Western roundup of events where you can experience the Old West this November.
Adventure
Shade Hardy Ride
Morristown, AZ, October 28: This carriage ride offers a Western adventure that allows you to immerse yourself in Arizona’s territorial history.
602-710-4229 • ArizonaHorseCarriage.com
Art Shows
American Plains Artists Juried Exhibition & Sale
Las Cruces, NM, Opens August 3: View American Plains artworks sharing the region’s landscapes, wildlife, people and way of life.
575-522-4100 • NMFarmAndRanchMuseum.org
American Indian Art
Dallas, TX, November 13: Historical and collectible memorabilia up for bid includes American Indian art and frontier photographs.
877-437-4824 • HA.com
Artwalk Alpine
Alpine, TX, November 17-18: View historical and contemporary life in West Texas art, while local musicians serenade with live music.
432-837-3067 • ArtwalkAlpine.com
Cook-Offs
Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
Chandler, AZ, November 10-11: Authentic 1880s chuckwagons from around the Southwest compete to cook up the best meals fit for the trail.
480-782-2751 • ChandlerAZ.gov
Heritage Festivals
Death Valley ‘49ers Encampment
Furnace Creek, CA, November 5-12: Honors the spirit of the 1849 Gold Rush through music, an arts and crafts show, cowboy poetry and parades.
866-683-2948 • DeathValley49ers.org
Native Art Now! Exhibition
Indianapolis, IN, Opens November 11: Exhibits contemporary American Indian artworks, including the shown digital chromogenic print In-Between Worlds by Meryl McMaster.
317-275-1343 • EiteljorgMuseum.com
Cowboys on Main
Bandera, TX, November 18: Strolling entertainers and history re-enactors bring frontier Christmas to life in front of the county courthouse.
830-796-3045 • BanderaCowboyCapital.com
Wild West Days
Cave Creek, AZ, November 1-5: This celebration of the Wild West features mounted
shooting contests, costume competitions and live music.
480-437-1196 • WildWestDaysCaveCreek.com
Ranch Hand Festival
Kingsville, TX, November 18-19: This festival honors Kingsville’s rich cultural heritage as one of the mainstays of the Texas ranching industry.
800-333-5032 • RanchHandFestival.com
Holiday Festivals
Christmas in Lecompton
Lecompton, KS, November 1-30: View the roughly 120 Christmas trees featuring vintage decorations at the Territorial Capital Museum.
785-887-6148 • LecomptonKansas.com
Colorado Country Christmas
Denver, CO, November 3-5: Shop Colorado Country Christmas to find Old West offerings for the cowboy and cowgirl on your gift list.
800-521-7469 • ColoradoChristmasGiftShow.com
Polar Express
Rusk, TX, Opens November 11: Kids can read the story on this steam train journey from the Palestine depot to “North Pole” to meet Santa.
855-632-7729 • TexasStateRR.com
Starlight Parade
The Dalles, OR, November 24: This former fur trade town brings Cowboy Christmas to life with lighted parade floats and merry jingles.
541-296-2231 • TheDallesChamber.com
Hastings Celebration of Lights
Hastings, NE, November 16: The streets of downtown Hastings fill with carolers, entertainers and families taking carriage and pony rides.
800-967-2189 • HastingsDowntown.com
Santa’s Lighted Forest and North Pole Adventure
Georgetown, CO, Nov. 18- Dec. 31: Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and candy canes from Santa and his helpers aboard decorated train coaches.
888-456-6777 • GeorgetownLoopRR.com
Farolito Lighting and Pine Cone Ceremony
Morrison, CO, November 26: Experience the Southwestern tradition of lighting farolitos (paper lanterns) at Tesoro Cultural Center.
303-839-1671 • TesoroCulturalCenter.org
The Polar Express
Durango, CO, Opens November 19: This 1879 railroad offers kids a train ride that shares the classic Christmas tale on the way to Santa.
970-247-2733 • DurangoTrain.com
Sisters Holiday Celebration & Parade
Sisters, OR, November 24-25: Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony
and parade that features Santa and Mrs. Claus.
866-549-0252 • SistersCountry.com
North Pole Flyer
Austin, TX, Opens November 25: Ride from Cedar Park to Bertram inside train cars
decorated for the winter holiday season.
512-477-8468 • AustinSteamTrain.org
Christmas at Union Station
Omaha, NE, Opens November 27: A tradition since Union Station’s earliest years, this tree lighting ceremony includes a visit from Santa.
402-444-5071 • DurhamMuseum.org
Lecture
“Saving the Southern Plains Bison”
Canyon, TX, November 19: Donald Beard discusses North America’s bison history, the Goodnight herd and the future of the animals.
806-651-2244 • PanhandlePlains.org
Rodeo
WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo
Amarillo, TX, November 9-12: Top ranch teams compete in the world championship
hosted by Working Ranch Cowboys Association.
806-374-9722 • WRCA.org
Music Festivals
Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival
Wickenburg, AZ, November 10-12: Cowboys and cowgirls from across the country gather for outdoor performances of Bluegrass music.
928-684-5479 • WickenburgChamber.com