Casper’s Dolly Day will bring the community together on September 25 for a full day inspired by Dolly Parton’s music, creativity and generosity. The celebration will include programming connected to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a Dolly Dash look-alike parade, a downtown Dolly Dally, local business specials, food trucks and other activities throughout the day.

The celebration will end with Dolly karaoke, look-alike and sound-alike contests and prizes at City Works, but the real purpose goes beyond the fun. One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds will benefit the new Casper Youth Hub, making the day an opportunity to celebrate community while helping create a space where Casper youth can learn, connect and grow.

The 2026 Wyoming Nurses Association and Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing Annual Convention begins September 24 at the Best Western Downtown Casper Hotel and continues through September 25. Centered on the theme “Stronger Together,” the two-day convention will bring nursing and advanced practice professionals together for education, networking, discussions and recognition of nursing leadership across Wyoming.

Featured speakers include American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy and American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Valerie Fuller. The program also addresses workforce wellbeing, dementia care and healthcare experiences from organizations around the state, creating opportunities for professionals to share knowledge and consider practical ways to strengthen care in Wyoming communities.

The Wyoming Supreme Court will bring a rare public educational experience to Casper College on Thursday, September 24, giving local residents and students an opportunity to observe the state’s highest court in action. At 10 a.m., the justices will hear oral arguments in Hurd v. Hurd, an active case involving the distribution of a family trust estate.

The morning will continue at 11 a.m. with the court’s “You Be The Judge” program, where local attorneys will present a mock case and Casper College students will take on the role of judges and issue a decision. Together, the programs offer the Casper community an unusual opportunity to learn about the judicial process through both observation and hands-on participation.

Stitch & B!tch at Dab Hand Yarn & Crafts offers Casper creatives a relaxed and welcoming place to work on their projects while meeting other makers. The weekly gathering welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, embroiderers and crafters of all kinds, with participants encouraged to bring whatever project they are currently working on.

As part of Casper on a Budget, the gathering highlights an affordable side of the city's arts community: creativity that is built around connection rather than spending. With free coffee, tea, juice and snacks available, the Wednesday evening meetup is another example of how independent creative spaces can help make Casper a lively place for art, making and community.

Glowforge: Wooden Mushroom Shelf Sitter gives Casper-area creators an opportunity to explore hands-on making through a charming wooden project at the Natrona County Library. Using the library’s Creation Station and Glowforge technology, participants can experience how a digital design can become a finished piece of decorative art.

The workshop also highlights the growing role of makerspaces in Casper, where technology can become a creative tool for artists, hobbyists and curious community members. With a project as approachable and playful as a mushroom shelf sitter, the experience offers a fun starting point for anyone interested in trying something new.

Mocktails & Moonlight will bring a fresh nighttime market experience to downtown Casper on September 23, giving visitors an evening to explore local creativity, vintage finds and unusual treasures. Hosted at The Wilted Daisy, the market will feature handmade items, books, artwork, vintage clothing, tarot readings, macabre-inspired pieces and flash tattoos, along with mocktails for guests to enjoy while they browse.

The event is also the beginning of a planned monthly gathering, creating another way for Casper residents to discover independent businesses and local creators after dark. Running from 5 to 8 p.m., the evening invites guests to slow down, explore and enjoy a different side of downtown Casper.

The WY Walks Bug Walk will bring families and nature enthusiasts together at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park on Tuesday, September 22, for an evening of exploration and learning. Guided by an expert entomologist, the walk will encourage participants to discover more about insects while experiencing the park’s natural surroundings.

Beginning at 5:45 p.m., the free community activity offers a simple way for families to spend time outdoors while learning something new together. With park admission free for participants, the Bug Walk is an inviting opportunity to turn a Tuesday evening into a small outdoor adventure.

GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes brings a hands-on exploration of bicycle history, design, engineering and physics to The Science Zone in Casper from September 21, 2026, through January 8, 2027. The traveling exhibition features historic and unusual bicycles alongside interactive stations that allow visitors to experiment with energy, motion, friction and other scientific principles.

Included with regular museum admission, the exhibition offers families, students and curious visitors a chance to learn by doing. From generating electricity by pedaling to experimenting with ramps and braking systems, GEAR UP turns an everyday bicycle into an engaging lesson in how science works all around us.

