Add more fun to your Rodeo experience in 2024!
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ (HLSR) is just a few days away! Many people wonder what's new in 2024 in this massive 20-day event. Good news for all fans! There are so many new things to do, taste, buy and see this year. Speaking only of restaurants and shops, there are more than 300 waiting for you. Here is your brief guide to what's new at the 2024 Houston Rodeo so you can have unforgettable experiences at this world-famous event that takes place from February 27 to March 17 at NRG Park. Remember the itinerary: NRG Park gates open at 8 a.m. every day. Carnival itinerary varies. You can view and download it here.
Schedule Changes
- Weekend Rodeos will now start one hour earlier, at 2:45 p.m. NRG Stadium gates will open at 2 p.m. and the entertainer will take the Star Stage at approximately 5 p.m.
- The weekday Rodeo timeline remains unchanged, at 6:45 p.m. NRG Stadium gates will open at 6 p.m. and the entertainer will take the Star Stage at approximately 9 p.m.
- All Junior Market Auctions and the School Art Auction begin at 11 a.m.
NEW ON OPENING DAY
Tuesday, Feb. 27: Opening Day, presented by Texas Capital
- Special giveaways will include custom-made Leon Coffee bobbleheads for the first 10,000 paying guests, beginning at 10 a.m.
- The Opening Day Parade starts at noon on the grounds of NRG Park.
- Walking in the parade: Westbury HS, Elsik HS, Klein Forest HS Band, St. Thomas Episcopal Pipe Band Houston Mascots, Texans Cheerleaders and many others.
- Cirque Du Soleil will also walk in the opening day parade and have a 7-minute performance on the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy.
- And starting at 8:30 p.m., join us for a Glow Party in the Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost Bank. Wear your favorite glow-in-the-dark accessories or pick up a giveaway item to glow crazy while sipping award-winning wines and enjoying some music by a DJ
- The Champion Wine Garden will also have music by The Emotions on the Main Stage and DJ DU on the Lone Star Stage.
- Country star Blake Shelton takes the stage on the Opening Day.
NEW ON COMMUNITY DAY
Wednesday, March 6: Community Day, presented by TC Energy
- Free admission for all guests until noon
- Buy one, get one rides and games in the Junction Carnival area until 4 p.m.
- Discounted food and beverage offerings at the Junction until 4 p.m. ($3 mini corn dog at McKinney Corn Dog, $3 mini popcorn at Kid Shack, $3 small sour apple lemonade at Squeezers)
- The Houston Grand Opera will perform their Opera to Go! at 11 a.m. on the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy
- The Musicians of the Houston Symphony will perform on the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy at 1 p.m.
- A NASA activation will be inside NRG Center.
VALUE WEDNESDAYS
On Feb. 28 and March 13, 2024 - Free admission for seniors, 60 and over, and children, 12 and under, until noon. (This does not include rodeo/concert admission). Look for special offers from some food vendors. View more SPECIAL DAYS.
ATTRACTIONS
New Carnival Rides - Joker 360: A giant 16-seat pendulum swings clockwise and counterclockwise, up and over and back again, offering an exhilarating g-force experience complete with tunes loved by all generations. Riders will experience thrilling high speeds and free-falling sensations simultaneously.
New Carnival Toy - Pusheen: A tubby tabby cat who became famous through her animated comics and GIFs, as well as through her widely used animated stickers on social media.
NEW SHOPPING
Shop your way through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and let your impulses go with the countless retail vendors. New vendors in 2024: Angry Minnow Vintage, B and B Glass Studio, Breggy Bomb, Carolina Pickle Company, Clayton & Crume, Copper Kettle Popcorn, Dakota West Leathers, Double Trouble Boutique, HEYDUDE, Laura Lively, Lucky Ranch Style, Snakebite Creative Design, Stonewick, Texas Therasoles, The Barrel Road, The Original Windmill Ceiling Fan Co., VNTG SPLY, Yellow Rose Tack and Supplies. Shopping hours: Daily, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
HEYDUDE Collaboration
Photo: Courtesy HLSR via Facebook
New in 2024! HEYDUDE has created an exclusive Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo shoe, available onsite at the HEYDUDE booth inside NRG Center.
RODEOHOUSTON Merchandise
For your official Rodeo and entertainer merchandise, visit the booths in NRG Center and NRG Stadium. You can also get 2024 merchandise at rodeohouston.com, including an exclusive line of commemorative Rodeo-inspired threads and limited-edition collectibles, from jackets and pins to tote bags and buckles. There are new categories and expanded offerings such as gifts, bags/purses, jewelry, home décor, Christmas ornaments, more ladies' apparel, pajamas/robes, men’s polos, and jewelry.
Saddle up in style with the 2024 Rodeo Buckle! Crafted for champions, it's the ultimate statement piece for cowboys and cowgirls alike ($250). Want to spend less? Elevate any outfit with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's 2024 annual enamel pin set! Perfect for jackets, bags, and hats. Add a touch of Rodeo to your style effortlessly ($20). There is something for everyone!
NEW FOOD
These new food vendors are ready to welcome you: Big Fat Bacon, MiaBella’s Wood Fired Pizza, The Skillet at The Ranch and Waffle Chix. The number of new foods offered by all vendors is nearing 50! Try Wonton Nachos at Asian Streetness, Bacon Bourbon Caramel Cheesesteak on a Stick, Chocolate Bacon on a Stick at Big Fat Bacon, Louisiana Crawfish Cheese Fries, Churro Fries at Cajun Cowboy, BBQ Bacon Bourbon Wood-Fired Pizza at MiaBellas Wood Fired Pizza or Caramel Apple Cowboy Churro on a Stick at Pioneer Wagon. And this is just to begin with!
Don't miss the new Carnival midway foods, including delicious Cheeto Cheese Chicken on a Stick (two pieces of extra crispy, juicy fried chicken dipped in melted cheddar cheese and rolled in crunchy hot Cheetos, then finished off with pickles), Sonoran Dog (all beef hot dog, bacon wrapped and topped with grilled onion and jalapenos, diced tomatoes, mustard and cilantro mayo), o Texas BBQ Slice (Texas-size slice topped with BBQ pulled pork, onion, pickled jalapeno & ranch drizzle). And this is just to name a few! Dining hours: Daily, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
DRONE SHOW 2024
The drone light show, presented by ExxonMobil, is coming back, but it’s bigger and better than ever. Watch as 400 drones paint the night sky with formations that capture the essence of our Western Heritage, along with a fireworks extravaganza! The dazzling display features two presentations: one will illuminate the sky on the first weekend and a different version will dazzle on the second weekend. Both shows will take center stage on the last weekend of the Rodeo. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind show that will light up the sky over NRG Arena every Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 p.m.
GO BEYOND NRG PARK
To complement your Houston Rodeo experience, don't miss the new exhibit at The Heritage Society, co-hosted with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This exhibit showcases the cowboy spirit that is part of Houston's history. This is your opportunity to see unique artifacts and learn about the Rodeo history. Where else can you take pictures standing in front of the showcases featuring guitars signed by many stars who performed at Houston Rodeo concerts, including Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Cody Johnson, Alabama and more? The exhibit is running from Feb.1 to July 31, 2024. More details here.
EXPLORE OUR PAGE DEDICATED TO THE HOUSTON RODEO with more details about this event, and don't forget to check out our blog post about ALL RODEO CONCERTS in 2024.
Photos: Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
