Cowboy Christmas: July 4th Rodeos Near Portland, OR

Cowboy Christmas Is Here: Your Guide to the St. Paul Rodeo and Molalla Buckeroo 

If you grew up in the North Willamette Valley, July 4th means one thing above all else: rodeo. 

I'm Jennifer Schurter, a real estate broker and fifth-generation Willamette Valley native. I grew up on my family's farm in Hubbard, and for my entire childhood, July 4th meant loading up and heading to the St. Paul Rodeo. My parents were association members for over 40 years. My dad served on the board of directors for years, including a term as board president, and he is a St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee. I rode my horse in the parade and in the grand entry. The St. Paul Rodeo is not just an event to me. It is a thread woven through my whole life here in the Valley.\

So when people ask me what makes this part of Oregon special, the rodeo is always part of my answer.

This year, we have two incredible options within easy driving distance of one another. Here is everything you need to know about both. 

What Is "Cowboy Christmas"? 

In professional rodeo circles, the Fourth of July holiday week is known as Cowboy Christmas. It is the most competitive and most celebrated stretch of the rodeo season. More PRCA rodeos run simultaneously during this week than at any other point in the year, and top cowboys and cowgirls travel from event to event chasing prize money and national standings points toward the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

For the western community, this week is the biggest gift on the calendar. 

Both the St. Paul Rodeo and the Molalla Buckeroo fall squarely in the middle of Cowboy Christmas, and their performance schedules are intentionally staggered. That coordination is not an accident. Organizers time things so that professional contestants who have traveled from across the United States, Canada, and Australia can compete at both rodeos within the same week. It is one of the reasons the caliber of competition at both events is so high, and it is what makes this corner of Oregon a genuine Cowboy Christmas destination. 

The St. Paul Rodeo — June 30–July 4, 2026 Location: St. Paul, Oregon (Marion County, approximately 25 miles south of Portland) A Little History 

The St. Paul Rodeo started in 1936, when eight local farmers and businessmen in the small farming community of St. Paul decided to put on a Fourth of July celebration. That first year, 50 cowboys came from across Oregon to compete for a $500 purse. Bareback riding, steer riding, roping, trick riders, and chariot races filled the program. 

Nine decades later, the 2024 prize purse had grown to $499,439. The rodeo now draws competitors and spectators from across the country and around the world. In 2023 it was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, it has been recognized by the PRCA Columbia River Circuit as Large Rodeo of the Year, and in 1991 the PRCA cowboys themselves named it the finest rodeo in the Northwest. 

The venue seats 10,000 people, runs six performances over five days, and is still operated entirely by the community. Over 440 volunteer members keep it going every single year. For those of us who grew up here, that last part matters most.

The Rodeo Itself 

The St. Paul Rodeo is a fully sanctioned PRCA event featuring all the classic roughstock and timed events: bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. One of St. Paul's signature traditions is that barrel racing is always the final competitive event of each performance, just before the nightly fireworks show. It is a moment the crowd looks forward to every single night. 

Tickets for 2026 are priced between $31 and $90, with all seats reserved. Children age 2 and over require a ticket. Popular performances, especially July 3rd and 4th, sell out well in advance, so purchasing early is strongly recommended. Visit stpaulrodeo.com for current availability and seating options. 

The July 4th Parade 

One of the most beloved traditions of the St. Paul Rodeo week is the July 4th Parade through the town of St. Paul. The parade steps off at 10:00 AM on July 4th, with roads closing at 9:30 AM. If you plan to watch, arriving early is essential because parking and viewing spots along the route fill up quickly. 

For those of us who grew up in this community, the parade is as much a part of the holiday as the rodeo itself. I spent years riding my horse in it, and it remains one of my favorite memories of growing up in the Valley. If you have never watched a small-town Fourth of July parade in rural Oregon, this is the one to see. 

Beyond the Arena: Everything Happening on the Grounds 

The St. Paul Rodeo offers far more than just the performances. The grounds are open to the public with free entry, and there is plenty to do whether or not you have an arena ticket. 

The Tack Room Saloon Located on the southwest side of the arena, the Tack Room Saloon is one of the most well-known attractions at the entire rodeo. It was named one of the "Top 20 Cowboy Bars in the West" by American Cowboy Magazine, and it has earned that reputation. True cowboy bars are rare in the United States, and the Tack Room delivers an authentic experience that draws people back year after year. Expect live music, cold beer, and a crowd that knows how to celebrate. 

The Outpost Bar The Outpost Bar is located just outside and to the west of the arena under a large tent. It was created in 2021 to give adult rodeo fans more room to enjoy a beverage while taking in the atmosphere. It is open all four days of the rodeo and offers a full drink menu including Coors, Pendleton Whisky, and a full variety of cocktails. 

The Bull Pen (Jaycees Beer Garden) The St. Paul Jaycees run their own beer garden on the grounds, a community-run operation that has been part of the rodeo tradition for years. It is a great spot to grab a cold drink and visit with the people who make this community run.

