Boots click to the beat of the music, and the smell of great food wafts through the air. Next to you, a man is making horseshoes, and a kid rides a horse and lassos a bull. This is not a fantasy; it is the Santa Carita Cowboy festival. This event is from 10:00 to 6:00 on Saturday and Sunday at William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave, April 18th and 19th.
This is a free admission community event that anyone is welcome to attend. It is family-friendly with different games for kids as well as adults to enjoy. Families can dress up in their best Western attire, and the event is friendly to well-behaved animals.
For nothing, you can enjoy country music and fun games like axe-throwing and dancing with friends and family to live music. There are also many vendors that sell a variety of food, from burgers to the delicious peach cobbler. Some vendors also sell merchandise like cowboy hats, boots, and custom horseshoes. Some games cost money, like candle making, wool spinning, leather stamping, and gold panning.
For guests who want more from their experience, they also sell a VIP package. For $125, you get premium seating, all-day access to drinks and snacks, a BBQ lunch, an official shirt, and access to dancing in the dusk from 7:00 to 10:00 on Saturday night. These passes are required for ages 3 and up, and buy them soon, because there are a very limited number up for sale.
However, this is not a new tradition. The City of Santa Clarita newspaper states, “Since 1994, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival has continued to bring together residents and visitors from near and far to celebrate our City’s rich Western roots through art, music, film, and television.” The festival started with the Cowboy Poetry, Music, and Film Festival. It eventually grew until it became the fun Western event we know and love today.
There is limited street parking, but shuttles and dedicated city buses are available to take people to the event. The event is mostly accessible to disabled people, but there are no transportation services within the festival grounds. It is located entirely outdoors, so guests are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes and sunscreen and to bring water. There are no weapons, real or prop, allowed in the event. If you do, you will be escorted out of the park.
If you think you are a great dance well sattle up. For 10 dollars, you can enter the line dance competition. You can have no experience, and it is a fun way to make new friends. This is only available for ages 16 and up, but you can visit to watch for free.
I (Mason) have gone to the event multiple times, and I have loved it. The food is reasonably priced, but the peach cobbler is the best dessert. There are games such as archery, velcro axe-throwing, and lassoing a mechanical bull for the kids, and axe-throwing and real archery for the adults. I personally loved archery. The merchandise is good quality, and I got a cowboy hat and a pin that I had all day. Plus, there are animals you can feed, and you can pan and get real gold.
This event is full of fun activities, drinks, food, and merch for people of all ages. Do not forget to save the date and come out to enjoy the life of a cowboy. So, round up your family, wear your best western wear, and come and come enjoy the 2026 SCV cowboy festival.