FIRST FRIDAY Experience an Authentic Missoula Evening

Join us in Downtown Missoula for First Fridays!  Held on the first Friday of every month, businesses showcase an important part of the heart and soul of our community – art! Experience an authentic Missoula evening as you stroll along Downtown’s historic streets where art galleries and local businesses open their doors to feature stunning art exhibits, live music, and special events.

You can also savor exclusive deals and specials at Downtown’s unique retailers and restaurants, making it a perfect night out for friends, families, and art enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local artists, enjoy fantastic food, shop at our retailers, and immerse yourself in the creative spirit that makes Downtown Missoula so special.

 

First Friday Special Happenings:

*for more First Friday happenings, visit missoulaevents.org or download the Arts Missoula Directory from Arts Missoula to get First Friday schedules, peruse artistic resources, check out the guide to local artists, and more!

APRIL 2025
  • A Carousel for Missoula (101 Carousel Dr.): Happy Hours at A Carousel For Missoula! We invite First Friday participants to head out a little early and kick the evening off with a spin on the fastest carousel in the west with BOGO Carousel Rides on Fridays in October from 3:30-5:30 pm.
  • Bernice’s Bakery (190 S. 3rd St. W): First Friday Art Show Featuring: Grace Lawless – a Missoula local, who has proudly hosted a few art shows around town. Her talent for expressionism, bold colors, and embracing chaos make her stand out as a leading artist in the Missoula community. Event begins at 5pm.
  • Blaque Owl Tattoo (307 N. Higgins): Join the Blaque Owl crew from 5-8pm to celebrate 15 years!
  • Ciao Mambo (541 S. Higgins): Hosting a local ceramic artist. James Dea -@boy_in_the_boat on Instagram.
  • Compass Barbershop (742 S. Higgins): Hosting the strange and wonderful Pettifoggers as well as some very moving photographs by Ben Seratt. If you love the night sky and a little foot stomping, come by and join us for a song or two!
  • Cranky Sam Public House (233 W. Main): Live music from Blue Shadows, artwork from Jodi Monahan, Missoula Fire Dept. selling raffle tickets for a raft. Open 11am-11pm.
  • Historic Florence Building (111 N. Higgins): The Historic Florence is hosting an art walk presented by One Eleven Boutique, The General Public, and Missoula Makers Collective. Original works from artists April Werle, Isabel Cole, Kate Radloff, and Jules Lucero will be on display from 5-8pm.
  • Import Market (201 W. Broadway): Stop by to do some shopping then head to the 3rd floor to check out the Horse Teeth Gallery featuring over a dozen local artists. Open until 8pm.
  • Jeannette Rankin Peace Center (519 S. Higgins): Indigenous Art Market – Celebrate Indigenous artistry and culture at this special First Friday event. Event runs 5-8pm.
  • Missoula Art Museum (335 N. Pattee): Special First Friday event featuring exhibiting artist Jason Elliott Clark. The evening begins with an artist talk at 5:30 PM, where Clark (Algonquin descendant) shares insights into his large-scale installation, Free Land. This exhibit showcases Clark’s expertise in monotype, using stencils, ghost prints, and color fades to examine the impact of land policies on Indigenous communities. The event includes a no-host bar and live music by Travis Yost.
  • Montana Natural History Center (120 Hickory): Join us for a First Friday event with artist and student, Nicole Emlen, as she shares her photography series Lives and Lessons of Zoo Animals. Nicole will provide a brief introduction about her project and about the future of her work. Light snacks and beverages provided. Event starts at 5pm.
  • Missoula Public Library (455 E. Main): Celebrate Sentinel High seniors as they display their art in the Teen Space on the 2nd floor, themed around Greek mythology. Light refreshments will be provided. Please note that if you arrive after 6pm, only the Main Street entrance will be open. The pieces will be displayed throughout the month of April. Event begins at 5pm.
  • Montana Antique Mall (331 W. Railroad): Please join us at the Montana Antique Mall each First Friday for a wine and cheese pairing, while you peruse four floors of curated art, pottery, furniture, and more! Open 11am daily. Event from 5-8pm
