Western Art Week

View on map
Arts & CultureGreat Falls
Dates17–21 March 2027Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsWestern Art Week centers on The Russell, a
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Western Art Week in Great Falls

Western Art Week is a mid-March gathering of galleries, auction houses, and collectors in Great Falls, Montana, anchored by The Russell, the C.M. Russell Museum's flagship live art auction and sale. Named for cowboy artist Charles M. Russell, who lived and worked in Great Falls, the week draws Western, wildlife, and Indigenous art to multiple concurrent shows across the city, alongside quick-draw competitions and artist meet-and-greets.

Western Art Week takes its name and its anchor event from Charles M.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Western Art Week centers on The Russell, a live auction at the C

02

The mystery stays covered

Russell's own house and studio grounds, where paintings and bronze sculpture sell for prices running into the tens of thousands of dollars, alongside a First Strike preview auction the night before

03

The city starts moving

The week is larger than a single sale: multiple independently run art shows operate simultaneously across Great Falls hotels and venues each March, giving collectors a concentrated circuit of Western, wildlife, and Indigenous art unmatched elsewhere in the region

04

The water draws everyone in

Awards like the People's Choice Award and Best in Show recognize standout works, and the event's roots in Russell himself, an artist who painted frontier-era Montana, tie the art on sale to the place it depicts

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The centerpiece tradition is The Russell itself

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Russell Museum's live benefit auction

The sacred route

Living ritual

preceded by the First Strike Friday night preview auction

The local code

Living ritual

both juried and reviewed for a Best in Show award

Tradition 5

Living ritual

alongside a separately voted People's Choice Award

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Quick-draw events

Tradition 7

Living ritual

where artists complete a work in a fixed

Tradition 8

Living ritual

short window in front of a live audience before it is immediately sold

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

17–21 March 2027

Getting around

For Western Art Week, plan transport around the exact Great Falls venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Great Falls in mid-March is still winter on the northern plains, with cold temperatures and the possibility of snow or wind, so warm layered clothing, a heavy coat, and waterproof boots are...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Western Art Week, stay near the part of Great Falls you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.92 N, 74.17 WOpen in Google Maps

Great Falls, MT

TransportFor Western Art Week, plan transport around the exact Great Falls venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Western Art Week, stay near the part of Great Falls you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Great Falls via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Great Falls, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearGreat Falls in mid-March is still winter on the northern plains, with cold temperatures and the possibility of snow or wind, so warm layered clothing, a heavy coat, and waterproof boots are practical for moving between venues outdoors. Gallery and auction settings lean toward smart-casual to business-casual dress, especially for evening auction events, though there is no strict formal requirement.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Western Art Week?

Western Art Week is listed for 17–21 March 2027. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Western Art Week take place?

The festival is listed in Great Falls, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Great Falls, MT

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwesternheritageartists.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates17–21 March 2027
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →