Music
Symphony Under the Stars 2027
Symphony Under the Stars is a free outdoor concert the Helena Symphony and Carroll College have staged on Guadalupe Lawn every summer since 2004.
When
Expected Saturday, July 17, 2027
Not announced yet — our estimate from previous years. It usually falls mid-to-late July, one Saturday evening.
Where
Carroll College (Guadalupe Lawn / "Guad Hill")
1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, MT 59625
Cost
Free general lawn admission. Limited reserved front-stage seats $50 each plus fees (sold out for 2026). Friday blanket-placement spot before 5pm requires a $5 donation; after 5pm it's free.
By Helena Symphony and Carroll College
About Symphony Under the Stars
Symphony Under the Stars is a free outdoor concert presented jointly by the Helena Symphony and Carroll College on Guadalupe Lawn, known locally as Guad Hill. The tradition began in 2004; the 2026 concert is its 22nd annual staging. The Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, conducted by Allan R. Scott, performs a program that mixes patriotic standards like The Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful with pop and soul arrangements; the 2026 program features guest vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw and closes with fireworks during the final number. Attendance estimates from organizers and local coverage range from about 15,000 to 18,000 people, making it one of the largest single-day gatherings in Montana.
The 2026 concert is Saturday, July 18, starting at 8:30pm. Because lawn space fills up, Carroll College opens the grounds the Friday before for blanket placement: spots claimed 3-5pm require a $5 donation, spots claimed after 5pm are free, and by Friday evening organizers report 85-90% of the lawn already covered in blankets. General admission is free; a small number of reserved front-stage seats sell for $50 and sold out for 2026. Free shuttles run 6:00-8:15pm from off-site lots at the Great Northern Town Center, Centennial Park and the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds. Attendees can bring blankets, picnic food and non-alcoholic drinks; grills, tents, canopies, pets (except service animals) and drones are not allowed, and vendors sell beer, wine, desserts and dinner items on-site.
What happens
- Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale performing a full outdoor pops-style program
- Guest vocalists (2026: Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw)
- Fireworks during the closing number
- Overnight-blanket lawn tradition the Friday before the concert
- Free shuttle service from three off-site parking lots
Tips
- Claim your lawn spot the Friday before, after 5pm it's free, 3-5pm costs a $5 donation, and the lawn fills up fast
- Take the free shuttle from Great Northern Town Center, Centennial Park or the fairgrounds rather than trying to park on campus
- Grills, tents/canopies (without prior approval), tent stakes and drones are banned, bring a blanket and canned goods to weigh it down instead
- Beer and wine are sold on-site, but you can also bring your own picnic dinner
Symphony Under the Stars FAQ
- when is symphony under the stars 2026
- Saturday, July 18, 2026, starting at 8:30pm on Carroll College's Guadalupe Lawn in Helena.
- is symphony under the stars free
- Yes, general lawn admission is free. A limited number of $50 reserved front-stage seats are also offered and typically sell out.
- how do you get a good spot at symphony under the stars
- Carroll College opens the lawn for blanket placement the Friday before the concert, 3-5pm requires a $5 donation, after 5pm is free, and most of the lawn is already covered by Friday evening.
- where do you park for symphony under the stars
- Free shuttles run 6:00-8:15pm from off-site lots at the Great Northern Town Center, Centennial Park and the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds; on-campus parking near the PE Center is reserved for sponsors, musicians and accessible-permit holders.
- does symphony under the stars have fireworks
- Yes, fireworks go off during the concert's final number.
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