Special Events near our Whitefish Hotel

There is always something fun and exciting to do in Whitefish, MT, and the surrounding areas near the Pine Lodge hotel and Glacier National Park. However, every once in a while there are extra special events happening in the community! Here are a few highlights that we look forward to every year that visitors are always welcome to attend. We hope you will join us!

Mar. 28: Dummy Derby & Brewfest

This demolition derby on skis is a non-pyrotechnic fireworks meets a 50-car pileup, and it’s just plain fun. It’s highly spectator-friendly and no living beings are at risk! Plus the winner takes home a cash purse of $400. Before the antics, stop by the Winter Brewfest and sample craft beers from around the region. Proceeds fund the free S.N.O.W. Bus.

• 11 AM – 12 PM: Registration and Dummy drop-off
• 2:30 PM: Dummy judging
• 4 PM: Race start
• 4:45 PM: Awards at the event venue

For tickets and more information, please visit the official Dummy Derby website.

Apr. 5: Pond Skim

We end the season with a splash! The most fun event of the year is back again, and this year the competition is open to anyone age 16 and older. Absolutely hilarious to watch your friends ski or snowboard over a custom built pond (costume mandatory) for a chance at a $1,050 Cash Purse!

Come end the season with the best end-of-season throw down around! Pond Skim starts at 2:30 PM.

Want to register? The pond skim is capped at 60 skimmers, so the sooner you sign up, the better. You can do that here. Costumes are mandatory, if you do not wear a costume, your entry will be refunded and someone from the wait list will take your place.

Aug. 7-9: Huckleberry Days

Huckleberry Days is an Art Festival with over 100 artists and food vendors, live entertainment, a huckleberry dessert bake-off contest and a mobile climbing wall for kids.

View the official schedule of events here.

Aug. TBD: Brewfest

More than a dozen regional micro-brewers congregate every August to pour distinct varieties for beer enthusiasts while live music pumps up the energy. Brewfest is held each August, typically toward the end of the month. 2020 dates have not been announced just yet, but stay tuned for more details!

Sep. 24-26 AND Oct. 1-3: Great Northwest Oktoberfest

A festive autumn event complete with authentic German music, food, beer, stein-holding and keg hurling contests, and a traditional Volksmarch. This event is held at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.

For more details, please visit the official Great Northwest Oktoberfest website.

Feb. 7-9: Whitefish Winter Carnival

Considered one of America’s best winter carnivals, Montana has celebrated its Winter Carnival for the past 57 years. Events include a “Penguin Plunge” (a hole is cut in Whitefish Lake and participants “plunge” into it for charity), an old fashioned Main Street Parade, Pie Social, Torchlight Ski Parade, and more.

Learn More about the event.

Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day Weekend Fireworks & Torchlight Parade

Celebrate the holiday weekend on the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort! Join us at the bottom of Ed’s Run to watch as a glowing group of skiers descend the slope, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

Learn more about the event.