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Things To Do in April/May in Jackson Hole

Spring in Jackson Hole may be short but the list of entertaining things to do is long. In fact, Travel + Leisure has named Jackson Hole the No. 1 "Best Place to Travel in May"! Even if the weather here isn’t totally reliable until June you can still make the most of your springtime visit to the Tetons.
Elk Antler Auction

APRIL EVENTS

Ongoing throughout the month:

• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month (when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit!) just after sunset at Rendezvous Park (R-Park) off of Rte. 390, the Teton Village Rd. 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. Please park in the main parking area and walk to the far side of the hill following the "Public Stargazing" signs. There is $10/person recommended donation. 

• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel have been bringing locals and visitors together year-round through the music of One Ton Pig, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Fun Fact: One Ton Pig was named "Best Band" in the 2025 Best of Jackson Hole contest.

• Through April 13, the Annual R Park Egg Hunt, a free, family-friendly egg-themed scavenger hunt, is going on. Explore R Park during daylight hours to find 4 unique egg-themed art pieces. Each egg hides a secret letter. Find them all, crack the code and unlock the golden chest on the R Park office steps.  Online scavenger hunt maps will be available on the park's webpage closer to March 30. Printed maps will also be available on the porch of the R Park office.

• Check out "Industry Nights" at the Virginian Saloon every Monday, featuring bingo, trivia, rotating themes, and surprise events. Late-night happy hour starts at 8:30 p.m. There are Billy's Burgers specials, too! - virginiansaloon.com

• Enjoy some good old-fashioned swing dancing with the world-famous Stagecoach Band every Sunday from 6-10 p.m. The Stagecoach Band has been playing at the Stagecoach bar since 1969. Often referred to as "Church," the band has been a Sunday night local favorite for generations.

Pinky G's Pizzeria hosts an open mic from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays.

• The Jackson Hole Hootenanny is on hiatus until late May, when it moves from the Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel to its summer location outside at the Dornans in Moose.

• Open mic at Cowboy Coffee at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday night of the month

• Free swing dance lessons at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar on Thursdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

The Melvin Dojo on Town Square, located below Roadhouse Pub & Eatery, has live music on Wednesday evenings between 4 p.m. and midnight.

Nora's Fish Creek Inn in Wilson offers live music on Sunday mornings and Thursday and Tuesday nights. The eatery's happy hour and a half at the bar-only is happening 7 days a week.

• Thursday Disco nights at the Stagecoach Bar - Get your boogie on starting at 9:30 p.m. every week until April 9.

• Wyoming Wildlife Federation, the state's oldest sportsmen's conservation organization, hosts a free speaker series on the last Tuesday of every month at Roadhouse Pub & Eatery; 7-8 p.m.

The origami-inspired, vibrantly colored and whimsical sculptures on the Sculpture Trail at the National Museum of Wildlife Art include a bear, a rabbit, a coyote and a canine, and can be viewed through May 2026.

Through June 30, 2026, AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) and History Jackson Hole are presenting the second part of the exhibition Women Artists of the American West. The exhibition focuses on Women Artists of the American West: Colorado and Utah, 1885–1935.

• The Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel hosts live music every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The Wort's sister bar, The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, has music every Monday-Saturday night.

• Teton Raptor Center's "Little Wings Story Time" is held on the second Tuesday of the month from April-October at 11 a.m. It blends gentle storytelling with a special visit from a real, live raptor, up close and feathered. Perfect for children ages infant to 4. Space is limited and registration is required. Donation-based program. Suggested donation: $10 per person. - tetonraptorcenter.org

4, 2026/ Après DJ Set at Tram Dock at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort With Chuck Samples - Time: 3-6 p.m.

4, 2026/ Live Music at Trapper’s Restaurant at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Enjoy music, food and craft drinks on the deck. Trapper's is located at Solitude Station, the Sweetwater Gondola's midway station. Time: Noon-3 p.m.

5, 2026/Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Town Square - Grab a bag or basket for the kids and head over to Town Square at 10 a.m. (promptly!) for the egg hunt and mingle with the Easter Bunny and other favorite characters.

10-11, 2026/ Jackson Hole Home and Garden Show at Snow King Sports and Events Center - Kick off spring and summer with activities for the whole family. Hands-on experiences include garden workshops, culinary demonstrations, flower displays, and local businesses offering home renovation projects. Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Entry fee: $5 at the door

11, 2026/ Free Guided Stargazing in Teton Village with Wyoming Stargazing from 7-9 p.m. Take the second left off Hwy 390 as if you are heading to the Ranch Lot, then take the first left (into the field across the street from the Ranch Lot).

