What the Days of '76 Rodeo Is
The Days of '76 Rodeo and Parades is Deadwood's week-long Western celebration, built around a PRCA-sanctioned professional rodeo in the Days of '76 Arena. The Days of '76 committee, which dates the event to 1922, has won PRCA Rodeo Committee of the Year 19 times, has been named Badlands Circuit Rodeo of the Year 17 times, and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011. It has also been a Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year nominee repeatedly, including in 2026. Its slogan is "Best Rodeo. No Bull."
The next edition is scheduled for July 25 to 31, 2027. The most recent edition ran July 19 to 25, 2026.
What's on the Schedule
| Day (2027) | Event |
|---|---|
| Sun., July 25 | PRCA Steer Roping, 8 a.m., Days of '76 Arena (free); Rodeo Queen Contest, 9 a.m. |
| Mon., July 26 | WPRA Barrel Racing slack, 8 a.m. (free); Rodeo Queen Coronation, 9 a.m., Outlaw Square |
| Tue., July 27 | Timed Event Slack, 7 a.m. (free); Rodeo Queen Autographs, 7 to 11 p.m., Outlaw Square |
| Wed. to Sat., July 28 to 31 | PRCA rodeo performances at night; queen autographs in Outlaw Square, 7 to 11 p.m. |
| Fri. and Sat., July 30 and 31 | Historic Days of '76 Parade, 1:30 p.m., Main Street |
The slack is where PRCA and WPRA contestants run team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and breakaway roping. The top 12 contestants in each event come back for the evening performance. In 2025, performances started at 7 p.m.
Tickets and Cost
Tickets go on sale in February 2027. Posted 2027 prices:
- 76 Grandstand reserved seats: $55
- Juso Brothers Grandstand reserved seats: $45
- General admission: $35; ages 5 to 12: $15; ages 4 and under: free
- Reserved seating: children 2 and under who do not need a seat are free
The only official sales are through the Days of '76 website, which links to Tix.com, or at the box office the week of the rodeo. Wheelchair reserved seating is arranged through the website's chat box. No pets are allowed in the grandstands, standing room, concessions or shopping areas. The steer roping and slack sessions are free to watch.
The Parades
The historic three-mile parade runs Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, 2027, starting at 1:30 p.m. It leaves the Days of '76 Event Complex, goes up US Highway 14A onto lower Main Street, up Main Street, east on Pine Street and north on US Highway 85. Expect traffic delays on Highway 14A from about 1 to 3 p.m. both days. No candy or other items may be thrown, for the safety of spectators, participants and animals.
Entering the parade
Entries must contact the parade chairman by Friday, July 23, 2027, using the registration form on the Days of '76 parade page. Every entry must check in at the Days of '76 Campground cabin on Monday, July 26, Wednesday, July 28 or Thursday, July 29 from 2 to 4 p.m., or Friday, July 30 from 9 to 11 a.m., to collect an official packet and entry number. Costumes are available at the cabin on July 28 and 29 (2 to 4 p.m.) and July 30 (9 to 11 a.m.). Participants arrive at the arena an hour before the start and reach line-up 30 minutes before.
What the Rodeo Pays
The 2026 rodeo listed $14,500 added money per event, with Burch Rodeo as stock contractor. It was part of the 2026 Playoff Series presented by Pendleton Whisky.
Where
Days of '76 Arena and Event Complex, 76th Drive, Deadwood, SD 57732. The Days of '76 Campground, 50 Crescent Drive (605-578-2872), is on Whitewood Creek a short walk or trolley ride from Main Street and has 40 sites with water and electric hookups, plus tent and dry camping.
Questions
Which events are free?
Steer roping, the barrel racing slack and the timed event slack, plus the parades on Main Street.
Is there a family night?
In 2025 the Tuesday evening show was billed as Family Night with $5 off general admission. Check the ticket page for 2027.
Where do I buy official tickets?
Only through daysof76.com (Tix.com) or the box office during rodeo week.
Official Links
- Days of '76 Rodeo
- Tickets and schedule
- Parade information and registration
- About and awards
- Campground
- Deadwood.com: Days of '76
- Travel South Dakota listing
- TSLN: 2025 format changes
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Contest
Young women compete on July 25, 2027 for the titles of Miss Days of 76, Jr Miss Days of 76 and Days of 76 Princess, starting at 9 AM at the museum and arena.
- Days of 76 PRCA Steer Roping
A free PRCA steer roping event opens Days of 76 week on July 25, 2027, starting at 8 AM at the Days of 76 Arena in Deadwood.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details - Days of 76 WPRA Barrel Racing Slack
WPRA barrel racers run the slack on July 26, 2027, at 8 AM at the Days of 76 Arena in Deadwood; admission is free.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details - Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Coronation
The 2027 Miss Days of 76, Jr Miss Days of 76 and Days of 76 Princess are crowned July 26, 2027, at 9 AM in Outlaw Square on Deadwood's Main Street.
- Days of 76 Timed Event Slack
PRCA and WPRA contestants run team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down and breakaway roping on July 27, 2027; the top 12 in each event return for the evening rodeo. Free admission.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.