45-Minute Immersive Western Show Set to Debut in Denver Next Month

The production lasts exactly 45 minutes. That duration defines the timed-entry experience for “The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey,” which opens at the National Western Center in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 17.

Denver will be the first city outside of Oklahoma City to host this specific high-tech exhibition. The show was developed by Lighthouse Immersive, a company known for productions such as “Immersive Van Gogh” and “Immersive Disney Animation.” It was created in collaboration with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, according to a statement released on Thursday.

The venue will use 360-degree projections and amplified sound to surround viewers with Western imagery. Some visuals are animated and paired with simulated weather effects. Narration for the program is provided by actor Tom Selleck.

The run is scheduled to continue through Jan. 31, 2027. This timeline allows the exhibition to overlap with the National Western Stock Show, which is set for Jan. 9-24, 2027. The schedule ensures the immersive show operates during the peak days of the larger event.

Tickets are currently available for purchase online at am.ticketmaster.com/nwss. Prices range from $50 to $55 for a single entry. A bundle option is available for $65, which includes admission to both the “Cowboy” show and the National Western Stock Show. Organizers stated that tickets can be downloaded to a mobile wallet or transferred to other guests starting Dec. 1.

This addition follows another recent change to the stock show lineup. Last week, organizers announced that a skijoring event would be added to the rodeo schedule for Jan. 18. This marks the first time the sport has been included in the event's history.

The new exhibit joins a long tradition of Western culture presentations in Denver. Previous examples include the stock show itself and art exhibitions, such as “Cowboy” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, which ran from 2023 to 2024.