4th of July Happenings | 2026

Fireworks, parades, rodeos, live music, and summer fun 🇺🇸 Our 2026 4th of July Happenings Guide is here to help you celebrate all across Billings and South Central Montana. Find family-friendly even...

The Changing Landscape of Downtown Billings

More than a hotel. A shift in how we see downtown. Find out more at the link in our bio! @jennunderthebigsky, @ae.sma.design

A Montana Dad’s Approach to Raising Kids Outdoors

For Patrick Parker, getting outside with his kids isn’t a special occasion; it’s just part of everyday life. From hiking and camping to pickup games and spontaneous exploring, he’s built a routine aro...

A Study in Black: A Shop House Reimagined

What looks industrial on the outside reveals something much more refined inside. Read the story in this month’s issue or at the link in our bio. @jennunderthebigsky, @nathansatranphoto, @hannessonhome...

New Summer, New Reading Rocks

It’s a beloved Billings summer tradition. Every week, at parks across the city, the Billings Education Foundation hosts Reading Rocks. The program is designed to help prevent the dreaded “summer slide...

Road Trips for Fun & Education

Summer holds plenty of opportunities for fun and education, and Montana has plenty to keep brains engaged while school is closed. With some planning, your family can see for themselves Montana’s histo...

A Clean Grill for Dad this Father’s Day

The Dad who grills deserves a clean one. Read the tried-and-true tips and tricks for grill cleaning in the latest issue. @maloree_everett

Backyard Bourbon Burnt Ends

Smoky, sticky, and packed with flavor, find the recipe for these Backyard Bourbon Burnt Ends at the link in our bio. The kind of recipe that disappears fast and keeps everyone coming back for seconds....

A Fresh Take on Coffee Culture

We talked to the owners of Plush Coffee and Soda, so you no longer have to wonder what piloncillo is. You're welcome. Full story in our May issue! @maloree_everett, @plushcoffeeandsoda @jamieblotske

Stay Sun Smart This Summer

Montana summers mean more time in the sun, but are you staying sun smart? Learn what most people get wrong about sunscreen, sunburns and summer skin care from local expert dermatologist Dr. Tanya Ridd...

One Gym's Mission to Save Veterans

On the outside, Adaptive Performance Center looks like a gym. But for the veterans who walk through their doors, it's so much more. Co-founders Karen Pearson and Mitch Crouse built APC, the nation’s f...

Hands of Hope Grant Awarded to Adaptive Performance Center

Western Security Bank's latest Hands of Hope grant recipient is doing life-changing work for veterans in our community. Meet Adaptive Performance Center, the first veterans-exclusive gym in the nation...

A Family for Every Child, Starting with His Own

What does it take to be a good dad? According to Eric Basye, it includes giving and receiving a whole lot of grace along the way. A Billings local, adoptive father, and Executive Director of Child Bri...

A Weekend at the Caverns

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers a unique transition from the expansive Montana sky to a subterranean world millions of years in the making. While the caverns are the centerpiece, the park serv...

Honoring Fatherhood Through Shared Adventure

We asked local dads what they really want for Father’s Day. The answer was clear: shared adventures and memory-making over gifts and gadgets. Read our latest article to discover how to plan a low-fric...

Landon’s Legacy: Redefining Play in Billings

In our latest feature, we talk with Marcie Smith and DeAnn Visser about the "Dignity in the Details," like the specific sensory equipment and the upcoming Phase 3 splash pad that will make Montana sum...

Raising Little Naturalists

Nature Nuts @ Montana Audubon Center, Billings
Outdoor play for ages 18 months–5 years, every Tuesday 10–11am, year-round. Catch bugs, splash in puddles, and grow little naturalists. $5/child | Free f...

Raised by the Land: What a Montana Father Passes Down

For Gusty Sauer, growing up between Idaho and Montana meant being raised by the land as much as by her dad. From goose hunting and horseback riding to river guiding and land stewardship, those early e...

From Clay to Connection

A new creative space is taking shape in Billings, and it brings people together one piece of clay at a time. Founded by Max Acoba, Ohana Ceramics Studio is more than a pottery studio, it’s a place whe...

Setting the Stage for Summer in Downtown Billings

On a summer night in downtown Billings, it feels effortless: the music, the crowds, the energy. Like it just… happens. But it doesn’t. Behind every Alive After Five, Strawberry Festival, and every nig...

The Music of Your Perfect Montana Summer

Montana turns up the volume in the summer, and the music doesn’t stay in one place. From big-name festivals and mountain amphitheaters to small-town songwriter stages and under-the-stars performances,...

The Spring Gift Edit 2026

In this Spring Gift Edit, we’ve gathered a collection of locally sourced finds that reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of our region. From thoughtful gifts to everyday pieces worth having, each...

A Red Lodge Airbnb Retreat

Red Lodge has a way of slowing things down. How one local homeowner designed a space that feels like part of the experience, not just a place to stay. @jennunderthebigsky, @mirandamurdockphoto, @jenn...

Home, in Bloom

Not sure what to plant in Montana? Start here. @jennunderthebigsky, @stories_yet_untold,

Painted Rocks of Billings

From colorful “rock snakes” around town to hidden treasures shared through Billings ROCKS!, it’s a fun, creative way to explore the community with your kids. Paint one, hide one, or help a snake grow!

