2026 DATES & OPENING HOURS
Cowboy Christmas is the official NFR gift show: ten days of western shopping, live shows and holiday activities during the rodeo. In 2026, the show celebrates its 40th anniversary. Entry to the gift show is free; Junior NFR has separate admission.
| Date · 2026 | Opening hours · Pacific | Gift-show entry |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, December 3 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Friday, December 4 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Saturday, December 5 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Sunday, December 6 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Monday, December 7 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Tuesday, December 8 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Wednesday, December 9 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Thursday, December 10 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Friday, December 11 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
| Saturday, December 12 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free |
All times on this page use Las Vegas local time: Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8). The halls close at 4 p.m. every day, including the final Saturday.
Add all 10 show days ↓THE DAILY STAGE SCHEDULE
The Ariat Rodeo Live Stage is at the east end of South Hall, Level 2. The organizer’s 2026 program lists the following starts every day, December 3–12. Individual guests and program details can change.
| Start · PST | Show | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a.m. | Acoustic Hour | Live acoustic music; presented by Levi’s |
| 11 a.m. | Conserving Country | With Shane Minor and Garrison Allen |
| Noon | Mic Drop | Matt Merritt; presented by Hobart |
| 1 p.m. | Storme Session | Storme Warren; presented by American Hat Company |
| 2 p.m. | Variety Show | Afternoon stage entertainment |
MORE THAN A SHOPPING DAY
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Santa: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. daily. Take holiday photos, enjoy the decorated trees and photo walls, and post a letter to Santa at the village mailbox.
CINCH COWBOY COMMONS
Find acoustic sets on the Cinch Stage, No Spin Rodeo Live and RumpChat podcasts, a replay of the previous night’s NFR, Tito’s Rodeo Saloon and NFR merchandise. Individual segment times are not listed here; check the current on-site program.
BITES & BREWS
Food and beverage options are on Level 2 beside the Ariat stage. Purchases are separate from the free show admission; menus and prices depend on the vendor.
Village and arena photographs on this page show past events. Images via NFR Experience.
SHOPPING, EXHIBITORS & THE FLOOR MAP
The official show site advertises more than 375 exhibitors across over 500,000 square feet. Browse western apparel and footwear, jewelry, home furnishings, artwork, handmade gifts and rodeo-related goods. Booth locations vary between Level 1 and Level 2.
Use the current directory to save booth numbers before arriving. Start with your must-see vendors, then allow time for the stage and food stops. Ask each seller about shipping, returns and large-item collection. A booth listing does not establish a discount or an autograph appearance.
JUNIOR NFR: NEARBY, WITH SEPARATE TICKETS
YETI JUNIOR NATIONAL FINALS RODEO
The youth rodeo takes place in the Wrangler Rodeo Arena, a temporary arena in the Platinum Lot across University Center Drive from the South Hall East Lobby. More than 700 athletes aged 19 and younger compete across nine events.
| Dates | Program grouping | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| December 3–7 | Roughstock and tie-down competition | $10 daily / $40 five-day pass |
| December 8–12 | Remaining timed events | $10 daily / $40 five-day pass |
The five-day pass covers one of the two date blocks, rather than all ten days. The Junior NFR FAQ says tickets are sold on site at the arena, with no advance ticket sales. Division start times differ: check the competition schedule for the exact class you want to see.
LOCATION, PARKING & GETTING TO THE RODEO
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER
South Halls · Levels 1 & 2
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
PARKING & ARRIVAL
The organizer’s Junior NFR visitor FAQ currently lists Silver and Platinum lot parking at $10. Recheck rates, availability and event signage before driving; free gift-show entry does not include parking. Contestant parking areas require the appropriate pass. The Junior NFR arena’s separate listed address is 953 E Desert Inn Road.
Taxi, rideshare, the Vegas Loop and Las Vegas Monorail are alternatives. Use the Convention Center Monorail station and follow signs to the South Halls. Check your route and walking distance rather than assuming a station is at the hall entrance.
Monorail information & 2026 ticket link ↗
FREE NFR EXPRESS: ONE WAY TO THE ARENA
Route 1 runs from the Convention Center’s South Hall East entrance to the Thomas & Mack Center. Pickups begin at 4 p.m. Pacific during December 3–12. There is no return drop-off at Cowboy Christmas. Plan another way back if you leave your car at the Convention Center.
The main NFR performance begins at 5:45 p.m. Pacific. Shuttle buses are ADA capable; ask the on-site transportation supervisor for boarding assistance. Hotel shuttle routes and return stops are listed separately by NFR Express.
A SIMPLE WAY TO PLAN YOUR DAY
Suggested itinerary — these shopping and break windows are planning ideas, not additional scheduled events.
| Time · PST | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Arrive and visit priority exhibitors |
| 10 a.m. | Catch Acoustic Hour on Level 2 |
| 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Choose a Santa visit, a stage show or a food break |
| 2–3:30 p.m. | Finish shopping or attend the Variety Show |
| Before 4 p.m. | Collect purchases and decide your transport |
| From 4 p.m. | NFR Express pickups toward Thomas & Mack |
| 5:45 p.m. | Main NFR performance begins |
If you are adding Junior NFR, build the day around the actual division timetable. Consider dropping purchases at your accommodation before attending the evening rodeo, and check the arena’s current bag policy.
COWBOY CHRISTMAS FAQ
What are the 2026 dates and hours?
Thursday, December 3 through Saturday, December 12, 2026. The gift show opens 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific every day.
Is Cowboy Christmas free?
Yes, gift-show admission is free and open to the public. Shopping, food, parking and Junior NFR admission are separate expenses.
Do I need an NFR ticket to enter the gift show?
The gift show is advertised as free public admission; an arena performance ticket is not needed for the shopping halls.
Where is it held?
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls, Levels 1 and 2, at 3150 Paradise Road. The evening NFR is at a different venue, the Thomas & Mack Center.
When can children see Santa?
The official Village feature lists 11 a.m.–2 p.m. daily on Level 2. Allow time for any queue and check on-site changes.
Is Junior NFR included?
No. The Platinum Lot arena has separate ticketed entry: $10 daily or $40 for either five-day block, according to the 2026 organizer announcement.
Can I get back to Cowboy Christmas on NFR Express?
No Convention Center return drop-off is listed. The Cowboy Christmas route is one way to the main arena; hotel return routes use their own stops.
Where can I check accessibility, bags or other entry questions?
Use the organizer and Convention Center visitor information for current venue policies. For NFR Express boarding assistance, ask its on-site transportation supervisor. Do not assume the shopping halls and rodeo arena use identical rules.