Whether you consider yourself a rough-and-tumble cowboy or more of a city slicker, the National Western Stock Show is a beloved Colorado tradition that should be on your calendar in January. This year marks the 119th year of the annual 16-day tradition, which features a wide variety of ways to celebrate Western heritage.
“Each January, downtown Denver transforms into a living celebration of our Western roots,” says Paul Andrews, president and chief executive officer of the National Western Stock Show.
The festivities kick off at noon on January 9, with the historic Stock Show Kick-Off Parade. This year, Kathy Sabine—chief meteorologist at 9News—is serving as the parade’s grand marshal.
The parade begins outside Union Station and will march 12 blocks down 17th Street to Glenarm Place. Expect to see more than 30 Longhorn cattle, horses and western wagons sauntering through the streets of downtown Denver. Afterward, head to the Stock Show Fair at McGregor Square, which features a food market, western royalty and McNicholas Miniatures therapy horses.
“The National Western Stock Show is an event that’s so dear to my heart,” says Sabine. “Growing up with horses and a love for the outdoors, I can’t think of a more fitting way to kick off an event that celebrates everything I cherish about western culture and agriculture.”
Then, at 9 a.m. on January 11, the doors officially open at the National Western Complex. You can enjoy more than 300 events and activities through January 26, including nearly 30 professional rodeo performances. Highlights include the Ranch Rodeo, the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, PBR Bull Riding and the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo.
Admire stunning works of contemporary Western art at the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, an annual event and gallery exhibition that’s been running since 1993. Or, attend one of the world-class horse shows or the “Super Bowl” of livestock shows, where grand champion livestock get crowned inside the 1909 Stadium Arena.
In between, be sure to make time for eating, drinking and shopping. Belly up to the legendary Coors Cowboy Bar in the lower barns of the Expo Hall, then wander through the Chevy Truck display in the Hall of Education. Got little ones in tow? Make a beeline for the Petting Farm.
Other highlights include mutton bustin’, the Colorado Fiddle Championships, stock dog trials, live musical performances, the Westernaires trick & fancy ropers, stick horse rodeos, folkloric dancers, square dancing demonstrations and much, much more. Check out the full schedule of events online.
Admission to the grounds are $17-$25 for adults, $4-5 for kids 3-11 and free for kids 2 and under. Pricing varies depending on the day of the week. Some events and activities require the purchase of tickets, including the horse and family shows and the rodeos. Want to attend on multiple days? There’s also an $88 guest badge, which is good for grounds admission for all 16 days of the stock show.
Consider taking public transit or using a ride-share app to attend, as parking tends to fill up quickly. The RTD N-Line stops nearby, and there’s a designated Lyft or Uber drop-off area in front of the Denver Coliseum.
If you decide to drive, it’s best to head to the free parking lots at Coors Field, then hop on a free shuttle to the National Western Complex.
In addition to making a $171 million economic impact on the Denver metro area, the stock show raises money for the National Western Scholarship Trust. The trust awards more than 100 scholarships totaling more than $550,000 each year to students pursuing careers in agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary sciences.
