A Houston Mom’s Guide to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2019

Let’s RODEO, Houston!!

George Strait. Cardi B. Luke Bryan. Oh my! This year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is bound to be the best one yet with this exciting lineup! From the expansive livestock show with more than 30,000 livestock and horse show entries, the carnival that has something for kids of all ages, to the nightly entertainment…it is such a magical and festive time around our great city, and something we Houstonians look forward to every year. Before you go, just 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 littles on a weekday right when they open at 8 am to enjoy the AgVenture barn without crowds.


Psssttttt :: Reliant has a special deal for YOU this season.
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 :: February 25th – March 17th

Location :: NRG Park {right inside Loop 610 between Kirby & Fannin}. Click on this link 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 and weekend performances begin at 3:45 pm.

Parking & Transportation :: This can be a bit tricky to navigate, so 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 though! 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 :: Wednesdays, labeled 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. ALSO, be sure you get your half priced Carnival ticket pack BEFORE the Rodeo starts. You cannot get these discounted tickets after the Rodeo starts.

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 2019

1. World’s Best BBQ {…And Ongoing Rodeo Food}

When the rodeo is in full swing, enjoy everything from funnel cakes to enormous turkey legs, and of course, those delicious corn dogs! 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.

2. “Hats Off to Houston” Rodeo Art Contest

Be on the lookout for 10 artfully-decorated, colorful cowboy hats on display at the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and vote for your favorite. Ten local nonprofits, all with a mission to support children and families, are putting their artistic abilities to the test for the second year in a row, this time decorating larger-than-life cowboy hats for Reliant’s “Hats off to Houston” art contest. The hats are on display inside NRG Center at Entrance C for the public to enjoy. During the first two weeks of Rodeo, the public will vote for their favorite hat to help Reliant award $24,500 in donations. Through March 10th at Noon, the public is invited to “like” the photo of their favorite hat on Reliant’s Facebook page. The first-place hat, determined by the most likes, earns a $10,000 donation for the nonprofit plus a fun rodeo experience for staff and volunteers. The second-place winner will receive a $5,000 donation, third place $2,500 and all other charity participants will receive a $1,000 donation.

Charities include the following :: 

  • American Diabetes Association – Camp Rainbow is a four-day camp in Pinehurst, Texas for children with diabetes and their siblings.
  • Bo’s Place offers community to those who have experienced the death of a loved one by providing grief support services for adults, children and families.
  • Books Between Kids serves Houston’s at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries.
  • The Center for Hearing and Speech helps children with hearing loss gain listening, speaking and literacy skills.
  • DePelchin Children’s Center is an accredited foster care and adoption agency improving the mental health and physical well-being of at-risk children.
  • Girlstart provides a year-round, intensive suite of STEM education programs for K-12 girls.
  • Kids’ Meals delivers free healthy meals to the doorsteps of Houston preschool-aged children.
  • Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast grants the wishes of children diagnosed with a critical illness.
  • SIRE (Self Improvement through Riding Education) serves adults and children with a variety of special needs through equine-assisted activities and therapies.
  • Snowdrop Foundation provides scholarships for college bound pediatric cancer patients and childhood cancer survivors while raising awareness and funding for continued research to cure childhood cancer.

3. The Entertainment

This year’s lineup features some of your favorite country and pop stars, and there is truly a concert that piques everyone’s interest. With Kasey Musgraves opening and George Strait closing this year’s rodeo, the lineup is not one to miss! There are still plenty of concert tickets available for other performances.  RodeoHouston has added the new 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!}

Photo Credit :: RodeoHouston

4. The Junction {Formerly Known As Kids Country}

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, 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.

5. 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?  People depend on mobile devices to stay connected to their family and the world around them, and Reliant’s portable power solutions can help Rodeo-goers stay powered while enjoying the fun. There are 12 Reliant charging stations available inside NRG Stadium, located at every ramp on levels one, three and five, and six stations available across NRG Park around The Hideout, NRG Center and NRG Arena. Visit reliant.com/go to find a charging station near you.

6. 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!

Touch Tank
Petting Zoo
TDECU Fun on the Farm 1
Carnival 1
Photo Credit :: RodeoHouston

7. The Livestock Show Barn

This is the second coolest place at HLSR in my opinion {see above for the coolest}!! Kids {both big and little} love getting up close and personal with animals at The Livestock Show Barn. Here you can walk through the show stalls and see the exhibitors showing their animals off to the judges, giving them baths, feeding them, and more! Also in the barn area are fisheries, honey bees, horticulture, and a milking parlor too.

8. Interactive Family Experiences

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. RODEOHOUSTON

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!

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.


Connect with Reliant…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


This guide is far from all inclusive and just hits on some of the need-to-know info and a few of our favorites activities and attractions that the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo holds.  Be sure to check out the HLSR Visitor’s Guide for even more good info. Let’s rodeo, Houston!


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We want to thank for Reliant Energy for being a valued partner of Houston Moms Blog and the HLSR each year.
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Jennifer H
Jennifer is a native outside-the-loop’er growing up and living in the Richmond/Rosenberg area. She has a Bachelors in theology and political science from Texas Lutheran University and a Masters in Liberal Arts from Texas Christian University. She and her husband Greg met in 2010 through Match.com and fell in love on their first date. They married exactly one year later and have fought lovingly and constantly since. They have two amazingly brilliant girls, Kaitlyn {June 2013} and Elizabeth {June 2015} who Jen stays home with during the day. When Jen is not curled in a little ball rocking back and forth with Peppa Pig on in the background, she can be found crafting with her Silhouette and/or binge watching The Office for the millionth time. Jen has an uncanny ability to be comfortable in almost any situation put in front of her, thanks to growing up in politics and on the debate team. Before having kids of her own, she had the opportunity to help other kids through teaching, youth ministry, and generally being a helpful, kind soul. You can check out more about Jen on IG @themommymiddle.

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