No city embodies the Spirit of the West better than Denver. And that’s on full display each year in January, during the National Western Stock Show, with more than 20,000 animals on display.
This year’s fest is taking place from Saturday through Sunday, January 11th – 26th, 2025. The National Western is the world’s largest stock show and has grown massively since the first year the event was held in 1906.
The show started at the turn of the century as a way for Colorado ranchers to showcase their prized pigs and share new breeding and farming techniques with fellow ranchers. But the show quickly grew into one of the biggest fairs in the West.
Today, the Stock Show is larger than life, just like the Old West. During the month-long event, cowboys and cowgirls from across the West and beyond pour into Denver to compete in rodeos, equestrian events, stock shows, BBQ competitions, and more. The stock show lasts nearly the entire month of January and there are events each day of the week.
For instance, you can catch a rodeo or horse show featuring some of the best professional athletes from around the world on almost any day. But if rodeos aren’t your cup of cowboy tea, you’re bound to find something interesting in any one of the hundreds of vendor booths.
The great news: The majority of events are held right by Downtown Denver at the National Western Complex, as well as at the neighboring Denver Coliseum, and the cost of admission into the grounds won’t set you back too much either.
Festival Highlights
So what should you make sure to see this year? Here are a few don’t-miss events at the National Stock Show:
Kick-Off Parade
Each year, the National Western Stock Show gets started with a big bang parade that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There are marching bands, floats, and other standard parade fares, but it also pays homage to the past in a big way.
More than 100 Texas longhorns are driven through the streets of Downtown Denver, along the route from Union Station down 17th Street. It’s a blast from Denver’s cowtown past, and it’s a bit surreal to behold: a stampede of bulls clomping down the skyscraper-lined streets.
Mutton Bustin’
Mutton Bustin’ is a fan favorite every year, and even better, it’s included with your admission price. But what is Mutton Bustin’ exactly? It’s like junior bull riding, but instead of bulls and bull riders, it’s 5-7-year-olds holding on for dear life on the backs of sheep. Hands down, it’s great entertainment for the whole family.
RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining
Outside of the horse world, Freestyle Reining isn’t a well-known event, but it’s massively entertaining. Essentially, the event is a choreographed routine, but the cowboys and cowgirls work music, costumes, and horseback riding tricks into their allotted time to woo the judges.
It’s like figure skating, but on horseback, and it’s entertaining even if you’ve never ridden a horse in your life.
PBR Bull Riding
Bull Riding is the quintessential rodeo event, and no one does it better than the riders on the PBR tour. There’s no greater thrill at the National Western than watching the best riders holding on for a long 8 seconds on the back of 2,000-pound bulls. It’s a fierce, edge-of-your-seat competition, and one of the best to see.
The 2023 National Western Stock Show kicks off with the Free Parade for all in Downtown Denver, with events following through the 22nd at the National Western Complex. Tickets are available online and at the gates. Some events require grandstand tickets, as well. Enjoy the show!
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Details
Address: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 866-627-0083
Date: Saturday – Sunday, January 11 – 26, 2025
Cost: Free and Paid
Website: nationalwestern.com