The smell of barbecue smoke and the sound of live music fill the air at the Seguin Events Complex. For many locals, the Guadalupe County Fair and Rodeo is the highlight of the year. If you are new to town or planning your first visit, here is what you need to know before the gates open.
When and Where The event takes place at the Guadalupe County Fairgrounds, 950 S. Austin St., Seguin. Kickoff Weekend runs Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4. The main Fair Weekend runs Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Tickets and Parking Grounds admission at the gate is $10 for adults. Kids 10 and under enter free. This ticket covers the carnival, exhibits, petting zoo, live music, and food trucks. Rodeo tickets purchased in advance are $20 and include grounds admission; presale ends October 7. A season pass for grounds and all three rodeo nights is $45.
Parking is $10 and benefits Seguin FFA. Visitors with disabilities can be dropped at the gate before parking. The rodeo arena has ramps and wheelchair spaces, with handicap parking on Nelda Street west of the arena. Note that anything brought onto the property is subject to random search, and there is no re-entry without paying again.
Day-by-Day Highlights
- Sat, Oct 3 (Kickoff): Free grounds admission and parking. Enjoy the CBA State Championship barbecue cook-off, Wild West Rodeo Kids’ Day, and a free dance at 7:30 p.m.
- Thu, Oct 8: The fair opens at 5 p.m. Admission is free until 6 p.m., then $10 for ages 11 and up.
- Fri, Oct 9: The Fair Parade runs down Austin Street at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Gates open at 11 a.m. Military and students are free until 7 p.m. with ID; seniors are free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sun, Oct 11: Free admission for everyone. The fair closes at 6 p.m.
Rodeo and Entertainment Rodeo events occur Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Rodeo Arena. Lancaster Pro Rodeo serves as the stock contractor. Saturday at 7:45 p.m. features mutton bustin’ on Tough Enough to Wear Pink night, honoring breast cancer survivors. A free rodeo slack is held Friday at 9 a.m.
Live music plays at the Dance Pavilion:
- Thu: Gabe Galvan (7:30–11:30 p.m.)
- Fri: Texas Double Shot (7:30–11:30 p.m.)
- Sat: Fast Movin’ Train (7:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.)
- Sun: Floyd Drown and The Shadows (1:30–5:30 p.m.)
The carnival operates Thursday 6–11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1–11 p.m., and Sunday 1–6 p.m. Advance armbands are sold online until noon on Thursday, October 8. An armband is good for one 6-hour stretch from your first ride. Most rides require kids to be 36 inches tall.
Kids and Exhibits The Kids Corral runs Friday, October 9, from 1:30–4:30 p.m. It is free and includes face painting and crafts from Guadalupe County 4-H. The Mobile Dairy Classroom offers live milking demonstrations in the Cattle Barn several times a day. Steer judging is Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Arena, while goat and lamb judging is also Saturday at 9 a.m. The Pet Show is Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Gazebo. The Trade Fair and Expo is in the Coliseum daily.
Before You Go
- Buy rodeo tickets before October 7.
- Pick your day for the best deals.
- Bring cash and a card.
- Check gcfair.org for the latest updates.