What is there to do at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo? Well, there is quite a bit that you can do, and it’s helpful to know the lay of the land before visiting to make the most of your visit. HLSR is a Houston tradition. It has acres and acres of fun activities, and there are many budget-friendly attractions for the whole family.
Take a magnificent ride on the biggest Ferris wheels in the country. Celebrate with Texas wines at a free tasting. See lady ranchers competing in riding and roping skills at the Women’s Ranch Rodeo Invitational. You can also touch a real Longhorn and see baby piglets at the Birthing Center.
It pays to prepare for your Rodeo visit. If you can attend the Rodeo on a Wednesday, do so to take advantage of all the savings. Family Wednesday (formally called Value Wednesday) will be Feb. 27, and March 6 & 13. There are $2 rides, $2 games, and $2 food bites from 11 am – 4 pm in Kids Country Carnival.
You can take the low-cost MetroRail to the Rodeo instead of looking for paying to park and parking that’s quite a ways away from the rodeo.
PARADE
SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 2018 – 10 A.M.
Since 1938 the nations fourth-largest city is transformed from a metropolis to a down-home celebration of it’s Western Heritage. The parade will have decorative floats along with thousands of men and women on horseback to fill the streets of downtown. This year’s parade will have Deshaun Watson as it’s Grand Marshall.
Caution: Street Closures will begin at 8:30 a.m. for the Houston Rodeo Run. Streets will re-open after the events conclude around 2 p.m.
ROUNDUP & BEST BITES COMPETITION
FEB. 17 @ 6:30 P.M.
NRG Center, Halls D, and E
Support the Rodeo by attending one of the world’s largest gourmet food events paired with 400 award-winning wines. You will be able to sample signature dishes from a 100 of the top restaurants and culinary institutions, and you can vote for your favorites in the competition. To get your tickets click here.
(http://www.rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Pre-Rodeo-Events/Wine-Show-Auction#BBC)
TRAIL RIDES
Friday. Feb. 22, 2019
11 a.m.: Trail Rides begin entering Memorial Park
4 p.m.: All Trail Rides in place at Memorial Park
5 p.m.: Awards ceremony at Memorial Park
Saturday. Feb. 23, 2019
10 a.m.: Trail Rides participate in Downtown Rodeo Parade
3 p.m.: Trail Rides leave Memorial Park
The trail ride began in 1952, with four men who traveled on horseback from Brenham, Texas. Now more than 3,000 trail riders participate in the Rodeo’s tradition each year. They hit the trail in an attempt to recreate the Old West.
CONOCO PHILLIPS RUN
SATURDAY, FEB. 23, 2019
Run for a cause! The run benefits the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Educational Fund. The Rodeo Run for 2017 had more than 9,500 participants in the wheelchair race, 5k fun run/walk and 10K race. Nearly $5 million has been contributed to the Rodeo since the run started in 1988.
WINE SHOW & AUCTION
February 24 at 5 pm at NRG, 2nd Floor
The Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction and Dinner is an impressive way to kick off the Rodeo season. The night begins with a cocktail hour and a silent auction you can bid on rare wines, fabulous trips, and other great items. A seated dinner follows the silent auction and accompanied by champion wines. After dinner, you can bid on award-winning wines. The proceeds support the Houston Rodeo.
HOUSTON RODEO ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
AGVENTURE
The AGventure is sponsored by Occidental Petroleum, located in the NRG Center (Hall A). Kids and adults will have a great time learning about all things agriculture. You will find nearly every species of livestock, with several animal exhibits. Access to this event is included in your NRG Park admission unless otherwise states on your ticket. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Featuring:
- Birthing Center
- Breed Row Barn
- Fisheries
- Honey Bees
- Horticulture
- Milking Parlor
- Petting Zoo
- Pony Rides
- Poultry
- Rabbits
CARNIVAL
You can get 360 views of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from the La Grande XL. You will soar to 130 feet, and there are 36 air-conditioned cabins with leather seats on the Ferris wheel. You can’t leave the carnival without partaking in the best foods from turkey legs to funnel cakes. Nothing brings you comfort like a funnel cake!
JUNCTION
The junction in previous years was called Kids Country. This area is kid-focused with rides, games, and exhibits. Exhibits are free unless otherwise noted.
Junction includes:
- Camel rides
- Fun on the farm
- Mutton Bustin
- Pedal Tractor Pull
- Pig Races
- Stars Over Texas Stage (featuring sing-alongs, animal acts, and much more)
SHOPPING
Eat and shop your way through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. There are more than 300 vendors with something for everyone to enjoy.
LONE STAR MARKET
The Lone Star Market is a new outdoor shopping area for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Its located on the west side of NRG Astrodome.
RANCH WILDLIFE EXPO
This expo enhances educational programs that help promote the conservation and co-existence of ranching and wildlife. There will be information about hunting, fishing, and camping. The expo is on the second floor of the NRG Center on the east end. The expo will also feature educational seminars and auctions for hunting, fishing, and outdoor trips.
WINE GARDEN
Champion Wine Garden
February 25- March 17
Sip some wine and relax at the favorite Champion Wine Garden. Wine professionals will teach wine seminars; most classes last around 90 minutes and range in price from $40 to $65. There are only 30 spaces for each class, so make sure and reserve your spot online. The instructors for this year are Vanessa Trevino-Boyd of Lakeside Country Club, Denise Ehrlich of Renaissance Wine Marketing, Guy Stout of Glazer’s Distributing, Monique Studak of Pernod-Richard USA, and Rober Gilroy of Möet Hennessy USA.
Monday-Thursdays: Open 4-11 pm
Fridays: 4pm to midnight
Saturdays: 11 am to midnight
Sundays: noon to 10 pm
Open from Monday to Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m., Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
HOUSTON RODEO MUSIC
HIDEOUT
Are you looking for a place to dance the night away? Then you need to visit the Hideout. It has a spacious dance floor, bars, and will also feature the best and up-and-coming musicians. You must be 21-years of age or older.
Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight.
RODEO ROCKSTAR
The Rodeo Rockstar competition began back in 2012. The competition is free and open to non-professional singers. The public votes online to select who will compete in the preliminary and final round during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo ™.
MAIN STAGE LINEUP
Once the dust settles from the Rodeo, a superstar singer or group takes the stage to entertain the crowd. Start time varies depending on what time the rodeo events end. Weekday rodeos start around 6:45 p.m. and the concert will begin around 8:45 p.m. Weekday rodeos start at 3:45 p.m. and show at 5:45 p.m.