Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo Weekend

September 4 - 6, 2026

Bring your lil cowpokes and enjoy the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo! A high quality, action-packed family event that honours the ranching and rodeo heritage of the Nicola Valley.

Friday, September 4 - No tickets required!

Community Parade 6:30 PM

Kick off the weekend festivities with our rodeo parade in downtown Merritt starting at

6:30 PM. After the parade, head over to the rodeo grounds for an evening of live music and fun!

Free music 8:00 PM:  Music by Windjammers -  At the Rodeo Grounds after the Parade

Grab your friends and family and come on down to help us celebrate the start of rodeo weekend in style! Line dancing lesson included! Food and drink will be available for purchase. The bar will be open if you want to buy a cold one to enjoy the music with.

Saturday, September 5

Gates Open:      8:30 AM

• Gates will be open at 8:30 AM on Saturday - Daily admission rates apply once gates open. Come early to visit the kids corral and watch contestants compete in Slack! Rodeo Slack refers to the overflow of contestants for timed events such as tie-down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping and team roping. Contestants compete outside the main rodeo performance times when there are more entries than can be accommodated. Come down to the rodeo grounds to catch the action! You are welcome to stay all day or leave and come back for the rodeo performance at 1:00PM

9:00 AM – Rodeo Slack

10:30 AM – Kids Corral Opens

11:00 AM – Live Music & Rodeo Market

• Live music by Ross Fairweather on the concourse
• Shop local vendors at the Rodeo Market

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Rodeo Performance

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Tailgate Party in the concourse

• Live music by Coldwater

8:00 PM – 12:00 AM – Rodeo DANCE at the grounds (Dance ticket required)

• Featuring the popular local band Coquihalla Coyotes
• Gate opens at 7:00, over 19 only (may be asked to show ID)!
• Please, NO PETS at the dance!

Gates Open: 8:00 AM

8:00 AM - Pancake breakfast dished up by Rotary Merritt

• Tickets will be available on-site, price TBA

9:30 AM - Cowboy Church

10:30 AM – Kids Corral Opens

• special stage show at 11:00 AM

11:00 AM – Live Music & Rodeo Market starts

• Live music by Ross Fairweather on the concourse
• Shop local vendors at the Rodeo Market

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Rodeo Performance

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Tailgate Party

• Live music by Coldwater Road