Spring in Missoula: Festivals, Outdoor Adventures & Arts in Montana’s Blooming Mountain City

Missoula comes to life in the springtime. In the same way our lush mountainsides bloom with colorful wildflowers, the city begins to blossom after a long winter. Bursting with art and culture in equal measure and welcoming everyone to enjoy the beauty the surrounding landscapes provide—this season is a special one.

A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, Missoula’s intricate and well-established trail system buzzes with activity this time of year. Solo adventurers, families and inclusive groups alike take to the alpine climbs and riverside rides to break in the freshly-dried routes. Whether you’re running, biking or hiking, there’s a trail to explore.

This is an exciting time for events, with Missoula’s International Wildlife Film Festival taking

place in April. This year, the oldest festival dedicated to wildlife films is celebrating its 49th year with a diverse week of showings at the Hip Strip’s historic Roxy Theater. To kick off the festival, Missoulians take to the streets for WildWalk, an extravagant masked parade down Higgins Avenue to ring in the festivities. And it’s not officially spring until the weekend of the Garden City Brewfest. With beers, ciders and seltzers from more than 20 different vendors, enjoy a warm afternoon in the waterfront Caras Park with live music, delicious food truck fare and of course, cold beer, to mark the year’s first—of many—days on the river’s edge.

While Missoula’s First Fridays take place year-round, the year’s best events take place during

this season. With streets, galleries and parks filled with folks enjoying art in all forms, it’s the

perfect way to take in everything that makes Missoula both weird and wonderful.

Spring inspires the people who play here to embrace what makes them special, because it

makes Missoula special. Here, there’s always a place for you to belong.

For more information, visit: https://destinationmissoula.org/spring