Updated November 2, 2026. Independent guide; official sources are linked beside the relevant information.
Cowboy Christmas is the daytime shopping and fan-event companion to the Wrangler NFR. In 2026 it runs December 3–12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with doors open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission to the gift show is free; evening NFR tickets and paid streaming access are separate.
Come for a specific exhibitor, a stage program or an unhurried look around the Western marketplace. This guide helps you fit the visit around the evening rodeo without confusing the convention-center show with the arena competition.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 3–12, 2026 |
| Hours | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, Las Vegas time |
| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls |
| Address | 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109 |
| Gift-show admission | Free; purchases and separate ticketed events cost extra |
| Exhibitors | 375+ listed by the organizer |
| Show floor | More than 500,000 square feet listed by the organizer |
What you will find at the show
The official Cowboy Christmas website describes a marketplace featuring Western clothing, jewelry, boots, spurs, home goods, furniture, crafts and original art. The scale makes it worth deciding what you want to find before arriving.
Use the current exhibitor directory for vendor names and the official floor map for booth locations. An exhibitor from a previous year is not automatically part of the current show. Save a few priorities so you can reach them before spending the rest of the day browsing.
For a larger purchase, ask about delivery costs, production time and return terms before paying. For gifts, note sizes and any exchange restrictions. If you expect to carry several bags, plan a hotel stop before evening transport rather than arriving at the arena with everything you bought.
Stage programs and places to take a break
The Ariat Rodeo Live Stage is listed in South Hall, Level 2. Its published daily program includes Acoustic Hour at 10 a.m., Conserving Country at 11 a.m., Mic Drop at noon, Storme Sessions at 1 p.m. and a variety show at 2 p.m. Consult the official stage schedule for changes and guest details.
Choose the program you most want to see and build your shopping time around it. Leave time to reach the stage rather than assuming a booth on another level is a short walk away. If traveling with friends who want different activities, agree on a meeting point and time before separating.
The organizer also lists Cinch Cowboy Commons in South Hall, Level 1, and Bites and Brews on Level 2. Check the current map for food, seating and other facilities. A planned break can make a full day more comfortable, particularly if you are also attending the evening NFR.
Visiting with children and following Junior NFR
Cowboy Christmas Village is listed on South Hall, Level 2, with family activities described on the organizer’s website. Check the day’s program before promising a specific appearance or activity. Keep track of your group’s meeting place and leave room for breaks rather than trying to cover every booth.
The Wrangler Rodeo Arena for YETI Junior NFR is listed in a specially designed tent in the Platinum Lot. Its competition sessions have their own schedule and admission arrangements. The gift show’s admission does not establish access to every separate activity or competition.
For families combining shopping and youth competition, check the session first and allow time to move between locations. The Junior NFR and the main evening Wrangler NFR are different competitions, with different athletes and venues.
Getting there and continuing to the evening rodeo
Check your hotel’s transport options and the current convention-center arrival information before setting off. Use the official South Halls address rather than relying only on a generic convention-center map pin. The correct hall and entry point matter at a large venue.
The organizer’s NFR Express information covers service connected with Cowboy Christmas and the evening rodeo. Read the current route, departure and return arrangements carefully. A one-way convention-center departure is not the same as a round trip back to your hotel.
If you have an arena ticket, work backward from the 5:45 p.m. NFR performance start. Allow time to collect your purchases, eat, travel and pass entry screening. Do not fill the last hour with an appointment across town. For mobility or accessibility needs, contact the relevant venue or transport organizer about the arrangements you require.
A practical way to plan your day
- Before arrival: save the exhibitor map, choose your priority vendors and check any session you want to attend.
- Morning: visit the booths that matter most and compare products before making larger purchases.
- Midday: take a meal break and attend your chosen stage program.
- Afternoon: collect purchases, finish browsing and leave enough time for your evening plans.
This is a suggested visitor routine, not an official event timetable. Adapt it to your arrival time and interests. A shorter, focused visit can work better than rushing through the entire show before another commitment.
Wear comfortable footwear and decide how you will carry purchases. If you plan to go straight to the arena, check its bag policy in advance. Rules for entering a shopping event should not be assumed to match the rules for the evening performance.
Cowboy Christmas and your NFR viewing plan
The gift show is a daytime visit. To attend the main rodeo, buy the appropriate performance ticket through the official ticketing routes. If you will watch elsewhere, confirm your viewing party or paid streaming access separately.
Our NFR viewing guide explains Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Plus, while the contestant page and results hub help you follow the competition. Keep the official Cowboy Christmas map and program handy for the daytime portion of your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cowboy Christmas free to enter?
The official gift show lists free admission. Shopping, food and separately ticketed activities can still cost money. This does not mean that live NFR coverage or evening arena admission is free.
Where is Cowboy Christmas in 2026?
The organizer lists the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls, at 3150 Paradise Road. Check the current map for your entry and the activities you want to visit.
What are the opening hours?
The published 2026 hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily from December 3 through December 12, in Las Vegas time.
Can I attend the evening NFR with gift-show admission?
No. Arrange your evening rodeo ticket or viewing option separately. Also allow time to travel between the convention center and the Thomas & Mack Center.
Does the gift show include Junior NFR admission?
Check the Junior NFR session and ticket rules independently. Its arena is listed in the Platinum Lot, and general gift-show admission should not be treated as a competition ticket.