Category: Community

in Arts & Entertainment, Projects, Tourism, Community

September 26-28: Big Sky Oktoberfest

Big Sky Oktoberfest 2025: Where Tradition Meets Community Impact

Every autumn, the heart of Montana’s mountains pulses with the lively spirit of German tradition as Big Sky Oktoberfest returns to Big Sky Town Center for the third year. From September 26–28, 2025, locals and visitors alike will gather for a festival that’s more than just bratwurst and beer—it’s a celebration with a purpose.

A Festival Rooted in Community

Founded in 2023 by passionate residents, Big Sky Oktoberfest was inspired by the world-famous Bavarian event but designed with a local twist. From its inception, the festival has been dedicated to supporting youth sports and organizations in the community through the Big Sky Youth Alliance—a nonprofit initiative that funds local youth programs and fosters a sense of belonging for young people in the community. Each year, proceeds benefit local groups. In 2025, the Big Sky Futbol Club and Big Sky Ski Education Foundation will be the recipients.

What Awaits at Oktoberfest

Set against the stunning backdrop of Big Sky’s Town Center, the three-day festival offers something for everyone—whether you’re a fan of German culture, a foodie, or simply looking for family-friendly fun.

Festival highlights include:

• Bier Garten featuring authentic German brews including Ayinger and Paulaner

• German cuisine: bratwurst, currywurst, Bavarian pretzels and more

• Traditional games: Hammerschlagen, cornhole, and the ever-popular Stein Holding competition

• Weekend football: big screens for catching games

• Live music: DJ Swampmoose spinning Oktoberfest classics

• Lederhosen Fun Run: a festive two-mile run/walk with prizes for the winners. Register here.

Family and Pet Friendly

Big Sky Oktoberfest prides itself on being welcoming to all. Kids under 16 enjoy free admission, and dogs are invited to join the festivities—just keep them leashed and well-behaved.

Essential Details

Dates & Hours:

  • Friday, September 26: 3:00–10:00 PM
  • Saturday, September 27: 12:00–10:00 PM
  • Sunday, September 28: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Admission: $10/day for ages 16+, $25 for a 3-day pass; kids under 16 free
  • Location: Town Center Plaza (entrance near Blue Buddha restaurant)
  • Parking: Free public parking in surrounding lots
  • Lodging: Discounted rooms at The Wilson Hotel with the neighbor’s rate

More Than Beer

While the Bier Garten is a centerpiece, Oktoberfest offers wine, Happy Dad hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beer, and other non-alcoholic beverages to ensure everyone feels included.

Get Involved

Volunteers are the backbone of Big Sky Oktoberfest. If you’d like to help make the event a success, reach out via email or the festival’s website. Every helping hand strengthens the community spirit that defines this celebration.

A Celebration with Heart

Big Sky Oktoberfest is more than a party—it’s a chance to experience German culture, support local youth, and make lasting memories in the mountains. Whether you’re raising a stein, running in lederhosen, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, you’ll be part of something truly special.

For tickets, registration, and more details, visit http://www.bigskyoktoberfest.com/.

in Business, Projects, Development, Tourism, Community

Community Road Update: September 22 – October 6

Dear Community Members,

This is to inform you of an upcoming roadway patching project in the Gallatin Canyon, scheduled to begin on Monday, September 22, 2025, weather permitting.

The work will be performed by Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) maintenance crews and will focus on repairing deteriorated pavement sections along U.S. Highway 191in the Gallatin Canyon North of the highway 64 intersection. This patching effort is intended to improve driving conditions and safety in the short term while preparing the corridor for a much larger and more permanent construction project, which is currently slated for bid in 2026.

