Fair

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.

If you have Magic Money credits on a reloadable wristband from 2018 (not available in 2019), the credits will be accepted.

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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, rotating food trucks and live music from the E2open 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 two Hill Country wineries, William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars. All wines featured are 100% Texas grown.

Learn from the experts! Join us at the times below for educational sessions. Afterwards, purchase a glass or a bottle and enjoy this Rodeo Austin hot-spot.  

• Saturday, March 16 @ 5:30 – Andrew Sides, Owner/Winemaker, Lost Draw Cellars
• Thursday, March 21 @ 5:30 p.m. – Joshua Fritsche, Winemaker, William Chris Vineyards
• Saturday, March 23 @ 5:30 p.m. – Andrew Sides, Owner/Winemaker, Lost Draw Cellars
• Thursday, March 28 @ 4:30 p.m. – William Blackmon, Co-Founder/Winegrower, William Chris Vineyards
• Friday, March 29 @ 5:30 p.m. – Chris Brundrett, Co-Founder/Winegrower, William Chris Vineyards

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 and pony rides. 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 is 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 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. Taste of Texas is open daily at 12 p.m.-6 p.m with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

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 Earth, Wind, Inspire, a new exhibit set to open this June at Thinkery. Families can explore a series of simple, hands-on interactive exhibits that illustrate the powerful forces of the natural world. Learn about the dynamic systems behind everything from volcanos and geysers to sandstorms and hurricanes! Earth, Wind, Inspire is designed for ages 3+ and provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to explore the scientific phenomena that shape our planet.

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

Rodeo Austin is proud to partner with Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in 2019! SFA is a public four-year university in Nacogdoches. Check out their garden exhibit, located just northeast of the Show Barn and near the pig races, March 16-30. Be sure to visit them for their special education events below! Fairgrounds guests and maybe even future SFA students will get the opportunity to meet SFA staff and faculty, as well as receive great information about agriculture and animals.

Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 – Equine Educational Event

What does the skeleton of a horse look like? What do you call that stuff of their head and neck? Learn all of this and more….and meet two of SFA’s equine members!

Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30 – Ag Day with SFA

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.