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!

SEPTEMBER 2026
  • 4 Ravens Gallery (216 N. Higgins): Kalispell artist Karen Straight shares a collection of contemporary wildlife that blurs the line between a traditional craft and fine art. Working primarily in wool, Karen “paints” using a barbed needle to felt wool and silk into large scale portraits of animals. Event starts at 5pm.
  • Artists’ Shop (127 N. Higgins): Opening reception for “Onward and Upward” by This calligraphy-based show explores universal themes of joy and sorrow, beauty and peace, love and truth. The exhibit is varied and dynamic, a visual tour into the art of “beautiful writing” and the infinite possibilities therein. Event runs 5 – 8pm.
  • Confluence Center (119 W. Main): Opening reception for the artist collective VonCommon and their annual art show! VonCommon is a nonprofit communal art studio helping artists create art and community since 2011. Besides providing low cost studio space, VonCommon has always excelled in creating a safe communal place where artists can find each other and thrive. Also featuring DJ Madhatter! Then be sure to stick around for the Afterparty from 8-11pm held in Confluence Center’s back patio area. Event begins at 5pm
  • Cranky Sam Public House (233 W. Main): Art from Jodi Monahan and music from Clementine and Katko. Open 11am – 10pm.
  • Fact & Fiction (220 N. Higgins): We are happy and proud to sell Bear Scratch Press broadsides. They so kindly and artistically make new pieces for authors will new books or poetry. We are grateful to be good friends with the people at Bear Scratch. Their precision and detail amongst these commemorations of the written word is to be greatly appreciated. Come buy and get one for your own home or as a gift! Fifteen different pieces including words from Stephen Graham Jones, Sean Hill, Peter Stark, Mark Gibbons and James Welch. Event runs 6 – 8pm.
  • FMC Books (123 W. Main): With bright colors, character-driven compositions, and a healthy dose of whimsy, Aleksandra Pilskalns creates pieces that feel like snapshots from much larger stories. Minimal backgrounds allow each character to take center stage, inviting you to imagine who they are, where they’ve been, and what might happen just beyond the edges of the artwork. At the heart of the collection is a celebration of the delight of being human. Join us at FMC Books this September First Friday to welcome Aleks with a little art, community, and joy. Open until 8pm.
  • Frame of Mind (1706 Brooks): Frame of Mind Presents New Roots – Youth Art Show. Art reception is 5 – 7:30pm. In partnership with Soft Landing Missoula, Frame of Mind is hosting an art show featuring works by Missoula youth. The SLM youth program kids have created a series of art works that represent their meaning of home and melding their international background with the new Missoula Landscape. Open 10:00am – 7:30pm.
  • Historic Florence (111 N. Higgins): Kick off your September First Friday at the iconic Florence Lobby with Open AIR! We’re dropping sneak peeks from ENCORE!’s Art Auction at this pop-up event. Plus spreading the word about our Fall Fundraiser titled ENCORE! (Sun, September 13 at Bonner Park). Event runs 5 – 8pm.
  • Import Market (201 W. Broadway): Celebrate a new name and new artists. Import Market presents Spitball featuring art by Brimber, Rough Buffalo, Charlotte O’Brien, Lucia Schermy, Ben Silv, and Indica. Family friendly with karaoke and beverages for the adults. Event runs 4-8pm.
  • Lake Missoula Tea Company (136 E. Broadway): Double punch on punch card on First Friday. Open 9am – 6pm.
  • Leaf + Quiet (235 N. 1st St. W – Suite F): University of Montana Jazz students continue to hone in their skills in this Music Lab hosted by Leaf and Quiet. Now outside in the Secret Gardens off the Rails! Event starts at 7pm.
  • Local Missoula Walking Tours: Step into Missoula’s stories, secrets, and street art with Local Missoula Walking Tours—and enjoy 50% off our downtown art or history audio tours every First Friday. Each tour runs about 90 minutes and is fully accessible. Once downloaded, you can take it anytime and start at any stop. All you need is a charged phone, your favorite headphones, and a little curiosity. Wander at your own pace, uncover hidden gems, and see Downtown Missoula in a whole new light. Half off tours are available starting the Thursday before each First Friday at: localmissoulatours.com Questions: 406-304-7241 [email protected].
