Here in the Mile High, the holidays don’t officially end until the Stock Show does. Whether it’s your first visit or your 80th, Denver’s annual National Western Stock Show is “the best 16 days in January.” For the 120th anniversary of this beloved local tradition, the event runs January 10-25. Here’s everything you need to know before you go:
🐂 The Kick-Off Parade
The iconic march of more than 100 Texas longhorns along 17th Street in downtown Denver is not to be missed. It’s the official start of the festivities. This year, the parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Thursday, Jan. 8, (tomorrow!) outside Union Station and end at Glenarm Place. Pete Coors is the 2026 Grand Marshal. After the parade, swing by McGregor Square for the Stock Show Fair from noon to 4 p.m.
🚘 Getting There
On-site parking near the grounds is free but limited (check out the lot map). Available on a first-come, first-served basis, you’ll want to arrive early to nab it.
Stock Show staff recommend parking at Coors Field, which is also free. A shuttle will run to the expo grounds every 20 minutes, and the lot is open from 8 a.m. until an hour after the last rodeo ends each day.
Planning to rideshare? There will be designated drop-off areas in front of the Coliseum and the National Western Complex. Going the public transit route? You’ll want to take RTD’s the N-Line, which has a stop at the National Western Center (48th and Brighton Boulevard).
Good to know: The National Western Center and the National Western Complex are not the same thing.
🎟️ Price of Admission
Grounds admission varies by day of the week, but ranges from $5-37 for adults (12+) and $2-9 for kids 3-11. A guest badge gets you admission for all 16 days and costs $88.
With grounds admission tickets you have access to peruse vendors, food stalls, and the Western Art Gallery, plus catch tons of free daily shows and demos. Ticketed specialty events, which include things like rodeos, horse shows, and bull riding, typically range in price from $30-$120.
Tickets can be purchased online or in-person. This year’s FREE Grounds Admissions Day is Tuesday, Jan. 13.
👜 What Can I Bring?
Outside food and beverages are expressly not allowed. (But trust us, there’s plenty to eat and drink there!) Bags and backpacks get the greenlight, but are subject to search. No animals except service animals are permitted. The space is accessible for strollers and wagons, but keep in mind that the place gets crowded.
🤠 What Should I Wear?
Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are a must, since much of the grounds are cold, drafty, and dirt- or straw-covered. Your best Western wear — cowboys boots, hats, ponchos, and fringe — is definitely encouraged.
✨ New This Year
The show will debut two new buildings on the National Western Center Campus: The Legacy, which will feature the Coors Western Art Exhibit and The Legacy Saloon, designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century watering hole, and the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, which houses expanded barns, new arenas, and the Coors Banquet Hall with indoor and outdoor seating.
Also don’t miss the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. at The Legacy, which will include a time capsule burial. The first 120 guests will receive a limited edition commemorative belt buckle.
