::IMPORTANT UPDATE:: Many events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus. Please check and double check before you plan on attending any of these events. For example, Rodeo Houston has been cancelled starting March 11th.
Saddle Up, Houston! It’s RODEO time!
Howdy y’all! It’s Rodeo time in H-Town, U.S.A! Yee – Haw! Grab your cowboy hats, dust off your cowboy boots and get ready to doh-see-doh and boot, scoot ‘n’ boogie all the way to NRG Park.
Last year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo lineup had Texas born, King-of-Country George Strait closing us out and my oh my, we are still reeling in excitement from all that great entertainment! This year, the line up includes Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban, Khalid and Lizzo amongst others.
Pro Tip:: Be sure to arrive early to enjoy the biggest and best rodeo concerts in Texas! From the expansive livestock show {with more than 30,000 livestock and horse show entries, the carnival has something for kids of all ages}; to the nightly entertainment… the Rodeo is such a magical and festive time around our great city, and something Houstonians look forward to every year.
Before you go, be sure to catch up on these tips and tricks below, and then put on your best western wear and enjoy all of the excitement the rodeo has to offer! Pro Tip :: Take your little ones on a weekday right when they open at 8 am to enjoy the AgVenture barn without crowds.
Guess what?! :: Reliant is back with a special deal for YOU – B’cos Rodeo season and Reliant go together like chaps and cowboy hats.
What’s better than two-steppin’ to country classics? Two-steppin’ to the tune of a $100 Cavender’s gift card, courtesy of the Reliant Rodeo plan.* Plus, when you sign up, you’ll get a fixed-price plan to boot. Now that’s something to dance about.
- Gear up. Enjoy a $100 Cavender’s gift card to use toward the purchase of your favorite Western wear.*
- Get help 24/7. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, you’ll always reach a real person.
- Save energy and money. Get an estimate of your bill before it’s due, plus tips to lower your energy usage and cost with our Weekly Summary Email.
Call 1-866-RELIANT and mention promo code XADW3P to switch to the Reliant Rodeo plan today, or sign up online.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Basics
Dates :: March 3rd – March 22nd
Location :: NRG Park {right inside Loop 610 between Kirby & Fannin}. Click here for driving directions and to print out a map.
Schedule of Events :: Events and activities change each day, so be sure to check out the Daily Event Schedule. If you’re planning your visit around a performance, note that weekday performances begin at 6:45 pm with the entertainer making stage at about 8:45pm and weekend performances begin at 3:45 pm with the entertainer getting on approximately 5:45pm.
Parking & Transportation :: To avoid any headaches, check out the Parking & Transportation info when planning your trip. Depending on where you’re coming from, there are lots of great options {METRORail, Park & Ride, etc.} to make it a bit easier! We generally use METRORail because my kids love riding on the train, and strollers ARE allowed!
Tickets :: There are three different options when looking to purchase tickets to the rodeo or carnival. 1} You can purchase a Grounds Pass which allows you to check out everything at NRG Park, except for the rodeo and concert in NRG Stadium …. or 2} For $3 more, you can purchase a Rodeo/Concert ticket which gives you access to everything at NRG Park AND entry into NRG Stadium for the rodeo and concert. {Bonus :: Children age 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket!} 3} You can purchase a season pass for $35, which is worth it if you plan to visit at least three times. This option does not include the rodeo and concert.
:: Pro Tip :: Family Wednesdays are the cheapest days. There is free general admission for seniors {60 and over} and children {12 and under}. You can also enjoy $2 rides and games from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with a $2 food or drink item at select food stands in the Junction Carnival.
Security :: In an effort to keep the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo as safe as possible, be prepared for a quick wand and bag check. While it may add a few minutes to getting in those gates, everyone’s safety is well worth it!
Special Accommodations :: The entire grounds are filled with HLSR staff and committee members there to help. If you need any special accommodations or have any particular questions, simply ask someone with a badge!
Top 10 Things YOU Won’t Want To Miss In 2020
1. Rodeo App
Download the latest version of the Rodeo Houston App on both iOS and Android platforms to stay up to date with all things Rodeo.
New this year, be sure to check out the Games & Prizes section to earn points/rewards. Visit different areas of the grounds and/or complete tasks, and prizes will be awarded based on a point scale.
Rodeo + Emojis = Rodeojis. Ain’t that cute y’all? Say hello to “Rodeojis”! I mean you can add some of these cool stickers to your photos and messages and share your Rodeo swag with your friends.
