If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill.

Sometime in mid-May, the pickups start outnumbering the Teslas, someone hauls a chili pot the size of a satellite dish onto Town Square, and the whole valley finally exhales after a bumpy and somewhat dry ski season.

That’s Old West Days.

And for the 45th year running, it’s back, May 15 through 25. Ten days. Six signature events. One very good excuse to be in Jackson Hole.

Whether you’ve been doing this for decades or are finally pulling the trigger on that Memorial Day trip, here’s what’s actually worth your time.

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Old West Days 2026: The Only Schedule You Actually Need

May 15–25 | Jackson Hole

Ten days. Zero excuses. This is Jackson’s annual reminder that we do, in fact, know how to have fun outside of powder days.

Here’s how to play it without overthinking it:

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Opening Weekend: ElkFest + Chili Cook-Off

ElkFest (Elk Antler Auction)
📅 Saturday, May 16
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Town Square

Thousands of naturally shed elk antlers hit the auction block in one of the most uniquely Jackson traditions of the year.

High Noon Chili Cook-Off
📅 Sunday, May 17
🕛 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Town Square

The Square turns into a chili battleground—local chefs, amateurs, and plenty of bold opinions.

Two days. Same energy. Elk, chili, and a crowd that somehow gets more competitive about both than you’d expect.

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Restaurant Week (May 15–22)

The week where everyone suddenly remembers Jackson has legit food. Prix fixe menus, solid deals, and a great excuse to book that place you’ve been “meaning to try.”

Pro move: make reservations now, not when you’re hungry.

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Big Saturday = Pace Yourself (May 23)

Best of the West Parade
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Downtown / Town Square

Cowboys, horses, wagons. No fluff. Just a legit Western parade.

Old West Brewfest
🕛 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Community Fairgrounds Building

Walk directly from the parade into beer sampling. This is what we call efficiency.

Hydrate. Or don’t. Your call.

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🎸 Million Dollar Music Fest (May 24)

🕓 Starts ~4:00 PM
📍 Town Square

Free country concert. Big crowd. This is the one that turns Town Square into a full-blown summer kickoff.

Yes, it will be packed. Yes, it’s worth it.

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The Simple Game Plan

• Saturday 5/16 and Sunday 5/17: ElkFest → Chili Cook-Off
• All Week: Eat your way through Restaurant Week
• Saturday 5/23: Parade → Brewfest (survive accordingly)
• Sunday 5/24: Music Fest finale

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Old West Days is basically Jackson in a nutshell: a little Western, a little rowdy, and just organized enough to make it all work.

If you miss it…that’s on you.