Click Thompson
With so many events to choose at this year’s Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, it can be a daunting task to keep up with everything. Whether you’re a foodie, a rodeo fan, or enjoy live music, the FWSSR has something for everyone. Here’s a calendar of events that span the entirety for this truly auspicious Cowtown occasion.
Friday, Jan. 12
“Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo
7:30 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
What better way to kick off rodeo season than with, well, a rodeo? It’s a two-night affair with seven events, plus a round of Mutton Bustin’.
Saturday, Jan. 13
The “All Western” Parade
11 a.m. @ Downtown Fort Worth
The next morning, we recommend rubbing the sleep out of your eyes and heading downtown to catch this annual hoard of floats moseying along Main Street.
Celebrity Goat-Milking Contest
5:30 p.m. @ Cattle Arena
You read that correctly. It’s exactly what you think, and these celebrities take their goat-milking seriously. So, we ask ourselves: Why wouldn’t you go?
Sunday, Jan. 14
Best of Mexico Celebración
7:30 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
The first rodeo was in Mexico, so these vaqueros aren’t messing around. Events include charro exhibitions, trick riders, mariachis, and folklorico dancers.
Monday, Jan. 15
(Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Cowboys of Color Rodeo*
2 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
A full-day affair that features Black, Hispanic, and Native American cowboys and cowgirls — who made up nearly half of Wild West buckaroos back when Billy the Kid still had vitals — competing in all your favorite rodeo events, including bull riding, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
Bulls Night Out*
7:30 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
(Finals on 17th)
The biggest event at the FWSSR, this is two straight nights of witnessing 150-pound cowboys straddling ill-tempered, one-ton bovines. It’s an early stop along the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bull-riding tour, which concludes at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Sip & Shop Wine Tasting
4 p.m. @ Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits
An afternoon of wine sipping and boutique shopping — that is, if one requires an afternoon off from livestock and failed attempts at controlling bulls and broncs.
Thursday, Jan. 18
Miniature Horse Show
9 a.m. @ John Justin Arena
An arena full of pocket-sized equines? Sign us up. The miniature horse, which was bred for mining, has been a staple at the Stock Show since the early 1980s.
Friday, Jan. 19
PRORODEO Tournament*
7:30 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
(Finals on Feb. 3)
The first night of the Stock Show’s 16-night main attraction. This PRCA tournament features 56 athletes, donning Wrangler and YETI patches, who compete in nine events — including bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing — for a $1 million purse.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Coon Hunters Mule Jumping
3 p.m. @ John Justin Arena
Did you know mules, unlike their equine brethren, can jump from a standstill position? Prepare to have all perceptions of gravity proven wrong at this tense tourney.
Mustang Magic Finals
6 p.m. @ Will Rogers Coliseum
The must-see event for horse lovers. The program includes the top 10 competitors performing freestyle routines on horses that were deemed wild only four months ago.
Sunday, Jan. 21
Fiddle Showdown
2 p.m. @ West Arena
It’s an old-fashioned showdown — only replace that six-shooter with a bow and fiddle. It’s a competition among teens competing for $7,500 in scholarship money.
Monday, Jan. 22
Cowboy Campfire
Noon @ West Arena
An afternoon of Western music and poetry reading. Just ’cause one sports spurs and an oversized buckle doesn’t mean he or she isn’t artistically inclined.
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Tuesday, Jan. 23 (Pink Day)
Women’s Breakaway Roping*
9 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m. @ John Justin Arena
Dust off your pink cowboy/cowgirl garb and enjoy both the tie-down roping event and the women’s breakaway roping finals. Breakaway roping, which is a variation of calf roping, is exclusively a women’s event that has a growing base of involvement — rodeo ain’t just for the boys.
Summer Dean
9:30 p.m. @ Bud Light Roadhouse
We recommend taking your pink day into the night — a rodeo Tuesday is like a Saturday — to catch this local songstress at the Bud Light Roadhouse next to Dickies Arena.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Cowboy Mounted Shooting
10 a.m. @ John Justin Arena
Pack a couple earplugs and take in some pistol-wielding cowboys and cowgirls hurrying through a course while shooting balloons on horseback.
Thursday, Jan. 25 (TCU Day)
Varsity Equestrian Competition (TCU vs. Delaware State)
10 a.m. @ John Justin Arena
TCU is one of 28 colleges that competes in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. Our beloved Horned Frogs take on Delaware State in the hopes of making the NCEA Finals in April.
Friday, Jan. 26
Rabbit Show
3 p.m. @ Poultry Building
The undisputed cuteness of hares reminds us that the Stock Show is going on in conjunction with the high-octane Rodeo. Every show is worthy of your attendance, but this one’s a must.
Crystal Wise
Saturday, Jan. 27
Escaramuza and Charro Cala Competition*
9 a.m. @ Will Rogers Coliseum (youth Saturday, adults Sunday)
The traditional Mexican competition described as “ballet on horse” features bright, ornate costumes and expert, choreographed horsemanship. The competition, which now includes a youth showcase on Saturday, has become a popular weekend event and a staple at the rodeo.
Sunday, Jan. 28
Lone Star Open Bid Calling Contest
4:30 p.m. @ Amon G. Carter – Round Up Inn
Yes, auctioneers — some of the Stock Show’s most-heard voices over the loudspeakers — have their own tongue-tying competition. And you can bid on some items to boot.
Monday, Jan. 29
(Military Appreciation Day)
Barrel Racing
7:30 p.m. @ John Justin Arena
It ain’t bull riding’s 8 seconds, but barrel racing is a similarly speedy sport. Cowboys and cowgirls complete courses in under 15 seconds and get their horses to clock 30 mph.
Tuesday, Jan. 30
Pole Bending
5 p.m. @ John Justin Arena
An event that isn’t in the nightly rodeo’s rotation, pole bending is a competition where the horse — and horseman — swiftly weaves through a half-dozen poles for the quickest time.
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Wine Camp
3:30 and 5:30 @ Cactus Room
It’s not all equines, swine, and bovines — there’s plain ol’ wine, too. This educational event is free with grounds admission and first come, first served. So, get there early.
Thursday, Feb. 1
Jr. Steer Show
8 a.m. @ Will Rogers Coliseum
You won’t wanna miss our future ranchers showing off their mighty steers. And, if you can’t make it to the coliseum, the Cowboy Channel+ app will be broadcasting it live.
Friday, Feb. 2
Quarter Horse & Palomino Horse Show
9 a.m. @ John Justin Arena
The Horse Shows portion of the Stock Show concludes with two full days of quarter horses and palominos, who will be duking it out for numerous accolades.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Jr. Sale of Champions*
9 a.m. @ Watt Arena
The perfect endcap to the Stock Show, all of the champion livestock from the bevy of junior shows are auctioned for charity. Attendees place their bids for lambs, goats, hogs, and steers to benefit Texas 4-H and Future Farmers of America — raising a record $7.3 million last year. Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services has made a tradition out of outbidding everyone for the grand champion steer, which went for $440,000 in 2023.
PRORODEO Tournament
7:30 p.m. @ Dickies Arena
It’s the last night of the rodeo. You’ve made it this far, and you gotta see who will be crowned the champion of the tournament.
