Trailing of the Sheep Festival 2026
The 30th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival takes place October 7–11, 2026 in Idaho’s Wood River Valley (Hailey, Ketchum, and surrounding sites). The organizer’s mission is to gather, celebrate, present, and preserve the history and cultures of sheepherding in Idaho and the West. The festival is ranked among the world’s top fall festivals.
Official dates: October 7–11, 2026 (homepage). Tickets for 2026 events go on sale July 1, 2026; details remain subject to change. Save the date for the following year: October 6–10, 2027.
Where it happens: Events spread across multiple locations rather than a single hall. Festival Headquarters is at The Argyros Performing Arts Center, 120 S. Main Street, Ketchum (Oct 7: 12:00–17:00; Oct 8–9: 10:00–17:00). The Sheep Folklife Fair is Saturday, October 10, 10:00–16:00 at Roberta McKercher Park, Hailey (free). National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials are October 9–10, 09:00–17:00 and October 11, 09:00–14:00 at 2400 Buttercup Road, Hailey. The Big Sheep Parade is Sunday, October 11 at 12:00 noon on Main Street, Ketchum (free; no dogs). The Happy Trails Closing Party is Sunday 10:00–15:00 in Ketchum Town Square.
Program highlights: Wool Fest fiber classes, Cooking with Lamb chef sessions, Farm to Table dinners, cheese making, Sheep Tales Gathering, Lamb Fest at the Folklife Fair, sheep shearing and traditional music, and the parade of about 1,200 sheep migrating south with ranching families.
Organizer / contact: Trailing of the Sheep Festival, PO Box 3692, Hailey, Idaho 83333. Website: https://trailingofthesheep.org/. Schedule: https://trailingofthesheep.org/schedule/.
Register for entry or booths
Venue Map and Hotels Around
Ketchum - Ketchum, Idaho, United States