"Western heritage meets extreme sport when cowboys and cowgirls come to town"...at the Tucson Rodeo!
Formally called La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (which means "celebration of the cowboys" in Spanish), the Tucson Rodeo is a popular event for Arizonans. The Tucson Rodeo enlists contestants from the United States and Canada for the nine-day celebration, which is known for "non-stop action with bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing."
Visitors from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Europe are given "the opportunity to see real-life cowboys and cowgirls as they display their ability in the only sport in the world developed from work skills."
The first La Fiesta de los Vaqueros was in in 1925. Today, the Tucson Rodeo is "one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America."
The 2024 Tucson Rodeo will be held, February 17-25, 2024.
The Tucson Rodeo is held at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Avenue (just north of Irvington) in the south Tucson area.
Gates open at 11:00am each day of the rodeo. The Junior Rodeo begins at 12:30 pm. The ProRodeo begins at 2 pm and ends about 4 pm. The Coors Barn dance begins when the rodeo ends.
Stay tuned for more information.
Tickets vary by day - from $18 to $500 - based on day and section. There are no discounts for children. However, children 2 and under do not require a ticket if they sit on their parent’s lap.
The Tucson Rodeo offers $18 general admission tickets the first weekend, Feb 17 & 18.
Parking at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds is $10 per vehicle.
Least crowded days are FEB 17-18; most crowded days are FEB 24-25.
Average Tucson temperatures in February range in the 40s-70s, often with blue skies and lots of sun. The only shaded seating area is the Vaquero Club. Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and layers are advised.
You’ll probably want to bring some cash for food, drinks, and wares from vendors.
*Note that the Tucson Rodeo has a Clear Bag Policy. See the website for full details.
Yes. Bathrooms are located in at least 4 different areas.
All non-rodeo animals are prohibited from Tucson Rodeo grounds with the exception of certified service animals.
There is a marketplace at the rodeo where you can purchase hats, boots, clothing, jewelry, etc.
There are a variety of food, drink, and snack vendors at the Tucson Rodeo.
Nearby restaurants include:
Absolutely! The Tucson Rodeo is family-friendly. The Rodeo opens with Mutton Busting and Junior Rodeo at 12:30, which features kids from 4 to 14 years old. Kids will likely also enjoy the bull riding and barrel racing competitions. Clown acts and special events are family-friendly also.
Children are welcome on any of the rodeo days, however, the Feb. 17-18 rodeos offer $18 tickets.
Section F or section A are good for viewing and easy to exit from. A seating chart is available on the Tucson Rodeo website.
Strollers are not allowed in the seating area, but parking is available nearby.
Babies are welcome at the rodeo. There is a large restroom on the north side that accommodates babies and mothers.
See above.
There is a section for persons in wheelchairs with a ramp entry.
The Coors Barn Dances are held indoors - in a barn - and are very lively. Expect lots of dancing! The dances are for ages 21 and over only. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Dances are held after each rodeo performance, beginning after the last bull bucks (about 4 pm) and closing at 8 pm. $5 admission.
The Tucson Rodeo Parade has been a part of the rodeo festivities since 1925 and is now the "largest non-motorized parade in the country." Over 200 non-motorized floats are on display along the one and one-half mile parade route.
The 2024 Tucson Rodeo Parade will be held on Thursday, February 22 at 9:00am.
The Tucson Rodeo Parade concludes at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds.
There is a NEW parade route for 2024!
In cooperation with the City of Tucson, the new parade route will begin at South 12th Avenue and Drexel Road, proceed East on Drexel to Old Nogales Highway, then turn North, ending at Irvington Road.
The route change was necessitated by the decision of Union Pacific Railroad not to hold trains for the three-hours necessary on the section of track that the parade has historically crossed on its previous route. This is the second route change for the parade in its history. In 1991, the Rodeo Parade moved from downtown streets to a route near the Tucson Rodeo Grounds that crossed the railroad tracks in two locations. This new route will keep the parade near the Rodeo Grounds, but won’t cross the railroad tracks.
Included in the parade will be local and national dignitaries, Native American tribal leadership and performers, historic wagons and colorful floats, marching bands and mariachis, royalty from four rodeos, and working cowboys. In all, the parade features over 120 entries – consisting of over 500 horses, approximately 2,300 people, 85 wagons and buggies, and 8 marching bands. Continuing the tradition of no motorized entries, the entire parade is propelled by real horsepower.
The streets near the parade route are closed by 7 am. Come as early as you can!
Limited parking is available before 8:30am adjacent to the grandstands for $5 per vehicle.
The parade is FREE to spectators along most of its route. Ticketed grandstand seating that includes pre-parade entertainment, is available at a new location on Drexel Road near Liberty Avenue. Pre-purchased grandstand tickets are $12 each for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under.
Bring your own chairs, blankets, etc.
We recommend:
Another terrific option is to find a vacation rental thru Tucson Vacation Rentals.
Yes. You can follow the Tucson Rodeo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
That just about covers it. Have a great time!
