Campus News

Univ of Texas bans drag shows after letter from Tarrant County judge

The University of Texas has taken a hard stance against drag shows.

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Drag performances will no longer be permitted at the University of Texas at Austin's campuses and independent institutions.

The decision was shared by UT's System Board of Regents chairman Kevin P. Eltife, who told KVUE that "university facilities, supported by taxpayers, will not serve as venues for drag shows."

The decision comes less than a week after a Tarrant County judge sent a letter to UT's System Board of Regents pushing for the ban.

"Rather than promoting anything to do with education, drag shows and related events denigrate women," Tarrant County judge Tim O'Hare wrote to the university. He wrote that these performances "highlight men reducing the perception of women to stereotypes and body parts."

In his letter, O'Hare cited an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on the first day of his second inauguration. The order states that federal funding is paused for programs that promote "gender ideology," among other changes impacting gender identity.

O'Hare stated that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also sent a letter to the university instructing it to follow the executive order.

Changes to drag performances, DEI initiatives at Texas universities
UT isn't the first Texas university system to ban drag shows from its institutions. This year, Texas A&M also halted drag performances from all 11 of its campuses statewide.

Back in 2023, Senate Bill 12 was passed by Texas lawmakers banning drag shows, especially around children. That same year, it was considered unconstitutional by a U.S. judge.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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Deals for Days

How to get every possible discount to the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show

Facebook/FWSSR

Kids ages 5 and under always get in free.

The 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo starts its three-week run on Friday, January 16, and they will once again offer up a variety of deals and discounts on general admission to save attendees a few bucks.

With general admission comes access to the non-ticketed attractions on the Stock Show grounds, including the Carnival Midway, livestock and horse shows, shopping experiences, and more.

Ticket prices range from $8 for kids to $15 for adults (kids 5 and under get in free), but if you're bringing a big family or plan on going more than once, the amount you spend can add up quickly.

Here's a guide to all the ways to save on general admission tickets to the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Note: Tickets to the Rodeo at Dickies Arena and other special events are sold separately, so the Rodeo is not included in this list (with a few exceptions). However, a ticket to the Rodeo grants free general admission to the Stock Show for that day.

Souvenir Pin savings
If you plan on going to the Stock Show a bunch, then the official Fort Worth Stock Show Souvenir Pin is a great option.

Each $55 pin is good for grounds admission for all 23 days of the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, including access to the National Cowgirl and Hall of Fame Museum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and the Cattle Raisers Museum.

Additionally, pin holders can enjoy the Michelob Ultra Roadhouse, which features live music almost every day, and The Corkyard, which offers a variety of wines, light fare, and more intimate music performances.

For those who enjoy the Midway, you can nab the Collectors Midway Wristband for $60, which includes 50 credits that are redeemable at Carnival/Midway attractions.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, running January 16-February 7, has multiple discount opportunities. Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Badges and wristbands are available for purchase at any gate, the Dickies Arena Box Office, or the Stock Show offices located in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall Building.

Special discounts and days
If a "season pass" is not your thing, the Stock Show offers up special admission discounts on various days throughout its run.

Senior Citizen General Admission Discounts - Every Friday - January 16, 23, 30, and February 6 - guests 55 and older can get in for $8.
Dickies Day - On Tuesday, January 20, anyone who wears Dickies clothing will get in for free.
Texas A&M Day - On Thursday, January 22, anyone wearing clothes with Texas A&M logos gets in for free. Current Texas A&M student, faculty, or staff with a valid ID card can also get half-price Rodeo tickets for gallery seating.
Tarleton State Day - On Monday, January 26, anyone wearing clothes with Tarleton State logos gets in for free. Current Tarleton State student, faculty, or staff with a valid ID card can also get half-price Rodeo tickets for gallery seating.
TCU Day - On Thursday, January 29, anyone wearing clothes with TCU logos gets in for free. Current TCU student, faculty, or staff with a valid ID card can also get half-price Rodeo tickets for gallery seating.
Military Appreciation Day - On Monday, February 2, Rodeo tickets are free to active duty and retired service members and their immediate families with a valid military I.D. Tickets are available only at the Dickies Arena Ticket Office.
Texas Tech Day - On Thursday, February 3, anyone wearing clothes with Texas Tech logos gets in for free. Current Texas Tech student, faculty, or staff with a valid ID card can also get half-price Rodeo tickets for gallery seating.

Dickies T-shirt Wear your best Dickies 'fit on January 20 to get in free. Dickies

Museum-member discount
GA tickets to the Stock Show are free to members of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Cattle Raisers Museum, National Cowgirl Museum, and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. If you've been meaning to join, now's the time. Just present your membership card at any Stock Show gate.

Charity days
For those who don't mind paying full price but like to be charitable, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has two days where a portion of ticket sales is donated to area charities:

Stock Show Goes Pink - On Tuesday, January 27, half of Rodeo ticket and grounds admission sales will benefit the Careity Foundation.
Cook Children's Day - On Wednesday, February 4, half of all Rodeo ticket sales will support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cook Children's Hospital.

TollTag discount
TollTag customers can take advantage of TollTag Tuesdays presented by NTTA: On any Tuesday of the show, attendees can display a TollTag on a vehicle’s windshield, park in any official Stock Show parking lot, and receive a free one-day general admission pass to the Stock Show grounds.

Possibility for procrastinators
In 2025, FWSSR organizers said "Thanks, y'all" with a gift for all visitors on its last day: Free admission. But they didn't announce it until the evening before. This might or might not happen again. You might not want to wait that long to chance it.

General admission may be purchased at any gate or ticket window. There is no online option for daily general admission. Parking is $20 per vehicle; for tips on parking, rideshare, and public transportation options, go here.

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