Denver Celebrates the 120th Anniversary of the National Western Stock Show With Downtown Parade on January 8th

The National Western Stock Show, presented by CommonSpirit Health, will celebrate the start of its 120th anniversary with its iconic Kick-Off Parade on Thursday, January 8, at 12 p.m. The parade brings Western heritage to the heart of downtown Denver and sets the stage for a Stock Show bigger than ever before.

The parade starts outside Denver Union Station and travels 12 blocks down 17th Street to Glenarm Place, welcoming thousands of spectators as it signals the official start of the Stock Show.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Pete Coors, director emeritus of Molson Coors Beverage Company and longtime Western Stock Show Association board member. Coors will lead a procession of more than 30 Longhorn cattle, along with horses, Western wagons, and the sights and sounds that make the Stock Show iconic.

“The Stock Show Kick-Off parade brings the spirit of the West straight into downtown Denver and sets the tone for the entire National Western,” said Wes Allison, President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “With Pete Coors as Grand Marshal and the opening of the new Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center and The Legacy building, this year’s parade marks an unforgettable start to our 120th anniversary.”

Following the parade, visitors can continue the celebration at the Stock Show Fair at McGregor Square, featuring therapy horses, Western royalty, a food market, and more family-friendly activities.

The Stock Show officially starts Saturday, January 10, and runs through Sunday, January 25. This year marks a milestone with the opening of the 30-acre Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center and The Legacy, the National Western’s new world headquarters. These new facilities allow the Stock Show to host more events, welcome more exhibitors, and enhance the experience for fans, while continuing the traditions that have defined the Stock Show for 120 years.

With over 300 events and activities, the 2026 Stock Show truly has something for everyone. Guests can experience nearly 30 professional rodeo performances, including PBR Bull Riding, The Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza presented by Hutchison Western and Chevron, the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo, and more. Fans can watch world-class horse shows, see grand champion livestock crowned, and explore expanded fan-favorite attractions like the King Soopers Petting Farm. The new Livestock Center and The Legacy also provide more space, giving visitors new ways to experience the Stock Show.

The National Western Stock Show draws visitors from all 50 states and more than 30 countries, generating an economic impact of $171 million for the Metro Denver area. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Stock Show also supports the National Western Scholarship Trust, which awards more than 100 scholarships totaling over $550,000 annually to students pursuing careers in agriculture, rural medicine, and veterinary sciences.

For more information about the parade, event schedules, parking, and tickets, visit nationalwestern.com.