The Run Fur Their Lives 5K will bring together Casper runners, walkers, dog lovers and their four-legged companions in support of Fur Pets Sake, with proceeds helping cover the everyday rescue expenses involved in caring for animals in need. The event welcomes participants of all activity levels, and dogs and costumes are encouraged.

Community members can also support Fur Pets Sake by bringing useful donations such as dog beds, blankets, food, treats, toys, potty-training pads and cleaning supplies. The event combines a fun, pet-friendly atmosphere with an important mission: helping provide rescued animals with the care and resources they need.

Funky Junk: Fall Edition 2026 returns to downtown Casper this Saturday for its 11th annual festival, bringing more than 100 small businesses, independent boutiques and regional creatives together at David Street Station. The expanded event will take over the entire block surrounding the plaza, offering visitors more space to shop, browse handmade goods, discover artwork and explore unique fall finds.

The free community event will also feature four live music acts, food trucks and seasonal offerings from local beverage partners, creating a full-day downtown experience centered on shopping, creativity, entertainment and supporting small businesses.

Crossing the Threshold will be previewed at the Natrona County Library as part of the NEA 250 Big Read collaboration, offering Casper audiences a look at a documentary centered on veterans and the transition from military service to civilian life. The free event will feature a 20-minute preview of filmmaker Sophie Barksdale’s work, giving attendees an opportunity to hear stories and perspectives connected to the veteran experience.

Because the documentary is still in post-production, the evening will also create an opportunity for community participation. Attendees can stay for the discussion and Q&A, share their reactions and provide feedback that may help shape the film’s final version, making the event not only a screening but a meaningful conversation between veterans, the filmmaker and the broader Casper community.

Comedy That Cares comes to The Rialto Casper tonight, September 17, bringing Reem Edan and Dom Syracuse to the stage for an evening of stand-up comedy supporting Community Action Partnership of Natrona and Converse Counties’ Health Care for the Homeless program. The event gives Casper residents an opportunity to enjoy a night out while contributing to an important local community effort.

The September Sound Bath, hosted by Sacred Sounds at Wyoming Yoga & Wellness, offers Casper residents an evening focused on relaxation, meditation and self-care. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 142 N. Kimball St., the session provides a peaceful opportunity to unwind through sound and create space for rest before the weekend.

The Preserve Wyoming Conference returns to Casper September 17–19, 2026, for the first time in 15 years. Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and the Casper Historic Preservation Commission, the three-day event will feature preservation-focused presentations, case studies, an architectural walking tour, an expert roundtable and a keynote luncheon with Representative Trey Sherwood.

Casper offers several thrift stores, resale shops and secondhand-shopping destinations for budget-conscious residents. From Goodwill Wyoming and Rescued Treasures to clothing-focused stores, children’s resale shops and independent thrift businesses, shoppers can find affordable options for clothing, household goods, furniture and more.

With inventory that changes regularly, Casper’s secondhand scene encourages shoppers to explore, spend thoughtfully and discover useful or unexpected treasures without breaking the bank.

The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 State of the Community: Community Partners Edition luncheon will bring local leaders together to discuss economic development, tourism, transportation, downtown revitalization and other collaborative efforts shaping Natrona County.

The luncheon is scheduled for September 16 at Best Western Downtown, giving community members an opportunity to hear updates directly from organizations working to support the area’s continued development.

Wyoming Game and Fish has lifted the voluntary afternoon fishing restrictions along portions of the North Platte River near Casper, including downstream of the Lusby Public Access Area and along Deer Creek.

The change allows anglers to return to full-time fishing in those areas while continuing to enjoy the river responsibly and follow current Wyoming fishing regulations.

Wings of Renewal has launched its first-ever Teacher Appreciation Celebration through the “Wings of Renewal” Teacher Giveback, giving Casper and Natrona County residents an opportunity to recognize educators who go above and beyond for their students. Community members can nominate local teachers through September 20, 2026, with public voting beginning September 21.

When voting concludes, the top three selected teachers will each receive a hand-crafted custom Epoxy award and a $20 movie gift card. The initiative celebrates the time, personal resources and passion educators dedicate to supporting Natrona County students.

The Great Mountain Mingle returns to Hogadon Lodge on Casper Mountain for three free, family-friendly Sundays on September 13, 20 and 27. Presented by OVG Hospitality, the celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature live music, outdoor games, local vendors, food and drinks.

