The Best Time to Visit Fort Worth Stockyards

The best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards is in December around Christmas time, unless you really want to see a rodeo, in which case the best time to visit is Fall. The reason is simple. Fort Worth Stockyards holds different events during different seasons. In our opinion, the Christmas season has the best events, with the Fall season following closely behind, except that the Fall season also has the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. Sooooo . . . .

When it comes to choosing either a weekday or weekend visit, the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards is actually the weekend. True, it’s more crowded, but there is a lot more to see and do on the weekend, which makes it the better option in our opinion. Additionally, on weekend nights, Fort Worth Stockyards comes alive and is a great place to catch a drink, listen to live music and even bar hop. But make sure you arrive before 4pm, because that’s when the longhorn cattle drive happens. It’s one of the biggest events in the Stockyards, and it’s completely free. You won’t want to miss it! 

We could end the post right here (question answered), but there are a few more things you might want to know! And also, that would be silly. We’re just getting started, so we invite you to keep reading.

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Table of Contents

• Fort Worth Stockyards and its History 
• Our Experience
• Basic Information
• Seasonal Events
  • Winter
  • Autumn
  • Summer 
  • Spring
• Absolutely Need To Know 
• How to Spend the Perfect Day at Fort Worth Stockyards
• Conclusion

Fort Worth Stockyards and its History 

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and when in Texas, go to the Fort Worth Stockyards. After all, the DFW Stockyards are a very important part of DFW. It’s the Fort Worth part of Dallas Fort Worth, and somewhat of a DFW right of passage in this part of Texas.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a living tribute to Texas’ wild, cattle-driven past. Walking through these cobblestone streets (yes, they’re literally cobblestone, designed for both foot and hoof traffic), you can practically hear the echo of old Fort Worth, back when it was the center of the cattle industry, bustling with cowboys driving herds up the Chisholm Trail.

Established in the late 1800s, the Stockyards quickly became a hub for livestock trading, transforming Fort Worth into the “Cowtown” we know today. Now, the Stockyards stand as a historic district where you can soak in a bit of history, catch a twice-daily cattle drive, explore saloons, shop and eat.

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Our Experience

Before our friend Vinoda relocated to another state for her new job, she spent one last day kicking it with her closest DFW pals at Fort Worth Stockyards. Actually, Vinoda had only moved to Texas a year prior, and she hadn’t had much opportunity to explore. Before moving away, she told us that she wanted to have an experience that she could “only get in Texas”. And that’s a good way to describe Fort Worth Stockyards – A Texas Experience. 

Strolling down Exchange Street, we visited a number of different shops, marveling at jean jackets with beautiful fringe, cowboy boots with snakeskin and huge cowboy hats that we would never wear but that looked oh so cute.

There was live country music playing in the background. That was very cool, and it sounded great. We couldn’t tell you who was playing or even what they were singing, but it added a nice soundtrack to the visit. 

And because we visited during winter (i.e. the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards), our surroundings were prettier than usual too. There was a huge Christmas tree erected in the middle of the main Square and a jolly Santa sitting to the side taking photos with children. We spent the day gazing at Longhorns, munching on Tex Mex, learning about different grades of leather and getting lost in a giant human maze. It was memorable, it was fun, and by the end we were thinking, “We should blog about this.”

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Basic Information

• Location: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164
• Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (businesses’ hours vary)
• Prices: Free entry to the Stockyards district. Prices for specific attractions (rodeo, museums, etc.) vary. For example, rodeo tickets typically start at $30.
• Official Website: https://www.fortworthstockyards.com
• Additional Information: Parking is available on-site for a fee, and there are daily cattle drives at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. There are also some really nice, walkable hotels if you want to stay nearby! 

Visit the Absolutely Need to Know Section of this post for more information!

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Seasonal Events

We promised to tell you the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards, and we did. But honestly, every season is a good time to visit (so long as it’s not too hot). There always seems to be something going on. So, to help you plan effectively, we’ve broken down all the major events by season!

Winter Events:

1. Christmas in the Stockyards (December):
   • Includes festive light displays and many holiday themed events. Highlights are the Stockyards Christmas parade (featuring floats and marching bands), a cowboy Santa Claus, and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
2. Cowtown Christmas (December):
   • A month-long celebration featuring holiday markets, carriage rides, and visits with Santa. Many of the shops and restaurants participate in the festivities, offering special holiday promotions and themed events.
3. Stockyards New Year’s Eve Celebration (December 31):
   • Ring in the new year with live music, dancing, and festivities. The celebration often includes a countdown to midnight and fireworks display. 

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Autumn Events:

1. Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Fall):
   • As the cooler weather sets in, enjoy competitive rodeo action with bull riding, team roping, and more.
2. Stockyards Fall Festival (October):
   • Celebrates the harvest season with a pumpkin patch and Western-themed activities for the whole family, including pumpkin carving, hayrides, fall themed markets and live entertainment.
3. Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival (October):
   • A three-day event filled with cowboy poetry, Western swing music, rodeos, and chuckwagon cooking. 
4. Haunted House Tours (October):
   • Explore the spooky side of the Stockyards with guided haunted tours, perfect for ghost enthusiasts looking for spectors. Apparently the Stockyards are chock full of them.
5. Stockyards Spooktacular (October):
   • A family-friendly Halloween celebration with pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and haunted hayrides. 
6. Stockyards Thanksgiving Parade (November):
   • A festive Thanksgiving parade featuring longhorns, marching bands, and creative floats. There are local performers and lots of community engagement!

