Everything You Need to Know About Rhinelander’s Hodag Heritage Festival
Did you know there’s an entire festival dedicated to Rhinelander’s famous legendary creature, the Hodag? What began as a tale created by local logger Eugene Shepard, the hodag has become a symbol of history and pride for Rhinelander. Here’s your guide to the one-of-a-kind annual festival, dedicated to Rhinelander’s beloved mascot and history. Visit Rhinelander for the 6th Annual Hodag Heritage Festival on May 16, 2026! This event is free to attend and family-friendly.
All Things Hodag Items List
The week of the festival (May 11-16), you can find a list of Rhinelander local businesses that are featuring Hodag-related food, beverages and retail items, many of which are only available during Hodag Heritage Week! The list is available the week of May 11th online and in-person at the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hodag Store. Plan to check out the area businesses and pick up some hodag goodies while you’re in town for the festival!
NEW! Logging Shows
Celebrate Rhinelander’s logging history at Hodag Heritage Festival by getting tickets to the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show! Enjoy a variety of lumberjack competitions, such as ax throwing, log rolling, crosscut sawing, and more. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids age 12 and under. Get your tickets here.
Live Music and Entertainment: Stage Performances
During the festival, you can find entertainment and activities all day long. On the stage, a variety of exciting events take place including Hodag Trivia, fascinating historical presentations, children’s book readings, and more. There is even a Hodag Calling Contest, where anyone can howl or growl their way to a gold medal! You also won’t want to miss the evening headliner- The Brad Emanuel Band. Visit the Hodag Heritage Festival website or Facebook page for the stage entertainment lineup.
Food, Drink, Vendors & Exhibitors
Start the day off with a delicious traditional pancake breakfast by the VFW from 8-11am. Later in the morning and afternoon, you can enjoy food from a variety of food trucks as well as refreshments from the beverage tent. Don’t miss the infamous Hodag beer!
Also, browse exhibitor and vendor booths from 9am-6pm, where you can find a collection of hodag merchandise, crafts, art and other items with a mythical creature or Rhinelander/northwoods focus!
Check the website for the full schedule of events and open times of food and drink vendors.
Hodag Historical City Bus Tours
Take a historical bus tour around the city! This opportunity is only available during Hodag Heritage Festival. Learn about local history as the bus makes stops at notable locations around town, relating to the hodag’s history. Bus tours are $5 per person and run three times during the day of the festival and are approximately 35-45 minutes long. Your tour will be narrated by the Rock 105.3’s Duff Damos! Tickets for the bus tours are available NOW- click here to reserve your spot. If extra tickets are available, they can be purchased the day of the festival, first-come, first-served.
Activities
Kids can find plenty of entertainment while at Hodag Heritage Festival, too! There will be various activities and a free bounce house during the day.
Did you know that the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce has a Hodag Finder Map, where you can go on a scavenger hunt for all of the hodag statues and murals in town? Pick up your scavenger hunt map at the Chamber Monday – Friday between 8am-4pm, and bring the completed form back to the Chamber during a weekday or to the info booth at Pioneer Park during the festival for a special prize!
Hodag Quest
During the festival, there will be a special Hodag Quest happening at Pioneer Park. Start at the Hodag Quest Booth, and follow clues around the park to be successful in your quest, completing puzzles, challenges and more along the way!
Art & Writing Contests
There will be a Hodag Art Contest on display at Pioneer Park Historical Complex during the festival, open to all mediums and ages. Artwork will be on display from 9am-3pm the day of the festival. The public can vote on their favorite pieces! NEW for 2026 is also a Hodag Writing Contest! More details on the contests and how to submit your work can be found here. Forms can be picked online and at the Rhinelander Chamber in advance of the festival.
Pioneer Park Historical Complex
Hodag Heritage Festival will take place at Rhinelander’s Pioneer Park. The park is located near the intersection of Kemp and Oneida Ave. The Historical Complex gives you a glimpse into local and Wisconsin history, featuring seven different museum buildings including a logging museum, schoolhouse, Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, railroad museum, and more. The Complex will be open from 9am-5pm the day of the festival. There is no admission fee, but donations are much appreciated!
Need a place to stay?
If you’re traveling from out of town for the festival, there are plenty of options for lodging accommodations in the Rhinelander area. Choose from hotels, traditional lakeside resorts, scenic campgrounds and more. View Rhinelander lodging here.
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