The 40th anniversary of the Best Party Anywhere® is on at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip! Confident that open air festivals can be held responsibly, we’re charging ahead toward the 2021 Sturgis Rally!
The Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling® is continuing to live up to its name for the 40th anniversary with its final jaw-dropping announcement for 2021! If you want the best prices for your much-needed vacation, you’ll need to act fast.
PRE-SALE PRICES ON CAMPGROUND ADMISSION PASSES END SOON
(All concerts and entertainment are free with camping.)
2021 Sturgis Buffalo Chip Lineup
All Concerts & Entertainment Free with Camping
2020 was an uncertain year. We'd gaze into the crystal ball and see only fog. This year is different. It shows a clear course for the future of 2021. So, we had Darren McKeag and Russell Murchie create two crystal ball-themed designs for the Sturgis Rally and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Only 150 people will be able to get in on this extremely limited run of prints, so if you’d like to memorialize your trip the Sturgis Rally with one, you’d better nab it now before they’re all gone!
Monday, Aug. 3-Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 – Bikini Beach Pre-Party with Big Skillet
Blow through the gates of the Buffalo Chip four whole days before the festival’s official rally kickoff date to nab your favorite camp spot, watch the festival spring to life and rock out to nightly concerts from Big Skillet on the Bikini Beach Stage!
Hank Rotten Jr. – Friday, Aug. 2 – Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019
Between his tall tales, tenacious personality and more than 1,000 appearances on the Buffalo Chip’s main stage, Hank Rotten Jr. has truly become a legend. Hank first made his way to Sturgis in 1988 as part of the duo Ross & Rotten. Armed with a repertoire of raunchy tunes, the two sold out their stock of 300 cassette tapes on a street corner. Figuring they were on to something, the pair headed to the Chip where they began performing between sets on the Main Stage. Hank has remained the man on the mic between entertainment to this day and has become known for his unique call of “The Legendary Buffaloooo Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!”
There’s no such thing as being fashionably late when it comes to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. This party begins with a bang at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 at the #1 Sturgis Rally destination—the Sturgis Buffalo Chip! Grab a spot in the Chip’s legendary amphitheater for the Buffalo Chip Official Sturgis Rally Kickoff and experience the spectacle as magnificent machines and famous faces make their grand entry in a parade down Buffalo Chip Main Street. The festivities continue into the evening with live entertainment from Puddle of Mudd, Blacklite District, Big Skillet, the International Bikini Team and more!
It’s too early to predict the forecast, but you should have your galoshes ready to wade through some of the biggest hard rock hits of the last couple decades when Puddle of Mudd kicks off the 40th anniversary of The Best Party Anywhere®. The revitalized Kansas City, Missouri quartet will get the festivities underway during the Buffalo Chip’s official Sturgis Rally kickoff event.
The Missing Letters create harmonious and nostalgic emo/punk melodies that are heavily driven by coarse Seattle grunge rhythms. Each of the members’ unique articulation of their instruments allows them to create massive genre-bending soundscapes.
Bring your appetite, because Big Skillet is cookin’ up a crock full of concerts at the Chip that you’ll never be able to get enough of. Party down with great classic rock, R&B, blues, funk and modern country when this Missouri-based quartet joins the Buffalo Chip Official Sturgis Rally Kickoff Party. There will be plenty of chances to come back for seconds on both the Bikini Beach and Big Engine Bar Stages. See full schedule for performance times.
If you are lookin’ to get “Lit Up” this summer, then get ready for Buckcherry to blast its way back into the Buffalo Chip concert lineup during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These seductively slithering rockers will be coming at you with the crushing chords and familiar refrains of songs like “Crazy Bitch”, as well as tracks from their latest album when they take to the Wolfman Jack Stage on Saturday, Aug. 7
All of your inhibitions will plunge deep beneath the surface where they’ll be begging for breath when Drowning Pool opens up the first Saturday of the Best Party Anywhere on the legendary Wolfman Jack Stage. Prepare yourself for their insane, balls-to-the-wall heavy metal mayhem before a performance from Buckcherry.
Kid Rock – Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021
You’ve waited long enough. The time has come to reunite with your friends, crank your party up to eleven and lose your mind to the tight rhymes, magnetic party anthems, and down-home Americana crossover stylings of Kid Rock. The freedom-loving, fire-spitting, over-the-top, American badass will make his triumphant return to The Best Party Anywhere® on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, and it’s the party you need to be looking forward to all year and All Summer Long.
