So, after living in Tucson for 20 years we decided to finally check out the Tucson Rodeo along with the parade on a Thursday. We went into it not really knowing what to expect in terms of parking, crowds, services or fun factor. In a few words = we had fun. I am sure there are people that go every year, and I would say it is a must to do at least once if you enjoy a good solid rodeo (not that I would consider myself an expert on any level!) We easily found street parking by accident super close to the rodeo grounds, although they do offer parking for $10. We had bought our tickets a few weeks in advance online and I actually bought an extra ticket and I am glad I did as it is stand seating and very narrow so it gave us a bit more 'breathing room'. I was actually looking at the Vaquero Club seating but they were sold out so I imagine you need to buy these types of tickets well in advance. Our seats were great as we were in section B and directly in front of where all the action happens. It was fun watching the various events (barrel racing, roping, etc.) for both the Juniors and Adults. Lots of food, drink and retail type services within the rodeo grounds along with clean restrooms and friendly staff/volunteers. read more

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We were in town visiting this past February and it happened to be the 100th anniversary of the rodeo, so we knew we had to visit, especially as we hadn't been to a rodeo before. We really enjoyed visiting the vendors and we enjoyed some sausages and fry bread for lunch. The rodeo was fun as well and it was really interesting to see all the events. It's a nice event to visit and we're glad we were able to go! read more

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On beautiful 70 degree Sunday February afternoon attended the 99 th anniversary year of the tucson fiesta de los vaqueros rodeo . Filled with fans many snowbirds , visitors , and loyal local rodeo fans . A very patriotic and religious undertone to the entertaining. announcer filled with loud dj filled rock hip hop and country clips of classics . The Sunday theme I didn't know about was breast cancer awareness with a big truck of survivors circling and waving to the crowd and participants many wearing pink . Also pictured were the university of arizona football team walking on the arena in cowboy hats to be honored for their great 10 win season and those staying gratefully after the sudden departure of former job hopping coach . Many food and rodeo vendors surround the rodeo grounds with varied food offerings similar to our county fair . On rodeo grounds is the tucson rodeo pa parade museum which was open until the start of the rodeo . Parking was available for 10$ entrance on 6th street east & north of arena. Tickets at gate or online no hawkers seen selling tickets. This local tradition will celebrate a 100 year anniversary next year . YEE Haw ! Rodeo grounds are located at ne corner of sixth street and Irvington not the county fairgrounds. Fyi the also popular winter horse racing at rillito downs 1st and river has been suspended this year , yet the pro golf tournament coming soon and moved to la paloma county club on sunrise will host a maid concert related at the horse track at rillito downs . read more

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Was a blast!!! My little family and I had such a great time. The real bathrooms were clean which I was shocked. The vendors there were amazing. I made a custom trucker hat and my kids helped me design it. We got kettle corn, Sonoran dogs, beef jerky, and some flags for the kids rooms. I definitely want to go again next year. So much fun for the whole family. read more

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The rodeo itself (we went first day 2025) was fun, entertaining great for family and dates. The bad: DO NOT USE THE PARKING LOT it was okay to get in but at the end of the rodeo itself out of the two gates available, one had been locked and there were no parking attendants, volunteers, police or ANYONE to direct the cars out. It was an hour long nightmare at minimum to maze your way out of that lot. Park somewhere in the neighborhood and wear walking shoes (save your pretty boots for the bar dance!) Come on Rodeo folk, what happened? read more

This place kicks ass! Where else can you go to see a bull, *uck the rider? That's one *ucking bull! Okay YELP, "*" STANDS FOR THE LETTER "B", AS IN BUCK or bucking. Good time to sit in section across from the front of the announcers stand. Okay to bring you own water, Buy your tickets from their own website, not from an outside vendor. Can beer cheaper than U of A beer at their games. read more

Tucson Rodeo - Sit here for a bucking good time! - Rodeo Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The website says nothing about what happens on a slack day. We arrived at 1130 only to learn that it was a free day with almost all of the vendors closed. The website also details the events that are listed for everyday but on Monday the only events were team roping and steer wrestling until 3pm when everything shut down. We're nglad that it was free and yet the website was selling tickets for Monday. I've been going to the rodeo and parade since I moved here in 1982 and may not return if it continues to be this disorganized. It's an embarrassment to the city of Tucson and the sport of rodeo. The only phot would be of empty stands. read more

