Jackson Hole is known for the millions of acres of public land, remote wilderness, towering peaks and untamed wildlife. But in the middle of this raw beauty and recreation paradise is a vibrant community of creative motivated people that come together to host some of the most fun and entertaining events in the country. Here is a partial list of some of the favorites. We could argue all day about which is the best event but it really is hard to choose making attending as many as possible the best strategy.
The best up to the date source for events in Jackson is JacksonHoleChamber.com. The information below is from their website and is subject to change so when making plans make sure to check on their site for any changes. The events below are only a few of the great events offered in Jackson Hole each summer (although the ones listed are definitely our favorites).
Jackson Hole Art Fair:“Established in 1965, Art Fair Jackson Hole (AFJH) brings diverse forms of art to a community that is rich in western history. Our summer Art Fairs are family-oriented events that feature up to 170 international, national and local artists, live music, food and snack booths and hands-on art activities. AFJH attracts enthusiastic members of the public from our immediate community and from across the nation who are interested in supporting the visual arts” This is a great event and fun time to be in town!
July 19-21 & August 16-18, 2013
Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.
Miller Park, corner of Millward Street and Deloney Avenue.
$3 per day for Art Association members $5 per day for non-members
Teton County Fair: July19 – 28, 2013 Who doesn’t love a good old country fair? This is a fun event filled with rodeos, rides, farm animals, demolition derbies, pig wresting and fireworks! This is a great family event and a must do for anyone coming to Jackson Hole during this week.
July 4th: This is probably my overall favorite holiday in Jackson Hole. If you are in Jackson over the 4th then even as the owner of an activity company I have to give you one piece of advice……don’t do any activities on the 4th in 2013! There is so much cool, fun and best of all free things to do in Jackson Hole that I have to recommend to stay in town and enjoy the festivities. Everything is family friendly and both tourists and locals alike will be out in the streets. Here is a schedule provided from the Jackson Hole Chamber’s website:
10:30am: Howdy Pardners 4th of July Parade – The annual parade begins on Snow King Avenue from the Rodeo Grounds to Glenwood, continues on Broadway, and ends on Willow Street. Businesses and organizations interested in participating should contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, 307.733.3316. Music, horses, clowns, roller skates, and classic cars will be among the ranks!
3:00pm-7:30pm: Music in the Hole 2013 will be held in two locations, the Teton Village Commons and Snow King Ballpark in Jackson. From 3:00-6:00pm there will be pre-symphony entertainment by local groups and popular bands. From 6:00-7:30pm the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra will perform a program of patriotic favorites in Walk Festival Hall with simultaneous broadcast via jumbotrons to both locations. Wyoming Public Radio concert simulcast throughout the state. At 7:30pm popular bands will take the stage followed by fireworks!
6:00pm: Town Square Shootout– Watch a lively reenactment of frontier justice on the Jackson Town Square in what is the longest, continuously running shootout show in the country!
8:00pm: Jackson Hole Rodeo – The rodeo is regularly held on each Wednesday and Saturday during the summer season at the Teton County Fairgrounds. The 4th of July Rodeo is a fine western tradition and a wonderful way to spend an evening as the sun sets over the Teton Range.
Fall Arts Festival: “The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is widely recognized as one of the premier cultural events in the Rocky Mountain West. Thousands of art enthusiasts are drawn each year to experience the diverse artwork and breathtaking natural surroundings that make Jackson Hole a leading cultural center. The 2013 Festival will take place September 5-15. Experience the world-class installments of contemporary, culinary, landscape, Native American, wildlife, and Western, arts. Visitors will appreciate the works of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists along with an exceptional array of art, music, cuisine, and wine. More than fifty events round out our eleven-day festival.”
Friday, September 6
21st Annual Western Design Conference Exhibit Sale
The world’s preeminent exhibition of western furniture, home accessories, and fashion, hosted by Teton Home and Living magazine. Brings together artists, scholars, collectors, interior designers, architects, and fashion designers with a passion for the West. Over 100 artisans display handcrafted functional art in leather, metal, accents, woodworking, jewelry, and fashion during the 3-day exhibit sale.The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am–5pm
Tickets at the door, $15
Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk
More than 30 art galleries open their doors to showcase magnificent art with food, wine and music!
Various locations, see gallery map, 5 – 8pm
Open to the public
Saturday, September 7
21st Annual Western Design Conference Exhibit Sale
The world’s preeminent exhibition of western furniture, home accessories, and fashion, hosted by Teton Home and Living magazine. Brings together artists, scholars, collectors, interior designers, architects, and fashion designers with a passion for the West. Over 100 artisans display handcrafted functional art in leather, metal, accents, woodworking, jewelry, and fashion during the 3-day exhibit sale.
The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am–5pm
Tickets at the door, $15
Studio Tours
Seven Westbank Artists invite you to visit their studios.Watch the art of blowing molten glass, hot metal forged, paint on canvass or wooden bowls. Each artist has their own unique studio and welcomes you to observe and ask questions on this day only.Pick up a post card with details and map to all seven studios at the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce or click here to download a handy pdf.
