North Dakota Winter Show

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Cultural & TraditionalValley City
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsDating back to 1937, the Winter Show is the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City

The North Dakota Winter Show is the state's oldest and longest-running agricultural exposition, held each March at the Event Center in Valley City, North Dakota. The 89th annual edition ran March 4 to 7, 2026, drawing around 30,000 attendees for PRCA rodeo performances, livestock and draft horse shows, a country concert, a craft show, and an old-time tractor pull.

Valley City, North Dakota, a small city along the Sheyenne River in the eastern part of the state, has hosted the North Dakota Winter Show since 1937, making it the oldest continuously operating agricultural exposition in the state and one of the longest-running events of its kind anywhere in the Upper Midwest.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Dating back to 1937, the Winter Show is the oldest continuously running agricultural exposition in North Dakota, giving it a historical weight and institutional continuity few state agricultural events can match, having survived nearly nine decades of economic cycles and shifts in the state's farm economy

02

The mystery stays covered

Its winter timing is distinctive: rather than the typical late-summer or fall county fair calendar, the show deliberately fills a March slot when North Dakota's agricultural community has a genuine lull between winter chores and spring planting, giving farmers and ranchers a dedicated season to gather, compete, and do business

03

The city starts moving

Combining PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, serious livestock and draft horse competition, and an old-time tractor pull within one event gives visitors a broad cross-section of North Dakota's agricultural culture in a single stop

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

PRCA rodeo performances and formal draft horse competitions

Water and renewal

Living ritual

both dating back to the show's earliest decades

The sacred route

Living ritual

remain its most closely held traditions

The local code

Living ritual

alongside the old-time tractor pull

Tradition 5

Living ritual

which connects the modern event directly to North Dakota's agricultural machinery history

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For North Dakota Winter Show, plan transport around the exact Valley City venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Practical, warm winter and early-spring clothing: North Dakota in early March remains cold, so insulated coats, warm boots suited to fairground mud or snow, hats, and gloves are essential...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For North Dakota Winter Show, stay near the part of Valley City you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.92 N, 98.00 WOpen in Google Maps

Valley City, ND

Nearest airportJMS — Jamestown Regional
TransportFor North Dakota Winter Show, plan transport around the exact Valley City venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor North Dakota Winter Show, stay near the part of Valley City you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Valley City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Valley City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearPractical, warm winter and early-spring clothing: North Dakota in early March remains cold, so insulated coats, warm boots suited to fairground mud or snow, hats, and gloves are essential, especially for outdoor rodeo and tractor pull events.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 North Dakota Winter Show?

North Dakota Winter Show is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does North Dakota Winter Show take place?

The festival is listed in Valley City, 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?

Spring 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?

Valley City, 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 URLnorthdakotawintershow.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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