Desert Rodeo Returns to Thermal With PRCA Motion, Western Buying, and Household-Pleasant Enjoyable

The three R’s — rodeo, retail, and revelry — return for a second 12 months to Desert International Horse Park in Thermal. Wrangle your crew to look at area competitions sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, paired with competition actions, cookout-style meals, and procuring. You may add a fourth R, for rhinestones, as a result of the weekend provides a chance to flaunt your most interesting Western put on, bling, and boots.

“We want to honor established authentic cowboy culture, but make it accessible to brand-new fans,” says occasion co-founder Carrie Isen. “We’re making sure it’s family-friendly, and also providing an elevated experience.”

Although not affiliated with the Stagecoach music competition in close by Indio, the occasion deliberately takes place the identical weekend, extending the Western theme for these already on the town to listen to nation music. Professional rodeo action runs from 1 to three:30 p.m. every day and contains bull driving, barrel racing, steer wrestling, roping, bareback driving, and saddle bronc driving.

New for 2026 is Mutton Bustin’, the place children (carrying protecting helmets) compete to see who can maintain on to a sheep the longest.

Beyond the rodeo area, Retail Ranch will fulfill buyers with cowboy and cowgirl clothes, hats, equipment, and different Western gear. Guests can even attempt their luck on a mechanical bull.

Festival hours are from 11 a.m. to six p.m. every day.