Anybody who’s ever been to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s music festival can attest to South Dakota’s toasty summer nights. On Sunday, Aug. 8, it’ll go from balmy to straight-up incendiary when rockabilly legends Reverend Horton Heat burn up the Wolfman Jack Stage. The Dallas, Texas-based band will crank the heat prior to a headlining performance by Kid Rock, and you’d better have your fire extinguisher handy when they do
Thunderosa – Friday, Aug. 6 – Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021
Strap on a sturdy pair of boots, because Thunderosa is laying down six days of original Texas stomp during the 2021 Sturgis Rally! After nearly 25 years of touring regionally, nationally and internationally, this road-worn Southern speed-blues sensation is bringing their raucous and unrelenting stage show to the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling. Catch their shows on the Main Stage, Bikini Beach Stage and Big Engine Bar Stage. See full schedule for performance times.
Your goosebumps will have goosebumps as you travel into the era of raw rock with legends Stone Temple Pilots. When the eight-time platinum-selling act makes their Buffalo Chip debut on Monday, Aug. 9, you’ll experience the same blend of crunching riffs, candied melodies and psychedelic flair that made you fall in love with STP in the ‘90s. Sing along to signature hits like "Plush," "Creep," "Big Empty," "Vasoline," "Interstate Love Song," and "Big Bang Baby," as well as tracks from their most recent sonic adventure “Perdida.”
Take a trip down memory lane back to the good old days as you bask in the nostalgic glow of lighters waving in unison to the sounds of some of the biggest hits to fill arenas in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Whether you’ve been attending their shows for 30 years or you’re a brand new fan, when chart-topping classic rock favorites REO Speedwagon hit the Wolfman Jack Stage, you won’t be able to fight the warm, warm and fuzzy feelings anymore.
Clint Black – Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021
Grab your friends and head to the Buffalo Chip amphitheater for an unforgettable night of gettin’ loose and killin’ time with the legendary Clint Black. After three decades of pumping out no. 1 hit singles, this unstoppable country superstar will be making his first trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to perform on the Buffalo Chip main stage in support of his 23rd album, “Out of Sane”.
Matt Stell – Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021
Every legend starts out as just another artist that doesn’t fit easily into some predetermined box. And as hard as country music may try to fit Matt Stell into one of those tried-and-true boxes, it’s darn near impossible. When you check out this Platinum-certified singer prior to Clint Black, you’ll see he can spin a romantic verse as easy as he can rock out an anthem. If you’ve heard “Prayed for You” and “Everywhere But On”, you’ll find out fast that those hits were only the beginning.
Your faith in the hard-working American spirit will be renewed when you hear BC & The Big Rig blend country and rock elements with touches of folk storytelling during the Buffalo Chip’s music festival. With influences ranging from Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to Black Crowes and Roger Clyne, this Tulsa-based group fits right in at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Catch their shows on the Main Stage, Bikini Beach Stage and Big Engine Bar Stage. See full schedule for performance times.
ZZ Top – Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021
Calling all Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers! That Little Ol’ Band from Texas is returning to The Best Party Anywhere®! They’re Bad, and they’re coming to rock the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for its 40th anniversary party in 2021. Classic rock megastars ZZ Top bring their legendary raunchy blues rock boogie to the Chip’s Wolfman Jack Stage on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, and you’ll want to make sure you and your Cheap Sunglasses are close by when they do.
Lose your mind and let go of a little pent-up crazy with the one-and-only Corey “Motherf**kin’” Taylor. The longtime frontman of hard rock acts Slipknot and Stone Sour is headed to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Wednesday, Aug. 11 as part of the tour supporting his debut solo album “CMFT.” Connect with Corey as he sings, growls, screams, shouts and raps his way through the night prior to the headlining performance from ZZ Top.
Cherry Bombs – Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021
If you like to break the rules, this performance from the “darlings of rock ‘n’ roll” is sure to keep your attention. Anything goes when the Cherry Bombs take over the stage with aerial stunts, fire arts, acrobatics and tantalizing dance choreography. See them open for Corey Taylor Wednesday, Aug. 11.
Anthrax – Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021
Brace yourself as one of the notorious “Big Four,” as in Metallica, Slayer, Megadeath and Anthrax thrash metal legend notoriety, pummels you with lightning-fast riffs and solos. Never before to the Sturgis Rally, Anthrax joins the concert lineup like a fist to your eye, bringing the noise to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Main Stage following coheadliners Black Label Society. Jump in and surrender to the madness Thursday, Aug. 12.