Project Details:

  • Start Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
  • Work Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (weekdays only)
  • Location: Gallatin Canyon, U.S. Highway 191
  • Contractor: MDT Maintenance Forces
  • Scope: Asphalt patching and surface repairs to address immediate pavement concerns
  • Duration Work is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.
  • Traffic Impacts:
    • Single-lane closures with flaggers
    • Reduced speeds through work zones
    • Delays expected during working hours

To minimize disruption to commuter traffic, all work will be conducted outside of peak travel hours. Drivers are encouraged to plan accordingly, allow extra travel time, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this necessary interim work. These repairs are a temporary measure to maintain safety and drivability until the full-scale reconstruction project begins next year.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Milling and paving work on Highway 64, from the intersection at U.S. Highway 191 to milepost 3.8, has been awarded to a contractor and is scheduled to be completed this fall. This project will involve removing the existing surface and applying new asphalt to improve roadway conditions, enhance safety, and extend pavement life. All work will be completed at night to reduce impacts on daytime traffic. We will provide updates with more specific scheduling and traffic control information as it becomes available. Drivers should anticipate nighttime lane closures and reduced speeds during construction and are encouraged to plan accordingly.

Best regards,
Josh Ritchie

Bozeman Maintenance Chief
Montana Department of Transportation

Jritchie@mt.gov

in Business, Arts & Entertainment, Projects, Tourism, Community

All September: Wild West – Photographs by Thomas Reed at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

September at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery in the Town Center brings new photographs from Thomas Reed in his show: “WILD WEST.”

Thomas’s interest in photography started as a teenager in the 80s. He became particularly interested in wildlife after he and his wife went on a safari in Africa. Today, his focus is primarily on photographing wildlife across the American west, in their natural habitats. Learning about the area and the habits of the animals is an important part of his work.

The FIRST FRIDAY opening of the show will be on Friday, September 5th from 5 – 7pm. Locals and visitors are welcome to join us for Sips and Bits. It’s a great chance to meet the artists and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective and to see art from local artists and photographers.

The Big Sky Artists’ Studio and Gallery and many other merchants in the Town Center will be open on the FIRST FRIDAY of every month throughout the year from 5Pm till 7 . The Studio & Gallery will always have a new show opening on the First Friday and other merchants may also have something special that evening.

 

in Business, Arts & Entertainment, Projects, Tourism, Community

Friday, September 5 at Courtney Collins Fine Art: Artist Reception/Exhibition – Scents of the West, Ben Steele

Join us on Friday, September 5th at Courtney Collins Fine Art for an exclusive evening celebrating the extraordinary talent of Ben Steele.

Ben Steele, renowned for his captivating Crayon Box paintings, will be in attendance to unveil a stunning new collection.  His work masterfully bridges art history and contemporary culture, infusing each piece with nostalgia, sharp wit, and meticulous detail.

Celebrated for his lifelike portraits, landscapes, and renderings of everyday objects, Ben draws upon a rich foundation of classical training and art historical techniques, blending them seamlessly with modern influences. His paintings are a visual dialogue that fuses old masters’ craftsmanship with pop culture references, making each piece both timeless and relevant.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Ben Steele himself and experience his latest works firsthand.

in Arts & Entertainment, Business, Projects, Tourism, Community

This Weekend at The Wilson Hotel: Big Sky Artists’ Collective 8th Annual Art for Everyone Event

BIG SKY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE 8th ANNUAL “ART FOR EVERYONE” EVENT

Featuring Work from over 10 Local Artists and ‘Whiskey, Wine & Art’ Saturday Evening

The Big Sky Artists’ Collective will hold its annual Labor Day weekend public art sale in the Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, MT, August 30th and 31st.

Art For Everyone, now in its 8th year, will feature a range of fine art, including painting, photography, and mosaics. With a mix of large and small pieces, and price points as diverse as the art, the Big Sky Artists’ Collective strives to make this an event where there is truly something for everyone, including an evening event providing a chance to get to know these local artists.

