Buggies-N-Blues

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MusicMandan
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsPairing classic cars with live blues music
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Buggies-N-Blues in Mandan

Buggies-N-Blues is a free classic car and blues music festival taking over Main Street in Mandan, North Dakota, each June, with the 2026 edition running June 12 to 14. Started in 1993, the event now draws 35,000 to 40,000 visitors for a car parade, roughly 500 classic and specialty vehicles on display, live blues music, beer gardens, and food vendors.

Mandan, North Dakota, sits just across the Missouri River from the state capital of Bismarck, and in 1993 a committee of six local organizers set out to add a signature summer event to the city's calendar, one built around two enthusiasms with genuinely broad appeal: classic cars and blues music.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Pairing classic cars with live blues music gives Buggies-N-Blues a genuinely distinctive identity within the region's festival calendar, blending automotive nostalgia with a specific music genre rather than defaulting to generic regional country or rock programming

02

The mystery stays covered

Drawing 35,000 to 40,000 visitors to a city of roughly 25,000 residents represents a remarkable multiplication of Mandan's population for a single weekend, underscoring how far the event's reputation has traveled since its founding by a small organizing committee in 1993

03

The city starts moving

The Sunday display of approximately 500 classic and specialty vehicles lined along Main Street gives car enthusiasts a browsing experience on a genuinely large scale, while the addition of an electric vehicle display in recent years shows organizers actively updating the format to reflect the changing automotive landscape

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Sunday classic and specialty vehicle display along Main Street

Water and renewal

Living ritual

now regularly drawing around 500 cars

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the Saturday-night dance and car parade are Buggies-N-Blues' defining traditions

The local code

Living ritual

alongside a vintage tractor showcase that connects the event to the region's broader agricultural machinery history

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Buggies-N-Blues, choose the arrival point in Mandan first, then work backward to transport and return timing.

What to wear

Casual early-summer outdoor wear: shorts or light pants, breathable shirts, and comfortable shoes for walking Main Street pavement and browsing rows of parked vehicles, plus sun protection...

Safety

Buggies-N-Blues is best approached as a guest: follow local crowd guidance and avoid blocking participants.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Mandan.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.83 N, 100.89 WOpen in Google Maps

Mandan, ND

Nearest airportBIS — Bismarck Municipal
TransportFor Buggies-N-Blues, choose the arrival point in Mandan first, then work backward to transport and return timing.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Mandan.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Mandan via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Mandan, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual early-summer outdoor wear: shorts or light pants, breathable shirts, and comfortable shoes for walking Main Street pavement and browsing rows of parked vehicles, plus sun protection for daytime hours.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Buggies-N-Blues?

Buggies-N-Blues is listed for June · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Buggies-N-Blues take place?

The festival is listed in Mandan, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Mandan, ND

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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