Winning Mother’s Day One Era at a Time

We surveyed moms of Billings to find out what they actually want for Mother's Day this year. Spoiler alert, it’s not always brunch. Dads, partners, and kids: consider this your official playbook for "...

Billings Test Scores Lead the Nation

From top 8th grade math scores to rising reading, math, and graduation rates, the district is seeing big results under Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia.

Building Planes, Building Futures

Several times a week, including every Friday night, a group of local teenagers gather at the Billings Airport to make history under the direction of science teacher Patrick Kenney. For the past 25 yea...

Brunch Plans For Mom Made Easy

Make Mother’s Day easy with a curated roundup of local brunch options, from cozy cafés to lively gatherings and elevated dining. Find the perfect spot to celebrate Mom.

Mother’s Day Brunch that is for YOU

What if I told you Mother's Day could actually feel like a day off? Two words: brunch early. Read the article for the recipes and the whole genious plan.

Let’s Talk About Perimenopause

Perimenopause affects nearly every woman, yet many still feel confused, dismissed or told to simply push through. But what’s actually happening during this transition? When is it worth asking question...

Healthy Skin at Every Age

Your skin at 25 isn’t the same as your skin at 45. So why treat it the same? Central Wellness experts share what’s happening and how to care for our skin in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. @mariahikes,...

Paddy Shack: New in 2026

A new kind of gathering place is coming to Billings. The Paddy Shack blends pickleball, play, and connection into a thoughtfully designed, family-friendly destination. With courts, a café, local food...

Team Montana Tees Off at the USA Games

Team Montana is headed to the USA Games in Minneapolis this June, and they’re bringing more than just talent. From communities across the state, Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners like Bra...

Springtime Style for Mothers & Daughters

Spring style, shared moments, and a little retail therapy. This season, local boutiques are showing how mothers and daughters can coordinate looks while still staying true to their own style. From tim...

The Art and Journey of Rilie Tané Zumbrennen

Some artists create beauty. Others create stories. Rilie Tané Zumbrennen does both. Across Billings and beyond, her murals, wood-burned artwork, and seasonal window illustrations are quickly becoming...

Nature Nick's Field Notes Common Yarrow

This month, we’re celebrating Common Yarrow, a tough native plant with delicate white blooms that pollinators love. You can spot this pollinator favorite in places like Phipps Park or in planting beds...

The Quiet Season on the Beartooth Highway

Every year we make the climb up the Beartooth Pass, pedaling between towering snowbanks and meltwater streams, trading the warmth of the valley for thin alpine air. Some years we make it farther than...

April FUNdraising Fridays at the Western Heritage Center

Step inside the Western Heritage Center this April and enjoy a month of connection, competition, and local history during FUNdraising Fridays. From ArtWalk and engaging exhibitions to lively rounds of...

Listening to the Quiet | The Art of John Potter

Red Lodge artist John Potter and his wife, Tracie Garfield, have always been active. They are the couple you see bundled up and moving through town in the middle of winter, snow falling softly around...

Small Steps, BIG VIEWS: Exploring Billings’ Trails with Kids

Sometimes hiking with kids requires adjusting expectations. Other times it calls for rebranding. You might just need exciting snacks and an activity or two up your sleeve. If you’ve been hoping to hit...

5 Books That Will Renew Your Relationship to Outdoor Recreation

1. Braiding Sweetgrass:
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This beautifully written collection weaves together Native ways of knowing, scienc...

Terry Zee Lee's Lifelong Mission to Bring Art to the Sky

To Terry Zee Lee, a kite is much more than a child’s toy. It embodies art, science, storytelling, and sport. It serves as a way to engage and educate a community, and it is pure joy visible against th...

IN FOCUS: Yellowstone Eye Care’s Next Chapter

For the doctors at Yellowstone Eye Care, vision has always felt deeply personal. Dr. Shawn Lebsock says that the calling drew him in from the start. “The eye is just such a unique organ,” he says. “To...

A Celebration of Culture & Competition

The Special Olympics Montana State Summer Games are returning to Billings this May, where more than 1,000 athletes und the state will display their skills and determination.

Creating A Home That Tells Your Story

After years of sleek lines, cool tones, and carefully curated minimalism, something is changing inside our homes. According to local designer Tiff Blades of Davidson Designs, clients are longing for s...

A Kitchen Built For Comebacks

I sat down with Travis Dickinson, the Food Services Manager, and Gina Poor, the Director of Passages, to discuss CAP, Montana’s longest-running corrections culinary program. I was immediately impresse...

Who’s Hiring Teens This Summer?

Finding your first summer job as a teenager is a rite of passage, but it can be daunting to know where to start applying, particularly if you want something other than food services.

The Heart Behind The Veldt Clothing

This month, Veldt Clothing marks its two-year anniversary, a meaningful milestone for owner Lauren Perry. When Lauren opened the doors of Veldt, a charming women’s boutique in Shiloh Commons, she was...

A New Chapter at The Paper Mill

The familiar brick walls that once housed home goods at Liberty & Vine are welcoming Billings residents back in an entirely new way.