Two Days. One Legendary Texas Tradition.
For Immediate Release · August 2026
King Ranch, the City of Kingsville, and Texas A&M University–Kingsville Announce an Expanded Partnership for Ranch Hand Weekend
King Ranch, the City of Kingsville, and Texas A&M University–Kingsville have announced an updated shared vision for the two-day celebration of South Texas heritage and western culture, set this year for Friday and Saturday, November 20–21, 2026.
Rooted in the legacy of King Ranch and the spirit of Kingsville, the enhanced event is designed to become an annual destination — welcoming visitors from across the nation for two full days of authentic western and ranch programming, competitive BBQ, and community celebration, all in the service of local charities.
Additional premium experiences, VIP programming, and charity partner announcements will follow in the weeks ahead.
- Friday Evening — Downtown Kickoff Tree lighting, shopping, entertainment, and community gathering in the heart of downtown Kingsville. Free and family-friendly.
- Saturday Morning — Ranch Hand Breakfast on King Ranch An expanded breakfast experience featuring a Ranch Rodeo, Quail Rig Car Show, and live Cowboy Demonstrations.
- Saturday All Day — KCBS BBQ Competition & Downtown Festival A Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned cooking competition featuring up to 50 teams and one of the highest prize purses of any sanctioned BBQ event in the country — anchoring a full downtown festival with 100+ local and regional vendors, a public tasting experience, Ford and John Deere sponsor areas, live music, and family activities.
Download the full press release (PDF)The Ranch Hand Weekend is our opportunity to share the King Ranch legacy with the world — bringing our community together for a celebration of South Texas heritage. We are extremely proud to build out this tradition alongside the City of Kingsville and Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
Robert Hodgen, CEO of King Ranch
A Tribute to South Texas Ranching
Every November, Kingsville pulls on its boots and celebrates the heritage that put it on the map. Ranch Hand Weekend is a two-day tribute to the South Texas ranching tradition. Part festival, part concert, it's a once-a-year experience you won't find anywhere else in Texas. From a hearty cowboy breakfast on the grounds of the historic King Ranch to live music downtown, Ranch Hand Weekend has something for every member of the family.
Proceeds from Ranch Hand Weekend benefit selected local charities in Kingsville.
The Weekend at a Glance
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Friday Morning — Wild South Texas: A Private CKWRI Conservation Experience
Go behind the scenes at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute for a private look at the science shaping wildlife conservation in South Texas. Begin with a presentation on CKWRI's mission, regional conservation challenges and Caesar Kleberg's legacy; explore research facilities focused on deer and other hoofed wildlife, birds, native plants and habitat restoration; take a privately guided tour of the Ocelot Conservation Facility; and finish with an informal conversation with CKWRI faculty, researchers or graduate students. Limited to 10 guests. Please arrive by 8:45 AM; the tour begins promptly at 9:00.
Get CKWRI Tickets -
Friday & Saturday — Serpentarium Tour at Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Explore Texas A&M University–Kingsville's National Natural Toxins Research Center Serpentarium, home to more than 400 snakes. Learn about venom research, the facility's specialized animal habitats and the role this work plays in scientific and medical discovery. Tours run on both Friday and Saturday, last about 30–45 minutes, and are limited to 30 guests each day. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early; the tour begins promptly.
Get Serpentarium Tickets -
Friday Evening — Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Kick off the weekend with the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Kingsville. Live music, festive atmosphere, and a celebration that bridges Thanksgiving and the holiday season all in one evening. Leashed pets welcome.
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Saturday Morning — Ranch Hand Breakfast at King Ranch®
This is the one. Experience an authentic cowboy breakfast on the historic King Ranch, followed by the inaugural Ranch Rodeo, where working cowboys compete in events drawn from everyday ranch life. Fill your plate with a hearty ranch-style spread, watch old-time cow camp cooking demonstrations, listen to live music and storytelling, and take in the sweeping landscape of one of Texas's most iconic working ranches. Breakfast is served 7:00–11:00 AM and the Ranch Rodeo runs 8:00–11:00 AM. Tickets are $15 and include breakfast, the Ranch Rodeo and a free round-trip shuttle from the J.K. Northway Exposition Center (501 E. Escondido Rd.) to the ranch. New this year: parking on the King Ranch requires a VIP Ranch Parking Pass ($20 per vehicle), and every guest still needs a breakfast ticket. Tickets are sold online only: have your digital ticket ready on your phone. There are no ticket sales at the gate.
Purchase Breakfast Tickets -
Saturday Morning — VIP Ranch Parking Pass (Add-On)
New this year, the only way to park on the King Ranch is with a VIP Ranch Parking Pass. Skip the shuttle and park directly on the ranch: each pass covers one standard passenger vehicle in the designated VIP parking area. This is a parking add-on only, so everyone in the vehicle also needs a Ranch Hand Breakfast ticket. Have your digital pass ready and use the marked VIP Parking line at the Ranch entrance. Accessible parking is available on the ranch for pass holders; the pass is required for accessible parking too. VIP Ranch Parking is at 2205 W. Highway 141, Kingsville, and gates open at 6:30 AM. Oversized vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, recreational vehicles and buses are not permitted, and there is no re-entry. One pass per vehicle.
