When is Wagon Days 2026 in Ketchum, Idaho?
Wagon Days runs Labor Day weekend, September 4–6, 2026, with the 69th annual Big Hitch Parade stepping off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 5. Sun Valley Road hard-closes at noon ahead of the parade, and Highway 75's ongoing construction means the city is asking anyone driving in — especially with a trailer — to avoid downtown and use Elkhorn Road instead. If you're touring homes or just visiting for the weekend, plan your route and your parking in advance.
By Matt Stevenson | September 1, 2026
Wagon Days is the one weekend a year Ketchum shows up exactly like itself — mining-town roots, mountain-town crowd, all in one Main Street. If you've got a showing scheduled or you're just in town to look around, here's what's actually happening and how to get around it without getting stuck in construction traffic.
The weekend, hour by hour
Friday, September 4 — The Wagon Days Grand Marshal Ceremony kicks things off at 5:30 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square, with a barbecue dinner and refreshments courtesy of the city.
Saturday, September 5 — This is the big day.
- Parade staging opens at 8:30 a.m., with pre-judging in the staging area from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Sun Valley Road closes hard at noon — if you want a spot along the route, get there before then.
- The Big Hitch Parade steps off at 1 p.m., led by the Lewis Ore Wagons — the original, fully functional set of mining freight wagons that give the event its name.
- The Wagon Days Street Party follows right after the parade passes through downtown.
Sunday, September 6 — Things wind down with the last of the weekend's events before Labor Day itself on Monday.
Getting into town without the construction headache
Here's the part that actually affects your weekend plans: Highway 75 and the bridge into Ketchum are still under construction, part of the SH-75 improvement project between Elkhorn Road and River Street that's now running into 2027. Wagon Days organizers are explicit about it this year — they're asking people not to drive trailers into downtown Ketchum off Highway 75 at all.
A few practical notes:
- Use Elkhorn Road to reach the staging area and avoid downtown Ketchum entirely if you're hauling anything.
- Expect delays at the Elkhorn/Highway 75 junction. Build in extra drive time, especially Saturday morning.
- The parade route itself isn't affected by the construction — it's the approach into town that needs planning.
- If you're a local resident heading to the staging area to watch or drop off entries, carpooling is genuinely worth it. Parking near the Horseman's Center is limited, and the city is suggesting the Community School lot as an overflow option.
We've written before about how the SH-75 construction has been shaping buying and selling decisions in Ketchum this year, and this weekend is a good reminder that it's still very much in progress. If you're touring homes in the area Saturday, build the parade closures and the highway work into your schedule together.
Worth experiencing if you're here to look at homes
If you're weighing Ketchum as a home base, Wagon Days is one of the best weekends of the year to actually feel what the town is like when it's full — Main Street packed, Town Square loud, longtime residents and newcomers standing shoulder to shoulder for a parade that's been running since 1958. It's a different Ketchum than the one you'll see touring homes on a quiet Tuesday, and it's worth seeing both.
If you want the history behind the parade itself — the mining wagons, the ghost town connection, how the whole tradition started — we wrote about that here.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Wagon Days 2026?
Wagon Days runs September 4–6, 2026, over Labor Day weekend in Ketchum, Idaho. The centerpiece Big Hitch Parade takes place Saturday, September 5.
What time is the Big Hitch Parade?
The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 5. Sun Valley Road closes hard at noon, so arrive well before then if you want a spot along the route.
Will Highway 75 construction affect getting into Ketchum this weekend?
Yes. Highway 75 and the bridge into Ketchum are under active construction. Organizers advise against driving trailers into downtown Ketchum from Highway 75 and recommend using Elkhorn Road instead, with delays likely at the Elkhorn/Highway 75 junction. The parade route itself is not affected.
Where can I park for Wagon Days?
Parking near the Horseman's Center staging area is limited. Locals and groups heading to the staging area are encouraged to carpool or use the Community School parking lot as overflow. Downtown parking along the parade route fills up well before the 1 p.m. start.
Is Wagon Days free to attend?
Yes, the parade and most weekend events are free and open to the public. Reserved seating along the parade route is available for purchase through the Ore Wagon Museum for those who want a guaranteed spot.
If you're in town this weekend and want to talk through what's on the market in Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, or Bellevue — or just want a local's take on where to park — reach out anytime.
Image: Wagon Days website
About Stevenson Real Estate Group
The Stevenson Group has decades of experience in Sun Valley, and use that historical knowledge to help long-time and new clients achieve their real estate goals. Selling everything from remote mountain lodges in the Sawtooths to luxury estates on the Big Wood River to starter homes in the South Valley, Gayle, Matt and team consistently get the job done like few other agents or teams in the market.
