National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Monday, January 24th. There are until the next observance.

Every year, from January 24 to 29, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week is observed. The Cowboy Poetry Gathering was founded in 1985 in Reno, Nevada. It is an occasion when members of various ranch families get together to share some poetry, storytelling, and live country music. In 2000, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources issued a resolution renaming the event National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week, honoring the initial event in 1985.

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📆 When is National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week?

This year, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week falls on the 4th Monday in January; in 2023, it is on Tuesday.

Countdown to National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week


Did you know: The Rocky Mountains are the longest mountain range in North America. They run from Mexico to Canada in the west.

📜 History of National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week

William Wilson received money from the National Endowment for the Arts for the initial iteration of the event. It was organized by a group of folklorists and local cowboy poets, including Hal Cannon and Waddie Mitchell. The gathering brought together Western ranchers and cowboys to share poems on ranch life. From the start, it was clear that these people had found a hidden group of creative people.

Today, National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week is a six-day festival filled with poetry, music, dance, seminars, exhibitions, and other activities steeped in the rural West’s history. The Gathering knows that it is a place where thousands of ranchers and people interested in Western culture go to meet and see art that is connected to the “rhythms of earth and sky.”

☑️ National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week facts

It’s home to great skiing resorts
Some of the best and most popular places to ski in the United States are in the West.

Mexican culture is a big influence
Mexican culture has had a significant impact on the West.

Farming is a big deal
When it comes to farming, the West is no slacker; schools are occasionally closed so that students may assist their families with harvesting.

The West produces most of the apples
“Locro” isn’t just popular in Argentina; it’s also popular in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, where it’s considered a national dish.

✨ Things to do on National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week

Visit Elko, Nevada
This is an excellent time to visit Elko, Nevada. Make an effort to participate in the festivities while you’re there.

Participate in the Gathering
Listen to country music to participate in the gathering. Enjoy the poetry recitals, food, and beverages as well!

Share your experience online
Make sure to share your experience online using the hashtag #NationalCowboyPoetryGatheringWeek. Spread the word about this one-of-a-kind day.

📅 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 January 24 Tuesday
2024 January 24 Wednesday
2025 January 24 Friday
2026 January 24 Saturday
2027 January 24 Sunday

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week. So be sure to check back soon.