Get a Parking Pass -
Saturday Day — Ranch Hand Festival
After breakfast, head downtown for the full-day Ranch Hand Festival. Local vendors, food, family activities, and a celebration of Texas ranching culture fill the streets of historic downtown Kingsville. Rain or shine, the festival goes on regardless of weather. Leashed pets are welcome at all outdoor festival events, and all events are ADA accessible. Activities include:
- King Ranch BBQ Competition (A Kansas City BBQ Society Sanctioned Event)
- Local vendor booths
- Food and drink (ID required for alcohol purchases)
- Face painting and Santa selfies
- Ford's virtual Raptor ride
- John Deere's Touch-A-Tractor
- Archery
- Live music and demonstrations
- Roundup Car Show by Texas Rides
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Saturday Midday — VIP BBQ Judging Experience
Join KCBS Certified Barbecue Judges inside the official judging room of the first-ever King Ranch BBQ Competition and experience the contest from their side of the table. Learn the judging process and score entries in four categories (Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket), tasting up to six entries per category, up to 24 samples in all. You judge one bite from each entry and take the rest home, so bring a small soft-sided cooler. Check in 10:30–11:00 AM in front of the Courthouse; judging runs 12:00–2:00 PM. Limited to 8 guests.
Get Judging Tickets -
Saturday Afternoon — Kingsville Symphony Orchestra
A classical interlude before the evening concert, the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra performs at TAMUK as part of the weekend's full lineup.
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Saturday Evening — Ranch Hand Concert
The weekend closes out with a full concert at Texas A&M University - Kingsville featuring regional and touring artists. The concert is free to attend.
Save the Date
Add Ranch Hand Weekend to your calendar, and get an email when tickets go on sale, plus a reminder the week before and the day before.
Add it to your calendar
Friday, November 20 – Saturday, November 21, 2026
Get email reminders
We'll remind you a week before and the day before, and tell you when tickets go on sale.
King Ranch BBQ Competition
Bring your best smoke to legendary soil.
The first ever King Ranch BBQ Competition — a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event — lines the streets of downtown Kingsville during Ranch Hand Weekend, November 20–21, 2026. Professional cooks, trained KCBS judges, and ticketed tasting options, right in the middle of the festival.
The stakes & purses
- $35,000 total prize pool — cash payouts ten deep across all categories
- Grand Champion — a custom handcrafted saddle made by King Ranch
- Reserve & 3rd Overall — custom belt buckles
- 1st place category winners — custom cowboy hats
- People's Choice — $1,650 split across three awards
- Ribbons awarded for all winning places
Team logistics & perks
- Entry fee — $350 per team for KCBS members, $400 for non-members
- Site setup — spacious 20' × 50' sites with easy entry and exit
- Team swag — goody bags with over $150 of value, for the first 50 teams to register
- Atmosphere — family-friendly, right in the centre of the festival action
Spots are limited. Secure your site, fire up the pit, and compete for serious cash and iconic King Ranch silverware.
Plan Your Visit
Ranch Hand Weekend spreads across Kingsville: breakfast on the historic King Ranch, the festival downtown and the concert at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. New this year, breakfast guests ride a free shuttle from the J.K. Northway, so start there. Tap a location to find it on the map.
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501 E. Escondido Rd., Kingsville Directions to Free Shuttle: J.K. Northway Exposition Center
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2205 W. Highway 141, Kingsville Directions to Ranch Hand Breakfast at King Ranch
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Downtown Kingsville Directions to Ranch Hand Festival
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Texas A&M University–Kingsville Directions to Ranch Hand Concert
- Parking & Shuttles
- New this year: there is no general parking on the King Ranch. Ranch Hand Breakfast tickets include a free round-trip shuttle from the J.K. Northway Exposition Center (501 E. Escondido Rd.); only vehicles with a VIP Ranch Parking Pass ($20) may park on the ranch, at 2205 W. Highway 141 (gates open 6:30 AM; no oversized vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, RVs or buses, and no re-entry). Accessible parking is available on the ranch; a VIP Ranch Parking Pass is required. Park-and-ride shuttle service is also available for concert-goers.
- Stay in Kingsville
- Make a weekend of it. View lodging options at kingsvilletexas.com/stay.
- More Information
- howdy@cityofkingsville.com
Vendor Applications Are Open
Downtown Kingsville hosts 90+ local and regional vendor booths across the weekend. Applications close and booth fees are due November 13. Apply below.
A City of Kingsville Tourism Department, King Ranch, and Texas A&M University - Kingsville community event.