The busy Montana summer is officially half over, but the second half is just as packed with fun events as the first. (FYI, August 6th is the official midpoint of summer, date-wise.) Markets, concerts, classes, and community events pack this week in the Bozeman area. Many events are absolutely free.

Tuesday, August 6th – National Night Out in Bozeman: (Bozeman Pond, east of The Mall) Happening 5pm to 8pm. “National Night Out is a free, fun-filled, family-friendly annual event that brings neighborhoods, businesses, and public safety agencies together to promote a positive partnership.” Hands-on equipment demonstrations and tours, Balloon twisting by 406 Cirque, Face painting by Art with Bonnie, Food by Double T Catering, Shaved ice by Tropical Sno (all free to first 300 in attendance!)

The Bozeman Police Department is hosting this event, with the following departments and organizations being on-site for the event:
⭐️ Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office
⭐️ Bozeman Fire Department
⭐️ Montana State University Police Department
⭐️ Belgrade Police Department
⭐️ Montana Highway Patrol
⭐️ United States Forest Service
⭐️ Special Response Team
⭐️ Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
⭐️ Billings Clinic Bozeman
⭐️ Lifeflight
⭐️ American Medical Response
⭐️ Bozeman Health Injury Prevention
⭐️ Heart of the Valley

Tuesday, August 6th – Bozeman Farmers’ Market: (Lindley Park on East Main) Happening 5pm to 8pm. Free and open to the public. Live music, performances, and the incredibly popular farmers’ markets that has be voted “Best THING in Bozeman”. Local growers, farmers, and artisans. (Runs Tuesdays through September 10th)

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Thursday, August 8th – Bozeman Music on Main: (Downtown Bozeman on Main Street) Free and open to the public. Kids activities start at 6:30pm. Live music from Float Like a Buffalo runs from 7pm to 8:30pm. Many food vendors will line 2 blocks of Main Street. (Open container waiver for beverages purchased on-site from 6pm to 9pm only.) No dogs and no backpacks, please.

Thursday, August 8th – Music in the Mountains: (Big Sky Meadow) Starts at 6pm. Family friendly and free to the public. Happens at Len Hill Park in the Big Sky Town Center. No dogs, no glass containers. Music from MOTH and Doom Flamingo.

Thursday, August 8th – Saturday, August 10th – Rockin’ the Rivers: (Three Forks) Three day rock festival featuring Smash Mouth, Stone Temple Pilots, The Wallflowers, Hinder, Smile Empty Soul, Hoobastank. Car Camping/Overnight Parking Available for daily use. Single day passes or three day passes available.

Friday, August 9th – Downtown Bozeman ArtWalk: (Main Street, downtown) Happening 6pm to 8pm at various galleries and shops. Most serve wine and light apps. Free and open to the public. Live music will be on Main Street along the way.

Friday, August 9th – Indigikitchen Cooking Class: A Recipe for Resilience: (Museum of the Rockies) Happening 5pm to 7:30pm at the Tinsley House. Registration required, $75/person. “Mariah Gladstone is leading a food movement to revive these important foods and incorporate them into modern diets. In a cooking class led by Mariah Gladstone, you can learn to harvest, prepare, and enjoy a full meal of authentic indigenous recipes.”

Friday, August 9th & Saturday, August 10th – Bridger BrewGrass: (at Bridger Brewing in Three Forks) 2 nights of world class bluegrass acts. Doors at 6pm, music at 7pm both nights. Music from Leftover Salmon + Railroad Earth + Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous String Dusters + Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. GA and VIP tickets available. Outdoor venue at Bridger Brewing. Additional food trucks will be on site.

Saturday, August 10th – Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market: (Gallatin County Fairgrounds) Happening from 9am to Noon. “One Dollar or More at the Door” to get in. Over 150 vendors at this excellent, classic Farmers’ Market. Happens every Saturday through September 14th.

Saturday, August 10th – Big Gay Float Day: (Lower Madison River/Montana Whitewater) Meet at Montana Whitewater (1110 W Main Street) at 11am to catch the shuttle, get a tube. Tickets are $25 or pay what you can. Shuttle is 18+. No need to RVSP if you’ll meet us there. California Corner to Black’s Ford.

Saturday, August 10th & Sunday, August 11th – Used Book Sale: (Gallatin County Fairgrounds – Building 3) Saturday 9am to 3pm, Sunday Fill-a-Bag Sale Noon to 4pm. (Friday is open to members only of the Friends of the Bozeman Public Library.)

Saturday, August 10 – Beetlejuice Roller Derby Bout (2 games): (Haynes Pavillion) Starts at 5:30pm, 2nd bout at 7:30pm. Gallatin Roller Derby takes on Team Montana and Electric City Roller Derby. Games start at 5:30 and 7:30pm. Family friendly, kids under 10 get in free. Costumes encouraged! Doors open at 5pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.