Had such a great time at the rodeo my nieces were excited to see all the different cowboys and horses the different floats and the high school bands we ended up getting a really good spot right at the front; with the perfectly clear view. It's funny my friends and family from the East Coast never understood why is it that kids get out of school for the rodeo I always tell them we're living in the wild wild West so when in Rome do as the Romans when in the west you do as the Westerns. read more

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I decided to spring for the Vaquero Club tickets this year. I was not overly impressed with the experience. For $70 per person, you get free parking (regularly $7), a catered meal that was actually quite good and three free drinks. I'm not one to drink alcohol midday, especially in the heat, so for me it was waters and an RC. My main gripe is that when you purchase Vaquero Club tickets online, you pick your seat on a grid -- rows and columns. I was in the middle of row 1, so I'm thinking great, awesome seats. I was picturing rows of tables and chairs. Well, the reality is that it's bunch of round party tables that seat about 8 each, and it's general admission, so nothing is reserved. Thinking I had reserved seats, I didn't rush down there, the result was that there were virtually no decent seats left. Do I want to sit in the sun with my back either to the table or the rodeo? Luckily there was a little four-top high table way down at the end. It was in the sun, but at least we had it to ourselves. The other thing that sucks about the seating is that you are at the far end of the arena, away from all of the action. Any of the events that start on the other end like roping are so far away, you can't see anything. Even the events that enter from the side are pretty far away. The did have big-screen monitors set up, but with the brightness, they were of very little value. All-in-all, it was a fun day. I'm just miffed that the premium seating I thought I was paying extra for was so lame. The rodeo is definitely a 5-star event, but the Vaquero experience knocked it down one. read more

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I love the Tucson rodeo. This was my third year in a row and I look forward to it each year. This year I went to the finals (last day) which featured many talented Cowboys. I love the saddle bronc riders, barrel racing and of course the Bulls. For the last years, we bought general admission seats, in the sun, but you can get really close. Beer is $5-6, which is not bad an event. I have yet to eat here. I was lucky to get seats in try gold buckle box this year which retail $110 each which includes unlimited drinks, lunch, front row parking and tickets to the coors barn dance. These boxes are located on the west side of the arena and remain shaded throughout the day, which is very hard to find in general admission. Drinks included coors beer and jack Daniels whiskey in the box, I was a little bummed with the limited selection, but hey, it was free. Lunch consisted of a salad, chili, green beans, potatoes, sausage and a tri tip, along with a roll and carrot cake for dessert. Overall, a great two week event which is well Supported by the great tucson community!! read more

Tucson Rodeo - View from the gold buckle box seats - Rodeo Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Huge blank spots. Half a block or more with nothing. Not recommended. Many people left early. Boring for kids and adults. Needs better organization. read more

Tucson Rodeo - Huge long breaks between riders, bands, etc..... zzzzzzz. Lots of people left. Will not go back. - Rodeo Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Great fun we'll run event part of being a Tucsonian! I love a well organized event, and this is one of them. They start on time and there is little down time and the contestants are all extremely good at what they do. Bull riding and bronco busting are my favorite and I like to sit right across from the shoot, to get the full picture of what could be 8 seconds and a great score, or getting thrown off and stomped. I know people poo poo on the rodeo as inhumane, but if I was a stock animal and could choose I would rather end up in the rodeo versus your plate. I will keep going to the rodeo it is a part of history and the West. read more

The Tucson Rodeo - La Fiesta de los Vaqueros is the best show in the business! I grew up in Kentucky and was assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB in 1995 during a 24-year Air Force Career. I attended my first rodeo here in Tucson and fell in love with the top entertainment event in the world. Every year, I meet my military buddies at various rodeos starting in Tucson leading all the way to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. The Tucson Rodeo - La Fiesta de los Vaqueros is the best family entertainment event hands down. The Tucson Rodeo Committee works hard every year and its shows, always a first-class event. Tucson Rodeo showcases the Top Ranked Competitors in the business along with live entertainment nightly at the Tucson Rodeo Barn Dance. Yee Haw Tucson Rodeo - La Fiesta de los Vaqueros!! Miss ya in 2021..."Back with a Vengeance" in early 2022! read more

Really disappointed. Bought tickets for Thursday's rodeo to go after parade. Online tickets are sold for 12:30 but the rodeo actually doesn't start until 2! Way to long for kids to be out in the hot sun. We left so lost over $100. Recommend going to the rodeo a different day. The rodeo Committee should consider starting the rodeo right after the parade for families who come from farther away or at least put a accurate start time on your tickets so we would have know we had some time to leave. read more

Those pics and videos are pre-events! We ran into their preparations on the road, by accident! read more

