Cultural Celebrations
Japanese Festival in Western Montana:
The Japanese Festival in Western Montana is an annual event held in Dillon, organized by the University of Montana Western and the Dillon Public Library. The last festival was March 22-23, 2024. The festival features exhibits on Japanese culture, including traditional dolls, samurai armor, and historical displays about the Saito family and Japanese history in Montana. Participants can join workshops on various aspects of Japanese culture, such as Taiko drumming, Aikido martial arts, and crafting. Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sake tastings at local venues. The festival includes performances of traditional Japanese music and dance, providing an immersive cultural experience.
Time: March, TBD
Locations:
University of Montana Western: Hosts many of the workshops and cultural displays.
Dillon Public Library: Offers additional exhibits and activities.
Local Businesses: Various downtown Dillon businesses participate, offering food, drinks, and cultural experiences.
Japanese Festival in Western Montana.
Japanese Festival In Western Montana In Full Swing.
Western Montana Events Community Invited to Japanese Culture.
Out and About: Western Montana Japanese Festival, easter egg hunt.
Chinese New Year Parade:
The Chinese New Year Parade in Butte is a vibrant and historic celebration organized by the Mai Wah Society. This annual event has been a tradition for over 30 years, celebrating the rich Chinese heritage of Butte. The parade starts at the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse and proceeds through Uptown Butte. Participants follow a dragon, making noise to ward off evil spirits. The parade features traditional lion dances, fireworks, and various cultural performances. The Butte High History Club often participates as dragon dancers. Local businesses along the parade route receive blessings from the dragon, and attendees are encouraged to join the procession. After the parade, a reception with refreshments is held at the Mai Wah Museum, where attendees can learn more about Chinese culture and history. Leading up to the parade, the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library offers take-and-make lantern craft bags for families. Presentations on the history of Chinese New Year in Montana are held in both Helena and Butte. The parade is known for being the "shortest, loudest, and occasionally the coldest" parade in Montana, making it a unique and memorable event.
Chinese Lunar New Year (Mid February)
Location: parade starts at the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse and proceeds through Uptown Butte.
WATCH: Sights and sounds from Butte's 2024 Chinese New Year Parade.
Chinese New Year Parade in Butte celebrates Year of the Rabbit.
Chinese New Year Parade returns to Butte on Saturday.
Mai Wah Society to hold Chinese New Year Parade in Butte.
An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival:
The An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival is a vibrant celebration of Irish culture held annually in Butte, Montana. Organized by the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society, this festival is one of the premier Irish events in the region. Enjoy world-class performances of traditional and contemporary Irish music and dance. The festival features talented musicians and dancers from around the world. Participate in workshops and lectures on Irish language, history, and culture. These educational opportunities provide a deeper understanding of Irish heritage. Savor authentic Irish cuisine and beverages. The festival offers a variety of food options, including traditional Irish dishes. Test your luck with various raffles and contests held throughout the festival. Prizes often include cash, quilts, and other unique items. The festival provides shuttle services around the Historic District and has handicapped parking available near the festival grounds. Note that dogs and other animals are not allowed on the festival grounds, with the exception of service animals.
August 8-10, 2025
Location: the Original Mine Yard in Uptown Butte.
Home | Montana Gaelic Cultural Society | An Ri Ra | Montana Irish Festival.
Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering:
The Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering is an annual celebration of Celtic culture held in Hamilton, Montana. This event takes place on the third weekend of August at the historic Daly Mansion. Highland Games: Traditional athletic competitions such as the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put. Music and Dance: Continuous live music and dance performances, including Highland and Irish dance, pipe bands, and more. Cultural Activities: Educational exhibits, clan gatherings, and a Sunday Kirkin' o' the Tartan service. Food and Drink: Enjoy a variety of Celtic foods, local beers, and mead tastings. Family Fun: Activities for children, including games and crafts, making it a family-friendly event. Evening Ceilidh: A free Saturday night Ceilidh (a traditional Scottish social gathering) open to all. Schedule: Saturday: 9 AM to 7 PM, followed by the Ceilidh from 7 PM to 10 PM. Sunday: 9 AM to 4 PM. The event is organized by the Bitterroot Celtic Society, a group dedicated to promoting and celebrating Celtic heritage in the Bitterroot Valley.
Third weekend of August
Location: the historic Daly Mansion in Hamilton
Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering.
Highland Games, Celtic Music, Irish Fest - Bitterroot Celtic Games.
