Western Events for December 2016

Western roundup of events where you can experience the Old West!

ART

Power and Prestige: Headdress of the American Plains
Oklahoma City, OK, Through May 14, 2017: View an extensive collection of American Indian war bonnets while learning about the history of these emblematic items.
405-478-2250 • NationalCowboyMuseum.org

AUCTION

Premier Firearms Auction
Online, December 2-4: Collectible weapons are up for bid by the world’s leading auction house for historical firearms and military artifacts.
800-238-8022 • RockIslandAuction.com

HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Red Rock Balloon Rally
Gallup, NM, December 2-4: Watch hot air balloons glow above the rocks at this festival that also features Indian dances and a parade.
1-800-242-4282 • RedRockBalloonRally.com

HOLIDAY FESTIVALS

Christmas in Old Dodge City
Dodge City, KS, Through December 25: This 1872 cowtown celebrates with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a chili cook-off and a light parade.
800-653-9378 • VisitDodgeCity.org

Country Christmas
Las Vegas, NV, December 1-10: More than 400 vendors, exhibitors and retailers have their finest Cowboy Christmas gifts on display.
817-599-7664 • CountryChristmas.com

Santa’s North Pole Adventure
Georgetown, CO, December 1-31: Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and candy canes with Santa and his helpers aboard decorated train coaches.
888-456-6777 • GeorgetownLoopRR.com

Christmas at Old Fort Concho
San Angelo, TX, December 2-4: This 1867 fort celebrates the different cultures of Texas with living history and 1800s holiday entertainment.
325-657-4441 • FortConcho.com

Christmas At The Cody’s
North Platte, NE, December 2 – 23: Celebrate the holidays in Buffalo Bill Cody’s 1886 mansion, featuring caroling and horse-drawn rides.
308-535-0835 • VisitNorthPlatte.com

Community Christmas Parade
Pecos, TX, December 3: Watch a Christmas parade, with brightly decorated floats and live music, in the town that boasts hosting the world’s first rodeo, in 1883.
432-445-2406 • VisitPecos.com

Frontier Christmas at Sharlot Hall
Prescott, AZ, December 3: Living history actors recount what Christmas was like
in the territorial past.
928-445-3122 • Sharlot.org

Prescott Courthouse Christmas Lighting
Prescott, AZ, December 3: “Arizona’s Christmas City” kicks off the holidays with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus.
928-777-1100 • Visit-Prescott.com

High Plains Christmas
Gering, NE, December 3: This High Plains holiday gathering features hay rides, marsh-mallow roasts and bonfire cowboy coffee.
308-436-1989 • LegacyOfThePlains.org

Christmas Past and Present
Grand Island, NE, December 3 & 11: This lamp-lit tour of Railroad Town offers live music in a festive celebration of the spirit of Christmas.
308-385-5316 • StuhrMuseum.org

Cowboys on Main
Bandera, TX, December 3-31: Strolling entertainers and history re-enactors bring frontier Christmas to life in front of the county courthouse.
830-796-4447 • BanderaCowboyCapital.com

Christmas Open House
Canyon, TX, December 4: History re-enactors open up Pioneer Town for an
1890s holiday celebration featuring live music and storytelling.
806-651-2244 • PanhandlePlains.org

Light of the World Christmas Pageant
Minden, NE, December 4 & 11: Minden celebrates “100 Years of Lights” with
15,000 lights strung throughout downtown.
308-832-1811 • MindenNE.org

Cowboy Capital Christmas
Bandera, TX, December 6: The self-proclaimed “Cowboy Capital of the World” celebrates with a parade, living nativity and re-enactments.
800-364-3833 • BanderaCowboyCapital.com

Wickenburg Christmas Parade of Lights
Wickenburg, AZ, December 9: Colorfully-lit floats parade through the streets while Santa and Mrs. Claus ride through historic downtown.
928-684-5479 • WickenburgChamber.com

Fort Larned Christmas Open House
Larned, KS, December 10: Travel back to Fort Larned in 1859 for an old-fashioned Yuletide celebration with Christmas carols and hot cider.
620-285-6911 • NPS.gov/fols

Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee
Durango, CO, December 17: Country crooners perform their traditional Christmas show with Western music and poetry and humor.
970-247-3500 • DurangoConcerts.com

LuminarIa Tour
Albuquerque, NM, December 24: Tour the glowing streets of Old Town Albuquerque as they are lit with beautiful holiday luminarias.
505-768-4575 • CABQ.gov

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade
Taos, NM, December 31: Skiers ring in the New Year as they make their way down a mountain lit up by torches and a fireworks show.
866-968-7386 • SkiTaos.com

RODEO & HORSE SHOW

2016 NRHA Futurity
Oklahoma City, OK, December 1: Celebrating 50 years, the National Reining Horse Association hosts top reining horse competitions.
405-946-7400 • NRHAFuturity.com

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Las Vegas, NV, December 1-10: Fifteen contestants compete for titles in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and more.
702-739-3267 • NFRExperience.com