Your guide to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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No bull: It's rodeo season. Photo: Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicks off Monday.
Why it matters: The annual event becomes the center of the Houston universe for three weeks.
Driving the news: Millions of spectators are expected to flock to NRG Park for the spectacle's slate of concerts, the fun of the carnival, and, of course, the RodeoHouston Super Series 21-day tournament.
What to do: Aside from the main rodeo and concert events inside NRG Stadium, there's plenty to do and see around the park, including:
- Hourly mutton bustin' and other kid-friendly activities at The Junction.
- A ranching and wildlife expo featuring free seminars on a range of topics.
- At the Agventure site, which will include pony rides and a petting zoo, children and adults can get hands-on experience with the agricultural world.
- Plus, therapeutic riding and other events for visitors with special needs.
What's new: The annual festival has new foods throughout the park — including a new fine-dining experience, 1932 Cattleman's Club by Fertitta Entertainment, and Beyoncé-approved Mama Tina's Gumbo by her mother, Tina Knowles.
- The Junction Stage, where there are performances and animal acts, was also redesigned with two stories of seating with an upper-level "cool zone."
- Plus, you can see lasso extraordinaire Tomas Garcilazo perform routines at The Junction for all 21 days of the event.
Auctions on a variety of livestock will be held throughout the week, rounding out with the top-dollar steer auction at 11am March 21.
- Last year's grand champion steer garnered $675,000 at auction. The record is a $1 million bid at the 2022 auction, which was repeated in 2024.
Special days:
- March 4: Armed Forces Appreciation Day — free grounds admission for armed forces members, veterans and four family members.
- March 5: Sensory Friendly Day — minimal lights and sounds permitted in select areas of the carnival.
- March 6: Black Heritage Day
- March 9: First Responders Day — free grounds admission for first responders with badges and four family members.
- March 11: Community Day — free grounds admission for all until noon.
- March 12: Volunteer Appreciation Day
- March 15: Go Tejano Day — additional live entertainment at The Junction, the Mariachi invitational semifinals and a colorful exhibition of traditional Mexican folk dance inside the stadium.
If you go: Tickets are still available online for several performances starting at $35.
- Grounds tickets, which get you into the NRG Park and the carnival but not the stadium for the rodeo and music performances, are $25 for adults and $10 for kids 3-12.