Overview MontanaFair runs nine days every August on the MetraPark grounds in Billings, opening with three nights of arena concerts and closing with three nights of PRCA rodeo, with a carnival midway, 4-H and FFA livestock and open competitive exhibits in between. The fair calls itself an agricultural celebration in the historic tradition of fairs, and bills itself as the largest event in Montana. MetraPark, which runs it, is the Billings events complex that also houses First Interstate Arena. On site The Pepsi Concert Series takes the first three nights in First Interstate Arena. Rodeo Billings closes the fair in the MetraPark Outdoor Arena: a PRCA pro rodeo produced by NILE, with cowboys and cowgirls riding for winnings that count toward a place at the National Finals Rodeo. Thomas Carnival runs the midway all nine days. The livestock barns hold the 4-H and FFA shows and the open horse shows, and the competitive exhibit halls carry the open and youth non-animal classes. Free gate entertainment runs through the day on the Montana Lottery Free Entertainment Stage and around the grounds; in 2026 that meant magician Jeff Martin, The Rocketman, the Great American Duck Races, The Junebugs, and Catherine Loyer and Strawberry Roan. Audience The fair draws from Montana and the surrounding states, and its schedule is built around who comes on which day. In 2026 seniors got in free on the Monday, children 12 and under and teens 13 to 18 on weekday afternoons, and veterans and first responders all day Friday, and the week carried named days for agriculture, seniors, kids, teens learning the trades, and service to America. Talent and Influencers The 2026 concert series opened with YUNGBLUD and special guest Brigitte Calls Me Baby, followed by Hairball, the 1980s arena-rock tribute, and closed with TobyMac. Track record The fair began in 1916 as the Midland Empire Fair, was renamed the Yellowstone Exhibition after nearly 60 years, and became MontanaFair about 14 years after that. The original Midland Empire Auditorium burned in 1969, and the Metra arena went up seven years later. Rodeo Billings joined the fair as a PRCA rodeo and ran for the second time in 2026. Brand presence The fair sells its days as well as its stages. Day sponsors put their names on themed days from Ag Appreciation Day, Senior Day and Kids Day to Trades for Teens Day, Service to America Day and the closing Grand Fair-Nale. Named spaces on the fair's sponsor page include the Montana Lottery Free Entertainment Stage, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Montana Pavilion, the TDS Fiber Exhibitor Tent and the Tire Rama golf carts, and Pepsi carries the concert series. Tiers run from presenting, concert series and naming-rights partners down through Grand Reserve, Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon, with separate ag and competitive exhibits sponsors.