You’re driving through the North Dakota Badlands, the sun is dipping behind those jagged, striped buttes, and suddenly you see it. A massive amphitheater carved right into the side of a hill. This isn't Broadway. It’s better. Honestly, trying to snag Medora Musical tickets 2025 can feel like a high-stakes game of musical chairs if you don't know the rhythm of the season.
2025 is actually a massive year. It's the 60th Anniversary.
Most people think they can just roll into town and grab a seat. Sometimes you can. But for the 60th, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation is pulling out all the stops, and the "Greatest Show in the West" is likely to see record crowds. If you've been before, you know the drill: the horses, the 12-century-old history of TR, and that inevitable "How Great Thou Art" finale that makes everyone a little misty-eyed.
The Real Cost of Medora Musical Tickets 2025
Let's talk money because nobody likes a surprise at the checkout. For the 2025 season, adult tickets are starting around $64. It’s a jump from years past, but hey, inflation hits the Badlands too. Students (ages 7 to 17) will set you back about $26.20.
The real "pro tip"? Kids 6 and under are free. Always.
But wait, there's a better way to do this if you’re bringing the whole herd. There are specific 17 & Under FREE Days. For 2025, those dates are June 4–18, July 1–6, and September 13. Basically, if you time it right, your teenagers can see a world-class production for the price of... well, nothing.
Why the 60th Anniversary is Different
This isn't just a repeat of the 2024 show. The 2025 production features a pretty wild technical addition: digital "resurrections" of Harold and Sheila Schafer, the founders who basically saved the town from becoming a ghost town. They appear as silhouettes in the windows of a replica Rough Riders Hotel on stage.
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It's kinda haunting. In a good way.
The cast is a mix of fresh faces and returning favorites. You’ve got Felicity Jemo coming back as a host (playing "Winnie"), and Zeb Wallace, a professor from Minot State, joining her. It’s that blend of professional equity actors and local North Dakota talent that gives the show its soul.
How to Save (Without Being a Cheapskate)
If you're over 60, Tuesdays are your best friend. Senior Days offer 15% off tickets.
Military families get a huge break too. Active duty, spouses, and dependents get 50% off every single day. And if you’re a veteran, mark July 13 on your calendar—that’s Veteran Appreciation Day, where admission is totally free for current and former military members.
Don't Forget the Food
You can't really go to the musical without doing the Pitchfork Steak Fondue. It's basically the law.
- The Price: $49.30 for a 12oz steak and the full buffet.
- The Kids' Deal: This is huge—kids 12 and under eat free (hotdog meals) all summer long at the fondue.
- The Logic: You eat on the bluff overlooking the canyon, then walk down to the show. It’s seamless.
The Seating Mystery: Where Should You Sit?
The Burning Hills Amphitheatre has over 2,800 seats. It's huge.
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Most people scramble for the center-front, but honestly? The views from the sides are great because of the way the stage is built into the canyon. If you need ASL interpretation, you'll want Section 2 Lower—that's where the interpreters are stationed every Wednesday and Sunday.
If you're worried about the stairs (there are a lot of them), there is an escalator. Yes, an escalator in the middle of the Badlands. It's a lifesaver for anyone with mobility issues or just tired legs after hiking the Maah Daah Hey Trail.
Avoid the Ticket Scams
This is a big one. Only buy from medora.com.
I’ve seen people show up with "tickets" they bought on third-party resale sites for triple the price, only to find out they aren't valid or don't even exist. The foundation doesn't work with those resellers. If the official site says a night is sold out, it’s usually sold out. Your best bet then is to call the Medora Vacation Center at 1-800-MEDORA-1. Sometimes they have last-minute cancellations that don't show up online immediately.
Variety Acts: The "Secret" Schedule
The musical changes its variety act every month. If you want the crazy acrobatics, go early.
- Quinn Beasley: (June 4 – July 6) Think unicycles, fire, and cirque-style stunts.
- Shawn Reynolds: (July 8 – August 10) A "clean" comedian who is actually funny.
- The Frontier Five: (August 12 – September 13) A high-octane drum line that usually brings the house down.
What Happens if it Rains?
North Dakota weather is moody. One minute it's 90 degrees, the next there's a prairie thunderstorm rolling in. The show is outside. Totally outside.
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If it rains, they usually try to push through. They’ll pause for lightning, obviously. If they have to cancel the show before intermission, you usually get a voucher for a future performance. Pack a poncho. Even if the sun is out when you park, bring the poncho. You’ll thank me later.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it.
- Book lodging first. The Rough Riders Hotel and the Badlands Motel fill up months in advance for the summer peak.
- Check the "Kids Free" calendar. If you have students, saving $26 per person adds up to a lot of ice cream at the Teddy’s Tavern.
- Use the "TOUCH2025" code if you’re a member of certain electric cooperatives like Slope Electric—it can snag you 15% off.
- Arrive early. Not for the seats, but for the atmosphere. There’s usually live music or performers near the entrance before the gates even open.
The 60th season is more than just a play. It's a weird, beautiful, patriotic, slightly kitschy, and deeply sincere celebration of the American West. It’s one of those things you sort of have to see to understand why people come back 50 times a year. Grab your tickets, get the steak, and wait for the horses to charge down the butte.
You won't regret it.
Next Steps:
Go to the official Medora website to check the specific availability for the 17 & Under FREE Days if you're traveling with family. If you're planning a weekend stay, book your room at the Rough Riders Hotel immediately, as those are the first to sell out during the 60th Anniversary season.