Fair

Rodeo Austin is proud to host Austin's largest carnival! The carnival offers more than 60 rides and games for the whole family. From the ferris wheel, to the carousel, to fast moving rides and super spinning rides, the Rodeo Austin carnival has fun in store for your family. And don't forget the carnival treats! Cotton candy, funnel cakes, candy apples and more wait for you at Rodeo Austin. Join us this year and make memories that last a lifetime.

Rides and games can be purchased on an individual basis. Unlimited ride wristbands allow you to ride all day for one price.

Guests must have a fairgrounds or rodeo & concert admission ticket to enter the carnival area, but you do not have to purchase a carnival ride wristband to enter the carnival area.

The carnival opening time varies by day. The carnival closing time is subject to change without notice.

Friday, March 6: 4:00 p.m. to midnight
Saturday, March 7: 11:00 a.m. to midnight
Saturday, March 14 thru Sunday, March 22: 11:00 a.m. to midnight
Monday, March 23 thru Friday, March 27: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28: 11:00 a.m. to midnight

The carnival is held outdoors, and Texas weather is unpredictable. For the safety of our guests, rides are subject to closure due to weather. 

Rides and games range from $2 - $10 each, with most rides being $3 - $4 each. Unlimited ride wristbands allow you to ride all day for one price. For your safety, each carnival ride has height restrictions and rides are subject to closure due to weather.

New for 2020, carnival wristbands tickets can be purchased online and are subject to service fees. See all wristband prices on the Buy Tickets page of our site.

Wristband prices do not include Fairgrounds or ProRodeo & Concert admission. Guests must have a Fairgrounds or Rodeo & Concert admission ticket to enter the carnival area, but you do not have to purchase a carnival ride wristband to enter the carnival area.

Wristbands are non-refundable and non-transferable.  Carnival wristbands do not include the thrill ride Power. There are a limited number of rides that are suitable for younger children, therefore, an unlimited ride wristband may not be a large value for children 36” and smaller.

Rodeo Austin is proud to host Austin’s largest carnival! To enjoy carnival offerings, guests must buy an unlimited ride wristband (available at the main gate) OR must purchase a Magic Money card loaded with digital credits. Magic Money cards are a great option for families with small children who may only ride a few rides, or for any guest wishing to play games. Magic Money credits are also accepted at all food and beverage stands on the fairgrounds, as are debit and credit cards. To ride individuals rides or play games, guests must purchase a Magic Money card.

Magic Money credits from Rodeo Austin 2018 and 2019 will be accepted.

Read More FAQs Here

Rodeo Austin offers unique shopping opportunities across the fairgrounds. Vendors are located in the Exhibit Hall, Rodeo Arena Mezzanine and in various outdoor locations. Fairgoers can buy everything from cowboy boots and hats, to furniture and children's toys. Rodeo Austin merchandise can be purchased in the Exhibit Hall and Rodeo Arena Mezzanine. Fairground shopping opens at 10 a.m. daily and Mezzanine shopping opens one hour prior to the Rodeo. 

Come hungry to Rodeo Austin! Chow Town is conveniently located outside the Rodeo Arena and is home to a variety of food vendors. Chow Town vendors sell fair favorites like corndogs, cotton candy and turkey legs. Additional food vendors are located around the fairgrounds and inside the rodeo arena. Vendors accept Magic Money and/or credit cards.

First unveiled in 2018, the Beer and Wine Garden is the star of the Rodeo Austin fairgrounds! Enjoy an Austin bar patio feel with great refreshments, food trucks and live music from the Outdoor Stage. The Beer Garden features 12 refreshing brews from MillerCoors, including products from Granbury, Texas brewery, Revolver.

The Wine Garden is proud to showcase select wines from a Hill Country winery, William Chris Vineyards. All wines featured are 100% Texas grown.  Need to beat the heat? Enjoy Rodeo Austin's very own frosé!

One the most popular destinations for the whole family, Kidstown is located on the Northside of the Fairgrounds. Families can expect favorites like an expansive petting zoo, pony rides and Butterfly Encounter. Enjoy feeding parakeets, or learn about where your milk comes from at Southwest Dairy. 

The Wild West comes alive with daily shows and plenty of fun. Tomàs Garcilazo will dazzle audiences with roping artistry atop his highly skilled horse. Tricked Out & The Dynamite Dames are sure to steal your hearts with their gravity-defying tricks in the saddle. On weekends, you can catch Mutton Bustin' Mania or the Ultimate Scramble Championship. 

Tomàs Garcilazo - The Charro daily at 1:15pm, 4:15pm, 6:15pm

Tricked Out & The Dynamite Dames daily at 12:15pm, 2:15pm, 5:15pm

Fun for the whole family! Watch as the Swifty Swine racers compete for the prize of an Oreo cookie.

Pig Races daily at 10:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm, 3:45pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm

The crowd favorite, Mutton Bustin', is where aspiring young cowboys and cowgirls get eight seconds of fame by busting out of the chutes aboard a sheep. Participants are scored on their own performance and on the animal, just like the professionals. All kids receive a score, even if they don’t ride 'til the eight second buzzer. 

March 16, March 23 and March 30 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wild West Tent. Visit the Mutton Bustin' page for more information. 

Rodeo Austin's favorite grocer, H-E-B, and good friend, Texas Department of Agriculture, partner together to feature rotating local vendors and their unique products. Fairgoers can expect daily samples and an array of specialized products. Visit the H-E-B Waterin' Hole daily from 11 p.m.-7 p.m March 14-22 & March 27-28 and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. March 23-25.  

A Texas must see! Take a look at the iconic Longhorns on display located right next to the Wild West Tent. Watch Desperado, Peaches and her calf Cream graze on the field, or opt to take your picture atop Desperado for a small fee from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

With the purchase of fairgrounds admission, Rodeo Austin attendees can enjoy an exclusive sneak preview of Notion of Motion, a new exhibit set to open this May at Thinkery. Families can explore every kind of motion, from the circular motion that underlies the solar system to oscillating pendulums and the motions that create art and music. Although they may seem simple, these hands-on exhibits offer guests of all ages a chance to explore the dynamic forces that define and shape so much of our universe. Thinkery will unveil the full new exhibition in our Features Gallery in May 2020, but come grab a sneak peek at Rodeo Austin March 14-28, 2020.  

Find the exhibit in the General Store, just east of the Show Barn!

Where does our food come from, H-E-B? Learn more about agriculture and how we produce food from experts at SFA. Expect hands-on learning appropriate for school-aged children. More details coming soon!

Southside, near the main entrance of the fairgrounds, features a Wild West comedy act called Tumbleweed Crossing, one-of-a-kind turkey races and Bubble Bayou. Be sure to stop by Coors Cactus Saloon on your way into the Rodeo, or grab a drink and a seat while your kids enjoy all of the fun attractions and activities Southside has to offer.

Tumbleweed Crossing daily showtimes 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Turkey Races daily at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.