John Wayne celebrates May 22-25 in Winterset, Iowa with Aissa Wayne and Jennifer Wayne concert

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• A Four-Day Celebration at the Birthplace of an American Legend
• Friday’s Welcome Reception Kicks Off with Classic Hollywood Drama
• Saturday’s Highlight: Jennifer Wayne Concert, Auction, and Sigma Chi Dedication
• Beyond Saturday: Extended Celebrations Honor Ford and the Frontier
• Why This Celebration Matters: A Son of Iowa Returns Home
  • Sources

John Wayne‘s birthplace in Winterset, Iowa celebrates May 22-25, 2026 with a star-studded weekend honoring Hollywood’s legendary icon. Jennifer Wayne, the actor’s granddaughter, will perform live, joined by her mother Aissa Wayne at this highly anticipated birthday bash. Expect classic film screenings, family moments, and frontier tributes you won’t find anywhere else.

A Four-Day Celebration at the Birthplace of an American Legend

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum annually honors the late actor’s 119th birthday with an epic weekend that draws fans nationwide. Winterset, Iowa, where Marion Robert Morrison was born on May 26, 1907, transforms into the epicenter of Western cinema nostalgia. This year brings unprecedented star power with Jennifer Wayne headlining entertainment and Aissa Wayne gracing the event with her presence. The celebration blends museum exhibits, concerts, classic film screenings, and historical reenactments into one unforgettable tribute.

Friday’s Welcome Reception Kicks Off with Classic Hollywood Drama

May 22 at 5 p.m. guests gather at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum for an elegant reception featuring beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Attendees mingle with fans from across the United States and abroad, creating an intimate atmosphere celebrating the actor’s legacy. The evening culminates with a special screening of “John Wayne’s Tribute to America,” a patriotic NBC spectacular from 1970 featuring Lucille Ball, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, and Ann-Margret. The film takes audiences on a journey through American history, perfectly complementing John Wayne’s storied career. Admission is $50 per person, though this reception is now sold out.

Saturday’s Highlight: Jennifer Wayne Concert, Auction, and Sigma Chi Dedication

Saturday, May 23 is the capstone day featuring multiple events. At 11 a.m., a significant dedication honors John Wayne’s lifelong devotion to Sigma Chi Fraternity, which he joined at the University of Southern California in 1926. Aissa Wayne and Scott Conrad attend this ceremony celebrating the fraternity’s generosity in raising $250,000 to name the museum’s plaza. Later, at 1 p.m., the Iowa Theater screens “Rooster Cogburn (and the Lady),” a classic John Wayne film. The evening’s grand event unfolds at 5 p.m. when Jennifer Wayne performs live at Covered Bridges Winery, with reserved patio seating sold out and general seating available at $50 per ticket.

Day	Event	Time & Location	Cost
Friday, May 22	Welcome Reception + “John Wayne’s Tribute to America”	5 p.m., Birthplace Museum & Iowa Theater	$50 (Sold Out)
Saturday, May 23	Sigma Chi Dedication	11 a.m., Birthplace Museum	Free
Saturday, May 23	“Rooster Cogburn” Screening	1 p.m., Iowa Theater	TBA
Saturday, May 23	Auction & Jennifer Wayne Concert	5 p.m., Covered Bridges Winery	$50-$100
Sunday, May 24	“Chisum” Screening	2 p.m., Iowa Theater	TBA
Sunday, May 24	Fly-In Breakfast	Morning, Winterset Municipal Airport	TBA
Monday, May 25	Cavalry Ride Tribute	Birthplace Museum grounds	Free

“He wore his membership proudly and fondly, and always had a deep and loyal reverence for his brothers and the entire fraternity. In fact, you could not mention the name of other fraternities because there was only ONE. Sigma Chi, period.”

— Aissa Wayne, John Wayne’s daughter

Beyond Saturday: Extended Celebrations Honor Ford and the Frontier

Sunday, May 24 continues the festivities with a 2 p.m. screening of “Chisum,” another John Wayne masterpiece at the Iowa Theater. Later, a Breakfast Fly-In at Winterset Municipal Airport features vintage aircraft and musical entertainment from the Benge Family Band. Monday, May 25 concludes celebrations with a cavalry reenactment honoring John Ford’s legendary Cavalry Trilogy films, featuring horse soldiers offering visitors a glimpse of frontier military life. This extended weekend ensures fans can fully immerse themselves in John Wayne culture and his beloved Iowa roots.

Why This Celebration Matters: A Son of Iowa Returns Home

John Wayne left Winterset as a young man with ambitions to conquer Hollywood, eventually earning his place among cinema’s greatest icons. Yet he never forgot his Iowa origins, returning repeatedly to celebrate his roots. This 2026 gathering represents something deeper than nostalgia, it’s a family affair featuring Aissa Wayne and Jennifer Wayne, symbolizing the actor’s enduring legacy across generations. The celebration attracts fans seeking connection to American film history, family, and the timeless values Duke embodied on screen and in life.

Sources

• John Wayne Birthplace & Museum – Official event schedule and details for the 2026 Birthday Celebration
• Explore Madison County – Comprehensive event information and location details for Winterset attractions
• Travel Iowa – Regional tourism guide highlighting the celebration’s significance and attractions