Redding Rodeo

View on map
Sports & AdventureRedding
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe rodeo's most famous single moment came
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Redding Rodeo in Redding

The Redding Rodeo began in 1948 when Shasta County Sheriff John Balma and returning World War II veterans built a permanent rodeo venue on former Shasta Dam construction land, running for decades as the Shasta County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo before its 1983 renaming. Held each May at the Redding Rodeo Grounds, it now runs a full Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2016.

Shasta County Sheriff John Balma and a group of World War II veterans built the Redding Rodeo's home grounds shortly after returning from military service, choosing land that had been used as a work camp during construction of Shasta Dam and turning it into a permanent rodeo venue in 1948.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The rodeo's most famous single moment came on May 20, 1988, when bull rider Lane Frost became the first cowboy to ride the bull Red Rock for the full eight-second whistle during the Challenge of the Champions, a ride now recognized by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame

02

The mystery stays covered

The event itself earned Hall of Fame recognition in 2016, an honor reserved for rodeos with sustained national standing

03

The city starts moving

A companion parade, organized since 1958 by the volunteer Asphalt Cowboys and tracing back to 1949 under the Sheriff's Posse name, runs through downtown Redding ahead of the main rodeo, pairing the competition itself with a community procession rooted in the same founding tradition

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The rodeo's founding by Sheriff John Balma's posse of returning World War II veterans still shapes its identity as a community-built institution rather than a purely commercial rodeo tour stop

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and the Asphalt Cowboys' continuous stewardship of the companion parade since 1958 keeps that community-organization model intact

The sacred route

Living ritual

Lane Frost's 1988 ride on Red Rock remains the event's best-known moment in wider rodeo history

The local code

Living ritual

referenced by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and by fans well beyond Northern California

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Western wear is common among attendees, including boots, hats and denim, though casual outdoor clothing is fine too; sun protection matters for daytime performances since the arena seating...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.59 N, 122.39 WOpen in Google Maps

Redding, United States

TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Redding via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Redding, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearWestern wear is common among attendees, including boots, hats and denim, though casual outdoor clothing is fine too; sun protection matters for daytime performances since the arena seating is largely uncovered, and a jacket helps for cooler evening sessions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Redding Rodeo?

Redding Rodeo is listed for Past edition: 13–16 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Redding Rodeo take place?

The festival is listed in Redding, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Redding, United States

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLreddingrodeo.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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