The Trading Post The Trading Post is a family-friendly tent with shaded tables. It houses the Hall of Fame Display and a variety of boutique vendors — western wear, collectible rodeo posters, commemorative jewelry, and unique gifts from local and regional shops. It connects directly to the Outpost Bar and is worth a walk-through even if you are just browsing. 

The Carnival The carnival runs June 30 through July 3 from 3:00 to 11:00 PM, and on July 4 from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Rides are provided by Davis Shows and are open to all ages. Ride wristbands are $35 and must be printed if purchased online — the ticket office can help if you only have a digital copy, but save yourself the line and print ahead. 

The Hall of Fame Dinner and the Austin Smith Foundation — June 29, 2026 

The weekend before the rodeo begins, the St. Paul Rodeo holds its annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Silent Auction. This year's dinner is on June 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM, and it serves as a fundraiser for the Austin Smith Foundation. I want to take a moment to tell you about Austin, because he deserves to be remembered. 

Austin Garrett Smith was born and raised in St. Paul — sixth generation, the same as the farmland his family had worked for generations alongside his father, brother, uncle, and cousins. He was a hop farmer, a community builder, and president of the St. Paul Jaycees. He was in the middle of opening a taproom called The Harvester when he died in February 2022, at the age of 30, while battling a barn fire in rural Marion County. 

Austin was the kind of person who showed up first and stayed last. He served in leadership roles across nearly every organization he touched, not because he had to, but because he believed that you owe something to the community where you live. He was St. Paul at its very best. 

The Austin Smith Foundation carries that belief forward. It provides scholarships for high school graduates pursuing careers in fire sciences, law enforcement, paramedic, or nursing — the same fields Austin gave his life supporting. Students from Gervais, Kennedy, Newberg, North Marion, and Woodburn high schools are eligible to apply. 

Supporting the Hall of Fame Dinner is one of the most meaningful ways to be part of the St. Paul Rodeo week. For more information, visit austinsmithfoundation.com. 

"Rodeo For All" Performance 

The St. Paul Rodeo also hosts a dedicated accessibility-focused performance called "St. Paul Rodeo For All," designed to welcome guests who benefit from a sensory-friendly or accessibility-accommodated experience. Check stpaulrodeo.com for the specific date and details.

The Molalla Buckeroo — June 27–July 4, 2026 

Location: 815 Shirley St, Molalla, Oregon 97038 (Clackamas County, approximately 30 miles south of Portland) 

Over 100 Years of Making Memories 

The Molalla Buckeroo has been running for over a century. Like St. Paul, it is a community-run, PRCA-sanctioned rodeo rooted in the agricultural heritage of the North Willamette Valley. Also like St. Paul, it takes Cowboy Christmas seriously and draws top professional competitors working their way through the holiday circuit. 

Because the Buckeroo's performances are scheduled on different days and times than St. Paul's, contestants can realistically compete at both. That coordination is part of what makes this corridor such a strong Cowboy Christmas destination, and it is what keeps the competition at Molalla sharp. 

Molalla is a town I know well from my real estate work, and the Buckeroo is as woven into that community's identity as the farmland surrounding it. 

What to Expect 

• Multiple PRCA rodeo performances, including a July 4th matinee at 1:30 PM that works particularly well for younger kids 
• Roughstock events: bareback riding, saddle bronc, and bull riding 
• Timed events: steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and barrel racing ● A strong community atmosphere with over 100 years of local roots 
• Accessible rodeo education through their "Rodeo 101" resources on the website 2026 Dates and Tickets 

The 2026 Molalla Buckeroo runs June 27 through July 4, with nightly performances at 7:30 PM and a special matinee on July 4 at 1:30 PM. Visit molallabuckeroo.com for tickets and the full event schedule. 

Please note that the Molalla Buckeroo only honors tickets purchased through their official website via Afton ticketing. Purchase directly at molallabuckeroo.com to ensure your tickets are valid. 

Address: 815 Shirley St, Molalla, OR 97038 | Phone: 503-829-8388 

Which Should You Attend?

You do not have to choose, and many people attend both. They run on overlapping dates and are about 25 miles apart, with schedules designed to make it possible. Here is a quick breakdown if you are planning around your schedule. 

Choose St. Paul if: 

• You want the full multi-day experience at a large venue with 10,000 seats ● The July 4th parade is on your list 
• You want a wider range of on-grounds entertainment, including the carnival, multiple bars, the Tack Room Saloon, and boutique shopping 
• You want to attend the Hall of Fame Dinner on June 29 and support the Austin Smith Foundation 

Choose the Molalla Buckeroo if: 

• You prefer a slightly smaller, community-centered feel 
• The July 4th matinee at 1:30 PM fits your schedule better than an evening performance ● You live in or near Molalla, Canby, Estacada, or southern Clackamas County ● You want to kick off Cowboy Christmas early, since Molalla starts June 27 

And if you can manage both, you will be experiencing the Fourth of July the way the cowboys do it. 

