If you are looking for the best place in America to celebrate the Fourth of July this year Cody Wyoming deserves to be at the top of your list. The Fourth of July Cody Wyoming is not a single day celebration. It is a full five-day Western party that has been going strong since 1919. Professional rodeo, two massive parades down the main street, fireworks over the Shoshone River, craft fairs, live music, and more — all packed into one extraordinary long weekend in the heart of Wyoming’s Absaroka Mountains.
And in 2026 it is even more special than usual. This year America turns 250 years old and Cody is going all out to celebrate. If there was ever a year to experience the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming for the first time this is it.
Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit.
The Cody Stampede Rodeo: The Heart of the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming
Barrel racing at the Annual Cody Stampede Rodeo — one of the best Fourth of July events in Wyoming. The Cody Stampede runs July 1 through July 4 nightly at Stampede Park in Cody, Wyoming.
Everything in Cody during the Fourth of July revolves around the Cody Stampede Rodeo, and for good reason. The 107th Annual Cody Stampede Rodeo runs July 1 through July 4 2026 at Stampede Park featuring PRCA professional rodeo competition and Xtreme Bulls. Nightly performances start at 8pm.
This is not the same as the regular Cody Nite Rodeo that runs every night all summer. The Stampede is a step up — professional circuit cowboys competing at the highest level for serious prize money in front of crowds that fill the grandstands every single night. Bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, and more.
The action actually kicks off on June 30th with the Cody Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls event, a standalone bull riding competition that gets the whole week started with a bang before the main Stampede begins July 1st.
Special themed nights throughout the event honor military service members, veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders. It is a genuinely moving way to celebrate Independence Day and one of the things that makes the Cody Wyoming Fourth of July so different from anywhere else.
Book your Stampede tickets early, this event sells out. Cody Stampede Rodeo Tickets
A practical tip for guests staying out toward Yellowstone: the rodeo starts at 8pm and wraps up around 10pm. Plan for about a 35 minute drive back after the show. The road through Cody is well lit but gets darker once you hit the canyon. Watch for deer on that stretch.
Cody Wyoming Fourth of July parade: A Classic American Experience
A parade participant waves to the crowd at the Cody Stampede Parade — held every July 3rd and 4th at 9:30am down Sheridan Avenue in downtown Cody, Wyoming. Free and open to the public.
The Cody Wyoming Fourth of July parade is one of those experiences that reminds you what small town America is all about, and in 2026 with the country celebrating its 250th birthday it is going to be more spectacular than ever.
The parade runs on both July 3rd and July 4th at 9:30am down Sheridan Avenue, the heart of Cody’s downtown district. Floats, live marching bands from across the country, horses, community groups, and the kind of genuine Western patriotism that is hard to find anywhere else.
The parade is free and open to the public. Arrive by 8:30am at the latest to find a good spot on Sheridan Avenue. The shaded side of the street fills up fastest. If you want a premium spot in front of the historic Irma Hotel plan to be there even earlier — it is one of the best parade viewing locations in town.
For families with kids the parade is genuinely one of the highlights of the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming. Even if you have seen a lot of parades this one feels different. There is real community pride and Western authenticity here that you just don’t find at bigger city celebrations.
Fireworks Over the Shoshone River
The Cody Skylighters Fireworks Show lights up the sky at dusk on July 4th over the Shoshone River in Cody Wyoming. Free to watch from Skyline Drive, Stampede Park, or any street with a view of the river corridor.
The Cody Wyoming Fourth of July celebration wraps up each year with the Cody Skylighters Fireworks Show at dusk on July 4th. The fireworks are launched across the Shoshone River between the rodeo grounds and downtown.
Good viewing spots include Skyline Drive, the rodeo grounds at Stampede Park, and any street with a clear view of the Shoshone River corridor. No tickets required, just show up early and find your spot.
The backdrop makes this fireworks show particularly special. The Absaroka Mountains rising behind the river, the Western sky turning deep orange and red as the sun goes down, and then the fireworks lighting up the canyon walls. It is a genuinely stunning setting for a Fourth of July display.
