Attending the 2026 Downtown Rodeo Parade? Here’s the parade route, street closures, parking options and viewing tips before heading downtown Houston.
HOUSTON — If you’re planning to attend the 2026 Downtown Rodeo Parade, here’s what to know before heading downtown — from the parade route and schedule to where to park and the best places to watch.
The parade officially kicks off the 2026 season for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and draws tens of thousands of spectators to downtown Houston each year.
KHOU 11 will stream the parade live on KHOU 11+.
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Parade date, time and route
The Downtown Rodeo Parade takes place Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 10 a.m.
The route starts at Bagby and Walker Streets, runs from Travis to Bell Street, continues from Bell to Louisiana Street, turns onto Lamar Street, and ends at Lamar and Bagby.
Rodeo Run schedule
Before the parade begins, runners and wheelchair athletes will take over the route for the Rodeo Run, presented by ConocoPhillips:
9 a.m. — 10K Wheelchair9:10 a.m. — 5K & 10K Corral A, 10K Timed9:35 a.m. — 5K Timed
The Rodeo Run follows the full parade route and can also be viewed along Allen Parkway from I-45 to Shepherd/Kirby.
Street closures
Parade-goers should expect widespread street and ramp closures throughout downtown Houston on parade morning.
Major closures tied directly to the Rodeo Parade
Some closures begin as early as Thursday, Feb. 26Peak impacts: Saturday, Feb. 28, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed or restricted areas include:
Bagby Street between Lamar and RuskWalker Street between Bagby and Sabine Street BridgeTravis Street (parade route)Bell Street (parade route)Louisiana Street (parade route)Lamar Street (parade route and disbanding area)Sabine Street Bridge and adjacent feeder roadsInbound Allen Parkway and portions of Inbound Memorial Drive near the parade finish
McKinney exit ramp from I-45 (North Freeway) closedAllen Parkway exit ramps from I-45 (North and Gulf Freeways) closedInbound Memorial Drive fully closed between Shepherd Drive and Bagby Street during peak morning hours
Sidewalk and pedestrian restrictions
Sidewalk closures near Bell, Louisiana, and Bagby streets around the parade routeLimited access near City Hall Annex surface lots
Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid the downtown core during parade hours and use public parking garages farther from the route.
NCA Cheer Competition street closures (Downtown / GRB area)
The NCA Cheer Competition, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, will also cause lane and street closures on the east side of downtown — including on parade day.
NCA-related closures (Feb. 26 – March 1)
Daily timing: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Affected streets include:
Avenida de las Americas (ADLA)Southbound lanes closed from the Avenida Central Garage to Lamar StreetLamar Street (north curb lanes) between ADLA and La BranchMcKinney Street (south curb lanes) between ADLA and La BranchLa Branch Street (east curb lane) between McKinney and Lamar
Additional intermittent closures near the convention center
Crawford Street at PeaseLa Branch at PolkClay at AustinLeeland at La Branch, Jackson, and Chenevert
These closures overlap with parade activity and may affect access to downtown hotels, garages, and the convention center throughout the weekend.
What this means for paradegoers
Expect layered closures downtown due to both eventsAccess near the GRB Convention Center will be limited even outside parade hoursArriving early and parking outside the immediate parade route is strongly recommended
Where to park downtown
Multiple public garages will be open throughout downtown and the Theater District. Parking fees vary by location, and availability may change as garages fill.
Theater District Parking
Drivers heading to Theater District Parking (TDP) can use several major freeway routes:
Exit I-10 East to Milam, then right on CapitolOr exit Dallas, turn left on Dallas to parking
Exit Scott/Downtown to St. Joseph or Pease, head north, then left on CapitolOr exit Houston/Memorial, right on Memorial/Rusk to Capitol
Exit Milam, then right on CapitolOr take I-45 South, exit Dallas, left on Dallas
Exit Jackson, right on Congress, left on Milam, right on CapitolOr take I-10 West to I-45 South, exit Dallas
Exit Spur 527 to Louisiana, then left on Capitol
Exit Polk, left on Polk, right on Louisiana, left on Capitol
Walker and Main Street Garage
Another option is the Walker and Main Street Garage:
From Highway 59: Exit Capitol Street to Main, left on Main, right on Walker
From I-10 West: Access via I-10 or I-45 to Smith Street, then left on Rusk, right on Main, right on Walker
From I-45 South: Take Travis Street to Walker Street; the entrance is on Travis just past Walker
These routes and parking options are provided by parade organizers to help ease downtown traffic on parade morning.
Best places to watch
Arrive early to claim a spot along the route.Popular viewing areas include Louisiana Street (from Bell to Lamar) and Lamar Street from Louisiana to Smith.Bagby and Walker Streets, from Sabine Street to Bagby, will be closed to spectators.
About the grand marshal
This year’s parade will be led by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, who will serve as grand marshal. Ruskan is an active-duty rescue swimmer recognized for lifesaving work during historic July 4 flooding in the Texas Hill Country. He will officially launch the 2026 Rodeo season during the parade.