Your Complete Guide to the 35th Billings Strawberry Festival 2026
Summer in Billings, Montana means sunshine, community, and some of the best festivals in the state. And if you're looking for the biggest and brightest event of the season, the 35th Annual Billings Strawberry Festival is where you want to be.
This year's festival happens on Saturday, July 11 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the heart of downtown Billings. Whether you're a longtime local or visiting from out of town, this event is a celebration of everything that makes our community special—art, food, music, and people coming together to enjoy a perfect summer day.
At Rock Creek Coffee Roasters, we're proud to be part of the downtown scene, and we'll be open early to fuel your festival adventures. Grab a fresh cup of the best coffee in Billings before you dive into the day, and come back anytime you need a pick-me-up.
Here's everything you need to know about the Strawberry Festival.
What Is the Strawberry Festival?
The Strawberry Festival is Billings' largest vendor street festival. Presented by Downtown Billings and Visit Billings, this beloved community event kicks off the summer festival season in Montana's urban center.
For one full day, the streets of downtown Billings transform into a vibrant marketplace filled with over 150 vendors, live entertainment, food trucks, and activities for all ages. It's not just a local event—people come from all over the northwest region to experience it.
The festival takes place under Skypoint at 2nd Avenue N. and N. Broadway, right in the heart of downtown. The streets are closed to traffic, so you can stroll freely, browse at your own pace, and soak in the energy of the crowd.
What Can You Expect at the Festival?
This isn't your average street fair. The Strawberry Festival is packed with variety, creativity, and flavor.
Arts and Crafts
You'll find handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, candles, clothing, and more. Many vendors incorporate strawberry themes into their work, so you'll see strawberry-scented candles, strawberry-themed fabrics, and even strawberry designs on pottery and jewelry.
If you're looking for unique, locally made gifts or something special to treat yourself, this is the place.
Food Trucks and Vendors
Get ready to eat. The festival features food trucks and vendors serving everything from French crepes and noodle bowls to BBQ and fresh strawberry treats.
In 2025, over 100 vendors offered strawberry-themed products or menu items. In 2026, vendors with strawberry offerings will be marked with a strawberry image on the vendor list, so you can plan your strawberry snack route accordingly.
Live Entertainment
Throughout the day, you'll experience live music and street performances that add to the festival's vibrant atmosphere. Grab a coffee from Rock Creek, find a spot to sit, and enjoy the show.
Something for Everyone
The Strawberry Festival is family-friendly and appeals to all ages. Whether you're shopping for handmade goods, enjoying live music, or just people-watching with a cold drink in hand, there's something here for everyone.
A Little Strawberry Festival History
The Strawberry Festival has been a Billings tradition since the 1990s. It started as a small early June event with fewer than 40 vendors and has grown into the massive celebration it is today.
Despite the name, the Strawberry Festival has always been a vendor street fair—not a farmers market. It features commercial merchants, artisans, and food vendors who come together to create a one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experience.
For nearly twenty years, the late Ziggy Ziegler—a founder of the Downtown Billings Association—roamed the festival dressed in a giant rubber strawberry costume. There was also a famous sixty-foot strawberry shortcake that chefs and cooks created on-site with help from Albertsons. Slices were sold as a fundraiser, and it became a festival tradition.
Both of those traditions have since retired, but the spirit of the festival lives on.
Why Did the Festival Move to July?
For 28 years, the Strawberry Festival took place in early June. But Montana weather in June can be unpredictable. Rain, wind, and even snow sometimes dampened the day's fun.
After a one-year hiatus due to COVID, the festival returned in July 2021, and organizers decided to make the change permanent. The new July date offers more consistent weather, larger crowds, and more vendor participation.
The only downside? By early July, Montana's strawberry season has passed. Fresh strawberries aren't as easy to find, and they've never been a common Montana crop to begin with.
When organizers proposed changing the festival's name, the community voted to keep it. The Strawberry Festival is a legacy event, and the name stays. Plus, over half of the vendors still offer strawberry-themed products or strawberry menu items—so the spirit of the strawberry is alive and well.
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters: Your Festival Fuel
Planning to spend the whole day at the Strawberry Festival? You're going to need coffee.
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters will be open from 7:00 AM to close on festival day. Stop by before the event kicks off at 9:00 AM and grab a fresh cup of coffee to start your morning right.
We're located in downtown Billings, just steps from the festival action. Whether you need a morning boost, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a cold brew to cool down, we've got you covered.
We've been roasting fresh, small-batch coffee in Billings since 2004. Every bean is roasted right here in our shop, so you're getting the freshest, highest-quality coffee Montana has to offer.
Plan Your Visit
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Downtown Billings (under Skypoint at 2nd Ave N. and N. Broadway)
Admission: Free
What to Bring:
- Cash and cards (most vendors accept both, but cash is always handy)
- Reusable bags for your purchases
- Sunscreen and a hat (July in Montana can be sunny and warm)
- An appetite (trust us, you'll want to try everything)
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters Hours on Festival Day:
Open from 7:00 AM to close. Stop by early to beat the crowds, or swing by throughout the day whenever you need a coffee break.
We recommend checking our website or calling ahead to confirm our hours, as we occasionally adjust for special events.
Why You Should Go
The Strawberry Festival is more than just a street fair. It's a celebration of community, creativity, and everything that makes Billings, Montana a great place to live and visit.
You'll support local artisans and small businesses. You'll enjoy incredible food and live entertainment. You'll spend time with friends and family in the heart of downtown. And you'll experience the energy and pride that makes our city special.
Whether you're a longtime Billings resident or visiting for the first time, the Strawberry Festival is an event you don't want to miss.
See You at the Festival
Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 11. Grab your friends, bring your family, and head downtown for a day of fun, food, and community.
And don't forget to stop by Rock Creek Coffee Roasters for the best coffee in Billings before, during, or after the festival. We'll be here to fuel your day and keep you caffeinated.
See you there!