Featuring the fine art of members of the Big Sky Artists’ Collective, a non-profit cooperative of over 30 distinguished local artists, the 2025 sale will once again feature the popular Whiskey, Wine and Art + Meet the Artists evening, Saturday August 30th from 5pm – 8pm. With tickets available for purchase to sample whiskey from several Montana distilleries and wine coming from the Pacific Northwest, this “open to everyone” event provides an opportunity to meet the artists in a casual atmosphere and browse a collection of the very best local new art.

Art For Everyone and Whiskey, Wine & Art is open to the entire public from 10:00am – 8pm on Saturday, August 30th and 7am – 4pm on Sunday the 31st.

Get to know these local artists 

PATTY BAUCHMAN (photographer) – “My main goal with wildlife photography is to capture a moment that tells a story of animal behavior and their interactions with the environment or other wildlife.”

MICHELLE KRISTULA-GREEN (mosaic artist) – “Capturing the vastness, beauty  and character of the Yellowstone ecosystem, its wildlife and nature shows what was, what is and what can be.”

RYAN DREWES (photography) – “Life inspires me to create. My creations inspire others to reflect.”

   

ANNIE McCOY (outdoor painter) – “The love of the landscape here in Big Sky is why I paint!  Often, I will incorporate a fisherman or wildlife.”

JAKE MOSHER (photographer) – “Remarkable moments in extraordinary country.” International-award-winning images from the greater Big Sky area.

MAGGIE SHANE (landscape artist) – “New art, new year. I hope to see old friends and new art collectors at our group show and sale. Thankful of the ongoing support of The Wilson and the members of the Big Sky Artist Collective for banding together to make this show an annual reality”

in Arts & Entertainment, Community

Saturday, August 23: The 7th Annual Big Sky Biggie

Once a year, land owners open their gates to the Biggie. Our courses travel through public and private lands, and the connectivity of our course routes rely on private land owners to provide access.  Buckle-up for an incredible ride through some of the most well-built flow trails in the Mountain West.  We’ve also included some old school trails to keep it hard-earned.

Event Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

PACKET PICKUP
4:00PM – 7:00PM
At the race venue:  285 Simkins, Big Sky, MT 59716

PRE-RACE PASTA DINNER
5:00PM – 8:00PM / $20
Hosted by the Noble Family
RSVP & Details

FREE KIDS “RACE” (RIDE)
6:00PM
Please arrive by 5:30pm.  This is not a “timed” race event.  This is for FUN.
KIDS RIDE DETAILS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025

6:30AM – 7:30AM
PACKET PICKUP
At the race venue:  285 Simkins, Big Sky, MT 59716

8:00AM
START for all 50 Mile Racers

8:20AM
START for Elite/Open Mile 30 Racers
The Elite/Open Mile 30 Racers will self-select at the start of the race.  If you think you’ll finish in 4 hours or less, we highly encourage you to start in this wave.

8:40AM
START for the remaining 30 Mile Racers, and 15 MILE Racers.

11:00am – 4:00pm
Racers will be finishing.

FOOD TRUCKS Open
Rancho Picante Bison Burgers
Mountain Berry Bowl from Livingston
Mo’Bowls from Bozeman

MAP BREWING & Wilson Beer Trailer
Best Bay Brewing Tent serving N/A Beers

SPONSORS & VENDOR VILLAGE
STIO
Curious Creatures
Bear Aware Tent from the USFS
Big Sky OUT
Grow Wild MT

Awards Schedule TBD

Biggie post-race party ends at 4:00pm
(or when the last racer crosses the finish line)

in Arts & Entertainment, Tourism, Community, Business

Monday, August 18 at Block 3: Live Fire, Bold Flavor – A Wild Game BBQ Experience with the Flip Flop Guy

Experience wild game like never before!

Join Andy Moeckel – better known as @theflipflopguy – for a live-fire BBQ showcasing his signature deer leg roast, cooked over an open flame and served hot from the pit. This is a one-night-only event filled with bold flavors, good company, and live music at Block 3.

Limited seating available – don’t miss this unforgettable evening of smoke, spice, and serious flavor.

BOOK NOW

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