The Sweet Pea Festival is a three-day festival of the arts held the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August. The Festival kicks off late Friday afternoon in Lindley Park with a performance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; Saturday ramps up with a children’s run and parade that lead the community to the park where the festivities continue through 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Weekend entertainment comes in many forms – music of all genres, performances by local theatre and dance troupes, workshops, family-friendly entertainment and activities, a flower show, a beer and wine garden featuring Montana microbrews, and over 100 arts and crafts vendors to stroll through and purchase unique gifts for yourself, family, and friends.
The week leading up to the Festival offers additional fun-filled, community events. Artists of all skill levels converge on Main Street Tuesday morning for Chalk on the Walk, where kids, adults and professionals create on the Downtown Bozeman sidewalks. Wednesday evening local restaurants line Main Street to offer up samples of their fare, while musicians entertain, during the ever popular Bite of Bozeman and the Sweet Pea Art Show runs throughout July at the ERA Landmark Visitor’s Center.
Admission to events leading up to Festival weekend is free. Admission to the events in Lindley Park requires the purchase of an admission wristband. (Children 12 and under admitted free.)
The Sweet Pea Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All money raised in excess of what is needed to operate the Festival is given back to the community in the form of grants for the arts, art education, and special projects in the Bozeman area.
For 47 years the Sweet Pea Festival has been committed to its mission of “promoting and cultivating the arts.” Our dedicated Board of Directors strives to create a memorable event for the Bozeman community each and every year. The Board is supported in its endeavor by the hundreds of volunteers and local area business contributors that help make the Festival a success. The Festival is able to operate through its admission, merchandise sales, and local business partnerships, and is grateful to all festival goers for their participation in this amazing event. We welcome you and invite you to enjoy the next Sweet Pea, A Festival of the Arts! As you enjoy the event, consider joining us as a volunteer!