  • Montana Gift Corral (117 W. Front): From 4-6 PM, enjoy 15% off any purchase over $100, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab rustic accessories, locally-crafted treasures, and unique Montana gifts.
  • My Montana Roots (225 N. Higgins): Uniqorn Mother About: Uniqorn Mother, Shanen Johns, is a live paint performer, body paint artist, graphic designer, and jewelry maker. She also makes custom apparel and vinyl stickers. She is an independent artist based out of western Montana. Her artwork greatly reflects the beautiful mountains that surround her. When it comes to her artwork, she is a jack of all trades. If she hasn’t made it before she will surely give it a try. Alcoholic and NA beverages provided. Free koozies with purchase. Open 11am-7pm.
  • Sacred Ally (130 E. Broadway): Hosted by Sacred Ally, Keetje Kuipers will be reading from her newest poetry book, Lonely Women Make Good Lovers. Gabrielle Bates and Henrietta Goodman will be reading their poetry as well and in-between each author will be local talented pole dancers from the Pole Fiction community. Event runs 5-8pm.
  • The Artists’ Shop (127 N. Higgins): Opening artists reception for “Lana y Plata” Wool sculpture and silverwork by Claudia Pailao and Karl Knudsen of Patagonian Hands. Open 10am-8pm.
  • The Badlander (208 Ryman): Missoula’s Own King Bee Creations presents: ‘Once Upon Your Fairytale’ spring edition of Tickle My Fancy(TMF.) A massive TWO NIGHT art event celebrating the human experience, promoting body positivity, while building a culture of inclusion and a blossoming community of creators. Be enchanted by extreme body painting, major Montana DJ’s bringing the beats – featuring other special performances including burlesque dancers, cabaret singers, drag performers, gogo dancers, flow artists, character actors and so much more! Doors and music at 8pm.
  • The Clay Studio (1105 Hawthorne): Potsketch Preview Exhibit provides the opportunity to view the amazing art work that is part of the Potsketch 2025 Auction. Funds raised during Potsketch help sustain the Clay Studio of Missoula’s facilities and programs. Event runs 5-8pm.
  • The Rhino (158 Ryman): Rhino Ross Art Nite – coloring contest for a cause. $10 entry includes drink ticket, coloring supplies, and $4.00 from every entry will be donated to Cancer Support Community. Starts at 7pm.
  • The Roxy Theater (718 S. Higgins): The International Wildlife Film Festival art gallery, featuring works from Lauris Reintjes, Ryan Webster, Morgan Grau, and more! Enjoy popcorn, beer, and other snacks in the Roxy Lounge and meet the artists. Open 5-11pm.
  • Tosca Olive Oils (137 E. Main): Join us every First Friday for a yummy snack made with our featured oil/vinegar pairing of the month and 10% off all Tosca oil/vinegar. Open 10am-7pm.
  • VolumeRoom (912 E. Broadway): Open Jams are back! We love sharing the space and being a place for musicians to meet and get creative together. There will be a fire pit in the parking lot and free beverages! Event runs 5-8pm.
  • Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W. Main): The School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance are proud to present ‘In Pieces’ at 7:30 p.m. Who are you really? Eight people explore their past choices and relationships to answer that question candidly. By revisiting their past journeys, they learn to accept who they are and explore who they want to become. UM’s Zootown Cabaret delivers a fresh new musical with a pop-driven score by award-winning writer and composer Joey Contreras.
Downtown Galleries

 

Are you a local business or artist looking to participate in First Fridays? Here are some ways you can be a part of the First Friday magic.

  • Businesses: Are you a business looking to host an artist in your location? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Artists: Are you an artist looking to get your art in a business? Connect with Arts Missoula at [email protected]
  • Members of the Missoula Downtown Association: Participate in any way that works for your business (stay open later, host a special pop-up event, host live music, etc.). For more info on how to participate, email [email protected] or submit your First Friday information HERE.
  • Host a parklet! Also known as pop-up parks, parklets convert on-street parking spaces into temporary people places in support of a friendly environment for people biking and walking. It’s free for Missoula businesses to host a First Friday Parklet so sign up today!  CLICK HERE to get more info and sign up via Missoula in Motion.