Special Events

Special events in the Bozeman area continue to enhance the quality of living, showcase the uniqueness of life here, and deepen the feeling of community spirit and fun. Here are just a few…

Hatch Festival

The mission of the annual Hatch Festival is to provide mentorship, education, inspiration and recognition to the next generation of creative innovators. Although a young festival, HATCHfest has already attracted a wide range of well-known artists and executives in the creative arts. Attendees in the first two years included actors Peter Fonda, Michael Keaton, Jeff Bridges, Bill Pullman, Margot Kidder, Rick Schroder and Dean Cain.

Among the directors and producers who have been to HatcHFest are David Anspaugh (“Rudy,” “Hoosiers”), Academy Award nominee Jon Amiel, Rodrigo Garcia (“Mi Vida Loca”), Michael Anderson (“Millennium”), Gabrielle Savage Dockterman (“Missing in America”), William Katt (“Twin Falls, Idaho”), Darren Lemke (“Lost”), Dick Shepherd (“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) and Patrick Markey (“A River Runs Through It”).

Senior executives from Universal Studios, Imagine Entertainment, Fox Distribution, Paramount and Variety have also attended previous HATCHfests together with distinguished university professors, cinematographers, musicians, writers, photographers, artists and fashion designers.

Sweet Pea Festival

A classic celebration that has entertained us for years is the annual Sweet Pea Festival held the first weekend in August. This event celebrates the arts and music, and showcases the best in the field. Outdoor concerts, juried art shows, craft displays, bicycle races, fun runs, and a large parade highlight the weekend.

Bite of Bozeman

For the past several years, the festivities have been kicked off with the Bite of Bozeman. The downtown streets ore closed to traffic, and blocks of tables are set so residents and visitors alike can enjoy a meal on the streets. The event is a unique and exciting time for Bozeman.

Bozeman Farmer’s Markets

Every Saturday during the summer months offers a chance to sample a bit of Bozeman’s character. On Tuesday evenings in Bogert Park area gardeners and craftpersons offer their produce and products to local residents and tourists.

Christmas Stroll

For 17 years, the Christmas Stroll has kicked off the celebration of the Christmas season. The downtown area is closed to traffic, and residents enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, Christmas carolers, children’s events, vendors with roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, and the evening closes with the lighting of the tree decorations. This event is enjoyed by young and old.

Music

Montana Ballet Company

Each Christmas season many residents look forward to the annual Nutcracker by the Montana Ballet, as well as year round guest appearances from local and national dance celebrities.

Bozeman Symphony and Symphonic Choir

Season after season some of the finest and most exhilarating classical performances are offered to residents by the Bozeman Symphony. Matthew Savery, Musical Director and Conductor, continues to lead this fine group of musicians, entertaining the symphony lovers. The evidence of success and enjoyment of the programs are plainly shown by the sold-out concerts.

Bozeman Intermountain Opera

The Intermountain Opera offers Bozeman area residents the finest opera production season after season. Both community events highlight local talents and often bring in guest performances form world reknown artists. You would have to search long and hard to find a more spectacular array of talent for a community this size, and possibly cities that are larger!

Theatre

Shakespeare in the Parks

Montana State University Theater Arts Department, brings a variety of classical theather performances to the city parks in Bozeman, and around the state of Montana every summer. All shows are free.

Museums

American Computer Museum

See the information highway when it was a dirt road! You’ll find the most comprehensive display of the history of the information age.

Museum of the Rockies

Located on Montana State University Campus; you’ll experience the Northern Rocky Mountain region and life that emerged upon it from the beginning of time to the present. Berger Dinosaur Hall takes you back 80 million years ago, while the Taylor Planetarium is one of few with a computer graphics system that can simulate 3-D effects and flight through space.

Gallatin County Pioneer Museum

It is housed in an historic jail building, which offers a view of the past. See how things used to be in the good ol’ days.

Sources: Bozeman Chamber of Commerce

Events & Entertainment