River City Roots Festival
19th Annual River City Roots Fest:
August 22-23, 2025 in Downtown Missoula
Produced by the Missoula Downtown Association as Missoula’s signature celebration, the River City Roots Festival has quickly risen to the top of Western Montana’s must-see-list.
Recognized as the 2009 Montana Tourism Event of the Year, River City Roots Fest draws more than 15,000 individuals to the heart of Downtown Missoula for a variety of fun activities and exceptional music. This two-day FREE festival features first-class art and entertainment for both residents and visitors.
With live performances on a big stage on West Main Street, a fine art show, entertainment for children and families, and a 4-Mile run through the heart of Missoula, Roots Fest brings a weekend of family fun to the heart of the community.
For more detailed information, check out our River City Roots Festival website!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 TITLE & MAIN STAGE SPONSORS!
2024 Schedule
For more detailed information, check out our River City Roots Festival website!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
- 12:30pm – Spruce Alley Sally
- 2:30pm – Give it to ’em, FLORABELLE!
- 4:30pm – Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters
- 6:30pm – Sol Driven Train
- 8:30pm – The Band of Heathens
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
- 12:30pm – Cowboy Andy & the Salamanders
- 2:30pm – The Spills
- 4:30pm – The Vince Herman Band
- 6:30pm – Rapidgrass
- 8:30pm – The High Hawks
THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN STAGE SPONSORS
FAMILY ROOTS FESTIVAL
Looking for the perfect kid-friendly event during Roots Festival? Well look no further. Family Roots Fest takes place in Caras Park on September 7th from 10 AM – 2 PM and has a wide range of kid-friendly activities that are perfect for all ages. From exotic animals, to obstacle courses, to guitar lessons, to bean bag tosses, Family Roots Fest has it all.
2024 Family Roots Fest Stage Schedule:
10:00 – 11:00am: Childbloom Guitar
11:15am – 12:00pm: Spencer!
12:00 – 12:30pm: Double Bubble Dance Party
12:30 – 1:30pm: Wailing Aaron Jennings
1:30 – 2:00pm: Double Bubble Dance Party
2024 Activity Providers
All Nations Health Center, CASA, Child Bloom, Children’s Dentistry of the Rockies, Clark Fork Prep, Community Health Alliance, Forward Montana Foundation, Head Start, Historical Museum of Fort Missoula, Impact Martial Arts, Leave No Trace, Lolo National Forest, MCAT, Mismo, Missoula Art Museum, Missoula Pediatric Dentistry, Missoula Public Library, Montana Natural History Center, Mountain Line, Renegade Chiropractic, Scouts USA, TDS Telecom, and Traveler’s Rest Connection
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 FAMILY ROOTS FEST SPONSORS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 – 8:30AM | START E. MAIN, FINISH CARAS PARK
Registration for the Roots Run available now HERE
Our region’s largest arts and music festival showcases the gem of Western Montana – Downtown Missoula. This event, a unique public/private partnership, celebrates Missoula Downtown’s success and provides an opportunity to highlight some of Missoula’s most recently-developed attractions.
Roots Run is brought to you by Run Wild Missoula, in partnership with the Missoula Downtown Association.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 ROOTS RUN SPONSORS
Interested in being a food vendor at Roots Fest or other events? Apply via the food vendor application below. Deadline: February 21, 2025
2025 Events Food Vendor Application
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 FOOD COURT SPONSORS
The 2025 Roots Fest Art Show application will be available in early 2025.
Art Show Hours: Friday, September 6 (12pm-7pm) & Saturday, September 7 (10am-7pm)
There’s nothing better than seeing our community coming out to “Support Our Roots” by supporting locally owned shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants! Downtown shopping and dining has something for everyone.
Betty’s Divine (509 S. Higgins Ave) – Select styles 50 % off!
Bitterroot Flower Shop (811 S. Higgins Ave) – Huge sidewalk sale- home decor, flowershop stuff-and a lemonade table and fundraising booth for Showtyme dance teams- there is so much going on at Bitterroot Flower Shop!
