The wildlife show in Yellowstone is second to none, and no matter when you visit, you’ll get a front-row seat.

In June, animals of all stripes raise babies, from marmots to bighorn sheep to predators like grizzlies and badgers. In July, wolf pups venture to a “rendezvous site” where they spend most of summer with wolf babysitters. Grizzlies meander up to high mountain peaks searching for moths.

The thunderous bellows of bull bison boom as the bison rut ramps up every August, and great herds gather in Lamar and Hayden Valleys. A few weeks later, pronghorn mate. The high-pitched bugle of bull elk echoes across the land by the second week of September. Overhead, migratory hawks and eagles begin their winter travels south and west. Bears return to lower elevations.

As snow accumulates in October, male grizzlies follow wolf packs to steal a few more meals, while females search for a den location. Birds and mammals that stay the winter build up deep, warm coats. Deer and bighorn sheep are at the peak of their rut around Thanksgiving. Snowshoe hare, white-tailed jackrabbits and weasels trade their brown summer fur for coats of white.

Read more about year-round wildlife watching here.

In June, animals of all stripes raise babies, from bison to bighorn sheep to predators like grizzlies and badgers. Photo courtesy Yellowstone National Park Lodges

For more information on Yellowstone National Park Lodges, visit YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.

50th Anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant (De Smet)

Dates: July  9-11, July 16-18 and July 23-25, 2021; July 8-10, July 15-17 and July 22-24, 2022
Website: http://www.desmetpageant.org/

50th Annual Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo (Mitchell)

Date: July 13-18, 2021
Website: https://www.cornpalacestampede.com/index.php

81st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Sturgis)

Dates: August 6-15, 2021; August 6-15, 2022
Website: https://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/index.php?page=home

Riverboat Days (Yankton)

Date: August 20-22, 2021
Website: https://riverboatdays.com/

South Dakota State Fair (Huron)

Date: September 2-6, 2021
Website: https://www.sdstatefair.com/

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival (Custer)

Dates: September 24-25, 2021; September 30-October 1, 2022
Website: https://gfp.sd.gov/buffalo-roundup/

Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarch (Custer)

Dates: September 26, 2021; June 4-5 and September 25, 2022
Website: https://crazyhorsememorial.org/visit/special-events/volksmarch

Annual Black Hills Powwow and Art Market (Rapid City)

Date: October 8-10, 2021
Website: https://www.blackhillspowwow.com/ 

Christmas at the Capital (Pierre)

Date: November 24, 2021-January 2, 2022
Website: https://christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov/events.aspx

Annual Black Hills Stockshow & Rodeo (Rapid City)

Date: January 28, 2021-February 6, 2022
Website: https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/

Take in carnival rides, food vendors, a chainsaw sculpting demo and much more at Riverboat Days in Yankton, South Dakota, set for August 20-22, 2021. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism

These events are annual and fall on similar dates each year. For additional information on each event, please visit the website or contact the Global Travel & Trade Team at the Department of Tourism.  For more South Dakota event listings, visit https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/things-to-do/events

For more information on South Dakota, visit TravelSouthDakota.com.

*At this time, most locations do not have COVID-19 protocols. Contact each venue for up-to-date information.

Summer Nights (May-August): Weekly downtown concert series with live music and street vendors.

Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony (May-September): View America’s Shrine of Democracy after sunset and listen to a park ranger speak about the monument’s history.

Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarches (June and September): Bi-annual 10K to the arm of the world’s largest mountain-carving-in-progress.

Hills Alive Summer Music Festival (July): Music festival featuring the best of Christian artists on two stages over two days.

Kool Deadwood Nights (August): Rock ‘n’ roll Main Street experience with classic cars, classic music and a parade.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (August): The world’s largest motorcycle rally, including scenic rides, concerts, entertainment and street food.

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival (September): Cowboys, cowgirls and park rangers round up a herd of over 1,300 buffalo. Pair with Custer State Park’s three-day Arts Festival.

Pumpkin Festival (September): Downtown Rapid City’s biggest festival, featuring pumpkin catapults and weigh-offs, vendors and more.

