The Biggest Fairs in the Southwest

The largest livestock show and rodeo in the world, drawing over 2.5 million visitors across its 23-day spring run. The Houston Livestock Show includes the world's largest BBQ competition, a packed concert schedule at NRG Stadium, and one of the country's premier livestock judging competitions.

Held every fall at Fair Park in Dallas, the State Fair of Texas is one of the oldest and largest fairs in the country. Big Tex, the 55-foot talking cowboy statue, presides over a 24-day event famous for its competitive food vendors and the Cotton Bowl football game.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo runs more than two weeks each February and draws roughly 1.5 million visitors, per Carnival Warehouse's 2024 fair attendance rankings — one of the largest events in Texas. It pairs a PRCA rodeo with a major livestock show and a nightly headliner concert series. Running since 1950.

Held each October at the state fairgrounds in Phoenix, the Arizona State Fair drew an estimated 1.4 million visitors in 2024, per Carnival Warehouse's Top 50 fair rankings — one of the largest state fairs in the country. First held in 1884, the fair runs on a five-week calendar but closes early each week rather than operating daily.

Officially the Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show, the Fort Worth Stock Show is the oldest continuously running livestock show and rodeo in the US, dating to 1896. Its 23-day January run is a major economic event for the Fort Worth area, drawing competitors and spectators from across the country.

Albuquerque's New Mexico State Fair set an all-time attendance record of 517,926 in 2024 — its first record since adopting an 11-day format in 2012 — according to General Manager Dan Mourning. The 2025 edition drew a nearly identical 514,458. Held each September at Expo New Mexico, it's the largest annual event in the state.