Arrive early and bring blankets and chairs. Parking fills up fast on the Fourth so consider walking from your hotel or parking further out and making the short walk in.
The Cody Cattle Company: The Perfect Pre-Rodeo Dinner
The Cody Cattle Company delivers a high energy Western music show every night May through September in Cody Wyoming. Doors open at 4:50pm, dinner at 5:30pm, and the show runs 6:30 to 7:30pm — ending right in time for the Cody Nite Rodeo.
If you are looking for things to do in Cody Wyoming Fourth of July before the rodeo the Cody Cattle Company is the perfect answer.
Doors open at 4:50pm, dinner is served from 5:30pm, and the live Western music show runs from 6:30 to 7:30pm — ending right in time to head over to Stampede Park for the 8pm rodeo.
One important note: the Cody Cattle Company is closed July 4th but is open June 30th, July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. So plan your Cattle Company dinner for one of those nights and save the Fourth itself for the parade, the rodeo, and the fireworks.
If you are staying out toward Yellowstone plan to leave your basecamp by about 4pm on Cattle Company nights to give yourself time to get into town before doors open.
The Wild West Spectacular Musical
The Wild West Spectacular Musical performs at the historic Cody Theatre on Sheridan Avenue in downtown Cody Wyoming. Featuring Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and Wild Bill Hickok brought to life with singing, dancing, and live music.
The Wild West Spectacular Musical at the historic Cody Theatre runs throughout the Fourth of July week. This two hour show brings the stories of Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and Wild Bill Hickok to life with singing, dancing, humor, and real Western storytelling.
Check the schedule for specific performance times during Stampede week as they may vary from the regular summer schedule. Book ahead — Fourth of July week performances sell out fast.
The Wild West Arts Fest
The Wild West Arts Fest runs July 2 through July 4 in City Park in downtown Cody Wyoming. Featuring handmade jewelry, pottery, woodworking, photography, and food trucks. Open 9am to 6pm July 2nd and 3rd and 9am to 4pm July 4th. Free to attend.
The Wild West Arts Fest runs July 2 through July 4 and is one of the best free daytime things to do during Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming. Located between the Park County Courthouse and City Park along 10th Street — right along the Stampede Parade route — it draws around 10,000 visitors each year.
You will find jewelry makers, photographers, leather workers, metalworkers, woodworkers, and a great lineup of food trucks serving everything from ice cream and espresso to burgers and sushi bowls. Vendors are open 9am to 6pm on July 2nd and 3rd and 9am to 4pm on July 4th.
It is a perfect way to fill the morning before the afternoon parade and evening rodeo. Free to attend and a great spot for families to browse, eat, and soak in the Stampede Week atmosphere.
Yellowstone Fourth of July Plus Cody Wyoming: The Perfect Combination
Here is something most visitors don’t think about when planning their things to do in Cody Wyoming Fourth of July trip. Cody sits just 52 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park — about an hour’s drive up the spectacular Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway.
That means you can combine the best Fourth of July celebration in Wyoming with a Yellowstone National Park visit in the same trip. Spend your mornings in Yellowstone watching bison calves in Hayden Valley and your evenings at the Stampede Rodeo in Cody. That is about as good as a summer trip gets.
A practical tip: July is the single busiest month of the year at Yellowstone. Start your park days before sunrise to beat the crowds and be back at the East Gate before the afternoon rush. Read our complete Best Yellowstone Entrance Guide for everything you need to know about using the East Gate efficiently.
The Yellowstone Fourth of July experience is extraordinary — baby bison calves everywhere, grizzly bears actively foraging, and the park at its most alive. But plan carefully because parking at popular attractions fills completely by 9am during the Fourth of July week. Our complete Yellowstone Itinerary Guide has day by day plans that work perfectly alongside a Cody Stampede week visit.
Planning Tips for things to do in Cody Wyoming Fourth of July
Book everything early. The Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming is the single busiest week of the entire summer. Rodeo tickets, restaurant reservations, and accommodation all fill up months in advance. If you haven’t booked yet do it today.
Arrive early for the parade. Both parade days start at 9:30am but Sheridan Avenue fills up fast. Be in your spot by 8:30am at the latest and earlier if you want a prime location.
Wear sunscreen and bring water. July afternoons in Cody are sunny and warm. The parade and outdoor events can be hot — dress for the weather and stay hydrated.
Plan your evenings around the rodeo. The Stampede starts at 8pm every night. Build your day around that anchor and fill the morning and afternoon with parades, the craft fair, and Yellowstone.
Watch for deer on the drive home. If you are staying out toward Yellowstone the canyon road gets dark after the rodeo. Drive carefully and watch for wildlife on the highway.
Check the 2026 schedule for updates. With America’s 250th birthday this year there may be additional special events added to the lineup throughout the week. Check the Cody Chamber of Commerce website for the most current 2026 Fourth of July schedule.
Your Fourth of July Basecamp Near Cody and Yellowstone
Old Faithful RV Park in Cody Wyoming — full hookup pull through RV sites just 32 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. The perfect basecamp for the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming and a Yellowstone adventure.
If you are still looking for a place to stay for the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming check availability at Old Faithful RV Park, just 32 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.
Full hookup RV sites for big rigs of all sizes. Rustic cabins sleeping up to 6 guests with fresh bed and bath linens included. Bortle Class 1 dark skies every clear night. And Cody’s extraordinary Cody Wyoming Fourth of July celebrations just 35 minutes down the road.
Spend your mornings in Yellowstone and your evenings at the Stampede. Come back to camp after the fireworks to a quiet riverside setting and a sky full of stars. That is a Fourth of July worth remembering.
Before your trip check out these helpful guides:
- Things to Do in Cody Wyoming : the complete top 10 Cody attractions guide
- Best Yellowstone Entrance Guide : why the East Gate near Cody is the smart choice
- Yellowstone Itinerary Guide : day by day plans from one day to seven days
- First Time Visiting Yellowstone : everything you need to know before you go
- Last Minute Yellowstone Trip Guide : it’s never too late to plan your trip
Frequently Asked Questions: Fourth of July Cody Wyoming
What time does the Cody Wyoming Fourth of July parade start? The Cody Stampede Parade starts at 9:30am on both July 3rd and July 4th. It travels down Sheridan Avenue through downtown Cody. Arrive by 8:30am to secure a good viewing spot. The parade is free and open to everyone.
When is the Cody Stampede Rodeo in 2026? The 107th Annual Cody Stampede Rodeo runs July 1 through July 4 2026 at Stampede Park with nightly performances starting at 8pm. The action kicks off June 30th with the Cody Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls event. Book tickets early at codystampederodeo.com — this event sells out.
Where can I watch fireworks on the Fourth of July Cody Wyoming? Fireworks go off at dusk on July 4th across the Shoshone River between the rodeo grounds and downtown. Good viewing spots include Skyline Drive, the rodeo grounds at Stampede Park, and any street with a clear view of the river corridor. No tickets required.
Is there a kids parade at the Cody Stampede? Yes. A Kiddies Parade is typically held on July 2nd in addition to the main Stampede Parades on July 3rd and 4th. Check the Cody Chamber of Commerce for the full 2026 schedule and any additional events added for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
What makes the 2026 Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming special? In 2026 America celebrates its 250th birthday — a semiquincentennial that Cody is marking with extra special events, parades, and celebrations throughout the week. It is shaping up to be the biggest Fourth of July in Cody’s recent history and a genuinely once in a generation celebration.
Can I combine the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming with a Yellowstone trip? Absolutely. Cody sits just 52 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park — about an hour’s drive up the spectacular Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. Spend your mornings in Yellowstone and your evenings at the Stampede Rodeo. Read our complete Yellowstone Itinerary Guide for the best day by day plans.
Where is the best place to stay for the Fourth of July in Cody Wyoming? Old Faithful RV Park on the North Fork of the Shoshone River offers full hookup RV sites and rustic cabins just 32 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park — the perfect basecamp for combining the Fourth of July Cody Wyoming celebrations with a Yellowstone adventure.
Rest. Explore. Repeat.