It’s the most wonderful time to be a Houstonian…
YEE-HAW! It’s that awesome time of year again! RODEO TIME!!!
Get ready for delicious and adventurous food, animals, rides and some of the best concerts around! Put on your boots, spurs and cowboy hats and enjoy the 91st annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!
The year’s must-see concert line-up is bound to be the best one yet! Does it get much better than Brooks & Dunn, Lauren Daigle, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Bun B? I think not!
With more than 30,000 livestock, Mutton Bustin’, carnival rides for kids of all ages and the nightly entertainment, this is exactly what Houston needs!
Before you dust off your boots and enjoy the rodeo, be sure to catch up on these tips and tricks below to enjoy it all to its fullest!
Pro Tip: Take your littles on a weekday right when they open at 9 a.m. to enjoy the AgVenture barn without crowds.
Hang on just a boot-scootin’ minute, because Reliant and the Rodeo go together like spurs and belt buckles!
What’s better than two-steppin’ to country classics? Two-steppin’ on over to Reliant’s custom penny press! New for 2023, this incredible souvenir creates free keepsakes that rodeo-goers can take
home. The penny press will be set up at the Reliant Ranch, located next to the landmark Reliant Big Boot.
Rodeo guests can choose from four unique designs, including the trademark “H” Howdy mascot, a cowboy boot, a “Made in Texas” stamp or a bronco-riding cowboy. These commemorative tokens
are stamped in real time at the machine! Don’t miss the chance to get yours to commemorate another incredible year at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!
For rodeo-goers who want to wrangle a new rodeo wardrobe to really play the part, customers who sign up for the Reliant Rodeo plan receive a $100 Cavender’s gift card while securing a great low electricity price for a whole year.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Details:
Dates: February 28 – March 19
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 p.m. with the entertainer taking the stage at about 8:45 p.m. and weekend performances begin at 3:45 p.m. with the entertainer coming on at approximately 5:45 p.m.
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! The METRORail is a great go-to because 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.
2} For $5 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 ages 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket!}
3} You can purchase a Grounds Season pass for $50, which is worth it if you plan to visit multiple times during this rodeo season. This option does not include the rodeo and concert.
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 rodeo staff and committee members who are there to help. If you need any special accommodations or have any particular questions, simply ask someone with a badge!
Need to bring a stroller for your little ones? Not a problem! Strollers and wagons are allowed, and NRG Stadium offers “parking areas” on all four corners of the stadium to park your wheels while you enjoy the fun.
COVID Precautions: While masks, a negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of vaccination are not required to attend, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo recommends all guests follow the CDC’s health and safety guidelines and take precautions, whether that’s getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including the COVID-19 booster, or wearing a face covering.
Anyone who is feeling ill or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms is encouraged to stay home. Those who live with someone who has COVID are also encouraged to stay home.
In an effort to keep everyone healthy and safe, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has a list of implemented health protocols and actions, like handwashing stations and health and medical resources, for the 2023 rodeo season.
What’s New in 2023?
Follow along with RODEOHOUSTON on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn more about historical information about the rodeo. Tag your favorite rodeo memories with #Since1932
Grub: The rodeo menu includes some fun, creative eats you MUST try in 2023, including:
-Deep Fried Jambalaya Roll: Juicy chicken and sausage come together with rice and Cajun seasonings to create a golden brown, dippable treat!
-Pickle Pizza: Whodathunkit?! Pickles on pizza? This new twist features a dill cream sauce topped with cheese, spices and dill pickles. You definitely can’t knock it ’til you try it!
-Southern Fried Chicken Alfredo Ball: Comfort food at its finest! Filled with fettuccini alfredo, chicken and mozzarella cheese, this deep-fried ball with homemade alfredo sauce is sure to be a hit!
-Island Slaw: YUM! A creamy coleslaw with mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, snap peas, topped with teriyaki chicken, sriracha glaze, and sprinkled with crushed macadamia nuts… hometown feel meets island thrill!
Test Your Ranch Skills: Be sure to test your cowboy skills at the Reliant Ranch at Rodeo Plaza, in between NRG Center and NRG Stadium, for a chance to win various prizes.
Row-Deo!
Photo Ops: Head over to the fan favorite, the Reliant Big Boot in Rodeo Plaza, for a festive rodeo photo! And don’t forget about the other entertaining photo opportunity from Reliant for a quick pic on a bucking bull! Just inside the Lobby of Hall C, step onto the dirt and “ride a bull” with a life-size bucking bull for the perfect photo opp and have some fun with it!
Top 10 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at the Rodeo
1. Awesome Entertainment
This year’s lineup features some of your favorite country and pop stars, and you’re sure to find a concert that piques your interest.
With Parker McCollum opening and Luke Bryan closing this year’s rodeo, the lineup is not one to miss! There are still plenty of concert tickets available.
RodeoHouston has added the VIP Champions Club, a private entertainment space in NRG Stadium to enjoy the rodeo and concert! Tickets are $175 per person and include 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!
2. The Miracle of Birth
Yep, birth! 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. Don’t miss the miracle! {And be sure to check out the milking parlor as well!}
3. The Wine Garden
If you’re in 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 up your boots and relax. For your convenience, Reliant will also have three stations set up with chargers for your phones!
4. Shop-‘Til-You-Drop
Shop at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! With more than 300 vendors, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Give in to your impulses with the countless retail vendors. The best in Western wear and décor, and some of the most interesting finds are down every shopping row.
5. The Junction
What’s not to love about an area just for kids, open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. 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. Livestock Show
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has encouraged and promoted the breeding, raising, and marketing of the livestock industry in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Thousands of exhibitors come from all parts of the world and across the state of Texas to exhibit their livestock, and only the best of the best leave the green-shavings arena with the elite title of Houston Champion.
7. The Actual Rodeo!
From team roping and 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!
8. The Perfect Rodeo Photos
There are tons of Instagram-worthy backdrops for photos with your families! Seek them out, pose, and click! Such a perfect way to commemorate the 91st annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!
9. Community Day
On Wednesday, March 8, get free NRG Park Admission for all guests until noon. This does not include rodeo/concert admission. 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.
10. Charging Stations
Reliant is making all of our picture-perfect dreams come true by making sure our phones don’t run out of power! To keep rodeo visitors connected, Reliant is offering free one-day rentals on
portable power packs at nearly two dozen Reliant Charging Stations across NRG Park, including at NRG Stadium, NRG Center, and NRG Arena.
