The 2025 Billings Strawberry Festival: 7 Essential Things You Need To Know Before You Go
Get ready to mark your calendars! The highly anticipated 34th Annual Strawberry Festival is officially set to transform the streets of Downtown Billings, Montana, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This massive, one-day event is not just a celebration of summer; it's the largest vendor street festival in Billings, drawing crowds from across the Northwest region for a spectacular showcase of arts, crafts, food, and community spirit.
Scheduled to run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the 2025 Strawberry Festival promises to be a vibrant hub of activity, featuring over a hundred local retailers, non-profit organizations, and food vendors. Whether you're hunting for unique handmade goods, craving delicious local cuisine, or just looking for a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, this definitive guide will give you the inside track on making the most of your day at the heart of the Magic City.
Your Essential Guide to the 34th Annual Strawberry Festival (July 12, 2025)
The Strawberry Festival, presented by the Downtown Billings Alliance, has a long-standing tradition of kicking off the summer season with a bang. While the name suggests a focus purely on the fruit, the event is, and always has been, a sprawling street fair—a true celebration of Billings' vibrant local economy and creative talent.
1. The Official Date, Time, and Location for 2025
The most crucial details for planning your visit are confirmed. The 34th Annual Strawberry Festival will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
- Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM MDT
- Primary Location: Downtown Billings, MT, specifically on the streets below Skypoint. The main activity stretches along N. Broadway and surrounding avenues.
- Organizer: Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA)
Arriving early is highly recommended. The festival draws a massive crowd, and the best arts and crafts vendors often sell out of their most popular items quickly. The morning hours, right after the 9:00 AM start, are ideal for browsing and avoiding the peak afternoon heat and crowds.
2. It’s Billings’ Largest Vendor Street Festival
Forget what you think you know about small town fairs. The Billings Strawberry Festival is Montana's largest street festival of its kind. Historically, the event features approximately 125 to 150 booths, showcasing a diverse range of goods and services. This scale is what makes the festival a major regional draw.
What to Expect from the Vendors:
- Arts and Crafts: This is the heart of the festival. You’ll find everything from fine art, photography, and handmade jewelry to unique pottery, custom woodworking, and textile crafts. It's the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind gift or support a local Montana artist.
- Local Retailers: Many Downtown Billings businesses take their storefronts onto the street, offering special deals and unique merchandise.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Numerous local charities and community groups set up booths to raise awareness and funds, providing a great opportunity to connect with the Billings community.
- Strawberry-Themed Treats: While the festival is a general vendor fair, you can rest assured that many food vendors will lean into the theme. Look out for fresh strawberry shortcake, strawberry lemonade, strawberry ice cream, and other berry-infused delights.
3. The Iconic Skypoint Location: The Heart of Downtown
The festival's location is a key part of its appeal. It centers around Skypoint, the distinctive, modern sculpture and public gathering space at the intersection of 27th Street and 2nd Avenue North. The streets below this landmark become pedestrian-only for the day, creating a sprawling, open-air marketplace.
This central location makes the festival incredibly accessible and puts attendees right in the middle of Downtown Billings’ historic architecture, breweries, and permanent retail shops. It’s an ideal setting for a lively, all-day event. The proximity to local restaurants and cafes means you have plenty of options for a sit-down meal or a quick coffee break outside of the main vendor area.
4. Live Entertainment and Family Fun Activities
The festival is a full-day experience, offering more than just shopping. The Downtown Billings Alliance ensures there are "fun activities for all ages," making it a perfect family outing. While specific schedules for the 2025 event will be released closer to the date, past festivals have included:
- Live Music: Multiple stages or performance areas featuring local and regional musicians, adding a festive soundtrack to your browsing.
- Kids' Zone: Dedicated areas with face painting, games, and other activities to keep younger attendees entertained.
- Street Performers: Expect to see various street performers, from jugglers to balloon artists, adding to the carnival-like atmosphere.
The combination of a huge vendor market and continuous entertainment solidifies the Strawberry Festival's reputation as the premier summer street party in Billings, MT.
5. Crucial Planning Tip: Leave Your Pets at Home
A very important rule for all attendees is the "No Dogs Allowed" policy. While many people love to bring their furry friends to outdoor events, the sheer volume of attendees at the Strawberry Festival—which draws a crowd from all over the Northwest region—makes it too congested and potentially unsafe for pets. The Downtown Billings Alliance strictly enforces this rule, so please plan to leave your dogs (and other pets) at home for the day. This ensures a safer and more comfortable experience for all festival-goers.
6. Parking and Transportation Strategies
Since the festival shuts down several major downtown streets, parking can be a challenge. Planning your transportation ahead of time is key to a stress-free visit to the Downtown Billings street fair.
- Public Parking Garages: Utilize the city's public parking garages, which are typically a short walk from the main festival area.
- Street Parking: Be prepared to walk. Street parking a few blocks away from the immediate downtown core is often easier to find.
- Rideshare/Taxi: Consider using a rideshare service or taxi. Drop-off and pick-up zones just outside the closed-off area can save you the hassle of finding a spot.
- Biking: If you live nearby, biking is an excellent option. Be sure to bring a sturdy lock and secure your bike outside the main festival zone.
7. The History: More Than Just Berries
The 34th Annual event in 2025 highlights the festival's deep roots in the community. Although it's named the "Strawberry Festival," its enduring success lies in its function as a premier *arts and craft fair* and *vendor market*. The tradition began decades ago as a way to celebrate the start of summer and bring people into the heart of the city. Over time, it has evolved into the largest gathering of local vendors and artists in the region, a testament to the enduring support for small businesses and the arts in Billings, Montana.
By attending the festival, you are directly supporting the Downtown Billings Alliance’s mission to promote and enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the downtown core. It’s a community-driven event that showcases the best of the Magic City.
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