Montanans love being Americans, and we love our 4th of July festivities. We’ve got parades, barbecues, and fireworks shows happening statewide on Independence Day.
The bad news: Missoula’s annual Southgate Mall fireworks celebration has been canceled for 2016. The mall’s vendor won’t be able to provide them with a display, and it’s too late in the year to look for a new one. As disappointing as that is, Montana will have plenty of other options, some of them close to Missoula.
*Click here for an updated list for 2017!
- Laurel’s 4th of July Celebration
Epic Fireworks / Flickr Every year, Laurel kicks off the 4th of July with a 6 AM pancake breakfast followed by a parade. The evening ends with a beautiful fireworks display at dusk. The 2016 theme is American Heroes.
- The Livingston Roundup Rodeo
Andrea Small / Flickr Livingston’s annual rodeo is July 2,3, and 4 this year with the traditional July 4th fireworks kicking off after the 8 PM rodeo.
- Great Falls 4th of July Celebration
Traci / Flickr Great Falls always gets into the spirit with the Summer Celebration, which features a 4th of July Parade in the morning and a 10 PM fireworks display. The best viewing is from Elk’s-Riverside Park.
- Polson July 4th Parade and Community Fireworks Show
Traci / Flickr Celebrate Independence Day in Polson with a parade downtown at noon and the Community Fireworks show at dusk.
- Troy’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July
Henry Huey / Flickr For over 100 years, Troy has hosted a fun family-friendly July 4th party. This year’s festivities finish off with fireworks at 11 PM.
- Seeley Lake’s Fireworks
Traci / Flickr This town’s population of 2,500 grows to about 10,000 during the 4th of July fun, and while there isn’t much elbow room around town, it’s a pretty polite crowd. Their evening fireworks display includes some sponsored fireworks that are named in memory of people’s family members.
- July 4th Fireworks in Bozeman
Epic Fireworks / Montana Spend your 4th of July in Bozeman and you’ll enjoy a free event at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
- July 4th Fireworks on Whitefish Lake
Dylan VanDyke Brown / Flickr The annual fireworks show starts at 10:30 this year, with free shuttles from The O’Shaughnessy Center to Whitefish City Beach starting at 7 PM. The last shuttle leaves City Beach at 11.
- Main Street Celebration & Lions Club Fireworks, Scobey
Trevor Manternach / Flickr Enjoy a laid back 4th of July in Daniels County this year, ending with a fireworks display in Scobey at dark.
- Freedom Festival, July 3 and 4, Butte
Epic Fireworks / Flickr Butte’s celebration stretches over two days, with their fireworks display being launched from the famous Big “M” on July 3.
- Virginia City 4th of July
Traci / Flickr This Old West town hosts the best fireworks display in Madison County, which begins at dusk in the Boot Hill area of town.
- City of Hamilton 4th of July Fireworks
Traci / Flickr Hamilton delivers an excellent fireworks display every 4th of July at dark, which is funded by local community sponsors.
- Celebrate Freedom, Castle Rock Park, Billings. Parking is free, and fireworks begin at 10 PM.
Epic Fireworks / Flickr
Every year, Laurel kicks off the 4th of July with a 6 AM pancake breakfast followed by a parade. The evening ends with a beautiful fireworks display at dusk. The 2016 theme is American Heroes.
Andrea Small / Flickr
Livingston’s annual rodeo is July 2,3, and 4 this year with the traditional July 4th fireworks kicking off after the 8 PM rodeo.
Traci / Flickr
Great Falls always gets into the spirit with the Summer Celebration, which features a 4th of July Parade in the morning and a 10 PM fireworks display. The best viewing is from Elk’s-Riverside Park.
Celebrate Independence Day in Polson with a parade downtown at noon and the Community Fireworks show at dusk.
Henry Huey / Flickr
For over 100 years, Troy has hosted a fun family-friendly July 4th party. This year’s festivities finish off with fireworks at 11 PM.
This town’s population of 2,500 grows to about 10,000 during the 4th of July fun, and while there isn’t much elbow room around town, it’s a pretty polite crowd. Their evening fireworks display includes some sponsored fireworks that are named in memory of people’s family members.
Epic Fireworks / Montana
Spend your 4th of July in Bozeman and you’ll enjoy a free event at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
Dylan VanDyke Brown / Flickr
The annual fireworks show starts at 10:30 this year, with free shuttles from The O’Shaughnessy Center to Whitefish City Beach starting at 7 PM. The last shuttle leaves City Beach at 11.
Trevor Manternach / Flickr
Enjoy a laid back 4th of July in Daniels County this year, ending with a fireworks display in Scobey at dark.
Butte’s celebration stretches over two days, with their fireworks display being launched from the famous Big “M” on July 3.
This Old West town hosts the best fireworks display in Madison County, which begins at dusk in the Boot Hill area of town.
Hamilton delivers an excellent fireworks display every 4th of July at dark, which is funded by local community sponsors.
4th of July Celebrating America, West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone’s 4th of July will be an all day event, starting with a Fire Department Benefit BBQ at 11 AM and ending with fireworks at 10:15 PM that will be most visible from Town Park, Dunbar Park, and the Historic District along Yellowstone Ave.
4th of July in Hungry Horse, 9549 US Highway 2. Activities include a picnic dinner from Oso’s Smokin’ BBQ from 6-8:30 PM with fireworks after dark!
Red, White and BOOM! at Indian Springs Ranch, Eureka. Eureka’s annual 4th of July event is an all-day party perfect for the whole family. The day concludes with a 10 PM fireworks show.
East Helena Independence Day fireworks. For almost 70 years, the East Helena fireworks show has entertained locals and tourists who come out to celebrate. The show always begins at dusk and is visible throughout town.
These are some of the best fireworks shows in Montana, but we know there are more being announced. If you know of one you’d like to promote, let us know!
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