Drop-in DIY arts and crafts, Western Montana Fair, watercolor and mimosas, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, Missoula. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Missoula Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: UM introducing a new entertainment and sports management degree, a $2.4 million boost for statewide mental health services, and Southgate Mall under new ownership — catch up here.
State-level stories: Montana teams take top spots in the FCS poll, a renewable data hub is planned near Billings, and TikTok clues fuel cash hunts — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Safety alerts for hundreds of thousands of Kia and Ford vehicles as an early Atlantic storm takes shape, and Mediterranean diet tips ease inflammation — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Join Tuesday playgroup for infants and toddlers
- Gather fresh produce and cook salads
- Mend clothes every Wednesday at MakerSpace
- Learn video editing with MCAT staff
- Get tech help at Big Sky library
- Endurance’s auto protection plan is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pets: Why settle for plain kibble when Missoula shops are stocked with gourmet snacks, plush beds and climbing castles… Spoil your best friend with these pet store picks
Eats: Think Montana is all about steak and potatoes? It’s really about century-old pork chop sandwiches and Thai-bison fusion that hits as hard as a winter storm. Grab these must-try dishes to experience big sky flavor at its boldest
Travel: Solo trips after 50 don’t have to feel scary… with these safety hacks, you’ll pack your bag with confidence
Playhouse: Whether you’re craving toe-tapping show tunes, spine-tingling drama, or the offbeat charm of experimental one-acts, Missoula Children’s Theatre brings center-stage magic (and just enough backstage buzz) to town.
Wealth: $4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎨 Big Sky Arts & Crafts @ Big Sky Branch Library | Tuesday (8/5) at 12:00pm – Swing by the Big Sky Branch for drop-in DIY arts and crafts every Tuesday afternoon this summer, where your little ones get messy and you grab a smidge of peace. Glue flies, laughter bubbles, and you might rediscover your inner Picasso.
🎡 Western Montana Fair @ Missoula Fairgrounds | Wednesday (8/6) at 11:00am – Free admission every day means you can waltz past the turnstiles and dive headfirst into livestock barns, carnival rides, and bluegrass on the plaza. Pack sensible shoes, an appetite you didn’t know you had, and a healthy dose of tractor envy.
🍻 Drink & Draw @ Western Cider | Wednesday (8/6) at 5:30pm – Whether you’re Picasso with a cider habit or can’t draw a straight line, swing by Western Cider’s patio to sip, sketch, and admire live flat-track racers in full gear. Drawing supplies and cheeky local banter provided, no registration necessary.
🎸 Not.Greenday Live At Monk’s @ Monk’s Bar | Friday (8/8) at 8:00pm – It’s not actually Green Day, but you’ll be too busy headbanging to care. Not.Greenday brings the angst, the anthems, and all the energy you’d expect from the real deal. Grab your eyeliner, channel your inner rebel, and get ready to rage.
💃 Coach V’s Pole Showcase: One Year Anniversary Edition @ Zootown Arts Community Center / ZACC | Friday (8/8) at 8:30pm – Pole Showcase is flexing into the ZACC stage for its one-year anniversary, reuniting returning stars with fresh talent. It’s gravity-defying, packed with sly humor, and so creatively choreographed your jaw might need a seat. Bring singles, because these pros deserve every tip.
This weekend
🎨 Indigenous Artist Market @ Western Montana Fairgrounds | Saturday (8/9) at 11:00am – Seen enough funnel cake to last a lifetime? Hit the free Indigenous Art & Makers Market at the fairgrounds, where beadwork, prints, jewelry, and a Red Tipi installation mingle with community art projects and storytelling, perfect for genuine finds and a guilt-free cultural deep dive.
💀 Missoula Dead Day @ Caras Park | Saturday (8/9) at 12:00pm – Whether you’re still nursing tie-dye dreams or you just like free tacos, mosey over to Caras Park for a free Grateful Dead throwback with two local bands channeling Jerry Garcia, wandering food trucks, and enough nostalgia to make you hug a stranger. Dogs welcome.
🌀 Tie Dye and Play Like Robert Weekend @ Ogren Park Allegiance Field | Saturday (8/9) at 7:00pm – Think you’ve mastered the 70s aesthetic? Break out the bleach pens and your questionable sense of style for our annual tie dye night, kicking off Play Like Robert Carnival weekend. Expect neon splashes, nostalgic vibes, and a craft table that tolerates your wine-fueled creativity.
🎶 North Fork Crossing@ Top Hat | Saturday (8/9) at 10:30pm – North Fork Crossing is sneaking into Top Hat as the official afterparty for Kitchen Dwellers, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Leftover Salmon, so you can skip the front-row elbow wars and jump straight into the grooves. Free show, 21 plus, and all the street cred.
🎨 Watercolor and Mimosas @ Zootown Arts Community Center / ZACC | Sunday (8/10) at 10 am – Sip, swirl, and splash some color at this breezy two-hour watercolor workshop. You’ll paint a summery still life of florals while learning basic techniques—and yes, there’s a mimosa in hand while you do it. No experience? No problem. Everything you need is provided, including good vibes and creative flow.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/5 Tedeschi Trucks Band @ KettleHouse – 8 pm
- 8/6 Out to Lunch @ Caras Park – 11 am
- 8/6 Old Time Jam @ Western Cider – 6 pm
- 8/6 Cranky’s Trivia Night @ Cranky Sam – 7 pm
- 8/6 Jake Vaadeland and more @ ZACC – 7:30 pm
- 8/6 City Band Centennial Celebration @ Bonner Park – 7:30 pm
- 8/6 flipturn @ The Wilma – 8 pm
- 8/7 Vinyl Night @ Draught Works – 7 pm
- 8/7 Dirty Red & The Soul Shakers @ Monk’s Bar – 7 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Andrew Weigand (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Missoula)
Mountain views, showstopper sunsets, and a past Parade of Homes pedigree set the stage in this gated enclave just minutes from town. Inside, it’s all about the details—reclaimed plank floors, custom cabinetry, beamed ceilings, and three gas fireplaces dial up the rustic-meets-modern vibe. The gourmet kitchen and abundant storage mean there’s room for culinary experiments and all the gadgets.
A secluded hot tub off the primary suite feels like a private spa day, while the oversized garage comes ready for EVs, hobbies, and muddy boots. The layout is equal parts inviting and practical, with plenty of space for gatherings or quiet nights in.
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