The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo reveals its full 2026 entertainment lineup Thursday at 7pm, with Russell Dickerson already confirmed for March 5 after a surprise Times Square performance
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo lineup for 2026 is set to be revealed today at 7pm. The announcement comes after the rodeo kicked off the year thousands of miles away with a pop-up concert in New York City. Local news stations will stream the lineup announcement live this evening, with coverage beginning at 6:30pm on some channels.
The rodeo has been hosting entertainers since 1942, with Charley Pride being the first Black performer at the event in 1970. Stars such as The Jackson 5, Rufus and Chaka Khan performed at later rodeos. In the modern era, the lineup has expanded to include various genres and performers. Over the years, music legends including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Beyoncé, Barry White, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, and more have performed.
Times Square pop-up reveals first performer
In a surprise live performance in Times Square, country artist Russell Dickerson announced he would perform on the star shaped stage on March 5, the fourth day of the Houston rodeo. Dickerson performed a few songs while sporting a custom Houston rodeo jacket and accompanied by several dancers wearing boots, denim, and cowboy hats. Dickerson is known for songs such as Yours, Blue Tacoma, and Happen to Me, which the Jonas Brothers hopped on for a remix.
Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was thrilled to bring a glimpse of RodeoHouston to Times Square, celebrating it’s rich Western heritage and positioning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a must-attend event. The organization is proud to continuously showcase rising country stars and invite fans across the nation to make this an annual tradition.
Times Square billboard campaign launched
RodeoHouston brought the spirit of Texas to Times Square with a 3D billboard also known as the Digital Beast. It introduced RodeoHouston to millions of visitors in New York City. The billboard will be active between 44th and 45th streets in Times Square until January 18, serving as a promotional platform for the upcoming event and reaching tourists and locals in one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas.
Special concert only day scheduled
The Houston rodeo previously announced a special, concert only day would be added to this year’s season, which would feature a headlining performance from country artist Cody Johnson. In November, the entertainment genre calendar dropped, giving some hints on the upcoming schedule. Dickerson will perform during one of the event’s 14 country centered concerts.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicks off on March 2 and closes on March 22 with Johnson’s performance. Artists across all genres have graced the rodeo stage since entertainers joined alongside the competitions in 1942. The 2026 season promises to continue the tradition of bringing diverse musical acts to Houston’s iconic venue.
Streaming options available for announcement
Viewers can watch the lineup reveal through multiple platforms. Downloading streaming apps to Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV devices is simple and easy. Users should go to the app store on their device, search for local news streaming apps, select the appropriate app, download it for free, and start watching around the clock coverage. Local news teams will be giving their reactions as well as responding to viewer comments about the lineup as performers are announced throughout the evening broadcast.
The announcement represents one of Houston’s biggest entertainment events of the year, as the rodeo draws massive crowds and significant economic impact to the region. The combination of traditional rodeo competitions and world class entertainment has made the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo a cultural institution that attracts visitors from across Texas and beyond each spring.