Nature isn’t the only thing putting on a spectacular show in Western Montana’s Glacier Country. The region attracts talented performers, inspired by mountain landscapes and creative communities. Longstanding theater companies, symphonies and touring acts fill the calendar with high-quality performances year-round. Community productions, critically regarded theater and live concerts all have a place here, making Glacier Country a vibrant hub for the performing arts.

Elinor Goehring dances in a performance at the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Montana. Photo: Kerrigan Edwards


FLATHEAD CORRIDOR

The Flathead Valley has a deep, longstanding commitment to the arts. The Bigfork Summer Playhouse—known for its annual summer series that draws aspiring performers from across the country—offers Broadway-caliber productions in an intimate mountain setting. In Polson, the Port Polson Players stage community, youth and summer shows in their 1938 log theater, a historic landmark on Flathead Lake. Mission Valley Live, a nonprofit presenting an annual lineup of live music and performing arts throughout the Mission Valley, adds even more cultural depth to the region.

Bigfork Summer Playhouse presents musicals like “All Shook Up” from July – September. Photo: Bigfork Summer Playhouse

WHITEFISH

In Whitefish, the Alpine Theatre Project, founded by Broadway veterans, brings dynamic, high-caliber theater to this mountain town. Also in Whitefish, the Whitefish Theatre Company offers an expansive season of plays, music and special performances.

KALISPELL

Kalispell’s Wachholz College Center has quickly become a cornerstone of the region’s arts scene. McClaren Hall—its 1,014-seat performance space—is known for exceptional acoustics and a robust schedule of concerts, comedy and touring productions. On the same campus, the O’Shaughnessy Outdoor Amphitheater provides a stunning open-air venue that hosts everything from symphonic performances to summer concerts. The Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale performs throughout the year, including an annual holiday presentation of Handel’s Messiah and outdoor pops events.

BITTERROOT VALLEY

The Bitterroot Valley offers a strong mix of community theater and professional performing arts. The Hamilton Players—formed in the late 1970s—produce a full season and lead impactful educational programming. The Bitterroot Performing Arts Council curates the signature Performing Arts Series at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center, bringing in touring artists spanning classical, folk, jazz, world music and more. Farther north, the Stevensville Playhouse continues its tradition of year-round productions inside a historic theater.

The Bitterroot Performing Arts Council brings acts like Mark & Maggie O’Conner to Hamilton. Photo: Stacie Duce

MISSOULA

As the arts hub of Western Montana, Missoula delivers a rich array of performances. Missoula Children’s Theatre stages local community productions as well as their children’s touring shows, which reach 1,200 communities across all 50 states, plus schools and U.S. military bases in more than 15 countries.

Missoula is also home to the Montana Repertory Theatre, the resident professional theatre for the University of Montana, and the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Montana offers a wide range of theatre and dance shows during the school year. Check the UM box office for performing arts schedules and tickets.

The School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Montana presents “Anything Goes.” Photo: Noah Epps

The city’s creative mix also includes the String Orchestra of the Rockies, a professional chamber ensemble presenting an annual concert series with guest artists, and Bare Bait Dance, Missoula’s longtime contemporary dance company based at Westside Theater.

For orchestral performances, the Missoula Symphony Orchestra & Chorale presents six concerts annually, including a special children’s show and the local-favorite outdoor Symphony in the Park at Caras Park.

The Missoula Symphony Orchestra performs masterworks as well as music by contemporary composers. Photo: Missoula Symphony Orchestra

BONUS SPOTLIGHT: LIBBY

The Libby Memorial Center is a 16,000-square-foot venue with soaring ceilings that hosts concerts, plays, lectures and community events. Impressively, this dynamic space is run entirely by volunteers.

Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.

December 1, 2025

Related: Arts and Culture, Bigfork, Bitterroot Valley, Concerts/Music Festivals, Events, Family Fun, Flathead Corridor, Hamilton, Indoor Fun, Kalispell, Missoula, Montana, Performing Arts, Polson, Stevensville, Vacation, Whitefish

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