"Let's have a world- class music festival in Big Sky, Montana."
MOONLIGHT MUSICFEST in Big Sky, MT
"Let's have a world- class music festival in Big Sky, Montana."
In 2018, that thought became a reality, as thousands flocked to Moonlight Basin to enjoy two days of stellar bands, good times, great food and drink, hiking, mountain biking and so much more. Set outdoors at Madison Village and surrounded by incredible views of Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks, this intimate outdoor festival is far more than an idea now - it's the place to be every August.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2nd Annual Moonlight MusicFest, taking place at Madison Village August 16th – 17th. The festival will once again bring a wide array of stellar bands and music to the mountains of Montana, including national artists Trampled by Turtles, The Record Company, Blackberry Smoke, The War & Treaty, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, The Wood Brothers, Josh Ritter, and Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, as well as local phenoms Satsang and The Dusty Pockets. Music styles will have sounds that appeal to just about everyone: Blues, Soul, Reggae, Bluegrass, Zydeco and good old Rock ‘n’ Roll. The artists chosen this year are all getting lots of radio air play and are at the top of the charts, with some receiving Grammy Award nominations. To hear samples of each band's music, check out the festival website. You may be surprised to learn that you have already heard songs by a lot of the artists.
The festival, which is situated on the north side of Lone Peak with spectacular 360-degree views of surrounding mountains, will feature a vendor row with food and beverage trucks and cool festival merchandise, a "Fun & Games" area for kids big and small, and much more. Bring your chairs or a blanket and plan to relax for the entire day, as there is not one band you will want to miss. Past festival-goers describe it as the “best festival ever with spectacular scenery, over-the-top music and a whole lot of dancing.”
While listening to world-class bands amidst spectacular mountain scenery is the main reason for coming to the Moonlight MusicFest, there are many others. There’s the vibrant town of Big Sky, for instance, with its shops, galleries, brew pubs and eateries. Then there’s outdoor recreation. Here you’ll find thousands of miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, plus whitewater rafting and Blue Ribbon fly fishing on the Gallatin River, as well as horseback riding, wildlife watching and so much more. Come and enjoy the music, come and enjoy the place.
This is an ALL AGES show. Gates open Friday at 2 p.m., Saturday at 12 noon. Shuttle buses to the festival will run continuously from Town Center and Big Sky Resort. Regular advance-priced General Admission tickets are $149 for a full-festival pass, with Friday and Saturday prices at $78 and $88 respectively. Save $5/day by buying in advance. Discounted student tickets are available and kids under 12 are free. Tickets are available at https://moonlightmusicfest.com and at Cactus Records in Bozeman.
A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to The Moonlight Community Foundation and The Big Sky Arts Council.
There are numerous options for lodging in Big Sky, ranging from discounted hotels to house rentals, and some limited camping at or near the festival. Summer can be a busy time, so be sure to make reservations early.