Calendar of Events
Winthrop Balloon Roundup
MARCH 6, 2026 – March 8, 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026
Hot air balloons launch around 7am.
Pilot’s Lift Off Party: 6:00pm-10pm at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium. A cocktail reception for the pilots, guests and event spectators. $20 cover. Food included plus cash bar.
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Hot air balloons launch around 7am.
Pancake Breakfast: 7am-11am at the Winthrop Barn hosted by Winthrop Kiwanis. There will be a raffle fundraiser for a balloon ride donated by Snohomish Balloon Ride to raise resources for the ongoing programs that Winthrop Kiwanis offers for local children, including scholarships, hearing screenings, and more.
Sip & Shop: 4:30pm-6:30pm wine tasting and shopping specials in downtown Winthrop.
Balloon Night Glow: 5:30pm-7pm Light up your night when the balloons inflate along downtown Riverside Ave. The balloons will inflate but not take off, causing the fire from the balloons to light up the town. This is not an event to be missed. This is a free public event. We recommend parking at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium or the Town Trailhead and walking to the event.
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Hot air balloons launch around 7am.
River’s Edge Resort is a Proud Sponsor of this Event
Winthrop ’49er Days
May 8, 2026 – May 10, 2026 Celebrating 81 Years!
Join us for the 81st annual Winthrop Washington ’49er Days! Come enjoy a celebration of our rich western history and community spirit. The event starts with the annual Ride the Rendezvous, a week-long horse-packing excursion through the Methow Valley high country, and as the horse train enters Winthrop on the final day, the community comes out to celebrate its arrival back home! A highlight of the ’49er Day is the parade going through Riverside Ave with more pack strings than any parade in the state, along with horses, floats, a band, vintage vehicles, and much more. It is free to join and view the parade!
Thursday May 7th at 6pm
WOGA Ride the Rendezvous ($30 per person) Location TBD, contact WOGA.org for more information.
Friday May 8th at High Noon
Join us on Riverside Ave to welcome the WOGA horse and wagon train as they ride through town!
Saturday May 9th
- 10:00AM – Line dancing in the streets
- 11AM – Grand Parade on Riverside Ave followed by fun & games! (participants line up at 9AM on Castle Ave for judging)
- 10AM to 4:30PM – Shafer Museum History Presentations
- 12PM – Kiwanis pulled pork lunch at Mack Lloyd Park
- 12PM to 6PM – Live music at the outdoor stage in the park
- 5PM – WOGA Dinner in the park ($30 per person)
- 7PM – 49er Days Barn Dance
- Sunday May 10th
- 7AM – WOGA Breakfast at Mack Lloyd Park ($15 per person)
- 10AM – Packing Contest
Christmas at the End of the Road
November 27, 2026 -29, 2026
Winthrop’s traditional kick-off to the Holiday Season in true Western Style with a spectacular Fireworks Display that lights up the entire town. This is a family must do!
THURSDAY, November 27th:
9am: Turkey Trot 5K
21 Horizon Flats Road
parkrun.us/register
FRIDAY, November 28th:
2pm-4pm: Storytelling at Trail’s End Bookstore
3pm-7pm: Mistletoe Madness in Twisp
5:30pm-7:30pm: Ice Skating with Santa at the Winthrop Rink. Head to our enchanting outdoor ice rink in town for a magical evening on ice with Santa!
SATURDAY, November 29th:
1pm-4pm: Kiwanis Winter Fest at the Winthrop Red Barn
Photos with Santa & horse drawn carriage rides around town.
3pm: Campfires on Riverside Ave
5pm: Town lighting and caroling
6pm: Enjoy the magic in the air with a spectacular winter fireworks show that will light up the whole town!
River’s Edge Resort is a Proud Sponsor of this Event