Bierbörse Festival (October): Beer stock exchange, activities and polka music.

Black Hills Powwow (October): Native American dancers and drum groups gather for one of the nation’s largest powwows.

Native American dancers and drum groups gather for one of the nation’s largest powwows at the Black Hills Powwow each October in Rapid City. Photo courtesy South Dakota Tourism

For more information on Rapid City, visit VisitRapidCity.com.

A visit to North Dakota would not be complete without hitting some of our unique events and activities. As we emerge from the worldwide pandemic, events that have come to symbolize North Dakota are coming back to our great outdoors.

The Fargo AirSho (July 24-25) attracts 30,000 people to marvel at the precision flying of the Navy’s Blue Angels and other aerial shows and static aircraft displays.

Back on the ground, Jamestown’s Fort Seward Wagon Train allows guests to experience a week on the trail like early European settlers crossing the prairie. There, they encountered Native Americans who had lived for generation on the Northern Plains.

Find out more about the colorful history and culture of the tribes that inhabited North Dakota at the MHA Nation Interpretive Center in New Town, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Heritage Center in Belcourt and the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck.

Powwows and rodeos were fixtures in the Old West, and they remain important to North Dakota today. Can’t-miss events include the United Tribes International Powwow in Bismarck, July Fourth’s Mandan Rodeo Days, the Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo and Roughrider Days Rodeo in Dickinson.

Experience a week on the trail like early European settlers crossing the prairie with The Fort Seward Wagon Train. Photo courtesy Lisa Lang

For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.

Red Ants Pants Music Festival is held over three days in late July in a cow pasture in White Sulphur Springs. It has grown to become one of Montana’s larger music festivals.

Little Bighorn Days takes place over four days in late June in Hardin and includes the Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment. It celebrates sights and sounds of the past and includes living history, an art exhibit, ethnic foods and even a rodeo.

The Lewis & Clark Festival in Great Falls highlights events of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, including reenactors in historic dress, teepees in a Native encampment, Native American dancers and drummers, and live music. Held in early July.

Livingston Roundup Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos in Montana and is held in a charming small town near the Yellowstone River. Held July 2-4 every year, this family-friendly event offers all the traditional competitive events like bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing and steer wrestling.

Dillon’s historic Bannack Days, held the third weekend of July, celebrates pioneer days and this ghost town’s 18th-century gold mining history.

Music and nature lovers are drawn to scenic Seeley Lake’s Bob Marshall Music Festival each year in early August.

Dillon’s historic Bannack Days, held the third weekend of July, celebrates pioneer days and this ghost town’s 18th-century gold mining history. Photo courtesy Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.

If you’re looking for unique activities to delight a variety of ages and interests, consider these Idaho events restarting in 2021 and 2022.

Treefort Music Fest: Boise

The Treefort Music Fest makes its return with two festivals within six months. This popular event brings artists representing nearly every genre of music and highlights film, food, beer, yoga, art and more. Spring 2022 will be Treefort’s 10th anniversary — a celebration you won’t want to miss. Find festival COVID-19 protocols here. September 22-26, 2021, and March 23-27, 2022

Trailing of the Sheep: Sun Valley, Ketchum & Hailey

Experience the history of sheepherding in Idaho at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. This festival honors the autumn migration of sheep from their mountain ranges to lower-elevation pastures for winter and showcases Basque food, music, dancing and art. October 6-10, 2021, and October 5-9, 2022

Jaialdi: Boise

Idaho is home to the largest concentration of Basques per capita in the U.S.; and when it comes to celebrating their culture, the Basques know how to throw a party. Jaialdi is a six-day festival held every five years, and attendees are treated to authentic Basque food, music, games, performances and so much more. July 26-31, 2022

Idaho is home to the largest concentration of Basques per capita in the U.S., and their six-day Jaialdi festival is not to be missed! Photo courtesy Aaron Ridriguez

For more information on Idaho, visit VisitIdaho.org.