12, 2026/ Closing Day at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - jacksonhole.com

Snake River Brewing closes for the off-season through April 30th

17, 2026/ Yellowstone National Park - Opens north and west entrances - nps.gov/yell

Opening Weekend for Yellowstone Bear World Park 

19, 2026/ Closing Day at Grand Targhee Resort - grandtarghee.com  

RELATED STORY: Jackson Hole Music Festivals Round-Up

Jackson Hole Old West Days

MAY EVENTS

Travel+Leisure has named Jackson Hole the No. 1 "Best Places to Travel in May," due in large part to our Elkfest and Old West Days celebrations.

Ongoing throughout the month:

• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month (when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit!) just after sunset at Rendezvous Park (R-Park) off of Rte. 390, the Teton Village Rd. 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. Please park in the main parking area and walk to the far side of the hill following the "Public Stargazing" signs. There is a $10/person recommended donation. 

• Enjoy some good old-fashioned swing dancing with the world-famous Stagecoach Band every Sunday from 6-10 p.m. The Stagecoach Band has been playing at the Stagecoach bar since 1969. Often referred to as "Church," the band has been a Sunday night local favorite for generations.

• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has been bringing locals and visitors together for 15 years, year-round, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m. Fun Fact: One Ton Pig was named "Best Band" in the 2025 Best of Jackson Hole contest.

The Virginian Saloon offers "Live From The Virg" every Thursday; acoustic sessions featuring Americana, Western and folk from 9-11 p.m.; no cover. On Fridays from 9-midnight listen to live music; Saturday nights feature rotating bands and DJs.  

The origami-inspired, vibrantly colored and whimsical sculptures on the Sculpture Trail at the National Museum of Wildlife Art include a bear, a rabbit, a coyote and a canine, and can be viewed through May 2026.

Nora's Fish Creek Inn in Wilson offers live music on Sunday mornings and Thursday and Tuesday nights. The eatery's happy hour and a half at the bar-only is happening 7 days a week.

• Free swing dance lessons at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar on Thursdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

The Melvin Dojo on Town Square, located below Roadhouse Pub & Eatery, has live music on Wednesday evenings between 4 p.m. and midnight.

Pinky G's Pizzeria hosts an open mic from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays.

• The Silver Dollar Showroom in the Wort Hotel hosts live music every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The Wort's sister bar, The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, has music every Monday-Saturday night.

• Open mic at Cowboy Coffee at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday night of the month 

• Wyoming Wildlife Federation, the state's oldest sportsmen's conservation organization, hosts a free speaker series on the last Tuesday of every month at Roadhouse Pub & Eatery; 7-8 p.m.

Through June 30, 2026, AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) and History Jackson Hole are presenting the second part of the exhibition Women Artists of the American West. The exhibition focuses on Women Artists of the American West: Colorado and Utah, 1885–1935.

• Daily Docent Tours at the Murie Ranch: Join Teton Science Schools for a 30-minute docent-led tour at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. of the historic Murie Ranch in Moose, home to conservation pioneers Olaus and Mardy Murie.

• Teton Raptor Center's "Little Wings Story Time" is held on the second Tuesday of the month through October at 11 a.m. It blends gentle storytelling with a special visit from a real, live raptor, up close and feathered. Perfect for children ages infant to 4. Space is limited and registration is required. Donation-based program. Suggested donation: $10 per person. - tetonraptorcenter.org

1, 2026/ Grand Teton National Park - All roads open to vehicle traffic, snow conditions permitting - nps.gov/grte  

2, 2026/ Spring Fling Fashion Thing 3, Presented By Jackson Hole Pride and The Center for the Arts - The third-annual fashion show, dance party and celebration of Jackson Hole’s LGBTQIA+ artists and community. An original collection of looks designed, styled, and modeled by local queer artists will hit the runway in an immersive fashion extravaganza. Free, but ticketed. For more information, click here. Time: 7 p.m.

3, 2026/ Jackson Hole Community Band Spring Concert - At the Center for the Arts Theater; 4 p.m.

5, 2026/ Cinco De Mayo celebration at StillWest Brewery and Grill - Enjoy $5 Mexican lagers and $8 margaritas, plus a special Cinco De Mayo menu from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

5, 2026/ Cinco De Mayo Party at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - Starts at 8:30 p.m.

7, 2026/ Native Voices: An Evening of Native American Artistry - Presented by Central Wyoming College from 5-8 p.m., this event includes opportunities to meet Indigenous artists, experience exhibitions and enjoy Indigenous food tastings.
"Behind Linear Narratives: Indigenous Plains Ledger Art" will be held at the Jackson Hole History Museum. For more information, click here.

9, 2026/ 6th Annual Teton Powwow & Native American Art Market - Presented for free by Central Wyoming College and Native American Jump Start at Snow King Sports & Events Center from 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. An unforgettable gathering of dance, music and community, with more than 60 tribes represented from throughout the Western States.

