Events & Programs

Events & Programs

 Scott Stone
If you’re searching for a new and unique experience in eastern Montana, look no further than our local events and programs, offered by the following locations (plus all of these places warrant a daytime visit themselves!):



American Prairie National Discovery Center

American Prairie National Discovery Center
302 W Main Street, Lewistown
406-585-4600
Website

Carter County Museum

Carter County Museum
306 N. Main Street, Ekalaka
406-775-6886
Website

Fort Peck Interpretive Center

Fort Peck Interpretive Center
157 Yellowstone Road, Fort Peck
406-526-3493 | 406-526-3411
Website

Huntley Project Museum

Huntley Project Museum
770 Railroad Hwy, Huntley
406-348-2533
Website

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
342 Ulm-Vaughn Road, Ulm
406-454-5840
Website

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON:

Check back soon for a list of events / programs for summer 2025! In the meantime, use the astronomical calendar below to start planning your stargazing outings.

 

Tell us about your stargazing event or program.

Symphony Under the Stars

Mark your calendars and prepare for an evening of local food and drinks, amazing music, and a stunning fireworks show. Symphony Under the Stars is a Helena tradition that began in 2004. Each summer, the Helena Symphony (founded in 1955) comes together to put on a magnificent show on the hill at Carroll College. Each year, the event draws nearly 20,000 people to enjoy an evening of music and fireworks under Montana's iconic Big Sky. The music may not begin until sundown, but spectators make a full day out of the event! Beginning mid-morning, attendees will bring their blankets to the venue, staking out their seats for the evening, creating a large patchwork quilt that spans the hillside. People will then start grilling, pulling out the drinks, and catching up with old friends. If the blankets are being left for the day, organizers ask that they be held down with canned food donations for Helena Food Share! In the past, these donations have reached over 17,000 pounds. It is one of the largest single donation days for the organization. Each year, the organizing team, artistic director, and conductor, come together to put on a show that will not only satisfy the audience, but engage them. They work tirelessly to put together an unforgettable program and continue to outdo themselves year after year. Grab your blankets, canned food and friends, and enjoy an incredible evening at The Symphony Under the Stars.

Website

Details

Jul 19
1601 N Benton Ave

“Dinosaurs and Dark Skies,” Carter County Museum & Medicine Rocks State Park

As part of the festivities leading up to the Carter County Museum’s 13th Annual Dino Shindig, Dinosaurs & Dark Skies invites visitors to Medicine Rocks State Park (Montana’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary) for a night of stargazing and fossil phosphorescence.

Website

Details

Jul 24
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Medicine Rocks State Park - Sunset Loop Trail, 1141 Hwy 7

Yellowstone 101 Series: Auroras with Lynn Powers, NASA/Montana State University 

FREE TO ATTEND 

Website

Details

Jul 25
06:00 PM -
315 Yellowstone Avenue

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Jul 25
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Jul 26
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

Yellowstone 101 Series:  The Moon and Yellowstone: The Cosmic Connection with Lynn Powers, NASA/Montana State University 

FREE TO ATTEND 

Website

Details

Aug 2
06:00 PM -
315 Yellowstone Avenue

Stargazing with the Montana Learning Center, Carter County Museum & Medicine Rocks State Park

Join the Carter County Museum and the Montana Learning Center (Helena) at Medicine Rocks State Park for a stargazing program brought to you by Ryan Hannahoe, executive director at the Montana Learning Center.

Website

Details

Aug 13
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Medicine Rocks State Park - Sunset Loop Trail, 1141 Hwy 7

Yellowstone 101 Series:  Perseid Meteor Shower with Lynn Powers, NASA/Montana State University

FREE TO ATTEND 

Website

Details

Aug 13
06:00 PM -
315 Yellowstone Avenue

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Aug 22
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Aug 23
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

Yellowstone 101 Series:  Preserving the Night Sky with Lynn Powers, NASA/Montana State University

FREE TO ATTEND 

Website

Details

Sep 19
06:00 PM -
315 Yellowstone Avenue

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Sep 19
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes. Each evening’s presentation will be different. Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

Website

Details

Sep 20
09:00 PM - 01:00 AM
7653 Canyon Ferry Road

2025 ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR

May


June

July

August

September

October

November

December