2. World’s Best BBQ {…And Ongoing Rodeo Food}
When the rodeo is in full swing, enjoy everything from funnel cakes to enormous turkey legs, deep fried Oreos … deep fried everything and of course, those delicious corn dogs! Yum! There is absolutely something to please every palate, whether you are looking for savory or sweet, or both! Fried ice cream? No judgments here! If you’re a planner, you can even map out your dining options ahead of time. {Note :: dining is open 10am – 9pm daily so make sure you grab your goodies before heading into the rodeo and/or concert!} Pro Tip :: Snacks and water are allowed on the grounds, but not the concert, {we’ve confirmed with the PR team}, so feel free to bring your own snacks for your little ones.
3. Rodeo School Art Contest
This initiative has encouraged Pre K – Grade 12 children to think outside the box, imagine and create art that could be displayed in the Hayloft Gallery during the Rodeo. Some of these art pieces will be auctioned and possibly compete in district shows.
4. The Entertainment
This year’s lineup features some of your favorite country and pop stars! With stars including Willie Nelson, Cody
Johnson, Lizzo, Chris Stapleton, Marshmello, Dierks Bentley, Gwen Stefani and more, there is truly a concert that piques everyone’s interest.There are still plenty of concert tickets available for the performances. RodeoHouston also has the VIP Champions Club, a private entertainment space in NRG Stadium to enjoy the rodeo and concert! Tickets are $175 per person and includes upscale food and an open bar. {Don’t forget to check out The Hideout if you’re sans kids too! The Hideout is for 21 and up only, and it’s a great chance to hear some amazing local musicians for just the cost of NRG Park admission. Yes, please!}
5. The Junction
What’s not to love about an area just for kids, open from 9 am – 9 pm daily? The Junction includes the ever-popular Mutton Bustin’ where 5 and 6 year olds try to hold on to a sheep for 8 seconds {it’s a thing!}, as well as a petting zoo, pig races, camel and pony rides, and a classic carnival with rides and games. Don’t forget to stop by the farm-to-market exhibit, Fun on the Farm, for an entertaining and educational experience for all.
6. Reliant Charging Stations
Is there anything worse than your phone running out of battery when you’re surrounded by adorable photo opps and/or you need to stay connected with friends and family? Reliant’s portable power solutions can help Rodeo-goers stay powered while enjoying the fun with free first-day rentals, courtesy of Reliant. There are over two dozen charging stations with portable power packs available across NRG Park, including NRG Stadium on every ramp at levels one, three and five, as well as inside NRG Center and NRG Arena. Additional phone charging options can be found inside the Champion Wine Garden and The Social Spur, the Rodeo’s new social lounge. Visit nrggo.com/rodeo for locations.
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7. The Birthing Center
Yep, you read that correctly. This is, in my opinion, the coolest place at the HLSR!! Animals are actually being born at the rodeo in The Birthing Center. Be sure to stop by and visit the baby animals, watch as they take their first steps, and see how their sweet mamas nurse and nurture them. All exhibits are open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. It’s the miracle of life!
Photo Credit :: RodeoHouston
8. The Actual Rodeo!
From team roping to steer wrestling to bull riding, the best of the best rodeo athletes come together each year for RODEOHOUSTON. Be sure to find your seat early as the stunning Grand Entry performance is something that you {and your kids} won’t want to miss, and then settle in and watch the events. There’s something for everyone … even rodeo clowns for a little comic relief!
The Reliant Big Boot, at nearly 25 feet tall, has become a well-known landmark and photo opportunity at the Rodeo. Guests can also play a cornhole-style “hat toss” game for a chance to walk away with fun rodeo prizes.
9. Reliant’s Photo Mosaic
New this year, Reliant’s larger-than-life, interactive photo mosaic, located inside NRG Center at Hall C, will start as a blank canvas before gradually coming to life over the course of the 20-day rodeo with photos from Instagram or Twitter that feature the hashtag #RodeoHouston500M. The mosaic will celebrate the Rodeo’s mission and commitment of more than $500 million to Texas youth and education since 1932. For each picture shared from the photo mosaic with the hashtag #RodeoHouston500M, Reliant is donating $5 toward Rodeo scholarships, up to $60,000 total. In addition to Reliant’s donation for each photo shared with the hashtag, Rodeo-goers will receive a printed polaroid photo to keep. But the photo opportunities don’t end there! Reliant is helping give the world’s largest rodeo new bragging rights as the “most photogenic” with a Texas-sized bluebonnet flower wall and the 25-foot tall Reliant Big Boot, both perfect backdrops for capturing memories with family and friends.
10. Wine Garden
If you’re need of a little pick-me up while at the Rodeo, don’t forget about the Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza and in between NRG Stadium and the Astrodome. This little oasis with more than 70 wines to choose from is the perfect place to kick your boots up and relax.
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