Helena Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Helena, Montana - MT, USA)

Although there is plenty to do in Helena all through the year, the biggest choice of events falls between the months of April and October, when the weather is at its best and lends itself to open-air concerts and festivals.

April begins with the Montana Early Music Festival, while towards the end of the month, the Civic Center (formerly the Algeria Shrine Temple) on Neill Avenue plays host to the Wine Crush and a Taste of Helena, a charity event where crowds gather to sample local wines and specialty foods. Of note, the Railroad Fair also takes place in the Civic Center in late April.

When May comes along, the Spring Art Walk sees local businesses around Helena team up with more than 100 of the best artists from all over Montana, who exhibit their paintings, sculptures, photographs and ceramics. From the end of May, right up to late August, Alive at Five is worth looking out for, with its outdoor evening concerts in prominent parks and public places.

Each June, the Mount Helena Music Festival and Art Mart is another annual art-themed highlight. This is followed in July by the Last Chance Stampede and Fair, which takes place at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds and features rodeo events, food vendors galore, a carnival, livestock sales, and lots of authentic Montana Circuit cowboys and cowgirls.

Helena Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Micro-Brew Review and Cool Dog Ball - last Friday of the month, at the Civic Center Ballroom, this is a fundraiser for the 'Race to the Sky' sled dog race that is held in February.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - third Monday in January, a public holiday through all of America's states.

February

• Feb Fest and Artwear Fashion Show - held at the Civic Center, a chocolate and Valentine gift fair fundraiser for renovations to the Civic Center. Feb Fest also features the Artwear Fashion Show showcasing outfits made from recycled items.
• Race to the Sky - an exciting six-day winter dog sled race.

March

• There are no significant annual events in Helena during the month of March.

April

• Montana Early Music Festival - concerts of music before 1800, performed over a four-day period. The concerts are staged by the Musikanten Montana organization, a local choral chamber ensemble.
• Wine Crush and a Taste of Helena - late April at the Civic Center. The Wine Crush was established in 2004 as a benefit for the 'Big Brothers Big Sisters of Helena'. This wine tasting event now includes specialty foods matched to the wines.
• Farmers' Market - last Saturday in April to the last Saturday in December. Situated on Fuller Avenue from April to October, and then again at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds from November to December, this is the State's longest-running farmers' market.
• Railroad Fair - last Sunday in April, at the Helena Civic Center, with exhibiting and swapping, and the selling of railroad and transport collectibles, along with an assortment of memorabilia.

May

• Don't Fence Me In Trail Run - early May. This event has several different length trails, all starting and finishing at Pioneer Park. The day also includes the Open Space Fair, which promotes the love of the outdoors.
• Spring Art Walk - mid-May, local businesses throughout downtown Helena participate in showcasing a variety of art mediums. A free trolley bus service is available during the evening (18:00 to 21:00).
• Alive at Five - every Wednesday evening, from late May to August. Free music performances take place at various locations throughout Helena, including Pioneer Park, Women's Park and Performance Square.

June

• Mount Helena Music Festival and Art Mart - last full weekend of the month, at Women's Park. The Art Mart is a sale of arts and crafts, and also features food and live music.
• Blast from the Past Car Show and Drag Races - last weekend of June, a 'Show and Shine' car show is located in the grounds of the Broadwater Hotel, whilst drag races occur at Helena Regional Airport.

July

• Chalk Up Helena! - mid-July at the Downtown Walking Mall. Visitors are able to participate in creating sidewalk art, with a chance to win a prize in one of a variety of categories. Chalk Up is a popular event that really does suit any age group.
• Montana Folk Festival - mid-July, thousands head to nearby Butte, just over an hour to the south, for three days of live music.
• Cardboard Cup Regatta - held at the Spring Meadow Lake State Park. Participants race their own corrugated cardboard boat creations, which must first pass an inspection, with an opportunity to win awards including the most attractive boat, the most creative theme, and of course, the most spectacular sinking.
• Symphony Under the Stars - held at Carroll College. This is a free open-air themed concert where attendees picnic and watch the fireworks display at the end of the evening.
• Last Chance Stampede and Fair - at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, over four days. The fair incorporates parades, rodeos and an amusement carnival.

August

• Round Up Sunday - first Sunday of the month, organized by the Last Chance Chapel. This free annual event features an outdoor service on hay bales, a barbecue, music, games, a watermelon eating competition and more.
• Shakespeare in the Parks - free outdoor performances at Pioneer Park by a professional touring company, where members of the audience can bring a picnic.

September

• Herb Festival - early September, at the Tizer Gardens. Lunch is accompanied by presentations and talks about the use of herbs, by renowned herbalists.
• Great Divide Orchid Society Show and Sale - prize ribbons are awarded to winning entries at this three-day event.
• Zombie Escape Run - at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, first held in 2012. This is a 3-mile / 5-km fun run with a difference. Competitors have to avoid obstacles in the form of zombie ambushes that aim to steal flags from the runners flag belts.
• Scarecrow Festival - late September at the Tizer Gardens, with pumpkin carving and the construction of scarecrows, among many other activities.

October

• St. Peter's Hospital Foundation Gala - held on the second Saturday of October, at the Helena Civic Center, this gala comprises both a fundraising Ball and silent auction.
• Kids FallFest - a free family event held in Pioneer Park, on the second Saturday of October. Highlights include a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, a parade and face painting.
• Haunted Halloween Walking Tour - run by the Montana Historical Society, on the last Friday and Saturday of the month. Starting at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, tour guides in period costume tell interesting scary stories about the neighborhoods being explored.
• Little Tykes Trick or Treat - October 31st, with participating downtown businesses handing out candy to young children dressed in costumes.

November

• Christmas Craft Show - first two Saturdays of the month, at the Civic Center Ballroom. The show serves as a very successful fundraiser for ongoing renovation of the Civic Center.
• Fall Art Walk - early November, based within downtown Helena. A free trolley bus service is available during the evening and passes by the local businesses displaying art work.

December

• Christmas in the Cathedral - early December, a Sunday evening concert by the Helena Symphony Orchestra and Chorale at the Cathedral of Saint Helena.
• Festival of Trees - held at the Civic Center, this is a five-day event with its origins in 1988. Featuring fun days for the family, a dinner and live auction, and a 'Music of Christmas Concert', money raised from this fundraiser is donated to the Intermountain organization.