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:
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month just after sunset in the northwest corner of the Stilson parking lot off Hwy. 390 and 22, behind the bus hut where there are no lights. There is $25/person recommended donation. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more.
• Wyoming Stargazing Solar Astronomy at The Peoples’ Market on the Center for the Arts lawn Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. through September 25th. Using specialized solar telescopes you'll safely see sunspots, solar prominences and much more on the photosphere of the Sun. Free!
• "Sunday Funday" at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort every Sunday through September 10th - From 2-5 p.m., enjoy $20 bike park tickets and 20% off rentals from JH Sports.
• The iconic Jackson Hole Hootenanny occurs every Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Dornan's in Moose.
• Slow Food in the Tetons sponsors a farm stand at Snake River Brewing from noon-6 p.m. on Fridays
• "Full Circle: An Exhibition of Community Creation, Curation, and Collaboration" at the National Museum of Wildlife Art is comprised of works created by community members and is on display in the Wapiti Gallery throughout the summer and fall.
• 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. 31st. 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.
• Listen to live music at the Mangy Moose. Local musicians play every Monday and Tuesday; karaoke is Wednesday - mangymoose.com
• Farmers Market on the Town Square. Every Saturday morning from 8 a.m.-Noon until the 30th, featuring fresh produce and music. - jacksonholefarmersmarket.org
• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has been bringing locals and visitors together for more than 15 years, year-round, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m.
• Jackson Hole People's Market - Locally-produced food items and crafts; music; held every Wednesday through the 21st at the Center for the Arts; 4-7 p.m. - jhpeoplesmarket.org
• Avian Experience at Teton Raptor Center - Held at 2 p.m. every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Teton Raptor Center in Wilson; meet birds of prey in the historic barn; book online at tetonraptorcenter.org
• Concerts on the Commons in Teton Village - Free music series every Sunday in Teton Village at 5 p.m. through September 8th
1: 2nd Annual Labor Day Weekend Horseshoe Music Festival at the Virginian - Music, fashion, culinary and wellness event-horseshoemusicfestival.com
3: The Rendezvous Enduro at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort - Montana Enduro Bike Race Series comes to Jackson - montanaenduro.com
4-15: 40th 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
5-8: Jackson Hole One Fly Contest - Annual three-day tournament, with anglers limited to using only one pre-selected fly per day.
5: Summer Music Series at Snake River Brewing - Free music from 5-8 p.m.
6: 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.
7: Annual LOTOJA - 210-mile interstate bike race from Logan, Utah, to Teton Village - lotojaclassic.com
7: Annual Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities - cfjacksonhole.org
8: Arts on the Green - Center for the Arts Lawn. Free entry to view and purchase art, jewelry, and more from 50+ local creatives including some of Jackson's finest artists. Bar and live entertainment throughout the afternoon; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. - artassociation.org
12: 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
12: Summer Music Series at Snake River Brewing - Free music from 5-8 p.m.
13: 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
14: Jackson Hole Art Auction - jacksonholeartauction.com
14: Annual Fall Arts Festival Quick Draw - Art Sale and auction on Town Square - Visit jacksonholechamber.com for details.
15: 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
15: 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.
15: Grand Targhee Resort closes for the summer season - grandtarghee.com
15: Jackson Hole Hootenanny - Jackson's all-time favorite folk musicians take the stage at 7 p.m. for a special Center for the Arts performance. - jhcenterforthearts.org
22: Dirty 30 Lawn Party Vol. II at Snake River Brewing - A celebration of the Brew Pub's 30th year; the band Strumbucket will play from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
27: 5 Point Film Festival at the Center for the Arts - Join Stio and 5 Point Film for a night of premium adventure films, special guests and a stacked gear giveaway with proceeds benefiting Teton County Search and Rescue. - jhcenterforthearts.org
28: Jackson Hole Marathon - jacksonholemarathon.com
28: "Amplify Astoria" Music Event at Astoria Hot Springs - Fundraising concert featuring live music and food trucks - astoriahotspringspark.org
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.