Summer is finally here. School is winding down and plans are being made to fill in the long, gorgeous days ahead of us. There is a lot Montana has to offer during the summer but music festivals captures the heritage of Montana like few events can. If you have never been here is a few to check out:

Red Ants Pants Music Festival ~ July 23-26

White Sulphur Springs is a quiet Montana town for about 360 days a year, but during the Red Ants Pants Music Festival brings over 16 bands and thousands of people. The festival started in 2011 and has been the source of fundraising for the Red Ants Pants Foundation. The non-profit foundation supports women’s leadership, working farms and ranches, and rural communities. You can enjoy your favorite bands and festivities while contributing to a great cause. It gives people the chance to enjoy a festival in true Montana fashion.

~ Tickets are available as a 3 day pass or individually and can be purchased online or at various outlets.

~ Lineup for 2015 includes the likes of The ‘Lil Smokies, Bus Driver Tour and Lucero.

Rockin The Rivers Music Festival ~ Aug 7-9

Montana’s favorite rockfest, Rockin The Rivers is located in Three Forks, MT about 30 miles west of Bozeman. The 3 day festival lineup includes:

August 7 – Dee Snider, Quiet Riot, Autograph, Jack Russell’s Great White, Black N Blue and Blue Tattoo

August 8 – Theory of a Deadman, Skid Row, Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Hell’s Belles and Shamans Harvest

August 9 – Little River Band, WAR, Chuck Negron and Whiskey River

~ Tickets and campsite information are available online here

Headwaters Country Jam ~ June 25-27

Also located at The Bridge near Three Forks, Country Jam is one of the most popular festivals in Montana, and for good reason. The lineup for 2015 includes Trace Adkins, Austin Webb, Randy Rogers Band, Western Skies and Blackjack Billy. While the music is the highlight, festival goers can fill in the downtime between artists with horse shoe tournaments, dance contests and mechanical bull riding.

~ Tickets are available as a 3 day pass or individually and can be purchased online here.

Montana Folk Festival ~ July 10-12

Butte, MT is home to the Montana Folk Festival. 2015 features a stellar lineup from bands and artists all across the country. Keep an eye out for Dale Ann Bradley, The Cambell Brothers, Preston Shannon Band and the Whitetop Mountaineers. From bluegrass to blues, Irish fiddle and oldtime, the Montana Folk Festival has something for everyone. Admission is free.