More than a music festival, Wildlands is a gathering with a purpose. It’s where some of the world’s most celebrated musicians, conservation champions, and the Big Sky community come together in one of the most scenic corners of the American West — all to protect the places we love.
This summer, Wildlands returns to Big Sky, Montana, with its most powerful lineup and mission yet.
A Rare Musical Homecoming
For the first time in nearly three decades, Dave Matthews will take the stage in Montana, headlining two nights, August 1 and 2, at the Big Sky Events Arena. He’ll be joined by Lukas Nelson and Molly Tuttle, two artists who perfectly match the soulful energy of this rugged, beautiful landscape.
More than just a concert, it’s a rare moment of connection between artists and audience, between community and cause, between music and the mountains that surround us.
More Than Music: A Commitment to Conservation
While the music draws the crowds, it’s the mission that makes Wildlands unforgettable. This year’s festival will support several organizations working across Montana and the West to safeguard rivers, wildlife, and wild places. Among them:
American Rivers, a national leader in river protection, restoration, and clean water advocacy
Center for Large Landscape Conservation, a Bozeman-based nonprofit helping build wildlife corridors that allow animals like elk, bears, and wolves to migrate and thrive safely
Over the years, the festival has raised more than $1 million for conservation, and with 2025 shaping up to be the biggest year yet, the impact will stretch even further.
Auction Highlights: Purpose Meets Once-in-a-Lifetime
At the heart of Wildlands is its annual charity auction — a curated lineup of rare items, handcrafted works of art, and experiences you truly can’t buy anywhere else. Here are just a few of the standout offerings this year:
1. Ren Ferguson “Rocky Mountain Elk” Masterpiece Guitar
This is more than an instrument — it’s the first in a seven-piece series built by legendary luthier Ren Ferguson, inspired by Montana’s wild elk. Featuring intricate inlays, 22-karat gold, and signed by Dave Matthews himself, this guitar is both a playable treasure and a one-of-a-kind collectible.
2. Dave Matthews Guest List Experience
Attend any Dave Matthews concert in 2025 or 2026 as a personal guest of the artist. The package includes four premium tickets to the U.S. show of your choice — the ultimate DMB fan dream.
3. VIP Super Bowl Experience
Enjoy deluxe accommodations, reserved seats, and white-glove treatment at the biggest game of the year. Whether it’s Santa Clara in 2026 or the following year’s host city, this is a sports bucket list experience.
4. Private African Safari
Spend five days on a luxury guided safari through Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, with top-tier tented camps, private guides, and unforgettable wildlife viewing.
5. Salmon River Rafting Adventure
A five-day journey down Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River, fully guided and catered. With hot springs, canyon campsites, and whitewater through pristine wilderness, this trip offers the perfect mix of excitement and escape.
And that’s only the beginning. The auction also features incredible opportunities across a wide range of categories, including:
Premier outdoor and adventure experiences
Luxury travel packages
Fine western and wildlife-themed art
Exclusive sporting events
High-end gear for your Montana lifestyle
Every item supports the festival’s conservation mission — making each winning bid a direct investment in the future of our landscapes.
A Community-Driven Festival
What makes Wildlands special isn’t just the big names or the big prizes — it’s how the entire Big Sky community shows up.
Locals and second homeowners, business owners and volunteers, artists and visitors all rally behind the cause. Whether it’s through attending the shows, bidding in the auction, or spreading the word, this is a place where everyone plays a role in making a difference.
It’s that spirit — one of connection, generosity, and shared love for the land — that gives Wildlands its lasting impact.
Why Wildlands Matters
At its core, Wildlands is a celebration — not just of music, but of everything that makes Montana special. The rivers, the wildlife, the sense of space. The stories that get passed around a campfire. The way music sounds when there are mountains in the background.
It reminds us that protecting wild places isn’t just a duty — it’s a privilege.
So whether you’re dancing at the concert, placing a bid in the auction, or simply cheering from afar, we invite you to be part of it.
Explore the full story and get involved:
WildlandsMusic.com →
Wildlands Auction Site →
Let’s raise a bid. Share a cause. And celebrate the wild — together.
