The summer crowd of visitors has departed, leaving Jackson Hole and Grand Teton Park emptier of traffic which means easier parking and better accessibility in general to all the attractions that make this area special, noteworthy and—above all—truly memorable. The annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is perhaps the biggest draw of the autumn season, but let’s not discount all the rest of the varied valley events, the musical and theatrical performances at the Center for the Arts, as well as the other pleasures and activities that characterize September in the Hole.
September Events
Ongoing throughout the month:
• Raptor Encounters at the Teton Raptor Center - Hour-long educational experience with live raptors at 1 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday at the center in Wilson - tetonraptorcenter.org
• The Snow King Gondola, Cowboy Coaster, Amaze’N Maze, and mini-golf will remain open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. TBA. Hop on the Gondi for a quick ride up to the best view of the Tetons in Jackson Hole and get out for a short hike at the summit.
• Farmers Market on the Town Square. Every Saturday morning, featuring fresh produce and music. - jacksonholefarmersmarket.org
• Listen to live music at the Mangy Moose. Local musicians play every Monday and Tuesday; karaoke is Wednesday - mangymoose.com
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events every (clear sky) Thursday, when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit, in the northwest corner of the Stilson parking lot off Hwy. 390 and 22, behind the bus hut where there are no lights. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please.
3: The Rendezvous Enduro at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Montana Enduro Bike Race Series comes to Jackson - montanaenduro.com
6-17: Annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival - The Fall Arts Festival has become the premier cultural event of Jackson Hole and attracts hundreds of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists who embody the spirit of the West - jacksonholechamber.com
Jackson Hole One Fly Contest - Annual three-day tournament, with anglers limited to using only one pre-selected fly per day.
Western Design Conference Exhibit and Sale - Preeminent exhibition of the finest Western design in the world; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Snow King Center - westerndesignconference.com
Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk - More than 30 Jackson Hole art galleries open their doors to showcase magnificent art with food and wine; 5-8 p.m.
9: Annual Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities - cfjacksonhole.org
9: Annual LOTOJA - 210-mile interstate bike race from Logan, Utah, to Teton Village - lotojaclassic.com
Annual Takin' It to the Streets - Open-air, juried art fair on Town Square - artassociation.org
Taste of the Tetons - Valley chefs, restaurants and caterers put their best culinary work on display; Town Square
Jackson Hole Hootenanny - Jackson's all-time favorite folk musicians take the stage at 7 p.m. for a special performance at the Center for the Arts. - jhcenterforthearts.org
National Museum of Wildlife Art’s annual Western Visions Artist Party - From 5-8 p.m., stop by the museum for a chance to celebrate and place bids on artwork; registration required. – wildlifeart.org
Jackson Hole Showcase of Homes - A one-day, self-guided fundraising tour of some of Jackson's most exciting homes, sponsored by our sister publication, Homestead. All proceeds go to charities selected by our homeowners. Buy tickets in advance at jacksonholeshowcase.com
Jackson Hole Art Auction - jacksonholeartauction.com
26th Annual Fall Arts Festival Quick Draw - Art Sale and auction on Town Square - Visit jacksonholechamber.com for details.
Farewell to Fall Arts Brunch Gallery Walk - Held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy brunch and festive beverages at this closing-day celebration for the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival. This event provides the opportunity to visit with gallery representatives and take a closer look at the art.
Grand Targhee Resort Closes for the summer season - grandtarghee.com
Manhattan Short Film Festival - Center of the Arts; 7 p.m.; in-person and live-streamed - jhcenterforthearts.org
Jackson Hole Marathon - jacksonholemarathon.com
Other Things To Do
• Take a tandem paraglide flight. Jackson Hole Paragliding offers its morning, into-the-sky adventures until late September. Imagine soaring over Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and viewing the awe-inspiring, colorful fall foliage from a bird’s eye perspective. Sure, it may take a little bit of courage to “jump off the mountain,” but you will not regret this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t believe us? Well, read our editor’s first-hand account!
• Hear elk bugle. Now here’s something you don’t hear—literally!—every day. September and October is the breeding season for elk. Bulls' “bugling” calls fill the air at dawn and dusk, the result being one of nature’s eeriest concerts. Bulls clash antlers with challengers while gathering and guarding harems of cows. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are premium spots to observe the rutting elks and catch an earful of their calls, whether from the roadside during a scenic drive or on a hike or bike ride through the woods.