- Susan Thulin, Painting: 400 North Bar Y Road, 307.690.6266
- Charlie Thomas, Fine Woodworking: 800 Wenzel Lane in Wilson, 307.733.6121
- Margie Odell, Painting: 5445 Cottonwood Canyon Road, Wilson, 307.733.4360
- Amy Bright Unfried, Bronze Sculpture: 6245 West Wooded Hills Lane, Wilson, 307.733.4243
- Terry Chambers, Custom Iron Design: 2155 north Fish Creek Road, Wilson, 307.413.2289
- Meredith Campbell, Oil Painting: 2075 North Rendezvous Drive, Wilson, 307.690.1515
- Laurie Thal & Lia Kas, Glas Blowing Demonstrations: 3800 Linn Drive Wilson 307.733.5096
Historic Ranch Tours (This is a really unique opportunity to see some of the most historic ranches in Jackson Hole and learn about about the history of the valley from the people still living the western lifestyle)
Visit historic valley ranches, where Jackson Hole’s cowboy heritage still thrives. Start out at the Walton Ranch and then head to the Snake River Ranch. The tour is complete with cowboys, Western entertainment, and a good ol’ fashion barbeque. Hosted by Mountain Living magazine.
Busses leave Jackson’s Home Ranch parking lot at 2:00pm, $50
307.733.3316
Sunday, September 8
21st Annual Western Design Conference Exhibit Sale
The world’s preeminent exhibition of western furniture, home accessories, and fashion, hosted by Teton Home and Living magazine. Brings together artists, scholars, collectors, interior designers, architects, and fashion designers with a passion for the West. Over 100 artisans display handcrafted functional art in leather, metal, accents, woodworking, jewelry, and fashion during the 3-day exhibit sale. The Pavilion at Snow King Resort, 10am–5pm
Tickets at the door, $15
http://westerndesignconference.com/
14th Annual Takin’ It to the Streets
An open-air, juried art fair featuring 40 local artists, including some of Jackson’s finest, selling an array of fine artwork. Presented by the Jackson Hole Art Association (This is a really great event with both local food and local artists displaying art and flavor in Jackson Hole – if you are in town on this day make this a must try) Jackson Town Square, 10am – 4pm
Taste of the Tetons
Valley chefs, restaurants and caterers put their best culinary work on display for sampling. Also enjoy a wine tasting, silent auction, and the Howdy Pardners “Pickin’ in the Park” – musical entertainment by The Jackson Hole Cowboy Jubilee. Each taste ticket is $1.
Jackson Town Square, 11am – 4pm
Wednesday, September 11
Jewelry and Artisan Luncheon at Couloir
Enjoy an elegant luncheon at an exclusive destination. Preview and purchase handmade goods by premiere artisans of jewelry, fiber, leather, and other wearable art during this elegant event. This ladies-only event is kicks-off the Jewelry and Artisan portion of the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions® activities. The money raised from this fundraiser support the Education Programming at the Museum. Register by September 5, 2011 online or by calling 307-732-5412. Couloir Restaurant at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, 10:30 am – 3:30 pm.
$100 per person or $500 per person for a package including Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday plus other exclusive events. WesternVisions.org
Gallery Art Walk
Join more than 30 Jackson art galleries for the Third Thursdays Art Walk (moved to Wednesday evening for the week of the Fall Arts Festival). Enjoy fine art and experience the vibrant Jackson art scene. Look for the Art Walk banners!
Various locations – see gallery map, 5-8 pm
Open to the public
Thursday, September 12
Wild West Artist Party
As part of the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s 25th Annual Western Visions: Miniatures and More Show & Sale, artists and patrons have an opportunity to view the art, place their ballots, and mingle before the big sale. The money raised from this fundraiser support the Education Programming at the Museum. The Jewelry and Artisan Show & Sale, the Original Prints Show & Sale, and the Sketch Show & Sale are open to the public during this event and the artisans are in residence. The evening includes delicious fare, a full bar, and entertainment. Register by September 5, 2012 online or by calling 307-732-5412.
National Museum of Wildlife Art, 6:30 –10:30 pm.
$150 per person or $500 per person for a package including Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday plus other exclusive events. WesternVisions.org
Friday, September 13
26th Annual Western Visions®: Miniatures and More Show and Sale
This is the final opportunity to place your bid prior to the drawing that determines who is going home with a beautiful new work of art. The evening features refreshments and beverage, and most importantly, the names of the winning bidders are drawn. The money raised from this fundraiser support the Education Programming at the Museum. The Jewelry and Artisan Show & Sale, the Original Prints Show & Sale, and the Sketch Show & Sale will be on display and guests are invited to make purchases.
Register by September 5, 2012: this event sells out quickly! Call 307-732-5412 or visit our website.
National Museum of Wildlife Art, 3:30 – 8:00 pm.
$100 per person, $200 for a combo ticket for Thursday and Friday, or $500 per person for a package including Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Please view WesternVisions.org for a full listing of events.
Saturday, September 14
18th Annual Jackson Hole QuickDraw Art Sale and Auction
Nationally, regionally, and locally recognized artists paint and sculpt as spectators look on. The one-of a-kind artwork will be auctioned off following the hour-long creative process, along with the sale of the featured artwork of the 2013 Fall Arts Festival.
Jackson Town Square, 9:00 am
Open to the public and one of our favorite parts of the week. Come out and support the artists of the best Jackson Hole Galleries!
Sunday, September 15
Art Brunch Gallery Walk
Join Jackson’s 30 plus art galleries for brunch and festive beverages at this closing-day celebration of yet another superb Fall Arts Festival! Brunch, Bloody Marys and spectacular art…what an ending! (Super Fun!!)
Various locations, see gallery map, 11am – 3pm