Tips for First-Timers 

• Arrive early. Parking fills quickly at both venues, especially on July 3rd and 4th. Lots of pay-to-park options are around! 
• For the St. Paul Parade, roads close at 9:30 AM. Plan to arrive before that if you want a good spot along the route. 
• Buy tickets in advance. Both rodeos sell out popular performances, and walk-up availability on the Fourth is not guaranteed. 
• Carnival wristbands at St. Paul must be printed. If you purchase them online, print before you go. 
• Bring cash. Vendors and carnival booths often prefer it. 
• Check security policies before you go. Both events post their bag and prohibited items policies on their websites. 

Why This Week Matters Around Here

People sometimes ask me why I love this part of Oregon so much. It is not only the farmland, or the wine country, or the proximity to Portland. It is that the community shows up for itself. 

The St. Paul Rodeo is run by volunteers who have been passing that responsibility down for 90 years. The Molalla Buckeroo has been running for over a century on community energy. Austin Smith gave his life in service to that same community. These events exist because generations of families here decided they were worth building and worth keeping. 

That is the same spirit you find in the towns throughout this corridor: Canby, Molalla, Aurora, Hubbard, St. Paul, Newberg, and Dundee. These are places with their own identity, their own history, and their own way of celebrating the things that matter. 

If you are thinking about what it means to live here, Cowboy Christmas week is a pretty good introduction. 

Ready to Explore the Area? 

I help buyers and sellers across the North Willamette Valley, including Canby, Molalla, Oregon City, Wilsonville, West Linn, Aurora, Newberg, and beyond. If you are curious about what life looks like in this corridor, I would love to talk. 

[Explore homes in the North Willamette Valley] — link to your search or community page [About Jennifer Schurter] — link to your About page 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Cowboy Christmas? Cowboy Christmas is the nickname professional rodeo competitors use for the Fourth of July holiday week. More PRCA rodeos run simultaneously during this period than at any other point in the season, giving contestants the opportunity to travel between events and maximize their prize earnings and standings points toward the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

When is the St. Paul Rodeo in 2026? The 2026 St. Paul Rodeo runs June 30 through July 4, with six performances over five days. It is held in St. Paul, Oregon, approximately 25 miles south of Portland in Marion County. Tickets range from $31 to $90, with all seats reserved. 

When is the Molalla Buckeroo in 2026? The 2026 Molalla Buckeroo runs June 27 through July 4, with nightly performances at 7:30 PM and a special matinee on July 4 at 1:30 PM. It is held at 815 Shirley St in Molalla, Oregon, in Clackamas County.

Why are the St. Paul Rodeo and Molalla Buckeroo scheduled at the same time? The two rodeos intentionally stagger their individual performance times so that professional contestants can compete at both events within the same week. Since competitors travel from across the United States, Canada, and Australia for Cowboy Christmas, this coordination allows them to make the most of their time in the Valley. 

What time is the St. Paul Rodeo parade? The St. Paul Rodeo July 4th Parade steps off at 10:00 AM, with roads closing at 9:30 AM. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot along the route. 

What is the Tack Room Saloon? The Tack Room Saloon is located on the southwest side of the St. Paul Rodeo arena. It was named one of the "Top 20 Cowboy Bars in the West" by American Cowboy Magazine and is widely considered one of the most authentic cowboy bar experiences in the country. 

What is the Austin Smith Foundation? The Austin Smith Foundation was established to honor Austin Garrett Smith, a sixth-generation St. Paul native, hop farmer, St. Paul Jaycees president, and volunteer firefighter who died in the line of duty in February 2022. The foundation provides scholarships for students pursuing careers in fire sciences, law enforcement, paramedic, or nursing. The St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame Dinner and Silent Auction on June 29, 2026 serves as one of the foundation's primary fundraisers. 

Are these rodeos good for kids? Both the St. Paul Rodeo and Molalla Buckeroo are community events with all-ages appeal. The Molalla Buckeroo's July 4th matinee at 1:30 PM is a convenient option for younger children. At St. Paul, the carnival runs daily and is open to all ages, with ride wristbands available for $35. 

How far are these rodeos from Portland? St. Paul is approximately 25 miles southwest of Portland, roughly a 30 to 35 minute drive. Molalla is approximately 30 miles south of Portland, roughly 40 to 45 minutes by car. Both are easy day trips from the metro area. 

Jennifer Schurter serves buyers, sellers, and investors throughout South Clackamas County and the North Willamette Valley — including Canby, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Aurora, Hubbard, Molalla, Woodburn, Newberg, Sherwood, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, and the greater Portland metro south. Her goal is simple: to be the most knowledgeable, most responsive, and most genuinely helpful real estate agent in the area — every single time. Jennifer is a licensed Oregon real estate broker with Real Broker LLC.

Ready to talk through your next move? Schedule a time with Jennifer here. No pressure, no pitch — just a real conversation.