The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas Opens with Tree Lighting Ceremony and Includes Fashion Show and Live Entertainment

LAS VEGAS

The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, the official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®, opened on Wednesday, Dec. 1 with a tree lighting ceremony and additional live entertainment for attendees in celebration of the show’s return to Las Vegas. The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls, will then continue from Dec. 2 – 11, with the hours set for 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.

Officials and dignitaries participating in the tree lighting included Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill, CEO of RFD-TV and Cowboy Channel Patrick Gottsch and Mike Love, Senior Vice President, Stores, Boot Barn.

Following the tree lighting, the following entertainment schedule continued throughout the evening:

5:30 p.m. – Shane Minor plays a set at the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage;
6 p.m. – Rockin’ Rodeo Runway presented by Boot Barn fashion show at Booth 1831;
6:30 p.m. – Drake Milligan plays a set at the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage;
7 p.m. – Bullfighters Only International Wild Card Qualifier inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena;
7:30 p.m. – Easton Corbin plays a set at the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage.

The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas features more than 500,000 square feet of show floor and more than 350 exhibitors from across the United States. The area is adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo and includes a number of interactive experiences. Elements for 2021 include Ariat Rodeo Live Stage, Ranch Water Rodeo Saloon, Wrangler Rodeo Arena, NFR Central presented by Resorts World Las Vegas, Bites & Brews presented by Total Feeds and NFR After Dark presented by Community Coffee.

For shoppers, the show features unique products, including custom-made jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods. Attendees will also find the best source for the official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise.

Average attendance over the past four shows in Las Vegas (2016-19) is just under 250,000 over the ten days.

The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas is one of the highlights of the Western extravaganza that transforms Las Vegas in December. Traditionally, the show has been the focal point for rodeo fans during the day, before heading off to the Wrangler NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center or live viewing parties and concerts each evening up and down the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the $10.257 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2019, the event had a total attendance of 168,289 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 330 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR and Cowboy Christmas, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR.