The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo will be held February 8-25, 2018, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The event has been going on since 1949 and sees over 2 million guests each year. The Stock Show features animal exhibits, family entertainment, food and drinks, live music, shopping, horse shows, livestock shows and rodeos. This guide will highlight Stock Show hours and ticket information, things to do at the Stock Show, what you can wear to the Stock Show, things to do around San Antonio and great places to eat around San Antonio.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Hours & Tickets:
Hours
- Grounds – Show grounds open daily at 8 a.m.
- Family Fair – Family Fair is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Shops at the Rodeo – Shops at the Rodeo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Carnival – The Carnival area is open at 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Tickets
- Grounds Admission – Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (65+), $5 for children ages 3-12 and free for children ages 2 and under.
- Season Grounds Pass – $20 for unlimited grounds admission for 18 days.
- Rodeo Admission – $27 Rodeo tickets include admission to the rodeo event after-rodeo concert and grounds.
Things to Do at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo:
Family Entertainment
- Western Heritage Parade & Cattle Drive – This is the official kick-off to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The parade takes place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 and features participants such as the Fort Hood 1st Calvary Division, the Fort Sam Houston Caisson, the Texas Heritage Riders and the Texas Longhorn Cattle Herd.
- Petting Zoo – Children and adults can groom, feed and pet an array of animals, including alpacas, chickens, goats, llamas, ponies, pot-bellied pigs and sheep.
- Carnival – The carnival area features games, carnival food and over 40 rides in 4 ride categories- kiddie, family, thrill and spectacular.
- Barn Area – The barn area features an array of livestock, including bulls, cattle, goats, horses and pigs.
Shopping
- The Shops at the Rodeo marketplaces feature more than 250 vendors, selling items such as accessories, clothing, custom boots, home furnishings, jewelry and leather goods.
- There are 4 Official Souvenir Booths that are located on the Stock Show grounds. These booths sell official San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo merchandise, including men, women and youth clothing and outwear; headwear, tumblers, plush animals, decals and koozies.
Entertainers
- Big name music artists are featured at the after-rodeo concerts. This year’s lineup includes country music artists- Brad Paisley, Brett Eldredge, Chris Young, Gary Allan, Kip Moore and Rascal Flatts; Christian rock band- Casting Crows; rock bands- Foreigner and Goo Goo Dolls and comedian/ventriloquist- Jeff Dunham.
Horse Show Competitions
- Several horse competitions take place throughout the 18-day event including:
- Barrel Racing – February 12 & 13- Contestants run a four-leaf clover pattern with 3 barrels, as they race against the clock.
- Ranch Sorting – February 14 & 15- Two horseback riders work as a team, against the clock, to sort 9 cattle in numerical order.
- Team Roping – February 17- Two horseback riders, a header (ropes the front of the steer) and a heeler (ropes the hind feet of the steer), must move with precise coordination to pin down a steer.
- Youth Horse Challenge – February 18- Contestants are youth, ages 8-18 and they must demonstrate their abilities, knowledge and skills regarding horsemanship.
- Youth Rodeo – February 19 to February 22- The Youth Rodeo features bright, young contestants who compete in various events, including Barrel Racing, Goat Tying, Pole Bending, Breakaway, Ribbon, Team and Tie-Down Roping and Bareback, Bull, Saddle Bronc and Steer Riding.
- Horse Shows – February 23 & 24- There are 3 main horse shows: All Breed Horse Show, Paint Horse Show and Quarter Horse Show.
Livestock Shows
- Junior Breeding Shows include Cattle, Gilt, Goat, Heifer and Sheep Breeding Shows.
- Junior Contests include Agricultural Science Fair, Landscape Challenge and Meat Science Skillathon.
Rodeos
- During the 18 days of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, there are 20 rodeos that take place. Rodeo events include Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and Tie-Down Roping.
What to Wear to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo:
Since the Stock Show is not only a cultural event, but a social one as well, you’ll want to look your best. However, you’ll want to be comfortable too, since you’ll be doing lots of standing and walking. Here are some suggestions on what to wear:
Women
- Outfit idea #1 – Jean shorts, black off-the-shoulder rib top, sandals and turquoise necklace.
- Outfit idea #2 – Slim fit jeans, black studded western belt, western t-shirt, roper cowgirl boots and cowgirl hat. Popular rodeo cowgirl hats are pinch front crease hat styles, because they are designed to make the face look thinner.
- Outfit idea #3 – Maxi skirt, flowy racerback tank and cowboy boots.
Men
- Wrangler jeans, plain or plaid western snap shirt, western-style leather belt with Texas belt buckle, cowboy boots and cowboy hat. Cowboy hat ideas for men include felt, leather, straw or wool material in either Cattleman, Dakota or Ridge Top styles.
Things to Do Around San Antonio:
- San Antonio is a great city for sightseeing because it is rich in culture and home to famous historic sites.
- San Antonio River Walk runs along the banks of the San Antonio River and features lush landscapes, quaint bridges and stone walkways.
- The Alamo is an historical site that was built in 1718. The Alamo was the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo.
- The San Antonio Museum of Art features over 30,000 culture and history objects from around the world.
- Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a 400-acre drive-through safari park, featuring over 500 animals that represent over 40 endangered, exotic and native species. Animals at the safari park include cape buffalo, elk, emu, impala, llama, ostrich, wildebeest and zebra.
- San Antonio Botanical Garden is a 33-acre botanical garden that features display, formal and native gardens, a conservatory and an outlook tower.
- San Fernando Cathedral is one of the oldest active cathedrals in the United States, breaking ground in 1738 and opening in 1750. The cathedral features American Colonial, Colonial, Gothic and Gothic Revival architecture.
Valpak Rodeo Sweepstakes:
- Enter the Valpak Rodeo Sweepstakes from 1/18/2018 – 1/31/2018 for your chance to win one of two prizes
- Package 1
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2 tickets to the Rodeo Night on Feb 9, 2018 which also includes the concert of Brett Eldredge2 feast packages – which includes a hot dog, chips, and soda2 wristbands for the carnival2 rodeo t-shirts1 Commemorative Tote Bag1 $10 gift card to Boot Barn
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- Package 2
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2 tickets to the Rodeo Night on Feb 18, 2018 which also includes the concert of CAM2 feast packages – which includes a hot dog, chips, and soda2 wristbands for the carnival2 rodeo t-shirts1 Commemorative Tote Bag1 $10 gift card to Boot Barn
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- Package 1
As a Texan, I’m almost embarrassed to say I have never attended a rodeo. Must change that.
OH! Let’s make a plan! Bring the kid down next year!