TBA: Junior Ranger Day in Grand Teton National Park - To kick off visitor season in the park, kids and families can enjoy free Junior Ranger Day festivities from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. This year’s theme will be the animals that inhabit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Attendees can expect park-themed games and hands-on learning stations, the chance to interact with park staff and see rescue vehicles up close, and other indoor and outdoor activities and exhibits. Kids can earn a coveted Junior Ranger Day badge through participation. Other educational exhibits will be presented by Teton Science Schools, the Cougar Fund, the National Elk Refuge, the Teton Raptor Center, Wyoming Stargazing, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton County Library, and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.

8, 2026/ Yellowstone National Park opens south entrance - Snow conditions permitting - nps.gov/yell

12, 2026/ "The Art of Adventure" Free Film Screening at National Museum of Wildlife Art - This is a documentary about the lifelong friendship between wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster. Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; free.

Open Mic Night at Virginian Saloon begins again for the summer season  - virginansaloon.com-

14-16, 2-26/ Riot Act Presents "When We Were Young and Unafraid" at Center for the Arts - Performance time: 7 p.m.; tickets $25 for adults/$20 students and seniors. To purchase, click here.

15, 2026/ Raptors From the Teton Raptor Center at The Cloudveil - See live raptors up-close at this informal program at the lobby; Free; no reservations needed. Time: 4-5 p.m.

15-22, 2026/ 3rd Annual Restaurant Week in Jackson and Teton Village - As a part of the Old West Days celebration, local eateries will offer prix fixe deals on lunch (starting at $15 per person) and/or dinner (starting at $30 each). For the complete list of participating restaurants, click here.

16, 2026/ Elkfest - Auction and purchases take place in Town Square from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; auction at 10 a.m. 

16, 2026/ Jackson Hole Shootout Opening Day Celebration - At "age" 50, this is the longest-running shootout in the country; Town Square at 6 p.m.

16, 2026/ Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram opens for the summer season - jacksonhole.com

17, 2026/ High Noon Chili Cookoff - Town Square; noon; $25 per person, all-you-can-eat!

17-25, 2026/ Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row - Teton County Fairgrounds. Elkfest and Old West Days - The festivities, including the world-famous Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction, kick off and continue through Memorial Day weekend. The spirit of the true West lives on in Jackson and is celebrated every year during Elkfest and Old West Days, where we have one of the only remaining horse-drawn parades in America!  jacksonholechamber.com

TBA: Homesteaders & Mountain Men: Living History of the American West at Teton County Fairgrounds - From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., step back in time and experience the rugged spirit of the 1800s as this immersive, free, family-friendly event brings the past to life with two incredible reenactments: Wagons & Tales, showcasing the daily life of 1850s homesteaders, and the Mountain Man Rendezvous, featuring a lively Trader’s Row where 1840s-era mountain men barter goods and swap stories. Explore trader's tents, watch live demonstrations and hear first-person historical accounts that reveal what life was really like on the early frontier.

17, 2026/ Viva La Música - Jackson Hole Chorale's Spring Concert at Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole; 4 p.m.; free

18, 2026/ Page-To-Podium Series, Presented by Teton County Library, at Center for the Arts - Featuring National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead. Time: 7 p.m. Free

TBA: Historic Downtown Walking Tours Kick Off - The Jackson Hole History Museum's walking tours are held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. starting at the museum from May to September. You can purchase at the front desk. - jacksonholehistory.org

21, 2026/ Riot Act Presents "When We Were Young and Unafraid" at Center for the Arts - Performance time: 7 p.m.; tickets $25 for adults/$20 students and seniors. To purchase, click here.

22, 2026/ Granite Hot Springs Opens for the Summer - Adults $12/children $7; 307-690-6323; maximum of 25 people in the pool at one time and soaks are limited to one hour

22, 2026/ The 7th Annual Million Dollar Music Fest Opening Night Concert in the Cowboy Bar with Lonestar - This is a ticketed event. Visit milliondollarcowboybar.com for more information and to buy tickets.

22, 2026/ Snow King Mountain opens for the summer

23, 2026/Annual Best of the West Parade - One of the last horse-drawn parades in the West; 10 a.m. - jacksonholechamber.com

23, 2026/ Jackson Hole Rodeo opens for the season - jhrodeo.com

TBA: Old West Family Activities - Teton County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

23, 2026/ Following the Best of the West Parade, Visit the Jackson Hole History Museum for Free Admission and Family Activities -  Celebrate Old West Days with free admission to the museum -  jacksonholehistory.org

23, 2026/ Old West Brew Fest - Teton County Fairgrounds; 2 -6 p.m. - Expect more than 20 breweries, including regional favorites like Snake River Brewing, Roadhouse Brewing and Stillwest Brewing, pouring more than 50 unique beers and ciders. - jacksonholechamber.com

24, 2026/ 7th Annual Million Dollar Music Fest, a free, all-ages, big-stage country music concert on the Town Square, presented by the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. This year's lineup features headliner Hudson Westbrook. Gates open at 4 p.m. and opening acts (Avery Anna and Neal McCoy) begin at 6 p.m., rain or shine - cowboybarjh.com

24, 2026/ Cowboy Church on Town Square - A unique blend of faith and the Old West, offering a spiritual service that welcomes all to connect with community and God; 10 a.m.

