From live music to art, dance, theater, museums and more, the cultural offerings in Jackson Hole buzz year round. Pick your event and venue!
Cowpokes and Classical Music
Western Wyoming is better known for its bison than its Beethoven, but the times they are a'changing in Jackson Hole. With an eclectic gallery scene, a profusion of fine wines and a serious dedication to classical music, Jackson Hole is quietly becoming one of the Rocky Mountains' preeminent cultural centers.
Jackson Hole Elkfest
Each spring, the thousands of elk that winter on the National Elk Refuge migrate back to the high country, but not before leaving something behind: their antlers. Thousands of pounds of elk antlers litter the 24,700 acres of elk refuge that sits in the heart of Jackson Hole. And here in the Hole, those antlers are reason to celebrate!
Jackson Hole ElkFest promotes the Jackson Hole Boy Scouts Elk Antler Auction, a fundraiser for the refuge and the Boy Scouts. In addition, there are educational programs about elk, wilderness and wild landscape management, and it's all followed by a hang-on-to-your-hat chili cook-off.
Jackson Hole Playhouse
Built in 1916 and housed in the oldest still-standing stick-frame building in Jackson, the Wyoming Historic Registry-listed Jackson Hole Playhouse has served as a livery, stagecoach station and bowling alley before its current life as a theater venue. Enjoy upscale Western-style dining and seating for up to 320 theater lovers, including private theater boxes, a chocolate factory and electronics and summer theater for the kids.
Jackson Hole Art Galleries
Jackson Hole has taken its place beside Scottsdale, Santa Fe, San Francisco and New York as a major destination for art lovers, becoming known as the Art Center of the Rockies. Many famous artists and photographers have been inspired by the landscape and wildlife in Jackson Hole, including Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran, Charles Banks Wilson and Conrad Schwiering. Nearly 30 local galleries— including the renowned National Museum of Wildlife Art—proudly present a broad range of work, from old masters like Frederic Remington to nationally and internationally known contemporary artists.
Fall Arts Festival
This comprehensive, multi-venue celebration of all things art comes each September. From the Palates and Palettes Gallery Walk, a showcase of fabulous food, wine and music, to Takin' It to the Streets, a juried art fair of prominent artists hosted by Jackson's nonprofit Art Association, this arts festival, hosted by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, offers hands-on creativity and craft in everything from furniture and clothing to canvas paintings and jewelry. Historic ranch tours alternate with panel discussions, art films, artist talks, food and wine tastings, auctions and the famous Western Design Conference, Exhibit and Fashion Show. Be sure to make time for Taste of the Tetons, an artistic sampling of the best vittles available from the valley's many chefs, restaurants and caterers.
Center for the Arts
This contemporary and multifaceted structure houses numerous local and regional nonprofit arts organizations offering programs of all kinds and for all ages, including dance, theater, visual arts, film and higher education. The class schedule is ongoing for locals and visitors, some 200 or more who use the facility each day. The performing arts pavilion features an intimate 525-seat theater as well as a spacious lobby and music center. The Center's lawn is the site of many outdoor concerts, fairs and more. Check the schedule on its website for upcoming shows and other events.
Dancers' Workshop
Since 1971, this grassroots dance organization has provided high-caliber dance instruction and performances to the delight of locals and visitors alike. First opening its doors in a log cabin in 1971, Dancers' Workshop now resides in the Center for the Arts and reaches 350 young students, 125 adults and more than 20,000 people through their western regional outreach and internationally acclaimed performance programs each year. Check the website for upcoming features and classes.
Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum
There's no history like that of the Wild West and this organization manages a vast treasure trove of Jackson Hole's past. Visitors can access a year-round Western Americana research library containing 3,000 volumes, audio-visual materials, and manuscript and document archives, or browse a collection of more than 14,000 historic photographs. The Jackson Hole History Museum—located at 225 North Cache Street—offers exhibitions as well as summer excursions to historic ranches, history potlucks and other programs.
Off Square Theatre Company
Off Square Theatre continues to fill the year's calendar with a number of theater experiences sure to delight Jackson Hole locals and visitors alike. Their busy summer season kicks off in May, the popular "Thin Air Shakespeare" performance on the lawn is in July at the Center for the Arts, and don't miss the annual youth musical in November. Theater classes, school programs and internships also help to bring the art of theater into the Jackson Hole community.
National Museum of Wildlife Art
Unique among American art museums, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is distinguished by its mission, location and mountain-inspired architecture. With permanent and traveling collections and works of art, the museum strives to enrich and inspire public appreciation of fine art and humanity's relationship with nature by focusing on its exhibitions and programs on wildlife. The museum is nestled into a butte overlooking the 20,000-acre National Elk Refuge and is en route to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, just north of the town of Jackson.
Art Association
The Art Association has provided art education and provocative art exhibits to the residents and guests of Jackson Hole for more than 50 years. Located at the Center for the Arts, the Art Association utilizes dedicated studios for painting, drawing, ceramics and more. The contemporary ArtSpace Gallery features local and nationally known visual artists from around the region and the country. ArtFair Jackson Hole, a juried art fair held at Jackson's Center for the Arts Park every July and August, features more than 150 national and regional artists and provides the single greatest source of annual revenue for the nonprofit arts organization.
Teton County Library
Teton County and Alta Branch libraries offer an array of programs for all ages, from children's story gatherings to teen programming to a broad range of offerings for the information-hungry adult crowd. Community workshops, reading groups, art exhibits and computer classes are available on an ongoing basis. The Latino Services Department offers services and events in Spanish.
Grand Teton Music Festival
Celebrating more than 60 years of music and housed in the renovated Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village, this seven-week festival is an unabashed celebration of classical music. With more than 30 concerts from July to August, Music Director Donald Runnicles and internationally acclaimed classical musicians take the stage to present orchestra and chamber music to the masses, adding a certain je ne sais quoi to Jackson's festive summer atmosphere. Check the schedule online for performances.
One-of-A-Kind
As if the Tetons, Snake River and wildlife weren't enough, Jackson Hole's cocktail of culture and cowboys make this a place unlike any other. After all, there are plenty of towns where you can sip a glass of vino and listen to the airy notes of a Bach fugue. But there aren't too many where you can do that while watching real-life wranglers in faded Levis hoot and holler outside of a bar called "The Million Dollar Cowboy."
Welcome to Jackson Hole, y'all!