Saturday night rodeo near San Antonio

What the ticket is

The ticket on this site is general admission to the Saturday night rodeo at Tejas Rodeo in Bulverde, a town north of San Antonio. It covers admission to the rodeo and the concert that follows it. Tejas Rodeo describes the night as a live open pro-rodeo followed by live music and dancing, and it says the Saturday-night season runs from March through November. The calendar on the booking page shows which Saturdays are open. Tejas Rodeo Company is the activity provider on the ticket. This site is an independent guide and runs nothing in the arena, so questions about the night itself belong on the booking page.

What general admission means

General admission at Tejas is open seating with no assignments. The venue lists bleacher seating on the south and west sides and folding chairs at ground level on the south side, and it advises arriving early to find seats together before the pre-show. Visitors who booked this ticket say seating filled early. Reserved seating exists as a separate option sold by the venue by seat location, and it is not what this ticket covers. If your party is large or has a grandparent who cannot climb bleachers, the early arrival matters more than any other tip on this page.

What is paid for separately

The venue's FAQ says admission covers parking, the rodeo and the dance, while food, beverages and activities are separate. That takes in the Steakhouse, the walk-up concessions, the bar and extras such as the mechanical bull. The GetYourGuide ticket lists food and drinks, mechanical bull rides and pony rides among its inclusions, so the two sources do not agree on every item. Treat admission, parking and the dance as the safe core, and read the inclusions on the booking page before you pay. Either way, bring a card for the grounds.

Read next: What to expect at a Texas rodeo

The rodeo itself

The main performance follows a running order that Tejas publishes: a grand entry, bull riding, a drill team on horseback, team roping, mutton bustin', a calf scramble, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and a second round of bull riding. Professional rodeo events are generally split into timed events and rough stock events, and this card has both. The order can change, and the venue says an occasional specialty act such as saddle bronc riding is added. Nobody needs to know the rules beforehand, because the other guide on this site explains each event in the order it appears. The arena shows each result as it happens, so a first-time visitor can follow without reading a programme.

Read next: What to expect at a Texas rodeo

The dance afterwards

When the arena empties, the evening moves to a covered Texas dancehall. Tejas says live country and western music and dancing take place in an outdoor, covered space, with a rotating lineup of Texas bands playing everything from country classics to contemporary hits, and that the music is included with all rodeo tickets. The ticket describes a band that plays for hours and calls the dance family-friendly. One short guide on this site explains the two-step for anyone who wants to join in, and the dance hall tradition behind it. The band keeps playing after the last event, so the evening does not end when the arena empties.

Read next: Texas dance halls and the two-step

Dinner before the show

Tejas runs a steakhouse and saloon that is open year-round, and the venue strongly recommends a reservation on Saturdays. The Steakhouse has its own gate and parking, so a table there does not depend on a rodeo ticket. Guests who skip the restaurant can use the Smokehouse and Mercado walk-up concessions and eat at picnic tables or in the stands. The venue suggests arriving earlier if you plan to eat first, and it warns of possible parking and entry delays, so a dinner reservation and a rodeo seat are two separate plans to time carefully. Leave a margin for parking, since the grounds fill on a busy Saturday.

Bringing children

The venue calls the evening family-friendly, and the ticket says children can join in the calf scramble. Mutton bustin' has its own rules: riders are aged four to seven and under 55 pounds, they are weighed at check-in, and helmets and vests are provided. Entries are made online in advance, spots are limited, and the entry is separate from rodeo admission. A dedicated guide on this site covers the children's events and the questions parents ask most. The helmet and vest are supplied, so there is nothing to buy, and children who do not ride can still watch the sheep, the calves and the arena from the stands. The ticket's own highlights single out mutton bustin' and the calf scramble for the young.

Read next: Rodeo with kids: mutton bustin'

Weather, shoes and access

Most areas are covered but open-air, so dress for the weather. The venue recommends comfortable shoes because the grounds are not paved, welcomes blankets in cooler months and asks guests to stay hydrated in warmer ones. The rodeo runs rain or shine. The ticket is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the venue says ramps and handicap parking are available when you tell the gate attendants on arrival. The Skybox and Section 101 are the areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Leashed dogs are allowed, and outside alcohol may not be brought in. Pack a light layer for a cool night and water for a warm one.

What visitors say

Visitors who booked this ticket describe a lively rodeo with engaging events, friendly staff, good food and a fun live band after the show. The recurring request is clearer information about seating and when to arrive, which is why this guide spends time on both. Verified reviewers come from the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom, so a visitor who has never seen a rodeo is in good company. One reviewer found the benches uncomfortable towards the end, and others praised the on-site shop, so a cushion and some browsing time are both reasonable. Reviews also mention food and drinks on the grounds, so budget for both. None of that changes the main point: the evening is built for visitors, and the staff are used to people who have never seen a rodeo.

Booking terms

The ticket is booked through GetYourGuide. It is valid on the selected date, and the booking page lists free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, with reserve now and pay later available. It carries a likely-to-sell-out flag, which matches the venue's own advice to buy online in advance because most nights sell out. Choose the Saturday first, then check the calendar for open places, and book once your party is settled. Because the ticket is valid on the selected date, a change of plan means a new booking, so settle the Saturday before you pay. The calendar is the only place that shows which Saturdays are still open.

Read next: Getting to Bulverde from San Antonio

Who this isn't for

Rodeo has provoked opposition from animal rights and some animal welfare advocates, who argue that various competitions constitute animal cruelty. A visitor who is uncomfortable watching animals used in competition should choose a different evening. The night also suits poorly anyone who wants quiet, because an arena show with a band afterwards is loud, or anyone who cannot arrive early and still needs seats together. It also suits poorly a visitor who expects a polished concert hall: the grounds are Western in style, the benches are benches, and the paths are not paved. Someone who simply wants a steak can use the Steakhouse gate without a rodeo ticket, which is a lower-commitment way to see the setting.