25, 2026/American Legion Memorial Day Service - Town Square flagpole at 10 a.m.

25, 2026/ Free entry day to Grand Teton National Park

26, 2026/ Take-a-Tour Tuesdays at Jackson Hole History Museum - Join Exhibits Director Kirsten Corbett for a guided tour of the special upstairs exhibition “Women Artists of the American West: Colorado and Utah, 1885-1935.”  Tours are included with admission or membership and are held on the last Tuesday of every month. Meet in the Jackson Hole History Museum lobby at 10:30 a.m. Space is limited to 20; filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

28-30, 2026/ Annual Jackson Hole Birding Festival - A three-day community celebration of the remarkable diversity of bird life in and around beautiful, wild Jackson. The festival will draw on the wealth of knowledge and experience of experts in bird conservation, tours, field excursions, and educational opportunities to provide an engaging and academic immersion in the natural delights of the Tetons. - jacksonholebirdingfestival.com

29, 2026/"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" Opens at the Jackson Hole Playhouse - For information and reservations, visit jhplayhouse.com. Runs through August 29th.

29, 2026/ "Your Brain on Art" at the Center for the Arts - Presented by JH Public Art, this will be an exploration of how creativity and artmaking support brain health and reduce and enhance well-being. - jhcenterforthearts.org

29, 2026/ Raptors From the Teton Raptor Center at The Cloudveil - See live raptors up-close at this informal program at the lobby; Free; no reservations needed. Time: 4-5 p.m.

31, 2026/ Touch-A-Truck, presented by Jackson Hole Children's Museum - A beloved Jackson Hole tradition, this free family event is an opportunity to touch the levers, switches and gears that make construction, emergency, law enforcement, food service, and recreation vehicles move. Location: Jackson Elementary School fields and the south parking lot at the Teton County Recreation Center. Entrance tickets are available at select times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  

RELATED STORY: 3 Free Things To Do in Spring in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris Grizzly Bear

OTHER SPRING THINGS TO DO

TAKE A GUIDED WILDLIFE TOUR

Wildlife is in abundance during the springtime in the Tetons. Animals such as bears are coming out of hibernation — many with their cubs — bison become more active after a winter of hunkering down, large herds of elk and moose begin to march northward from the National Elk Refuge up into the hills, and eagles prowl the skies for signs of rodent or fish life below. Spring also means it’s time for the ungulates (deer, elk and moose) to begin calving.

Take a sunrise or sunset wildlife tour in and around Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest with trained and knowledgeable naturalists. Try Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, Buffalo Roam Tours, Wildlife Expeditions, or Eco Tour Adventures.

While Wyoming Stargazing and its partner Earth and Sky Safaris offer wildlife tours day or night, its signature sunset safari and night sky tour is exclusive to Jackson Hole. Experience the best of both worlds with a knowledgeable wildlife guide and professional astronomer while you watch the day fade into a dazzling and inspiring night sky for stargazing. This special private tour — which includes dinner! — is six to seven hours long for eight people, maximum. Call 844-996-7827 or visit wyomingstargazing.org.

Click here for our story on wildlife spotting in Grand Teton National Park.    

Fly Fish Jackson Hole with Fish the Fly

GO FISHIN'

Spring fly fishing in Jackson Hole is a terrific activity. In April, as the days get warmer but before the snow melts, river fishing is prime, especially on the Snake River. Good fishing is also found during May in the alpine lakes as they stay clear and are largely unaffected by runoff. 

We highly recommend anglers go with a guide, such as Grand Teton Fly Fishing or Fish the Fly.

Jackson Hole Biking & Pathways

TAKE A FAT BIKE TOUR

Fat bikes are all the rage here in Jackson Hole, no matter what the weather. The bike's 4- to 5-inch tires allow for durable traction on and off the beaten path. 

With the majority of the roads in Grand Teton National Park closed to vehicular traffic until May 1st, bike riding through this gem of a park is especially pleasurable in spring. Rent a bike and take a self-guided tour, or sign up with Teton Mountain Bike Tours for a half or full day fat bike tour with awesome views of the Teton Mountain Range.