Hodag Country Festival

View on map
MusicRhinelander
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe Hodag itself gives the festival a
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Hodag Country Festival in Rhinelander

Hodag Country Festival is a multi-day country music festival held each July near Rhinelander, Wisconsin, named after the Hodag, a mythical horned creature tied to the city's lumberjack folklore. The camping-centered festival brings major touring country artists to a rural festival ground, combining concert programming with on-site camping for a multi-day audience.

Rhinelander's most famous piece of local folklore traces back to 1893, when a local prankster named Eugene Shepard claimed to have captured a fearsome, horned, spike-backed creature in the surrounding north woods and displayed a crude taxidermy hoax to prove it.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Hodag itself gives the festival a distinctive regional identity unmatched by generic country music festivals elsewhere: the creature originated as an elaborate 1893 hoax by local prankster Eugene Shepard, who claimed to have captured a horned, spike-backed beast in the woods near Rhinelander, and the legend has since become a genuine piece of regional folklore and civic mascot rather than a forgotten prank

02

The mystery stays covered

Building a major country music festival around that local legend ties a nationally touring concert event directly to a piece of authentic Wisconsin north-woods storytelling, giving Hodag Country Festival a narrative hook beyond its lineup of touring artists

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Naming the festival after the Hodag

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Rhinelander's legendary hoax creature from 1893

The sacred route

Living ritual

has remained a consistent nod to local folklore since the festival's founding

The local code

Living ritual

distinguishing it from generically named country festivals

Tradition 5

Living ritual

On-site multi-day camping alongside major touring country acts has also stayed central to the event's format

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Rhinelander you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Casual outdoor country-festival wear including boots or sturdy shoes for grass and dirt festival grounds, sun protection for daytime sets, and layers for cooler north-woods evenings.

Safety

Hodag Country Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hodag Country Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map45.64 N, 89.41 WOpen in Google Maps

Rhinelander, WI

Nearest airportRHI — Rhinelander Oneida County
TransportStay close enough to the part of Rhinelander you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hodag Country Festival runs late.

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 Rhinelander via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Rhinelander, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor country-festival wear including boots or sturdy shoes for grass and dirt festival grounds, sun protection for daytime sets, and layers for cooler north-woods evenings.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 Hodag Country Festival?

Hodag Country Festival is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hodag Country Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Rhinelander, 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?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Rhinelander, WI

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 URLhodag.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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