when is septemberfest helena 2026

SeptemberFest 2026 was September 11-13 in downtown Helena. The 2025 edition was September 12-14, so it lands on the second weekend of September.

when is the helena soap box derby

The derby races are the Saturday of SeptemberFest, roughly 1 to 4:30pm, with a car show on the Walking Mall the Friday evening before.

where is the soap box derby in helena

Cars start on Cruse Avenue next to the Chamber building, turn onto 6th Avenue and race down the hill to the Last Chance Gulch Walking Mall.

how much does septemberfest cost

It is free to attend, and derby registration is free with donations to United Way encouraged.

how do i enter the helena soap box derby

Teams of up to three (one racer, two pushers) pre-register on septemberfestderby.com. The 2026 deadline was September 4. Cars must be non-motorized with at least four wheels, working brakes and steering, at most 5 feet wide, 8 feet tall and 9 feet long, and no more than 300 pounds without the driver.

Family

SeptemberFest 2027

Homemade soap box cars race down the 6th Avenue hill to the Walking Mall while giant balloon sculptures line downtown for the weekend.

When

Expected Friday, September 10, 2027 – Sunday, September 12, 2027

Not announced yet — our estimate from previous years. It usually falls second weekend of September, Friday through Sunday.

Where

Downtown Helena

Last Chance Gulch Walking Mall and the 6th Avenue hill, Helena, MT 59601

Cost

Free. Derby race registration is free with donations to United Way encouraged; racers must pre-register.

By Downtown Helena (Helena Business Improvement District), with United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area

About SeptemberFest

SeptemberFest is a free downtown weekend that rolls three events into one: the soap box derby, the Sauter Balloons sculpture fest and United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area's Family Fun Fest. Each year has a theme that the derby cars and balloon sculptures are built around, Dinosaurs Take Over Downtown in 2025 and Gulch Goes Galactic in 2026. Money raised goes to United Way and its partner nonprofits. The 2026 edition, September 11-13, was the sixth.

Friday evening is the derby car show on the Walking Mall, 4 to 8pm in 2026, with live music and food trucks. Saturday starts with the 1K for United Way donut fun run at 11am, then the derby races from about 1 to 4:30pm. Cars start on Cruse Avenue next to the Chamber building, take a hard left onto 6th Avenue and run down the hill to the Walking Mall, with an awards ceremony afterward in front of Ten Mile Creek Brewery. Balloon sculptures stand around downtown all weekend for a scavenger hunt, and on Sunday evening they come down at a balloon popping party.

What happens

Soap box derby down the 6th Avenue hill to the Walking Mall on Saturday afternoon
Derby car show with live music and food trucks on the Walking Mall Friday evening
Giant themed balloon sculptures placed around downtown all weekend, with a scavenger hunt
1K donut fun run for United Way on Saturday morning
Balloon popping party in front of Ten Mile Creek Brewery on Sunday evening

Tips

For the races, find a spot along 6th Avenue between Cruse Avenue and the Walking Mall on Saturday afternoon
Come Friday evening to see the cars up close before they race
Building a car? Registration is free but closes about a week before the event, and cars must be non-motorized, have four wheels, working brakes and steering, and weigh no more than 300 pounds
Racers need full protective gear: helmet, goggles, gloves, long pants and long sleeves

Official site & tickets →

SeptemberFest FAQ

when is septemberfest helena 2026: SeptemberFest 2026 was September 11-13 in downtown Helena. The 2025 edition was September 12-14, so it lands on the second weekend of September.
when is the helena soap box derby: The derby races are the Saturday of SeptemberFest, roughly 1 to 4:30pm, with a car show on the Walking Mall the Friday evening before.
where is the soap box derby in helena: Cars start on Cruse Avenue next to the Chamber building, turn onto 6th Avenue and race down the hill to the Last Chance Gulch Walking Mall.
how much does septemberfest cost: It is free to attend, and derby registration is free with donations to United Way encouraged.
how do i enter the helena soap box derby: Teams of up to three (one racer, two pushers) pre-register on septemberfestderby.com. The 2026 deadline was September 4. Cars must be non-motorized with at least four wheels, working brakes and steering, at most 5 feet wide, 8 feet tall and 9 feet long, and no more than 300 pounds without the driver.

Events at Downtown Helena More family in Helena