We also recommend downloading the RODEOHOUSTON app for maps, schedules, and more (available for both Apple and Android products). 

Child riding a sheep. Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show Rodeo 2025: Top Tips

Catch the Houston Rodeo's Pre-Rodeo Events: Cook Off, Trail Ride, and Parade

The Houston Rodeo Cook Off, aka the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, is a huge event in its own right, featuring more than 250 teams competing for the title. The team tents are invite-only, but there are several public venues are open, including the kid-friendly carnival. The BBQ contest takes place from Thursday, February 27, 2025 - Saturday, March 1, 2025.

If you're looking for a FREE taste of some of that BBQ, head to the Rodeo Roundup at Houston City Hall, where you can get a free BBQ chopped sandwich, take in a live music show, and enjoy other fun Go Texan Day festivities.

Technically, the trail rides are not an official part of the Houston Rodeo 2025, but they are part of a tradition dating back to 1952 when men traveled on horseback from Brenham to spread word about the rodeo. Now, thousands of men and women ride across what remains of Houston's wilderness to Memorial Park. The Trail Ride is set to arrive in Memorial Park on Friday, February 28, 2025, where there will be an award ceremony at 5 p.m. On Saturday, February 29, 2025, prepare to arrive around 8 a.m. for a massive Houston Rodeo Parade downtown featuring all of the horses, old-fashioned wagons, caravans, and festive floats. Check the website for maps with locations, street closures, and times to glimpse these time-honored traditions.

RELATED: Attending the Houston Rodeo Cook-Off With Kids

 
Carnival photo. courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Kid-Friendly Attractions at the Houston Rodeo

The carnival is an obvious hit, with traditional arcade and booth games, fun houses, and tons of different rides, including the exciting Sky Flyer, Cliff Hanger, and crowd favorite Carousel. There's also a special area for the tiniest cowboys and cowgirls called The Junction. It features smaller rides, games, a farm exhibit, a petting zoo, a kids' carnival, and more (bonus - this doesn't cost extra and is included in regular rodeo admission, and is home to the rodeo's BEST event, Mutton Bustin'). And finally, inside NRG Center's Hall A is AGVENTURE, which focuses on agriculture education and has lots of animal exhibits - from the birthing center to a cow-milking parlor to honey bee hives.

Saving Money: Free Activities & Cheap Admission at the Houston Rodeo

Child and mom petting animals. Photo courtesy Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Community Day is on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, when free admission is available to all guests visiting the grounds before noon. The celebration includes buy-one-get-one rides and games in the Junction and community activations. Family Wednesdays, on March 5 and 19, are a great deal, too, offering free NRG Park admission for seniors and kids 12 and under until noon. You can also buy half-price carnival packs for games and rides (these things add up!) through March 1, 2025, and once you're inside, there are lots of activities, exhibits, and games that won't cost you a dime. You'll find many free activities inside the children's zone, at The Junction, at Fun on the Farm, in the petting zoo, and at the pig races; there is live entertainment at the Stars Over Texas Stage. And in terms of food, you can bring in your own snacks (except into the stadium itself). This is huge, people! 

Transportation & Parking at the Houston Rodeo

This is always tricky, so it's best to accept that no matter what route you take, you're going to be met with crowds and traffic. After you accept this, then everything becomes much less stressful. The good news is the METRORail is a great option and is free for kids ages five and under. There are multiple parking options to pick, and you can buy tickets on the platform. Another option is utilizing the park & ride, where buses or shuttles bring you to NRG. There are also three big parking lots with a cost of $25 per car from which you can shuttle or walk to the rodeo. And finally, the rodeo has great resources for patrons needing handicap-accessible parking options.

Entertainment at the Houston Rodeo

Every night of the rodeo, there is a different concert to enjoy. The actual rodeo competition happens before the performance: weekday rodeos start at 6:45 p.m., the concerts begin around 9 p.m., and weekend rodeos start at 2:45 p.m. with the musical performances beginning around 5 p.m.

Special Accommodations

For any moms who are nursing or in need of a Family Room, there are designated Family Rooms located in the lobby of the first floor of NRG Center on the east end and inside Hall E of NRG Center near the restrooms. Additionally, outdoor Family Rooms can be found between NRG Stadium and NRG Astrodome, as well as at the exit of Fun on the Farm. Baby changing tables are located in all restrooms in NRG Arena, NRG Center, and NRG Stadium. The NRG Stadium also has sensory kits that include noise-canceling headphones and a sensory-friendly room.

Houston Rodeo 2025 Ticket Information

You can buy tickets for just the carnival and exhibits or tickets to include the official rodeo shows and concerts.

• Grounds admission: $21 (adults), $10 (kids ages 3-12), FREE (kids ages 2 and under) - This price includes the livestock show, shopping and exhibits, horse show and events inside the NRG Arena, and admission to the carnival (excludes individual ride and game prices and the rodeo and concert). 
• Concert and rodeo admission: Tickets start at $25 for individual performances.
• Season Pass: $57 (includes daily admission to the Bar-B-Que Contest, daily admission to the livestock show, and access to all public activities in NRG Park, Center, and Arena; excludes rides, games, the rodeo, and concerts).
• Resale policy: You cannot resell season passes and regular tickets must be sold at face value.
• Carnival rides, games, and food all cost extra.