Glacier Ice Rink (1101 South Ave West) – Enjoy $6 ice skating at Glacier Ice Rink on Saturday, Sept. 7. The session runs from 3:30-4:30 pm, and Griz Hockey players will be on hand to skate with kids and sign posters. Details at glaciericerink.com.
HO + KO (101 S. Higgins Ave #7) – Up to 90% off denim, clothing, home decor and more! Plus, get ready for Fall with all new arrivals!
Import Market (201 W. Broadway St.) – Enjoy discounted items on our sidewalk, along with our very first Alley Sale, where you will find great deals on relics we’ve pulled out of storage. Sidewalk Sale Friday and Saturday 10-7, Alley Sale (in the alley directly behind our shop) Friday and Saturday 10-3.
La Belle Vita (135 N. Higgins Ave) – 20% off our store, excluding Sid Dickens and French Kande
Lake Missoula Tea Company (136 E. Broadway St.) – Get ready to sip, shop, and save at our Sidewalk Sale! We’re bringing you an exclusive chance to grab our last-chance favorites, including Raspberry Patch and Strawberry Fields Forever—stock up before they’re gone for the season! Be the first to try our new seasonal teas that are perfect for every mood and moment
Missoula Farmers’ Market (Downtown Missoula) – Saturday Farmers Market from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Montana Gift Corral (117 W Front St) – Montana Gift Corral is excited to be part of the Support Our Roots Sidewalk Sale in celebration of the River City Roots Festival! We’re offering deep discounts across a wide selection of home decor, gifts, and keepsakes, giving you the perfect opportunity to find unique treasures at unbeatable prices. Swing by our store at 117 W Front St to take advantage of these fantastic deals and celebrate with us. Don’t miss out on this chance to grab something special and support local during this fun-filled festival!
Mood Boutique (208 N. Higgins Ave) – 50% off select summer clothing
My Montana Roots (225 N. Higgins Ave) – $25 hats (exclusions apply), inventory blow-out racks, free coozie w/ every $30+ purchase
One Eleven Boutique (111 N. Higgins Ave) – up to 50% off summer clothing, gifts, and jewelry!
Plonk (322 N. Higgins Ave) – Come in and order a Roots Festival GFC and get a $10 GFC!
Revolvr Missoula (301 N. Higgins Ave) – New location Downtown! 30% off Sale items
The Montana Scene (170 E. Front St.) – Sales Rack and more, with items up to 50% off!
The Trail Head (221 E. Front St.) – Gambler’s Round 3 – all sale items at lowest marked price this weekend.
United Way of Missoula County at Worden’s Market (451 N. Higgins Ave) – UWMC has permission from Worden’s Market to set up on their sidewalk to sell our “Live United” t-shirts! We will have white, black and tie-dyed shirts for sale in infant, youth and adult sizes.
Zootown Arts Community Center (216 W. Main St.) – When: Friday September 6 – Saturday September 7, 10am-6pm. What: 25% off All Artist Shop Items. Description: Last chance sale! Pop on in during the River City Roots Festival and enjoy 25% off all remaining Artist Shop inventory. This is a great opportunity to support the arts and stock up on unique handmade items including stickers, cards, earrings, and more. During this time, we’ll also have a variety of art materials available for purchase at a deep discount (priced as marked). After the sale these items will no longer be available so don’t miss your chance to grab them while you can!
Zootown Hype & Vintage (111 W. Alder St.) – Store wide end of season sale and giveaways all weekend!
Xplorer Maps (1245 S. 3rd Street West) – 20% Storewide Sale!!
Roots Fest doesn’t just happen, it takes amazing community members like you to make the magic happen and produce an amazing event in the Heart of Missoula. Please consider a volunteer shift during the festival. It’s a great way to connect with your community, and we offer some perks too!
You get the following for FREE:
- River City Roots Festival T-Shirt
- Wristband (21+)
- Festival cup
- Special access to the volunteer hospitality food station
Sign up with your friends now, before shifts fill up!
Volunteer slots now open! Sign up here ~~~~> VOLUNTEER