Thrust your horns up for these vigilant keepers of the hard rock flame! Black Label Society, led by charismatic beast and consummate showman Zakk Wylde, will bash out thick riffage from the Wolfman Jack Stage Thursday, Aug. 12 ahead of that night’s performance from coheadliner Anthrax!
BlueFrog Band – Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021
Don’t let the name fool you. The BlueFrog is a nickname Patrick Ellis earned from his fans who knew he was a “Frogman” and a “Harmonica” player. Ellis is a former Navy SEAL Master Chief who has toured as an entertainer for the U.S.O. and played numerous festivals, stages, and events including fundraisers for fellow military veterans in Germany, South Korea, Japan, and here at home in the USA. See BlueFrog’s tribute to the music that made America great during the 30th annual Buffalo Chip Freedom Celebration.
Anthrax Singer Joey Belladonna – Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021
To kick off the Buffalo Chip’s 30th annual Freedom Celebration on the Wolfman Jack Stage, a military branch color guard will present the colors followed by to a moving rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner from Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna.
Shinedown – Friday, Aug. 13, 2021
Put on your riot gear and get ready to rumble because it’s about to get heavy. Shinedown’s hard rock Molotov cocktail of fiery vocals and razor-sharp riffs will detonate into one of the most explosive concerts of the Buffalo Chip’s 40th anniversary party.
Like a double shot of straight bourbon whiskey, the sounds of Black Stone Cherry will go down smooth and fire up your night when they make their Sturgis Buffalo Chip debut this August. The Edmonton, Kentucky quartet will bring their fiery yet rootsy Southern hard rock to the legendary Wolfman Jack Stage Friday, Aug. 13, prior to that night’s headlining performance from Shinedown.
P.O.D. – Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021
Ready or not, here comes the boys from the South! Three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated, multiplatinum mainstay P.O.D. are headed to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Saturday, Aug. 14, making dang sure that the 40th anniversary of Best Party Anywhere goes out with a BOOM. The San Diego quartet will bring their hypnotic hybrid of hard rock, hip-hop, reggae and alternative to the legendary Wolfman Jack Main Stage following a performance from fellow Buffalo Chip newcomers From Ashes to New on the final night of the festival.
Things are guaranteed to get crazy when From Ashes to New rises for the final night of Sturgis Rally concerts. The Lancaster, PA-based quartet will blast their blend of rock, hip-hop, pop and metal from the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®’s Wolfman Jack Stage on Saturday, Aug. 14 prior to P.O.D. When they do, you’ll have no choice but to get caught in the panic.
Chris Trew – Saturday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021
You’ll laugh, you’ll burp, you might even hump the air when nationally touring comedian Chris Trew leads you and your friends through the daily Bikini Beach Olympics. Grab a cold beverage from the cabana bar and join Chris for hilariously fun events including the Homemade Bikini Contest, Beers & Burps Contest, Frozen T-Shirt Contest, Air Sex World Championships and more for the chance at prizes and serious bragging rights.
Tumbleweed – Friday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021
On the Big Engine Bar Stage, the bands bring the rock, and the master of ceremonies brings the roll. Stage emcee Tumbleweed keeps the party going between stage performances, letting the fun move in whatever direction the wind takes him. Watch or participate in a variety of crazy contests and events he hosts including the Buffalo Chip’s Sassy & Classy Over 35 Model Contest, Biker Games, Buffalo Chip Fan Fest and many others.
DJ Hulio – Friday, Aug. 6 – Saturday, Aug. 15, 2021
Bumpin’ beats, original remixes and masterful mashups of your favorite songs will have you dancing your asses off until the wee hours of the morning thanks to DJ Hulio. This mix master will be keeping your party going nightly by performing high-octane live sets throughout the festival at Club Chip between and after shows on the main stage.
2022 Bands & Entertainment Coming Soon!
Want to be the first to find out what bands and entertainment will be rocking the Chip in 2022? Be sure to sign up for the Sturgis Rider® Newsletter to get announcements before anyone else. And if there’s a band you’re dying to see, click “Request a Band” and shoot us their name in the comments section on that page!
See How the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Compares to the Others
Sometimes it’s good to have options. And as you can see below, only the original biker-dedicated destination that brought music and motorcycling together during the Sturgis rally gives you more options than anybody else. See for yourself why it’s the best choice for your vacation!
You can’t get more for less anywhere else in the world.