October 7, 2026 - October 11, 2026

30th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival

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Sheep have been trailing through the Wood River Valley of Idaho for well over a century-and-a-half and are an integral part of Idaho’s western heritage. It is only fitting that they take center stage at the 30^th annual celebration of the iconic Trailing of the Sheep Festival, October 7-11, 2026, which celebrates the sheep, herders, history, and food of this unique tradition, and is recognized as one of the “Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World” by msn.com.

Each fall, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival honors the 150+ year annual tradition of moving sheep (‘trailing’) from high mountain summer pastures down through the Valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. This annual migration is living history and the focus of a unique and authentic Festival that celebrates the people, arts, cultures, and traditions of Idaho’s sheep ranching families, highlighting the principal contributors – the Basques, Scottish, and Peruvians.

The five-day Festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues – history, folk arts, an authentic Sheep Folklife Fair, lamb culinary offerings, Wool Fest classes, music, storytelling, National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials, and the always entertaining Big Sheep Parade with over 1,200 sheep hoofing it down Main Street in Ketchum.

Festival Highlights include:

Big Sheep Parade – Sunday, October 11 @ Noon.

A band of 1,200 sheep trailing down Main Street in Ketchum, Idaho. The parade includes historic sheep wagons and participants from the Folklife Fair, each identified by sign-bearing local dancers. Blessing the flock this year is The Very Reverend M. Jonah Kendall, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum.

National Qualifying Sheepdog Trials – Oct 9 & 10, 9am – 5pm and Oct 11 9am – 2pm

The National Point Qualifying Sheepdog Trials during the Trailing of the Sheep Festival is a must-see for all animal enthusiasts who have wondered who is really in charge of the sheep and how the dogs are trained to respond to their handlers. These amazingly talented animals will bring words of astonishment from viewers along with great photo
opportunities.

Sheep Folklife Fair – Saturday, October 10 @ 10am – 4pm

The popular and authentic Sheep Folklife Fair provides a full day of things to see, hear and do for all ages! Featuring Basque, Scottish, and Peruvian dancers and musicians, sheep shearing demonstrations, 80+ sheep and wool product vendors, and children’s activities.

Sheep Tales Gathering – Friday, October 9 @ 7pm

Online ticket sales close Thursday, October 8th at 12pm, after that, tickets may be available at the door for purchase, subject to availability.

The 2026 Festival will again feature the storytelling arm of our event – the Sheep Tales Gathering. This event will feature esteemed, James Beard nominated Boise resident and chef – Dan Ansotegui. Dan is a well-known local Basque chef in Boise owning and operating such restaurants as Bar Gernika and Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering, and founding The Basque Market.

Dan will be joined by John Ysura who has a PhD in history with a specialty in the history of the Basque diaspora of the western United States, as well as Patty Miller who is the Basque Community History Project Director for the Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise, Idaho.

Together, they will present “Basque Food In The West: There to Here and Then to Now” speaking about how Basque food has changed from the farmhouses of the Basque country of Spain and France, to the Basque owned boarding houses, and to today’s Basque restaurants throughout the U.S.

Culinary Events – October 7 to October 10

For the Love of Lamb tastings, Lamb Fest at the Folklife Fair, Cooking with Lamb classes and a Cheese Making class, and Farm to Table Lamb Dinners featuring Idaho lamb from local ranchers.

Wool Fest – October 8 to 10

featuring 22 classes and workshops on creating with wool.

Happy Trails Closing Party – Sunday, October 11

in Ketchum Town Square (before and after the Big Sheep Parade) featuring vendors, food, and live music.

For a full schedule of activities click here. For tickets, lodging deals and more visit www.trailingofthesheep.org.

TO VOLUNTEER CLICK HERE.

About the Trailing of the Sheep Festival

The Trailing of the Sheep Festival has also garnered some well-deserved accolades over the years, including being recognized as one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World by msn.com travel, Top Ten US Fall Festivals by smartertravel.com, Top Animal Festivals in the World and Top Ten Fall Festivals by USA Today, Top 7 Fun Fall Festivals by AARP, One of the Greatest Cultural Events in the West by Northwest Travel, and recipient of the Society of American Travel Writer’s Phoenix Award for best in cultural tourism, and the Idaho Governor’s Award for Cultural Heritage.