JANUARY 6-21 – National Western Complex
No city embodies the Spirit of the West better than Denver. And that’s on full display each year in January, during the National Western Stock Show, with more than 20,000 animals on display. The National Western is the world’s largest stock show and has grown massively since the first year the event was held in 1906. The show started at the turn of the century as a way for Colorado ranchers to showcase their prized pigs and share new breeding and farming techniques with fellow ranchers. But the show quickly grew into one of the biggest fairs in the West. Today, the Stock Show is larger than life, just like the Old West. During the month-long event, cowboys and cowgirls from across the West and beyond pour into Denver to compete in rodeos, equestrian events, stock shows, BBQ competitions, and more. The stock show lasts nearly the entire month of January and there are events each day of the week. For instance, you can catch a rodeo or horse show featuring some of the best professional athletes from around the world on almost any day. But if rodeos aren’t your cup of cowboy tea, you’re bound to find something interesting in any one of the hundreds of vendor booths.