12+ Ways to Get Rodeo Ready in Houston

Rope in your Rodeo plans with more than 12 ways to get Rodeo ready in Houston from Saturday, February 17 to Sunday, February 25, 2024.

Once again, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo makes a triumphant return to H-Town, offering three weeks of wild west delights, delicious foods and huge headlining concerts.

But before it kicks off officially on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, you can indulge in all the pre-Rodeo fun that gets rolling this weekend.

We’ve gathered more than a dozen ways for you to get Rodeo ready with parades, markets, food events and more.

Still looking to snag a seat for a Rodeo concert this season? Check out our guide to Rodeo Concerts at the 2024 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

12+ Ways to Get Rodeo Ready in Houston

• HLSR Collection History Exhibit at the Heritage Society | All Month – Relive nearly a century of rodeo history at the Heritage Society in Downtown Houston. This exhibition, on view through July, includes all kinds of artifacts from past events, including signed guitars by entertainers like Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift and Cody Johnson, plus Swarovski-embellished mariachi attire, a Leon Coffee showcase, and more. $5; free for ages 5 and under. Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.
• Rodeo Roundup at the Boardwalk at Towne Lake | Saturday, February 17 | FREE – In Cypress, this destination for dining and shopping kicks off rodeo season with a Western artisan market, rodeo bites, mechanical bull rides, live music from American Idol singer Kate Watson, and half-priced carnival packs, food cards and admission tickets. 11am to 2pm.
• Tex-Fest at McIntyre’s Downtown | Saturday, February 17 – Celebrate everything Texan at this one-of-a-kind experience with more than 15 Texas-themed cocktails and tastings from beloved Houston breweries, plus a Texan marketplace, live country music and a Texas Two-Step Raffle. $20. 2pm to 6pm.
• Author Ray Viator at Archway Gallery | Saturday, February 17 | FREE – The Dunlavy gallery hosts author Ray Viator on the occasion of his newest book release, All Trails Lead to Houston: Riding to the Rodeo which captures the journey of the trail riders through a series of stunning photographs and narrative insights. Free to attend; signed books and prints available for purchase. 5pm to 8pm.
• Out at the Rodeo Market at Kiki Houston | Saturday, February 17 | No Cover – This first ever market from the Out at the Rodeo organization offers a pre-rodeo celebration with vendors, carnival passes for purchase, and some guest performances from fabulous local drag queens. 8pm to 10:30pm.
• ZiegFest Music Festival at Karbach Brewing Co. | Sunday, February 18 – The Spring Branch brewery celebrates country music and a Texas beer staple with a lineup of artists like Muscadine Bloodline, Treaty Oak Revival and Grant Gilbert. $45 and up. 4pm.
• Houston Rodeo Roundup & Best Bites Competition at NRG Center | Sunday, February 18 – Ahead of the highly-anticipated Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo comes another hot event, the Roundup & Best Bites Competition, welcoming goodies and wine enthusiasts for one of the largest gourmet food events in the world. The special evening features more than 450 award-winning wines and over 100 signature dishes from top area restaurants and culinary institutions as guests mix and mingle, wine and dine, and vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” $165. 6:30pm.
• World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at NRG Park | Thursday, February 22 to Saturday, February 24 – More than 250 teams of barbecue enthusiasts will compete in this epic weekend of barbecue, and while most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can join in on the fun at several public venues, including the carnival, The Garden, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. $25, includes a complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans. Times vary.
• Trail Riders across Greater Houston | Friday, February 23 | FREE – While the full parade takes place on Saturday, you can catch a series of trail riders moseying into town as they make their way to Memorial Park for camp. Throughout the day, 11 trail rides come into town from all directions—with rides stretching for 75 miles and more—each with individualized schedules you can check out and prepare for their arrival. Times vary.
• Rodeo Roundup at Houston City Hall | Friday, February 23 | FREE – Kicking off Go Texan Day, Houstonians are invited to this free, family-friendly event in downtown’s Hermann Square. The event will feature a Go Texan Day proclamation, followed by free chopped barbecue sandwiches, live music, photo ops with a Texas Longhorn steer and a visit with Rodeo volunteers. Boots, hats, and Western attire are encouraged. 11am to 1pm.
• Rodeo Festival at Houston Farmer’s Market | Friday, February 23 | FREE – Shop Local Market helps kick off the rodeo season at with a full day of outdoor fun, including live music, a mechanical bull and rodeo clown, tasty pop-ups, a petting zoo, western-themed photo ops, and more. If you’re looking for the final piece of your rodeo outfit, then stop by Shop Local’s new storefront at Houston Farmers Market for a great selection of rodeo-ready merch. Noon to 6pm.
• Rodeo Parade in Downtown | Saturday, February 24 | FREE – The annual Rodeo Parade transforms the streets of Downtown into a Western fiesta to celebrate Rodeo season, featuring decorative floats, thousands of folks on horseback, and live marching bands. 10am to 2pm.
• Bellaire Open Air Rodeo Market at Evelyn’s Park | Sunday, February 25 | FREE – Just days before the big event begins in earnest, you can stop by the Bellaire park for its Sunday open air market, featuring local artisans and vendors offering that final piece to your Rodeo outfit. Plus, there will be rodeo projects for kiddos to take home. Noon to 4pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!