It’s not hard to catch a good show in Northwest Montana. Between world-famous comedians and Grammy-winning artists — the options just keep coming in 2026.  

At the Wachholz College Center, Director Matt Laughlin said there’s a never-ending list of acts targeted to one day make it to Kalispell to perform on stage at McClaren Hall on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College.  

“I always think of what we do as having a bunch of fishing lines out in the water. We got this one or this one, and we’ll try to reel them in, whether it's this year or next year or future years,” Laughlin said.  

The Wachholz is the performance home of the Glacier Symphony Orchestra. The symphony will be performing a grand concert version of “West Side Story” alongside the Alpine Theater Project on Jan. 17 and 18.  

The symphony will also perform “Mahler 3: What Love Tells Me” on Valentine’s Day. According to the Wachholz College Center’s website, Mahler’s Third Symphony has “long been considered the ultimate attempt by a composer to attempt to express, in personal musical terms, the entire scope of human life and the natural world.” 

There are plenty of global performers and shows on the schedule, including Las Guaracheras, an all-female Latin Music sextet from Cali, Colombia, set to perform. The group performs Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as salsa, and music from the Pacific region of Colombia. Their compositions and lyrics revolve around the revindication and recognition of the role of women in the music industry, according to the Wachholz College Center’s website. 

Liz Leary, marketing and communications manager for the Wachholz, said it’s nice to be able to bring music from all corners of the globe to the region. 

“They're really amazing. The tickets are really affordable and they're including a percussion workshop with the performance. They have an incredible mission and a really unique sound,” Leary said.  

The salsa and percussion workshop starts at 5:15 and will wrap up by 6:30 p.m. ahead of the performance on Jan. 15. 

The Eli Young Band will be playing at the Wachholz on April 14. The chart-topping country band brings hits such as “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Crazy Girl” to the stage. 

TikTok sensation and crooner Stella Cole is coming to the Wachholz on Feb. 4, followed by The Vitamin String Quartet on Feb. 10. 

Some exciting acts are coming to the Wachholz in the spring and summer.  

Multi-Grammy nominee and wetlands activist Tab Benoit brings his high-energy “Soul of the Swamp Tour 2026” to Kalispell on June 5. Known for his passionate performances and deep-rooted connection to the swamp, Benoit is a true master of his craft, boasting over 20 releases that showcase his unique artistry, according to event organizers.  

Tickets are on sale for Killer Queen, a Queen tribute band performing on July 24. The UK-based band formed in 1993 and has been captivating audiences around the globe with its thrilling performances that echo the energy of Queen’s legendary live shows, according to the Wachholz’s website. 

ALONG WITH great musical acts, it’s important to find educational programming for the Wachholz, Leary said. The Changemaker Speaker Series this year features Anand Varma, a biologist-turned photographer who has unlocked the mysteries of nature through cutting-edge photography techniques. In his Berkeley-based WonderLab, Varma’s images and videos reveal the hidden worlds that exist just outside of our perception.  

Varma’s speaking at the college on Feb. 3, and students of all grade levels can attend for free.  

Laughlin said he’s noticed that comedy acts always bring in a decent crowd. Legendary comedian Tig Notaro is coming to Kalispell on June 11 for her “Out of Nowhere!” tour, with limited tickets currently available. She’s an Emmy, Grammy, WGA and SAG Award-nominated comedian, actor, writer, director, producer and podcast host—also named one of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time by Rolling Stone.  

Catch “A Night of Comedy with 321Improv” on Feb. 27, which will also serve as a fundraiser benefiting Trinity Lutheran School. The group promises a “a unique, interactive family-friendly comedy experience.” 

“I always try to get more comedy here, because the ones that we've had pretty much sold out or sold really well,” Laughlin said.  

The season of shows at the Wachholz aligns primarily with the school year, Laughlin said. Residents and visitors alike take to the mountains in the summertime, and there are lots of other events happening around the valley at that time. 

WHILE THE summertime slows things down at the Wachholz, it only speeds up for other concerts coming to the Flathead Valley. 

The popular Under the Big Sky festival returns in July, offering a lineup of some of the biggest names in country music. This year’s headliners include Chris Stapleton, Zach Top and Cody Jinks, according to organizers Outriders Present. 

Though Under the Big Sky also has acts from indie rock, bluegrass and folk — next year’s headliners are pure country. Stapleton brings his soulful voice and Grammy award-winning music to the festival for the first time, which typically sees around 20,000 attendees each year. This year’s festival runs July 17, 18 and 19.  

Stapleton, who started as a songwriter, became a household name after his 2015 debut album “Traveller” burst onto the scene, according to the Recording Academy. “Tennessee Whiskey,” a track from the album, reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. He will play on Sunday, July 19.  

Zach Top plays Saturday, returning to the Under the Big Sky stage with his throwback twang — hitting the road after his third album “Ain’t In It For My Health" was released in 2025. Top’s sound is reminiscent of the best that country music from the '80s and '90s had to offer, all the way down to his white cowboy hat and thick mustache.  

Cody Jinks is a “Texan outlaw powerhouse” beloved for his gritty storytelling, according to festival organizers. Headlining Friday’s show, his honest songwriting and edgy sound are Western through and through. 

Other acts coming to the festival include folk legends Of Monsters and Men, Americana string veterans Old Crow Medicine Show, panhandle rockers Rattlesnake Milk, Canadian indie-folk duo Ocie Elliott and the rootsy Appalachia artist Cole Chaney. 

Attendees can also expect to hear harmonies from the Brudi Brothers, spirited songs from Greensky Bluegrass and Gabriella Rose’s crooning voice.  

The festival will also feature Flathead-based acts like Archertown, Hannah King, Michelle Rivers, Radio Ranch and Tomara. The Flathead Valley musicians will be complemented by Missoula’s bluegrass favorite Blue Point and emerging force Kyle Hunter Band as well as Bozeman’s beloved Madeline Hawthorne, according to festival organizers. 

The summer is also a great time to catch a show from a local musician, as many of them are in full swing during that season. Along with acts from the area, new venues like Scout and Gather in Columbia Falls have been putting on big shows over the last couple of years. 

Other venues to keep an eye on next summer include Happy’s Inn on U.S. 2 between Libby and Kalispell, which typically hosts a list of concerts during the summer, and the Glacier Bank Park, home to the Glacier Range Riders, which hosted its first stadium concert in 2025.  

To see upcoming shows all across the region, check out the Daily Inter Lake’s event calendar at dailyinterlake.com/events/.  

Reporter Taylor Inman may be reached at 758-4440 or [email protected].