In 2026, the United States marks a major milestone, the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Here in Park County, we’re rolling out the red, white, and blue with true Western flair! In Cody Yellowstone, we’re proud to bring you a full year of celebration, community events, and Western-spirit festivities in recognition of this once-in-a-generation moment. As we honor 250 years of freedom, heritage, and pioneering spirit, we invite you to join us in making your own memories, raising a toast and setting a tone for the next 250 years ahead.
We’ve pulled together a peek at all the best events happening around town and county-wide, each one fused with local flavor and national pride. Let the anticipation build, save the dates on your calendar, and get to planning your 2026 Cody Yellowstone adventure.
We’re kicking off the festivities on the evening of April 18, at 7:30 p.m., outside the historic Irma on 12th Street in downtown Cody. Two lights will be placed at the hotel in tribute to the famed 1775 ride of Paul Revere — a symbol of vigilance and community and the enduring spirit of America. This free event features live music, proclamations and a gathering of locals and visitors alike.
Bringing together authentic western experiences, the Frontier Festival and Chuckwagon Cook-off combines pack horse races and wagon demonstrations with live music, local vendors, and a one-of-a-kind chuckwagon cooking competition. It’s immersive, hands-on, and deeply rooted in the traditions of the American West—exactly the kind of experience that transports you back to the ways of the Old Frontier.
Flag week is back, and in a big way. From June 14 through July 4, flags will be proudly displayed at the Heritage Museum Field of Honor. Nearly 500 flags will sweep across the museum lawn, courthouse, and city park in quiet tribute — each one honoring a life, a story, a legacy. There’s no formal ceremony, just a salute to service and hometown pride.
Latigo & Lace invites visitors to browse a curated collection of antiques and the best keepsakes and souvenirs—perfect for commemorating America’s 250th birthday. Whether you’re searching for a unique treasure or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, it’s a relaxed, welcoming experience that captures the spirit of community and craftsmanship of Park County.
Just a short drive from Cody, the Town of Meeteetse will host an authentic cattle drive and street festival on June 29. You’ll find real ranch-life in action, local vendors, community camaraderie and a true Western vibe. Bring your lawn chairs, stroll along the boardwalk, grab dinner at Elkhorn Bar & Grill, then stick around for a street dance with a live band, followed by an outdoor movie night.
For pure adrenaline-fueled fun, don’t miss the Xtreme Bulls event on June 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Stampede Park. Hear the roar of the crowd and witness the true grit of top-tier riders going head-to-head with the West’s wildest bulls. It’s all part of the fun of celebrating America’s birthday!
The littlest cowpokes take center stage in this charming community parade on Sheridan Avenue. On July 2 at 10:00 a.m., Cody’s youngest patriots will don creative costumes and decorate bikes, wagons, and floats. It’s a heartwarming event that emphasizes community spirit and provides a fun and engaging experience for families to enjoy together.
The main parade takes place on July 3rd and July 4th at 9:30 AM, winding its way down Sheridan Avenue, the heart of Cody’s downtown district. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of traditional Western themes, modern-day elements, and family-friendly entertainment, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
Pull up a seat and join our table! America’s potluck is exactly what it sounds like: a celebration of community, connection, and coming together over shared stories. This one-day event invites neighbors and visitors alike to gather over food, conversation, and good company. In a year dedicated to reflecting on 250 years of history, this event offers something simple and powerful—a chance to connect, belong, and celebrate the American spirit side by side.
Defining Courage is more than just a performance—it’s a deeply moving experience. Taking place at the Wynona Thompson Auditorium, this immersive stage production shares the powerful and often overlooked stories of Japanese American soldiers who served with extraordinary bravery during World War II, even as their families were held in internment camps like nearby Heart Mountain. As part of the 250th commemoration, it adds an important layer of depth—honoring not just the celebration of independence, but the ongoing journey toward meaningful union.
Some celebrations come and go in a single day. Others keep the spirit riding all year long. Along with the can’t-miss events above, Cody Yellowstone is also serving up ongoing experiences that bring America’s 250th to life with rodeo grit, live music, museum treasures, craft brews, and a few special patriotic twists.
Nothing says Cody quite like a summer night under the lights at Stampede Park. Held nightly at 8:00 p.m. from June through August, the Cody Nite Rodeo brings together bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and all the high-energy Western tradition you came here to see. It’s fast, fearless, family-friendly, and a true Cody Yellowstone classic.
Raise a glass to 250 years of history with a local pour brewed just for the occasion. Cody Craft Brewing is serving a specialty America’s 250th pale ale throughout 2026 and into next summer, with $1 from every beer supporting local fireworks efforts. It’s a fine way to toast the red, white, and blue — Cody-style.
Dinner, music, and a little extra patriotic flair? Sounds like a night well spent. From May through September, The Cody Cattle Company welcomes guests for an all-ages dinner and show experience, complete with a nightly buffet and live music from Ryan Martin and the Triple C Cowboys. Doors open at 4:50 p.m., dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the music kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with special 250th anniversary elements woven into the show.
Buffalo Bill Cody’s legend takes center stage at the Cody Theater in downtown Cody during the Wild West Spectacular. Running June 17 through August 8 at 7:00 p.m., this live production brings the Old West to life with action, romance, humor, perils, fights, toe tappin’, hoots and hollers, and plenty of dancing and singing! For 2026, the show adds a special 250th anniversary twist to the tale.
History buffs, this one’s for you. Opening April 17, 2026, at the Cody Firearms Museum inside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Arms of the American Revolution marks America’s 250th with a signature exhibition of firearms and projectiles carried on Revolutionary battlefields. With rare loans from Fort Ticonderoga, Minuteman National Historic Site, and leading private collections, the exhibit explores the weapons of Patriot and Loyalist forces, revealing how arms shaped America’s fight for independence.
The American bison has long stood as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the wide-open West. Running through 2028 at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Buffalo Nation is a two-year celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary and our national mammal. Through exhibitions, new technology, public programs, and educational activities, this powerful experience looks at the bison’s story as a lens into America’s past — and a hopeful vision for its future.
Adventure awaits in Cody Yellowstone! Pull out your best red, white, and blue, book the next big family vacation, and be part of America’s 250th in a way that only the Wild West can deliver.
Whether you’re waving flags, watching the cattle drive, cheering from the parade route, or raising a pint of the official Two Fifty Pale, you’ll be making history here in Cody Yellowstone for America’s 250th Birthday.
We’ll bring the fireworks, you just remember to pack your spirit. Saddle up and start planning your unforgettable Cody Yellowstone adventure today.
April 22, 2026
March 9, 2026
Start planning your wild adventure with the help of our free guide.