What MontanaFair Is
MontanaFair is a nine-day fair at MetraPark in Billings that celebrates Montana tradition, agriculture, education, entertainment and community. It is billed as the largest annual event in Montana, drawing roughly 250,000 guests a year. The 2026 fair ran August 7 to 15. It mixes livestock exhibitions, a midway, nightly entertainment, concerts at First Interstate Arena and a PRCA rodeo, so it works as a family outing, a place to exhibit, or a place to watch youth livestock shows.
What You Can Do There
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Rodeo Billings | Second annual PRCA Pro Rodeo, August 13 to 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the outdoor arena at MetraPark; gate admission is included with a rodeo ticket |
| Concerts | Select evenings at First Interstate Arena, which seats 12,000 |
| Midway | Thomas Carnival rides and games |
| Livestock | 4-H and FFA youth show cattle, horses, swine and small animals; the Junior Livestock Sale closes the livestock program on August 15 |
| Exhibits | Daytime exhibits including home arts, photography, fine arts and youth projects |
| Family | Petting zoos, agricultural exhibits and 4-H building activities, plus free gate entertainment |
The Youth Livestock Program
Yellowstone County 4-H and FFA members enter online through the MontanaFair entry system. For 2026 the online entry deadline for the livestock department was June 26 at 11:59 p.m., with a $50 late fee per exhibitor until July 3 and no entries after that. Exhibitors picked up packets on August 3, shows ran from August 6 through 14, and the Junior Livestock Sale was Saturday, August 15 at 12:30 p.m. in the Expo Center. Families without internet can call the Yellowstone County Extension office at 406-256-2828 to schedule a time to enter there. The entry office can be reached at 406-869-5200.
How to Get There and What to Expect
MetraPark is on Billings' east side, northeast of downtown and close to Billings Logan International Airport. The main buildings are First Interstate Arena, Montana Pavilion and the Expo Center, surrounded by outdoor exhibition areas and the midway. Paid premium parking is near the entrances, general parking is on the hill above the grounds with overflow lots on peak nights, tram shuttles run inside the grounds, and MET Transit buses serve the area during daytime hours. Stroller and wheelchair routes, guest services and first aid are on site. Check the current bag and security policies before you go.
A Bit of History
The first Midland Empire Fair was held in 1916, with a Northern Pacific train run from the depot to the fairgrounds. By 1919 the fair drew exhibitors and livestock from several counties in northern Wyoming, and horse racing and rodeo became major attractions. The fair later became the Yellowstone Exhibition and, after about 14 years under that name, MontanaFair at MetraPark. MetraPark's name stands for Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena.
Questions
When is the next MontanaFair?
The most recent fair was August 7 to 15, 2026. Dates for the next edition have not been announced.
How do I buy tickets?
Fair admissions and concert tickets are sold through AXS and the MetraPark ticket page; rodeo tickets are at metrapark.com/p/buy-tickets.
Who do I call?
MetraPark at 406-256-2400, 308 6th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101.
Official Links
- About MontanaFair
- Rodeo Billings at MontanaFair
- MontanaFair 2026 preview
- Yellowstone County Extension MontanaFair page
- Fair admissions
Major Montana Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Montana's big three are MontanaFair in August, the NILE in October and the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in May. All dates below are from the most recent published schedules, so confirm the current year.
MontanaFair
The Billings fair ran August 7-15 in 2026. The Junior Livestock Sale was Saturday, August 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Expo. Entries go through an online ShoWorks system managed by MetraPark, and the Dept. A handbook holds the deadlines.
NILE
The NILE ran October 9-17, 2026 at MetraPark in Billings, with junior steer, lamb, goat and swine shows, the Junior Fed Sale on October 12 and rodeo performances. 2026 entries closed September 15, with a $50-per-head late fee after September 1.
Bucking Horse Sale
Miles City held its 75th Bucking Horse Sale May 14-17, 2026, with a parade, rodeo grand entries and wild horse races. It dates back to 1951.
Hauling in
Swine entering Montana need a health certificate issued within 10 days.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention and Trade Show
Montana Stockgrowers Association convention with trade show, Stockgrowers Colleges, policy sessions and a Grand Finale Banquet, December 3 to 5, 2026, at the DoubleTree and the Northern Hotel in Billings.
- Chase Hawks Rodeo
One-day rodeo in Billings on December 26, 2026, on the Montana pro rodeo calendar. Held each year around the holidays.
Billings, MT Official event details - Montana Wool Growers Association Annual Convention
Sheep industry convention of the Montana Wool Growers Association. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 4 to 7, 2025, in Billings.
Billings, MT | Organizer: Montana Wool Growers Association Official event details - MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Shows
Two-week 4-H and FFA program at MontanaFair in Billings, from interview judging to horse, small animal, sheep, goat and livestock classes. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3-15, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.