We are excited to welcome back some signature events to Western Montana’s Glacier Country in 2021. Following is a list of a few key festivals and events and a link to their websites for more information. For a more extensive look at what’s happening in our neck of the woods this summer, here is our full calendar of events.

There will be concerts at the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Missoula, Montana, throughout the summer. Photo courtesy Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Fargo has always been a happening place, and 2021 is going to be no different. Kicking the summer off is Ribfest (June 6-11),  an event full of delicious ribs, live music and ice-cold beer at the FARGODOME.

July is bustling with the Red River Valley Fair (July 9-18) and the Downtown Fargo Street Fair (July 15-17), and Red River Market also happens throughout the summer on Saturdays starting in July. And the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron takes to the skies to show off their skills during the Fargo AirSho (July 24-25).

The inaugural Craft Beer & Cider Festival (August 21-22) at Broadway Square will let you taste a variety of craft beverages from local favorites. The next weekend, Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead hosts the Sister Cities Smoke Out, where you can enjoy hot BBQ, beer and live music on the banks of the Red River (August 28-29).

This year, the Fargo Marathon (September 25) takes place in the fall with the same flat roads and 50-plus bands along the course that make it one of the best small-town races. Later into the fall,  German-style market Christkindlmarkt (November 18-21) will take place in downtown Fargo at Broadway Square.

German-style market Christkindlmarkt will take place November 18-21 in downtown Fargo at Broadway Square. Photo courtesy Visit Fargo-Moorhead

For more information on Fargo-Moorhead, visit www.VisitFargoMoorhead.org.

From stages and arenas to sports and art, Denver’s upcoming events and festivals mean it’s the perfect year-round destination. World-class exhibitions are always on view at cultural attractions like the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens and the new, mind-bending Meow Wolf (opening fall 2021).

Catch professional sports games including hockey, soccer, baseball, football and basketball. The Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets all call Denver home!

Outdoor concerts ramp up in June at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, with more than 70 events announced already. Live out loud during Denver PrideFest, which celebrates the LGBTQ community, June 26-27. Savor samples from the best chefs and eateries in the state at A Taste of Colorado in downtown Denver September 4-6.

Make a toast to craft beer during Denver Beer Week (September 10-18), and in 2022, the largest beer competition in the world, the Great American Beer Festival, returns to The Mile High City. During the holidays, Denver sparkles and shines with lights extravaganzas throughout the city.

See how the city’s businesses are working to keep everyone healthy during these events on our Clean & Safe Resource Guide.

Outdoor concerts ramp up in June at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, with more than 70 events announced already. Photo courtesy Colorado.Josh

For more information on the Official Gateway City of Denver, visit VisitDenver.com.

 

Cheyenne, Wyoming, is open for business and ready to welcome you back when you’re ready to visit us! We have a full slate of events this summer to enjoy.

The 125th Daddy of ’em All, Cheyenne Frontier Days, returns after a one-year hiatus. The world’s largest outdoor rodeo and celebration of Western history and culture features nine PRCA rodeos and nine nights of musical and professional bull riding entertainment, along with an Indian Village, pancake breakfasts and parades. This year’s celebration is July 23-August 1.

The Wyoming Brewers Festival takes place every year on Father’s Day weekend. The 25th edition of the festival this summer features 25 craft breweries, live music and fun in the Cheyenne Depot Plaza.

The Hell on Wheels Rodeo and Chuck Wagon Dinner series is back for its second year, featuring an intimate rodeo setting and an authentic chuckwagon dinner to provide a true Western experience.

And the live music scene in Cheyenne is on fire! Several venues are open with concerts throughout the summer. With genres from Americana to punk to rock and country, a show for every taste can be found in Cheyenne this year.

The 125th Daddy of ’em All, Cheyenne Frontier Days, returns after a one-year hiatus July 23-August 1. The world’s largest outdoor rodeo and celebration of Western history and culture features nine PRCA rodeos and nine nights of musical and professional bull riding entertainment, along with an Indian Village, pancake breakfasts and parades.. Photo courtesy Visit Cheyenne

For more information on Cheyenne, visit Cheyenne.org.