 12 miles west of Billings hosts a large fireworks display, launching from Thomson Park at approximately 9:45 PM. The full-day celebration includes a morning craft fair and afternoon park activities.

The Small-Town Wildcards

Troy has thrown a free, family-friendly celebration for over a century, with a community breakfast, parade, car show, live music, and fireworks.

Seeley Lake starts at 8 AM and goes all day with a pancake breakfast, pig roast, parade at 2 PM, live music at 7, and fireworks over the lake.

Red Lodge shoots fireworks off the East Bench, visible from all over town, at 10 PM.