TrekUnity
When
October
Attendance
~25,000
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
Each October in Idaho's Sun Valley, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates the region's sheepherding history as thousands of sheep are trailed down from summer mountain pastures — culminating in the "Big Sheep Parade" straight through downtown Ketchum, alongside folk arts, sheepdog trials, wool crafts, and Basque and Peruvian cultural events.
Consistently ranked among the world's best fall festivals, it pairs a genuinely unique spectacle with the crisp autumn beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains and the resort charm of Sun Valley.
Want to go? Turn Trailing of the Sheep Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Five days in mid-October (parade the final Sunday)
Admission
Free parade + street events · some ticketed events
Parking
Ketchum is small and walkable; park and stroll, and use the free local bus.
Nearest airport
Friedman Memorial (SUN) ~15 min; Boise (BOI) ~2.5 hr
Typical weather
Crisp mountain-fall — 50s–60s °F days, cold nights; layers and a warm jacket.
Official website
Location
Ketchum, ID
Where to stay
Sun Valley Lodge
Historic resort lodge in nearby Sun Valley.
Limelight Hotel Ketchum
Modern hotel in the heart of Ketchum.
Ketchum inns
Cozy stays walkable to the parade route.
Where to eat & drink
The Kneadery
Rustic Ketchum breakfast institution.
Pioneer Saloon
Classic Western steakhouse and saloon.
Basque & lamb dishes
Festival foods celebrating the herding cultures.
Nearby attractions
Sun Valley Resort
America's first destination ski resort.
Sawtooth Mountains
Dramatic peaks and fall color nearby.
Bald Mountain
Ride up for sweeping valley views.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Ketchum
- •Fly into SUN
- •Afternoon: downtown Ketchum + Sun Valley
- •Dinner: Pioneer Saloon
2Folk arts + trials
- •Morning: sheepdog trials
- •Afternoon: folk-arts fair + wool crafts
- •Evening: cultural performances
3Big Sheep Parade
- •Morning: the sheep parade through town
- •Afternoon: Sawtooth drive
- •Head to SUN
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Get a spot early for the Big Sheep Parade down Main Street.
- Add a Sawtooth Mountains drive for the fall color.
- Try the Basque and lamb dishes celebrating the herding heritage.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Trailing of the Sheep Festival?
Five days in mid-October in the Sun Valley / Ketchum area of Idaho, with the parade on the final Sunday.
What actually happens?
Thousands of sheep are trailed from mountain pastures through town in a parade, alongside sheepdog trials, folk arts, and Basque and Peruvian cultural events.
Is it free?
The parade and many street events are free; some events are ticketed.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Trailing of the Sheep Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.