Flathead Celtic Festival:
The Flathead Celtic Festival is an annual event held in Kalispell, Montana, celebrating Celtic culture and heritage. This year's festival will take place on September 13th and 14th, 2024, at Centennial Farm. Enjoy live performances of traditional Celtic music and dance, including bagpipes, fiddles, and Irish step dancing. Watch or participate in traditional athletic events such as the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put. Learn about Celtic history, ancestry, and language through various exhibits and demonstrations. Savor authentic Celtic cuisine and browse through a variety of crafts and merchandise from local vendors. The festival offers activities for all ages, making it a family-friendly event. The festival is organized by a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and preserving Celtic culture in the region. They also host other events throughout the year, such as Burn’s Night Suppers, whisky tastings, and Ceilis.
September 13th and 14th, 2024
Location: Centennial Farm
Home — Flathead Celtic Festival.
Schedule of Events — Flathead Celtic Festival.
Flathead Celtic Festival Kicks Off at Centennial Farm.
Home - Flathead Faerie Festival.
2023 Flathead Celtic Festival Kalispell, MT - fairsandfestivals.net.
Annual Kyiyo Pow Wow:
The Annual Kyiyo Pow Wow is an event organized by the Kyiyo Native American Student Association at the University of Montana. This celebration is one of the oldest traditions of Kyiyo and unifies all Native Americans from across the nation. The event is filled with dancing, singing, and sharing of stories between all in attendance. The diversity of each tribe represented at the Pow Wow is shown within the dancing styles and traditional dress of the dancers. Despite coming from a wide array of backgrounds, each dancer comes together to celebrate what their culture truly represents.
The Pow Wow continues to grow each year, demonstrating the power of the people and leaving the message that their culture will never die out. The event is a time to preserve the heritage of Native Americans and renew the thoughts of the old traditions. The winners of the 2024 Pow Wow included participants from various categories such as Juniors, Teens, and Adults, each with different dancing styles like Traditional, Grass, Fancy, and Chicken. This celebration is a community event that connects the faculty and students of the University of Montana with the communities of Missoula and surrounding areas. Through extracurricular activities and community building, they engage others in their cultural traditions to unify and promote the cultural identity of Native Americans.
56th Annual Kyiyo Pow Wow - Date: April 18-19, 2025
Location: University of Montana, Missoula
https://www.umt.edu/kyiyo/kyiyopowwow/
https://destinationmissoula.org/blog/honoring-ancestry-the-kyiyo-pow-wow
Arlee Powwow Celebration:
The Arlee Powwow Celebration, also known as the Arlee Esyapqeyni Celebration, is a premier annual event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Nation. This celebration is a gathering of the Salish and Pend d'Oreille tribes. The Powwow includes traditional activities such as drumming, singing, and dancing contests, as well as gambling, food, arts and crafts, and a big July 4 parade. It's a time when Native People look forward to their ceremonial and traditional gatherings.
The Powwow Grounds are filled with traditional dancing, drumming, and vendors. The grounds on Powwow Road open for campers, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai elders offer a blessing. A Memorial Ceremony usually begins at 7 p.m. followed by stick games.
The Arlee Powwow Celebration is not just a tribal event but a community event that bridges the tribal members with the communities of Arlee and surrounding areas. Through these activities, they engage others in their cultural traditions to unify and promote the cultural identity of American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Arlee Powwow Celebration - Date: TBA (usually held in July)
Location: Arlee, Montana
https://leaderadvertiser.com/news/2024/jun/27/fourth-festivities-stretch-from-arlee-to-polson/
https://www.polsonchamber.com/event/arlee-espapqeyni-powwow-celebration/
North American Indian Days:
The North American Indian Days is an annual celebration and one of the largest and most impressive of Blackfeet tribal events. It hosts Native Americans from every region of the United States and Canada. The event is always held the second week in July for four days. The celebration is held in Browning, Montana, and it's an intriguing way to see authentic Blackfeet traditions. The event includes traditional drumming and dancing contests, the crowning of Miss Blackfeet, a parade, fun run, PRCA Rodeo events, and more.
The celebration included a variety of activities such as Indian Relay Open Rodeo & Open Kids Rodeo, Golf Tournament, Softball Tournament, Stick Game, Vendors, Fun Run, and Miss Blackfeet Pageant. The event is a community event that unites the communities of Browning and surrounding areas. Through these activities, they engage others in their cultural traditions to unify and promote the cultural identity of American Indians/Alaska Natives. The North American Indian Days is a event that helps to preserve and promote the heritage of Native Americans. It's a time of unity, celebration, and respect for the traditions and cultures of the Native American tribes.
North American Indian Days - Date: Second week of July (annually)
Location: Browning, Montana (Blackfeet Indian Reservation).
http://www.blackfeetnation.com
https://rodeosusa.com/rodeos/north-american-indian-days-rodeo/