  • Missoula Art Museum (335 N. Pattee):  Opening of Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky, a major career retrospective honoring nationally acclaimed artist Joe Feddersen (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation). Spanning more than four decades, this landmark exhibition features more than 120 works—including prints, glass, weaving, ceramics, miniatures, and monumental installations. The evening includes a 5:30 PM artist talk with Joe Feddersen, live music by Travis Yost, a no-host bar, and Dreamy’s Soft Serve in the Art Park. Event runs 5 – 7pm.
  • Missoula Senior Center (705 S. Higgins): Friday Food Truck Pod featuring several local food trucks, the Missoula City Band, art, and more. Event begins at 5:30. *note: the food truck pod will be a weekly event every Friday through the summer.
  • Pearl Boba Tea (420 N. Higgins): Mini Asian Pop-Up Market with 5 local vendors. Expect food, crafts, fun and of course, boba! Vendors include: O’Bay Ube, GheeBeans Crafty, The Painter Gallery, KMob Market and Ping’s Asian Kitchen. Open from 11am – 8pm; Market from 5 – 8pm.
  • Pelz (403 N. Higgins): Pelz will be featuring work from artist, Grace Lawless, as well as giving out complimentary beverages and selling pelmeni dumplings. At 403 N Higgins (3B Bagels location). Open 5 – 10:30pm.
  • Radius Gallery (120 N. Higgins): Bring your friends this First Friday to Radius Gallery and check out our new exhibitions featuring two superb Montana painters and two ceramicists you won’t want to miss! Open 11am – 8pm.
  • Run Wild Missoula (125 E. Main): Looking to make new connections? Whether you’re searching for a love match, a new best friend, or just someone to share miles with, Sole Mates is designed to bring people together in a fun and low-pressure way. Join us on the first Friday of every month at Caras Park for a relaxed 3.5-mile run followed by snacks and time to mingle. Afterward, you’re welcome to keep the night going and head off to other First Friday shenanigans with your new connections.
  • The Clay Studio of Missoula (1106 Hawthorne): Opening reception for ‘At Odds‘: Works by Maggie Adams, Salomé Aydlett, Jamie Bates, Daniel Clauson, and Ze Treasure Troll. The queer body is inherently at odds with the binary systems and histories that make up what has long been the dominant cultural narrative. “At Odds” brings together the work of artists that exist and create beyond these binaries. Event runs 5 – 8pm.
  • The Old Post (103 W. Spruce): Join us for our September First Friday Parking Lot Party We’re taking the party outside with free live music starting at 8pm, a full outdoor bar, and plenty of room to dance, hang out, and enjoy one more summer night in downtown Missoula. Free admission. Open 8am – 10pm.
  • The Roxy Theater (718 S. Higgins): Twin Peaks – Episode 1 (showings at 5:30 and 7:30pm)
  • The Rhino (158 Ryman): Win a $50 bar tab and support a local nonprofit! When you’re done cruising around town on First Friday, stop by for Rhino Ross Art Nite – our coloring contest for a cause. Winner gets a $50 bar tab. $10 entry includes: drink ticket, coloring supplies, $4 of every entry will be donated to a local nonprofit. Starts at 7pm.
  • Tosca Olive Oils (137 E. Main): Snacks, wine, live music & double the loyalty points on all purchases. Open 10am-8pm.
  • University of Montana: Three great First Friday options! Montana Museum of Art and Culture: 4-7 PM The public are invited to stop by the MMAC to enjoy free pizza and view exhibitions “Il Maestro! Works by Morton Levin, a Centennial Celebration,” “Morton Levin: Graphic Works,” “Bateman Weaves,” and “MIBA Showcase.” Event runs 4 – 7pm; free public docent tour at 5pm. Gallery of Arts: Stop by the first floor of the Social Science Building to view Falling Gardens Part II: Grief Lines, Michael Murphy with Róisín O’Gorman, multimedia installation. Shown in tandem with an exhibition of prints titled ‘BLIGHT’, paintings and drawings by Doug Anderson. Event runs 4 – 6pm. Knowles Gallery: Stop by the 2nd floor of the Fine Arts Building to attend this special Soft Monuments Public Sewing Evening featuring Brooklyn artist Amanda Browder, The School of Art and Game Design’s Artist in Residence this semester. Browder is working with the UM and Missoula residents to create two community made textile installations. One will drape the Music Building on UM’s campus, and the other will drape Missoula’s historic Brunswick Building. Event runs 5 – 8pm.
  • Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W. Main): Show with At Nadir, Minot, and Evening Redness Out West. Doors at 7pm; music at 7:30pm. *tickets required

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.