How to Experience Rodeo Austin
Rodeo Austin kicks off this Friday March 14 and will go until March 29! Whether you’re interested in the competitions, wanting to have a fun day at the fair or seeing a great country artist perform, Rodeo Austin has something for everyone. Free fairground admissions will be offered on opening day, along with this, there is an option to buy tickets for “Kick Open the Chutes” with performances by Jon Wolfe and Walker Montgomery all on the Travis County Expo Center area floor.
Each evening the concerts start at 7 PM, except on Sundays when they will start at 3 PM. This gives you plenty of time to head over to the Expo Center and explore the fairgrounds!

For the Family
If you’re planning your visit with kids, you can stop by Kidstown which has a petting zoo and pony rides for a small $6 fee, this attraction is open from 10 AM to 8 PM each day. In addition to this, the Jurassic Bark Dog Show and the Swifty Swine Pig Races are something that people of all ages and interests can enjoy! These two shows have multiple start times throughout the day so check out the Rodeo Austin website to find a time that works best for your schedule. These activities and shows are all included with a general fairground admissions ticket which are $10 for adults and $5 for children per day, there are also discounts for seniors, first responders and an option to purchase a season pass. For the most budget friendly experience check out the fairgrounds on March 25 for $2 Tuesday, admission for adults and kids are just $2 along with certain $2 carnival rides and games!
The carnival is another great attraction to check out, keep in mind that it does require a separate ticket purchase and there are different pricing options depending on the days and times you plan on visiting. The carnival will typically open at 11 AM on the weekends and 4 PM on weekdays but be sure to check the website to plan your visit.
Livestock Show
Rodeo Austin has one of the largest Junior Livestock Shows in Texas! You can find a different show at the show barn each day and it is definitely worth checking out for a fun educational experience and an opportunity to support the junior livestock exhibitors! Some of the shows you can catch include the Junior Wether Dam & Doe Show on March 19th and the Junior Swine Skillathon on March 22. These shows are included with fairground admission as well.

Food and Drinks
Chow Town is the place to grab a bite to eat at Rodeo Austin, if you’re looking for typical fair food like cotton candy, turkey legs and cordogs, this is the place for that! It is located on the fairgrounds so check it out while you’re walking around. The Cowboy Corral, the H-E-B sponsored event will have H-E-B snack products as well as a fun photo booth! For guests who are 21+, there is a Beer and Wine Garden and Coors Cactus Saloon to grab a drink.
Live Music
When it comes to Rodeo Austin, there are four different options to fit your live music needs! Of course, there is the ProRodeo each evening followed by the headline concert, some of the lineup includes Braxton Keith, Charlie Crockett, Randy Rogers Band and Ella Langley. Tickets to these shows are sold separately from the fairgrounds and carnival and are limited so make sure to book your tickets as soon as you can! In addition to the main shows, there is the 100x Dance Hall which has their own lineup of country artists. Come here to enjoy music, drinks and live, closed-circuit coverage of Rodeo Austin. Another option is the Outdoor Stage presented by TX Dot which will have live music going all throughout the day with a mix of artists that everyone on the fairgrounds can enjoy.

Conclusion
Rodeo Austin is a can’t miss event! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a day filled with fair treats, carnival rides, live music and of course rodeo events. The best part is that with tickets for everything sold separately, you can plan out your day to perfectly fit your interests. There are things happening all day, so whether you want to enjoy a quiet weekday morning or a busy weekend night, Rodeo Austin is a great place to visit! Check out their website for tickets and more information: https://rodeoaustin.com/.
Olivia Hernandez
March 14, 2025