Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March Only)
add photosWhat began as a small meeting in 1931 on how to improve and develop the cattle industry in the Gulf Coast area of Texas has become the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. More than 1 million entries in junior, youth, and open livestock and horse shows have been recorded.
The Houston Livestock Show™, the world’s largest with 30,000 entries annually, holds the world’s record prices for all junior market animals at auction. Texas 4-H and FFA members compete in various judging contests, from public speaking to plant identification. The Show promotes the Texas wine industry with the International Wine Competition, drawing nearly 2,000 entries from more than 600 wineries around the world. It also supports ranching and wildlife in Texas with the Ranching & Wildlife Expo, which includes educational seminars on various industry topics.
There are a lot of sections that are devoted to kids interested in livestock and rodeo. From a petting zoo to fun activities and entertainment, check the schedule for more details.
9 Reviews for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March Only)
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'11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Must-See Event"
Rodeo 2011 was my first rodeo ever, and I have to admit, I thought I was in for some bull-riding and a concert.
I was so, so wrong.
We arrived via car, parking cost $12, but the shuttles ferrying us to Reliant center were leaving every few minutes. Admission was pre-paid via ticketmaster, but can be bought at the event. Admission for everything aside from the rodeo itself is $10; with the rodeo & concert is $18.
As you enter the area, there are vendors selling cowboy/rodeo paraphernalia. Don't get caught up here, though, because more deals and steals await you inside.
There are a few buildings, each with a different purpose. The food "shed" houses something like 30 different eateries. Texan sized Pizza and burgers, famous funnel cakes, and Mexican fare is on offer, among other yummies.
Reliant Center is a long, long, exhibition hall filled with boutiques and booths of all different services and products. Though initially overwhelmed at the size, we started at one end and walked our way up and down each aisle. This year (2011) there was a cattle birthing area, chicken hatching, Elsie the Borden cow, a milking display, cattle and poultry auctions and much more.
A fair/carnival is in an adjoining field. We spent all our time at the other activities, but had we taken our 4 year old I'm sure that we would have visited this also.
The Rodeo itself begins at 6:45 PM, and is exciting and thrilling. We bought a program for $2 which explains the history of the Rodeo and what each event is. I especially loved mutton-busting - where 4-6 year olds try to ride a sheep, Rodeo style, and the calf scramble, where teens chase calves all round the stadium. When they catch one, they get to keep it and raise it to auction later. Following the Rodeo, about 9 PM, the concert starts. We rocked out to Keith Urban and thought it was great value for money. Though we sat on the 500 seats (way up high), we had a great view of all the action and never felt too far away.
All round, I would go back to Houston next March just for the Rodeo again.
Some words of caution, though. There is so much to see and do, you MUST wear comfortable shoes. Small children should be in a stroller, they will tire easily. I would have taken a stroller for my almost 5 year old.
Visiting the website was a very handy tool. We planned our day (what we wanted to see, what we could miss) before we even left NY and made the most of every minute we had.
Be prepared to be sucked in to spend money you don't have. We bought reasonably priced gifts for the family, but there was so much that I wanted and couldn't have.
In the stadium itself, strollers must be checked into the guest services room, awkward for when we needed the bottle/extra blanket, and we had to hold the baby the entire time. The stadium is difficult to get into if you are on a high level, again, be prepared to do a lot of walking.
Family bathrooms inside Reliant Center do not have a changing table. They have only a toilet and a sink. (I know, right?!?)
The noise inside Reliant Stadium is loud, so kids might not sleep, though mine slept through the concert, and though the weather in March is warm (70 F) the Stadium is very cold, (at least on the 5th level). Bring a jacket.
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0 families found this helpful
"So Much To Do"
The food...delicious! The sounds...amazing lineup for the entire month! The sights...you will be walking around taking it all in and shopping for hours on end! The fun...rides and games galore to keep everyone busy and excited! The rodeo....so much fun to watch and some pretty amazing cowboys and cowgirls from across North America. The music....we go to at least 6-12 concerts every March. You will not be disappointed!!
0 families found this helpful
"Lots of fun"
We visit the Houston Rodeo almost every year with our kiddos. There is a wide variety of food booths, craft booths, etc. The carnival is a lot of fun and affordable too. You can purchase coupon books in advance, and safe some money. And don't forget the petting zoo.
1 family found this helpful
"Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo"
I have been to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo several times and it is incredible! The rodeo provides so much entertainement and the Rodeo Clowns are awesome! The Houston Rodeo is famous for having big name entertainment to close the show. They are also famous for their firework displays at the end of the evening. Great family event, or great date night! Highly Recommend.
1 family found this helpful
"Yeehaw!"
Rodeo season is my FAVORITE season! I went to my first Houston Rodeo when I was two years old and my parents decked me out in the cutest cowgirl gear! I have not missed a Rodeo since 1985! We normally attend at least 4 concerts a year. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to know anything about agriculture or rodeos to attend the Houston Rodeo. There is so much for the kids to experience, including a petting zoo and carnival. You must eat a fried oreo or funnel cake at the Rodeo (I don't recommend eating them more than once a year though!). If your kids are old enough, I recommend taking the light rail to the rodeo, as parking can be kind of a hassle. If you can get access to a parking pass, I would definitely go with that. The Rodeo generally starts around 6:00 PM and the concert begins about 9:00 PM. The concert normally lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased for as low as $10, which is very economical. The Rodeo is a Houston staple and I hope you get to experience it!
2 families found this helpful
"Great fun for the whole family!"
My entire family loves country music and we love livestock so we make an annual trip to the HLSR. When I bring the little ones their favorite part is the actual livestock show (unless Miley Cyrus is playing at the rodeo that night). At the livestock show they get to walk around and actually pet all sorts of animals from goats, chickens, pigs and cows. Last year they got to meet Elsie the Borden cow and took pictures with her.
Besides the livestock show they also have the carnival with tons of rides and games for the kids. This is where you may lose some money if your kids want to ride or play a lot of games. What I do is usually buy a ticket package that comes with a certain amount of tickets and then set aside some money for games/concessions and once they use the money/tickets then that's it. The rodeo is a lot of fun too and your kids will probably love the calf scramble portion of the rodeo as it's one of the most entertaining parts.
If you don't want to drive and park at Reliant Stadium you can park at numerous Metro Park and Ride stations and they'll drive you to the rodeo grounds.
0 families found this helpful
"Livestock show a hit!"
This is our favorite time of the year! Our 1 and 3 year old absolutely love going to the livestock show! They love seeing all the animals up close and getting to go to the children area. There is a huge carnival and a children section where the kids can do their own mock farming and a great petting zoo! The food is amazing and there is so much to see. We have never done the rodeo, but the Livestock show is a great day!!
1 family found this helpful
"great variety, so so value"
The Livestock Show and Rodeo has a good variety of activities, like the show, the kids rides, the animals, food etc. Nevertheless, I found it to be too much of a money pit. The parking alone is the reason we probably will not attend next year. We paid about $20 to park VERY VERY far away. Too much work with little kids in tow.
1 family found this helpful
"Only in March"
The most fun rodeo ever. You have to go see the chickens, they are hilarious. They have tons of children's areas, places to shop and eat, carnivals in the evenings and of course concerts (if you can tolerate country music)
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