Top Events and Festivals in Bandera This Spring

With plenty of events and festivals lined up this season, Bandera—Cowboy Capital of the World®—is the place to be, especially if you enjoy the sights and sounds of a rodeo or wild hog catching or the savory smells at a barbecue cookoff. Grab your boots and cowboy hat, and get to Bandera this spring for one of these area events.

Valentine’s Day Events

The Cowboy Capital of the World® is a great place for a weekend getaway at a local dude ranch—some of which plan special events around Valentine’s Day. Flying L Hill Country Resort, for example, is planning a Valentine’s Dinner & Dance that includes a three-course dinner with optional wine pairings, following by dancing at Pilot’s Lounge.

There’s also the Black & Red Ball at The Farm Country Club. There, couples can enjoy live music from Bobby Flores and the Yellow Rose Band, delicious dinner, sangria punch, beer and more. Impress your date by bidding on the live auction that will be held at the end of the night. The cost is $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight.

Mardi Gras

There’s no need to make a drive to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras this spring. Instead, spend your weekend (February 16-18) in Bandera, which hosts its own series of exciting concerts, games and events—with lots of delicious Cajun food. Approaching its 12th year, Cowboy Mardi Gras in Bandera is a big deal—with a Texan twist. Performer lineups include talented acts like Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush, Jake Hooker and the Outsiders, Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners, and more. Don’t miss the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff, where spectators can sample some of the many recipes before selecting their favorites. Bring your pooch for a Mardi Gras-inspired canine costume contest, and then stick around for own Mardi Gras cowboy costume contest a few days later. On Saturday, hit Main Street early to claim a good spot to watch the parade full of lavish floats, horses, cowboys and more. After the parade, head over down to Mansfield Park to watch some bucking broncs and bull riding at the Mardi Gras Rodeo.

Wild Hog Explosion!

Go hog wild at the Wild Hog Explosion! coming this spring on March 18 at Mansfield Park Arena. Check an item of your bucket list this year and catch a hog-racing event. Here’s how it works: Each round, two team players compete to be the first to nab the wild hog and race to the finish line. Kids can join in on the fun as well. There will be a run and shoat piglet race for children age 3 to 9. Come hungry, because the event includes BBQ cookoffs and a grilling competition, including the best recipes for pork ribs. Dozens of arts and craft vendors will also be on-site, as will musicians.

Thunder in the Hills Motorcycle Rally

Coming March 30 to April 2, Mansfield Park welcomes bikers from across the nation to its three-day Thunder in the Hills Motorcycle Rally. Hundreds of like-minded bikers will gather for live music, dozens of vendors specializing in motorcycle gear, and various activities including poker runs, a tattoo contest and blingiest bike competition. Leave the kids behind; only guests of 18 and up are allowed.

PRCA Rodeo

It’s rodeo season in Bandera, with a number of them lined up weekend after weekend here. But the biggest one is the PRCA Memorial Day ProRodeo, coming up May 26-28 in Mansfield Park Arena. For three days, families can see lots of rodeo action including bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and more. The weekend rodeo event also includes a Barbecue Cookoff competition with prizes award for the best meats (chicken, pork spare ribs, pork butt and brisket), as well prizes for beans, Bloody Marys, cowboy steaks, margaritas and BBQ sauce. Mansfield Park Arena is an outdoor venue with lots of great seating. Admission is $12 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 6-12.

This is just a sampling of some of the best events happening in Bandera County this spring. Check out our events calendar for more ideas, and sign up to receive our weekly events newsletter by email.