Tampa Bay Rodeo & Country Music Festival Returns January 16th–17th at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds
Tampa Bay’s Rodeo Weekend Is Back With Bulls, Boots, and Big Country Energy
If January in Tampa Bay feels a little too quiet, the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Country Music Festival is here to fix that. The annual event returns to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on January 16th and 17th 2026, bringing together professional bull riding and live country concerts for two packed nights that feel equal parts Florida fairground and full-scale music festival.
This isn’t a pop-up concert or a quick rodeo demo. It’s a full evening experience built around dirt, adrenaline, and country music turned all the way up.
A Two-Night Lineup That Pulls Heavyweight Country Names
Each night has its own headliner, which is part of what makes this event feel more like a festival than a single show.
Friday night, Justin Moore takes the main stage, joined by special guest Lee Greenwood.
Saturday night, the spotlight shifts to Trace Adkins, with Greenwood returning as a special guest once again!
Both nights also feature local favorite Crossfire Creek Band, adding a hometown layer to the lineup before the national acts take over.
Where the Rodeo Takes Center Stage
The rodeo side of the weekend is not an afterthought. The Bull Bash features professional riders, powerful stock, and the kind of fast-paced action that keeps the crowd locked in from the first gate drop. This is real-deal bull riding, loud, unpredictable, and built to be experienced live. The arena energy hits differently once the lights shift and the dirt starts flying, creating that classic rodeo tension that makes every ride feel like a moment.
Even if you come for the music, the rodeo quickly becomes part of the reason people stay glued to their seats.
What the Evening Flow Actually Feels Like
This is designed as a full night, not a rush-in, rush-out show. Gates open at 4:30 pm, giving you time to grab food, drinks, and explore the grounds before the music starts. The opening band typically kicks off around 5:15 pm, easing the crowd into the night.
The Bull Bash begins around 6:45 pm, when the arena shifts from concert mode to full rodeo energy. A scheduled tribute segment follows later in the evening, with the headlining artist expected to hit the stage around 9:00 pm each night.
Between sets, the festival side stays active, including food vendors, bars, and even a mechanical bull for anyone brave enough to try their luck before watching the professionals.
The Setting That Makes It Work
There’s something fitting about hosting this event at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover. The space allows the rodeo and concert production to fully stretch out, creating clear sightlines, big sound, and room for the crowd to move without feeling packed in. It’s a layout that supports both the spectacle of the rodeo and the scale of the concerts.
Tickets, Policies, and What to Know Before You Go
General admission tickets are $75 per night. Tickets are sold as rain or shine, and all sales are final. Parking is generally free but operates on a first come, first served basis, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Because this is an outdoor fairgrounds event, comfortable footwear and weather-aware planning go a long way. Expect a full evening that runs late, with most attendees staying through the rodeo and into the headlining performance.
If you’re planning to attend both nights, purchasing tickets in advance is the safest move, as single-night availability can fluctuate closer to the event dates. Whether you come for the bull riding, the music, or the full atmosphere that forms when both collide, this is one of those Tampa Bay weekends that tends to turn into a story people keep retelling!