What’s new at the Houston Rodeo in 2023: Drone show, Cheeto chicken sandwiches, a high-speed coaster and more

File image of the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)

HOUSTON – The upcoming Houston Livestock show and Rodeo might not be your first rodeo, per se, but there will still be plenty of all-new experiences, foods, and rides to try come Feb. 28.


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🍨 New carnival foods

  • Hot Nashville Cheeto Chicken Sandwich or on a Stick: Nashville Hot sauce on extra crispy chicken with slaw on a toasted brioche bun. Nashville Hot chicken on a stick is smothered in cheese sauce and rolled in Hot Cheetos and topped with crisp pickles. Available at Biggy’s II.
  • Fruity Pebbles Shrimp Fried Rice Bowl: Fried rice, with fruity pebbles shrimp, sausage and pineapple served hot and fresh in a hollowed pineapple. Available at Get Fried.
  • Honolulu Hog Spud: Baked tater stuffed with pulled pork, teriyaki BBQ sauce, pineapple, and sesame seeds. Available at Spud Ranch BBQ.
  • Rodeo Caramel Crack Sundae: Ice Cream sundae with chocolate dip, caramel corn and drizzled with caramel topped with chocolate cowboy hat. Available at Swirl Ice Cream.
  • Other new good items Fruity Pebbles Funnel Cake, Captain Crunch Funnel Cake, Deep Fried Krispy Kreme Banana Split, Cowboy Slushi, Hot or BBQ Wings, Candied Grapes, Rodeo Donut Cheeseburger.

🥨 New food vendors

  • Pretzel Bros
  • Texas Skillet
  • Asian Streetness by Moi Vietnamese Grill

🎡 New carnival rides

  • Raptor Coaster: This dinosaur-themed coaster is described as a “high speed thrill roller coaster with extreme inversions, sharp bends, twists and turns.”
  • Sea Ray: This family-friendly ride is pirate-themed and has a “fantastic smooth swinging motion,” rodeo organizers said.

🤠 New experiences

  • Drone Show: Two hundred drones will soar over NRG Arena during the rodeo’s first-ever drone show, held at 7:45 p.m. on March 4.
  • Topo Chico Hard Seltzer’s Backyard: Located near The Junction, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer’s Backyard will offer hard seltzer and beer in a lounge setting.
  • Miller Time Bar: This beer garden will be situated on the north side of NRG Stadium. Expect music, seating, giveaways and photo opportunities.
  • Sunday Brunch at The Champion Wine Garden: A themed brunch will be held each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

More on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:


About the Author

Briana Zamora-Nipper joined the KPRC 2 digital team in 2019. When she’s not hard at work in the KPRC 2 newsroom, you can find Bri drinking away her hard earned wages at JuiceLand, running around Hermann Park, listening to crime podcasts or ransacking the magazine stand at Barnes & Noble.

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