Annual Events

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Annual Events

In North Platte and our surrounding communities you’ll find some really great events throughout the year. Nature lovers won’t want to miss the spring Sandhill Crane migration and if you’re looking for a great party don’t miss NEBRASKALand Days. Read on for our full list of annual events.

February/March

Sandhill Cranes and Prairie Chickens

Every year, beginning in mid-February, hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate into the Platte River Valley in Lincoln County. They will spend about six weeks here, roosting in the river bottoms at night and spending their days in the corn fields, alfalfa fields and meadows between North Platte and Sutherland.

Midwest Championship Fighting St. Paddy's Beatdown

Midwest Championship Fighting hosts the best in the Midwest MMA Cage Fights at North Platte's D & N Event Center twice each year. The March fight is billed as the St. Paddy's Beatdown. Generally the third or fourth Saturdays in March

April

James O’Rourke Triathlon

The James O’Rourke Memorial Triathlons are open, inclusive events that provide athletes of every ability level the opportunity to participate in the sport of triathlon.

Due to COVID-19 the Triathlon has been moved to August 7 and 8

Annual Tank Race

Held the last Saturday in March, the annual tanking race hosted by Play North Platte gets competitors the chance to get out on the river, have fun and compete for prizes.

Lincoln County Raceway

Each year from April through September, you'll find the finest in dirt track racing at North Platte's Lincoln County Raceway at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

June

NEBRASKAland Days

NEBRASKAland Days is the largest event in the world…to receive Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval. For 10 days every June the city of North Platte and the Wild West Arena hosts PRCA rodeo, country concerts, a carnival, and parade along with a host of other events throughout the community.

Due to COVID-19, many NEBRASKAland DAYS events have been moved to August. Click for details.

Heritage Festival at the Lincoln County Historical Museum

This celebration of North Platte’s heritage is held the second weekend in June. Activities include entertainment and food booths, living history demonstrations, historic farming practices demonstrations, horse drawn rides, cowboy quick draw and much more.

Fort Cody Summer Music Series

Starting on June 13 and concluding on August 8, NRoute Entertainment brings Cody Park Trading Post to life in the evening with live musical performances every Thursday. With a local artist opening the show 6pm and a featured artist following at 7pm, this makes for the ultimate summer family-fun destination.

The outdoor music series has been canceled for 2020

Miss Nebraska Pageant

Rich in history and social significance, the Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization that has maintained a tradition for many decades of empowering American women to achieve their personal and professional goals, while providing a forum in which to express their opinions, talent and intelligence. Miss Nebraska is crowned in North Platte each year during the first week of June.

The Miss Nebraska Pageant will return in 2021.

Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant

The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant that began in 1955 continues to be held annually to select a young lady who has the desire and enthusiasm to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the “Sport of Rodeo” and the State of Nebraska.

The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant will be held August 2 - 5.

July

Sutherland 4th of July

2018 will mark 80 years of the award winning Rodeo and 4th of July celebration in Sutherland. Events include a 5K, kids races, toad races, bbq, parade, and two nights of open amateur rodeo.

Lincoln County Fair

Towards the end of July, the Lincoln County Fairgrounds come alive with kids showing 4-H animals and projects, entertainment and vendor booths.

Platte River Cruise Food & Brew

Calling all car buffs, enthusiasts, and admirers. Rev up your engine and show of what you got at Platte River Cruise Night. Or just come to admire all the cars. There’s going to be music, food, kid’s activities, and various competitions such as "most engine horse power" and "loudest car".

Fort Cody Summer Music Series

Starting on June 13 and concluding on August 8, NRoute Entertainment brings Cody Park Trading Post to life in the evening with live musical performances every Thursday. With a local artist opening the show 6pm and a featured artist following at 7pm, this makes for the ultimate summer family-fun destination.

The Fort Cody Summer Music Series will return in 2021

August

Brady Days

BRADY DAYS is Brady, Nebraska’s annual community celebration, always the first weekend of August.

Maxwell Heritage Days

Generally the third weekend in August. Activities include bratwurst feed, live music, car show, parade, kids fun in the park, sand volleyball, and demolition derby.

Hershey Fall Festival

Generally the final weekend in August. Events include food events, craft and bake sale, parade, car show, water fight, trap shoot, and street dance.

Fort Cody Summer Music Series

Starting on June 13 and concluding on August 8, NRoute Entertainment brings Cody Park Trading Post to life in the evening with live musical performances every Thursday. With a local artist opening the show 6pm and a featured artist following at 7pm, this makes for the ultimate summer family-fun destination.

The Fort Cody Summer Music Series will return in 2021

North Platte Rail Days

New dates! August 7 - 9 as a virtual celebration! North Platte celebrates the past, present, and future during Rail Days. This 3-day event features a wide variety of events that are a highlight for anyone who loves trains and the railroad.

September

Wellfleet Fall Festival

Always the second Saturday in September. Events include fishing contest, stock dog classic, craft and vendor show, sand volleyball tournament, many food events, antique tractor pull, parade, and street dance.

Wallace Fall Festival

Always the third weekend in September. Events include food events, parade, kids races, toad/turtle races, tractor pull, volleyball tournament, team sorting, and street dance.

Arts in the Park

Held annually in September the first Sunday after Labor Day, the 2018 Arts in the Park will be held September 9, from 10am to 4pm in Cody Park.

Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival

The annual Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival is hosted by Pals Brewing Company in conjunction with the Lincoln County Visitor's Bureau. Generally held the second weekend in September, visitors will sample 12 breweries craft beers or more! Live music, pizza by the slice at Pals Grain Bin Bar and lots of other fun.

Mid-Plains College STAMPEDE Rodeo

Rodeo excitement continues in North Platte when thirteen college rodeo teams from the NIRA Great Plains Division, plus numerous independent contestants come to North Platte the third weekend in September for the Mid-Plains College STAMPEDE Rodeo. College rodeo events include saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.

October

Sheldon Statewide Exhibit

Each October, North Platte’s Prairie Arts Center is the home of the Sheldon Museum of Art’s Sheldon Statewide Exhibit. The Sheldon Statewide program is a division of the Sheldon Museum of Art outreach program and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Midwest Championship Fighting

Midwest Championship Fighting hosts the best in the Midwest MMA Cage Fights at North Platte's D & N Event Center twice each year. The second event of the year is held annually around the third or fourth Saturday in October.

November/December

Cody Park Winter Wonderland

Santa’s Workshop has been a North Platte tradition for generations. Now in North Platte’s scenic Cody Park, numerous animated vignettes portray all aspects of the Christmas season, from busy elves toiling away in the workshop to joyous children on Christmas morning.

Light in the Dark Christmas Village Drive Through

Each December local individuals, organizations and businesses adopt a portion of the Western Heritage Village at the Lincoln County Historical Museum and decorate the grounds with thousands of lights and other holiday décor. The event is generally open each weekend in December prior to Christmas.

Christmas at the Cody’s

Buffalo Bill’s magnificent Second Empire mansion is decorated for the holidays and open to the public during the Christmas season each year. More than twenty trees decorated by the staff of the Buffalo Bill State Historic Park and area non-profit organizations fill every room and public space.