Bennington Daze Returns This Weekend with Parade, Street Dance, Fireworks and More Family Fun

2–4 minutes

Photos by Marisa Dawson & Baylor Detjens from Bennington Daze 2025

One of Bennington’s biggest community celebrations of the year is set to return this weekend as Bennington Daze 2026 brings four days of activities, entertainment, competitions and community events to town June 4-7.

The annual festival, organized by a committee and multiple organizations throughout town along with numerous community partners, will feature everything from a parade and fireworks show to a barbecue contest, farmer’s market, street dance and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.

Festivities begin Thursday, June 4, with the Bennington Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at 9 a.m. and a book sale hosted by the Friends of the Bennington Library from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the City Office garage bays on Warehouse Street.

Activities ramp up Friday, June 5, with events taking place across the community. Highlights include a free community picnic from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bennington High School Commons, activities in the parking lot from 6-8:30 p.m., kids activities and inflatables at Bennington High School, and performances by the Nielsen Ninjas Martial Arts team, the BHS Dance Team and Kiddie Cheer campers beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The evening concludes with a performance by Omaha Street Percussion at 8:30 p.m. in the Bennington High School stadium, followed by fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Colorful fireworks bursting in the night sky with clouds of smoke.

Saturday, June 6, features a full slate of activities beginning before sunrise. The annual BBQ Contest kicks off with contestants beginning food prep at 5 a.m. on Main Street, while the Bennington High School Cheer Pancake Feed will be held from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Bennington Elementary School.

Other morning events include the BPS Foundation Triple B Run, a co-ed volleyball tournament at Johns-Bohn Park and the opening of the Bennington Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Park and Warehouse Street.

Families can also enjoy kids activities, library summer reading activities, historical iris rhizome giveaways and the continuing Friends of the Bennington Library book sale throughout the day.

One of the weekend’s signature events, the Bennington Daze Parade, begins at 11 a.m., with participants checking in at Bennington High School before making their way down Bennington Rd, and turning South on 156th before ending just before the Papio bridge.

A marching band and color guard parade down a street, featuring participants in blue shirts and shorts, holding blue flags, with a visible banner in the background.

Food will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, while the popular Parking Lot Party featuring live music by Southland runs from noon to 5 p.m. at The Warehouse Grille.

Barbecue enthusiasts will have multiple opportunities to get involved, with Spam judging at noon and BBQ contest tasting opening to the public at 1 p.m.

The Bennington Community Theatre production of The Addams Family will take the stage at 4 p.m. Saturday and again at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday in the Bennington High School Auditorium.

Saturday evening wraps up with the Bennington Daze Street Dance featuring Interstate Daydream from 8 p.m. to midnight. This event is restricted to those 21 and older and includes admission fees.

The celebration concludes Sunday, June 7, with a community worship service at 10 a.m. in the Bennington High School Auditorium. Additional family activities, food and kids safety events will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bennington Fire Station’s public education event. This event includes safety demonstrations, hands-on activities for all ages, food, and community partners while everyone gets the chance to meet our local firefighters and explore the rescue trucks. 

A firefighter helps a young child try on a firefighter helmet and oversized pants during a community event at a fire station.

Organizers encourage residents to come out and enjoy the variety of activities planned throughout the weekend while supporting local businesses, organizations and community groups that help keep Bennington Daze one of the city’s largest annual traditions.

A complete schedule of events is available through the Bennington Daze Facebook page and event organizers.

A stage performance featuring a young girl in a blue dress with a basket, surrounded by a group of children and adults in various costumes, all reacting with surprise and excitement.
A busy indoor book sale event with several tables filled with books. People of various ages are browsing through the books, including children. Some boxes are placed on the floor for additional storage.
A large group of children in colorful shirts performing a dance routine on a stage, with an audience seated in front of them. The performers are wearing blue and pink shirts, and there are banners in the background featuring wildlife imagery.
A group of people serving food in a cafeteria setting, with two adults and four teenagers wearing blue shirts. The adults are standing in front of a serving counter, while the teenagers assist behind it, wearing gloves and preparing plates.
A family of five standing behind a booth at an outdoor market, displaying homemade goods on a blue tablecloth. Various jars of preserves and baked items are visible, along with price signage.
Runners starting a race under a large inflatable finish arch with the word 'FINISH' displayed, on a track surrounded by spectators.
Two men preparing and serving grilled meat at a food booth, with a group of people watching.
Event schedule for Bennington Daze 2026, featuring activities from June 5th to 7th, including a golf tournament, book sales, community picnic, performances, BBQ contest, and various family activities.

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