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Summer Events:

1. Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Summer):
   • More frequent rodeos with thrilling competitions like team roping and bull riding under the summer sun.
2. Cowboy Hall of Fame Summer Celebration (July):
   • Honors cowboy legends through rodeo events, live performances, and storytelling. A great way to learn about Cowboy culture and history.
3. Fourth of July Celebration (July):
   • Enjoy fireworks, live music, and family-friendly events to celebrate the Fourth of July in true Texas style!

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Spring Events:

1. Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Spring and Year-Round):
   • The Stockyards’ rodeo season picks up with extra springtime events featuring bronc riding, barrel racing, and more!
2. Stockyards Spring Fling (March/April):
   • Family-friendly event with vendors and activities. This year, they held a market where local artisans sold handmade, repurposed, upcycled and vintage items.  
3. Cowtown Goes Green (March):
   • A St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a Western twist. Festivities include Irish music, family activities, and a festive parade with longhorns!

Now you may think these are all the events Fort Worth Stockyards has, but you would be dead wrong. There are way more than the ones we’ve listed. But to know about them you have to regularly check the Stockyards website, which we cover in “The Best Time to Visit Fort Worth Stockyards | Advanced Edition.“

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Absolutely Need To Know

Okay. We’re going to keep this simple. There are only two things you absolutely need to know: Attractions and Upcoming Events.

Remember how we said cattle drives happen daily at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM? How did we know? Easy. It’s listed on the Fort Worth Stockyards website underneath “Attractions.” It’s also how we learned about their daily $15 walking tour and a whole host of other activities. 

List of Fort Worth Stockyards Attractions

For details on any of these activities, go to: https://fortworthstockyards.com/attractions/

The Best Time to Visit Fort Worth Stockyards | ADVANCED EDITION

You know another reason you should visit the Fort Worth Stockyard website? To check out their list of upcoming events. Because maybe the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards for you was actually September when they held a “Fashion Roundup Runway Show” during Fashion Week. One of our friends would argue that the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards for her was when they threw that huge parade for Hispanic Heritage Month. The way to really know your best time to visit is to look at the list of scheduled events and select what appeals to you, and the only way to do that is to go to the Stockyards Event Page, which is located here: https://fortworthstockyards.com/events/

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How to Spend the Perfect Day at Fort Worth Stockyards

Ok. So now you know how to determine the best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards for you, and you know about all of the attractions and events and so on and so forth. So what would a perfect day at the Stockyards look like? Here’s an example!

Morning:

• Start your day with a hearty Texas breakfast at the Stockyards Hotel or nearby Joe T. Garcia’s for a mix of classic Southern and Mexican fare.
• Catch the 11:30 AM cattle drive. Watching real cowhands lead a herd of Texas longhorns down Exchange Avenue is an iconic experience you won’t want to miss.

Afternoon:

• Explore the Stockyards Museum for a deep dive into Texas history. Don’t miss the exhibit on the famous White Elephant Saloon or the original cattle brands.
• Head over to Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. Even if you’re not there to dance, you can check out their memorabilia or grab a quick lunch from their cafe.
• If you’re feeling like you could grab a bite, go to H3 Ranch or Riscky’s BBQ, both of which offer delicious, local flavors of Fort Worth. After lunch, explore the shops at Stockyards Station for Western-themed souvenirs and artisan goods.

Additional Options:

• Visit the Shops and Boutiques along Exchange Street. The Stockyards are home to a variety of specialty stores, offering handmade jewelry, unique gifts, antiques, and of course, Western Wear. 
• Carve out some time to enjoy a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, which gives a scenic view of the Stockyards and surrounding areas.
• At 4:00 PM, see the second cattle drive, followed by the Legends of Texas gunfight show at the Cowtown Coliseum, for some interactive Wild West action.

Evening:

• As the sun starts to set, head to Cowtown Coliseum for the Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Friday and Saturday nights). It’s a great way to immerse yourself in authentic cowboy culture.
• End your day at Billy Bob’s Texas with a night of live country music, line dancing, and bull riding.

This is just a sample itinerary, but with a bit of planning, you can find adventure, history, culture, local flavors and a comprehensive Fort Worth Stockyards experience all in one day!

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Conclusion

In conclusion, we recommend visiting around Christmas time (or in the Fall if you want to see a rodeo). But, your best time to visit Fort Worth Stockyards may be different, depending upon the upcoming events. Before you go, you’re probably going to want to check out the attractions, and if you’re feeling overzealous, you can even create a little itinerary. Remember weekdays are less crowded, but if you want to explore the nightlife at Fort Worth Stockyards, the weekend is your best choice.

If you have any questions, drop us a comment. And as always, if you want know about even more things to do in DFW and things to do in Dallas, subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Or you can just visit us again. We post every week! 😊

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