Tucson Rodeo - Rodeo Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great rodeo. Traffic leaving is ridiculous !! At least one hour to get out of the parking lot on Friday read more

It's a good rodeo the best in southern Arizona rodeo because the animals are always ready go opening day because the animals are more aggressive read more

Some important points (imho): 1) Get there early. Parking can be a challenge if you are even a little late. It's one of Tucson's largest annual events. 2) Be prepared to spend about $18-22 for seats. 3) Eat beforehand. Food is your typical...hot dogs, brats, hamburgers. Nothing special, and as with many special events, overpriced. 4) If you tend to be PC, close your ears at some of the comments/jokes made by the commentator. 5) Bull riding is a sight to see and is usually at the end of the day. Horse racing is pretty exciting, as well. 6) It's not all just country music. I heard some rock, as well. 7) I'm surprised this event is not bigger. There are only a few events Tucson celebrates that embraces its Southwest heritage. Overall, while you are in Tucson in February, I recommend watching it for its Southwest spirit. read more

Love the Tucson rodeo went the last 3 years in a row,love it more each time.Beers are good and cold and the price for beer is good,food is also good,can't wait to go back. read more

Tucson Rodeo - Rodeo Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros! Tucson rodeo. Pretty fun little rodeo. Went for the full day on parade day. Have seen better, local rodeos up in VT of all places.... The best part of the rodeo were the pick-up men and the high quality of their horsemanship! read more

Was excited to attend the Tucson Rodeo however as my friend and I started walking towards the ticket booth, we were stopped by an individual on a bike that informed us that we could not bring our purses into the rodeo. He proceeded to give us a clear plastic bag to put the contents of our purse into.He stressed that they will not let us through the entrance with purses. I understand and respect all aspects of security but to ask a woman to put the contents of her purse in a clear bag that is just ridiculous and demeaning. I have been to several professional football games where security was heightened and never was required to use a see through plastic bag as my purse. All that was required was for someone to check my purse, that was it. Unless they change this ridiculous requirement, my friend and I will not be attending any future rodeo events. read more

The level of security to get in is offensive. You'd think you're getting on a plane, not watching a family fun event. It surprises me we all just comply and give up our rights just to eat hotdogs and watch good old boys ride livestock read more

For real, this has not been yelped yet? Okay, well I don't know what I was expecting. I have never been to a Rodeo. This exceeded expectations. It starts at 12:30 when the children compete. Unbelievable! These tiny little people on gigantic horses throw themselves off to rope a goat?!? I did not believe my eyes. At 2:00 the Big Boys come out, literally. There are roping competitions, the bucking broncos, and of course they end with the bulls, the finale. The caliber of people competing seems pretty high. I guess these are the same cowboys and cowgirls you would see at the PBR Rodeo, which I think is the big championship one. Whatever, you can tell I don't know what I am talking about. The downsides are that the booths around the grounds are not very interesting. Also, the food is overpriced and not that great of a selection. You should be able to bring your own coolers, like Nascar races! One last note, the banter between the announcer and the rodeo clown was of the Abbott and Costello variety... funny, slapstick humor, rather low-brow. However, sometimes I felt it was borderline racist. It is one thing if Chris Rock says it, it is quite another when the Texas dude in a cowboy hat says it. read more

Decided to attend this year, after a decade or so gap. High ticket prices, high food vendor prices, and a ridiculous seat number ticketing system that is less rodeo and more opera or ballet. Was also shocked to see that one of the concessions/demonstrations involved some really GQ-looking dudes doing what appeared to be make-up application? They weren't getting any business, in a sea of cowgirl-types who tend to shun a lot of that stuff, but I thought that was pretty un-rodeo, too. I wonder who the concessions chair was this year? Can you say 'out of touch'? It'll probably be another 10 years before I return. read more

We have been going to the Tucson Rodeo for years on the 2nd Saturday of the competition. We really enjoy getting there a little early and walking around to see all the vendors and sampling some of their goods. The kids like to look at the animals. Lot of good food and the Rodeo competition isn't too bad either. read more

The Tucson rodeo is awesome!! A very, very professional event! No bad seats in the entire place. A truly family friendly event!!! Love love loved it. Gets better each year!!!! read more

This is my favorite rodeo. I have been to rodeos in several states and Canada and I enjoy this one the most. The quality of competition is high with many contestants in the top 10 to 20 in the aiSA or the world. The arena is small enough to be able to be close to all of the action. The years I have attended, the announcers are excellent and have an ability t draw the crowd into the show. And finally, this rodeo has a celebration of the cowboy that is more pronounced than in others. read more