Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championships
Oct. 19–23
Amarillo, Texas
888-960-0003, cowboymountedshooting.com
Part performance and part skills competition—riders in 19th-century Western gear fire adapted theatrical guns at targets while galloping full speed through a course—cowboy mounted shooting is an exciting spectacle like no other. This fast-paced sport keeps you on the edge of your seat, and draws big crowds to Texas for the world championships.
Jan. 15–Feb. 7
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Fort Worth, Texas
817-877-2400, fwstockshowrodeo.com
Jan. 15–17
International Finals Rodeo
Oklahoma City
405-235-6540, ifrodeo.com
Watch some of the best in the sport compete for the champion title in the International Professional Rodeo Association, rodeo’s second-largest organization.
Feb. 4–21
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas
210-225-5851, sarodeo.com
Feb. 26–28
Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Alpine, Texas
800-361-3735, cowboy-poetry.org
March 2–21
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston
832-667-1000, hslr.com
March 5–7
Wrangler Timed Event Championship
Guthrie, Okla.
800-595-7433, lazye.com
March 13–27
Rodeo Austin
Austin, Texas
512-919-3000, rodeoaustin.com
One of the largest rodeo events in Texas, this nonprofit also raises nearly $1.5 million per year for Texas youth.
May 14–16
Western Heritage Classic
Abilene, Texas
325-677-4376, westernheritageclassic.com
May 29–30
Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children’s Cowboy Festival
Oklahoma City
(tba)
Heart of the West Art Exhibition and Sale National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Fort Worth, Texas
817-509-8960, cowgirl.net
June 9-12
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Lazy E Classic
Guthrie, Okla.
417-753-2407, cowboymountedshooting.com
June 11–Sept. 6
Prix de West
Oklahoma City
nationalcowboymuseum.org
This world-class art exhibition is held annually at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
June 18–20
Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival
Oklahoma City
405-427-5228, redearth.org
Aug. 21–22
Santa Fe Indian Market
Santa Fe, N.M.
505-983-5220, swaia.org
Spanning the last 88 years, the Santa Fe Indian Market has evolved to become one of the biggest art eventsin the country.
June 23–July 3
American Paint Horse Association World Show
Fort Worth, Texas
817-834-2742, aphaworldshow.com
Aug. 30–Sept. 5
AQHA Bayer Select World Championship Show
Amarillo, Texas
806-376-4888, aqha.com
Sept. 3–5
Celebrate Bandera
Bandera, Texas
830-796-4447, celebratebandera.com
With three action-filled days of events, the town of Bandera bolsters its claim to the title “Cowboy Capital of the World.”
Sept. 25–Nov. 30
Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Exhibition & Sale
Oklahoma City
405-478-2250, tcowboyarts.org
Traditional Western craftsmanship is on display during this three-month exhibition.
Sept. 9–12
National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration and National Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
Lubbock, Texas
806-798-7825, cowboy.org