New for 2026 is a build-your-own ice cream bar, while the outdoor grill will offer a variety of BBQ favorites. Guests can also participate in beer tasting, vote for their favorite brew, enjoy scavenger hunts and sidewalk chalk activities, and spend the afternoon taking in the fresh mountain air. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine.

Wyoming Recovery’s 4th Annual Recovery Walk & Block Party will bring Casper residents together on September 12 for an afternoon focused on connection, encouragement and celebrating progress. The event begins with a community walk from Wyoming Recovery to the 12-24 Club.

The afternoon will continue with a free family-friendly street festival featuring live music, food trucks, a bounce house and local recovery art displays. The event offers an opportunity for people in recovery, their families, friends and community supporters to come together and show that every step toward a healthier future is worth recognizing.

Sounds Like September Fest returns to David Street Station on Saturday, September 12, for its third annual outdoor music festival. The free event begins at 4 p.m. and brings together local Casper bands and touring artists from Denver, Salt Lake City and Seattle.

The festival will showcase a variety of musical styles, from acoustic performances to math rock, while food trucks and local vendors add to the afternoon. The event offers Casper residents a free opportunity to enjoy live music, discover new artists and spend time together downtown.

The Casper Fire-EMS Department will host the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Saturday, September 12, at the Ford Wyoming Center. The community memorial will honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, including 343 firefighters, as well as the law enforcement officers, emergency responders and civilians who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Participants can climb nine stair laps or complete 18 laps around the arena floor to represent the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. The event also includes an opening ceremony, a fire bell tribute and opportunities to support the Wyoming Heroes Fund, giving Casper a meaningful way to come together, remember and honor those whose lives and service continue to be remembered 25 years later.

Black Tooth Brewing Company is hosting a Community Pint Night today, September 10, benefiting Special Olympics Wyoming athletes. The event features live music, food from WY Knot Pretzel Co. and $1 from every pint going toward supporting Special Olympics athletes.

The evening gives Casper residents an opportunity to enjoy time together while helping athletes pursue their goals, compete and make their families and community proud.

The Friends of the Natrona County Library Fall Book Sale officially opened at 9 a.m. today, September 10, welcoming Casper residents to browse affordable books and a variety of other items. The sale includes hardcover books for $2, along with paperbacks and many other items for $1 or less.

The sale continues through September 12 at the Natrona County Library at 307 E. 2nd St. Shoppers can also find DVDs, vinyl records, puzzles and board games while supporting the library and its community efforts.

Celebrate Community Dinner Brings an Intimate Evening to David Street Station highlights a special evening bringing 100 guests together at one of Casper’s downtown gathering places. The event will feature a champagne welcome, five-course dinner with wine pairings, live music from Adam Tese and stories from members of the David Street Station family.

The September 10 dinner offers a more intimate way to experience David Street Station while celebrating the people, memories and connections that make the community special.

Casper Pickleball and Sports Complex Expanding With New Indoor Adventure Park highlights the facility's plans for a major indoor expansion featuring a multi-story adventure park. The new attraction is expected to include a zip line, ropes courses and a ninja obstacle course.

The climate-controlled space will give Casper children and families another opportunity for year-round recreation, combining active play, adventure and challenges in an indoor setting.

Casper on a Budget: A $6 Morning of Play for Casper Kids highlights Tot Time at the YMCA of Natrona County as an affordable way for families with young children to enjoy an active Thursday morning together. The program gives kids an opportunity to play and stay active while providing parents and caregivers with a simple local activity.

Tot Time takes place every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. YMCA members can participate for free, while nonmembers pay $6 per child, making it an accessible option for families looking for enjoyable activities without a large expense.

Canvas of Curiosities Soirée and Gala brings two evenings of art, entertainment and celebration to The Nicolaysen Art Museum on September 9 and 11.

The September 9 Soirée will feature cocktails, live entertainment, art and a silent art auction, with the celebration inspired by Casper artist Jim Kopp and presented by HilltopBank.

Beyond Block Coding: Python and More is part of The Science Zone’s Code @ The Zone series, helping Casper-area youth transition from block-based programming to text-based coding. With separate levels for beginners and more experienced students, the program introduces Python and web design while providing an accessible pathway for young learners to develop their coding skills.

What Makes Casper Work? is a Labor Day reflection on the people whose everyday work helps keep Casper moving. From local businesses and trades to education, healthcare, hospitality and community services, the article celebrates the many contributions—both visible and behind the scenes—that help shape Casper and make it feel like home.