Events, festivals and happenings are in abundance in Houston. If you live here or are planning a trip, here is a list by month of some of our most popular annual happenings.
JANUARY
MLK Grand Parade – This event is held every year to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
International Boat Show – Largest Indoor Show for Outdoor Adventures in the Southwest. This 10 day event at NRG features boats, trailers, campers, ATV’s and other recreational fun! If you are an outdoor adventurer, you won’t want to miss this!
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FEBRUARY
Mardi Gras Galveston – Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, offers the unique chance to experience sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades with over 300,000 attendees for 30+ concerts, 22 parades, 20 balcony parties and 5 masked balls.
Houston Livestock & Rodeo – Beginning at the end of February and running through part of March, the Houston Rodeo is is the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world.
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MARCH
Houston Livestock & Rodeo – Beginning at the end of February and running through part of March, the Houston Rodeo is is the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world.
Azalea Trail – A Houston tradition, the Azalea trail features the homes and grounds of some of the most pristine residences in the city. A must for flower and architectural enthusiasts.
Buffalo Bayou Regatta – The Buffalo Bayou Regatta is the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas. Over 200 vessels hit the waters in downtown Houston. It’s a great event for participants and spectators alike.
Bayou City Art Festival (Memorial) – This art festival is held twice a year– once in Downtown Houston and then again in the Memorial area. Walk and stroll your way through vendors, exhibits and food!
Shell Houston Open – Since 1946, the Houston Golf Association has organized high-profile professional and amateur golf events in the Greater Houston area to support its mission to make a difference in the lives of youth through its charitable programs.
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APRIL
Houston Children’s Festival – The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival is the largest children’s festival in the United States! Two days of games, circus acts, rides, food, beverages, and entertainment for all ages centered in downtown Houston.
Art Car Parade – The Houston Art Car Parade weekend honors the artist in everyone! It shows the creative, energetic and fun side of Houston with a spectacular parade featuring unique art cars from around the world.
WorldFest – Houston International Film Festival – WorldFest was founded over 50 years ago as an International Film Society in August, 1961. WorldFest became the third competitive international film festival in North America, following San Francisco and New York.
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MAY
Comicpalooza – Attendees had access to sessions covering popular trends and obscure topics; a film festival, gaming competitions, cosplay contests, a live art auction, and much more. The exhibit hall is filled with specialty retailers for comics, popular artists, and exciting games.
Houston Dragon Boat Festival – The festival is held in May and the regatta is held in October. Free admission to watch the races! Fun for the whole family.
Pasadena Strawberry Festival – It’s a carnival. A craft show. An eatery. A spot for entertainment. And oh yeah, tons of strawberries. There is a little something for everyone here.
Japan Festival – Japan Festival Houston celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Japan with traditional and contemporary performances of Japanese music, dance and martial arts, Japanese food, as well as demonstrations and displays.
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JUNE
FreePress Summer Fest – With more than 55 bands over two days each year, FPSF is a music-lover’s dream. Since its inception in 2009, FPSF has featured a diverse lineup ranging from world-renowned acts to up-and-coming artists.
AIA Sandcastle Competition – The AIA SandCastle Competition is a fund-raising event for AIA Houston and ArCH Foundation as well as one of the top five revenue generating events for the City of Galveston. Over 60 teams have their eyes and shovels set on winning the prestigious Golden Bucket Award. Great spectator sport!
Caribbean Heritage Festival– The Festival at Jones Plaza features many vendor booths and also features different types of Caribbean cuisine. Displays of culture such as poetry, singing, dancing, dramatic readings and interpretations of works by Caribbean authors and storytelling.
Juneteenth Celebration – Houston celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation & freedom from slavery during this event. Click their website for the dates of several events that include a time of prayer, celebrations, museum exhibits and parade times.
Pride Houston – Celebrating the LGBT community, the event includes a festival and parade. Some of the festivities are free, so check the website for more information.
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JULY
Freedom Over Texas Celebration – Celebrating July 4th through music, fireworks and fanfare on Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s signature patriotic event is as big as Texas.
Star Spangled Salute – This free event in the Woodlands celebrates July 4th. Check the dates because it is often the weekend before the 4th.
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AUGUST
International Jazz Festival – Events over a few days celebrating Jazz music and heritage.
Houston Shakespeare Festival – The festival features a pair of plays each summer, performing free to the public at Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre in this unique collaboration between a city and a university (University of Houston).
Houston Restaurant Week – Lasting for several weeks, some of the best restaurants in Houston get together with special menus and pricing to show off their talents and the people of Houston are the real winners!
Theatre District Open House – An annual event that marks the kick-off of the Fall performing arts season in Houston.
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SEPTEMBER
Fiesta Patrias – Celebrate the Mexican Independence Day, Fiestas Patrias, with dance performances, live music and more at this colorful parade through Downtown.
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OCTOBER
Oktoberfest – Oktoberfest can be celebrated throughout the month in several venues. Come enjoy authentic cuisine, festive fun and music for everyone with a German flair.
The Original Greek Festival – Celebrate the Annual Houston Greek Festival on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Authentic Greek food, wine, dancing and artifacts are fun for the entire family.
Texas Renaissance Festival – The nation’s largest, most acclaimed Renaissance themed festival. Each year, over 500,000 guests pass through the Festival’s gates and enter the magic of New Market Village, an authentically recreated 55 acre 16th century English township.
Bayou City Art Festival Downtown – This art festival is held twice a year– once in Downtown Houston and then again in the Memorial area. Walk and stroll your way through vendors, exhibits and food!
Festa Italiano – Come celebrate all things Italian on the grounds of the University of St. Thomas! Authentic Italian food, wine and craft beer tastings, live music and performances.
Wings Over Houston Airshow – One of the top air shows in the United States, this premier Houston event is dedicated to showcasing vintage World War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation.
Texian Market Days – Located at George Ranch Historical Park, guests can enjoy hands-on activities, battle re-enactments, live entertainment, first-person costumed interpreters, historic home tours, games, cowboys, vintage vehicles, food, craft vendors and more.
Houston Egyptian Festival – The Egyptian Festival portrays the essence that is Egypt, from Ancient marvels to modern culture.
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NOVEMBER
International Quilt Festival – The International Quilt Festival is the largest annual quilt show in the U.S. The Festival regularly attracts 55,000 people from over 35 countries all around the world. There’s shopping at more than 1,000 booths for quilts, fabric, supplies, and crafts, along with 500 classes and lectures for all experience levels. Festival features more than 1,500 quilts and unique works of textile art on display.
The Nutcracker Market – A Houston tradition, don’t miss the BIGGEST and BEST holiday market in the U.S. – the annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at NRG Center! There are markets and then… there is The Nutcracker Market. This is the event for holiday shopping
Texas Renaissance Festival – The nation’s largest, most acclaimed Renaissance themed festival. Each year, over 500,000 guests pass through the Festival’s gates and enter the magic of New Market Village, an authentically recreated 55 acre 16th century English township.
Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival – Celebrating the rich Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, this fun festival features food, souvenirs, music and arts & crafts.
Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service – Established nearly 20 years ago, this event at the Rothko Chapel is free and open to the general public with representatives from ten participating religions.
Houston Via Colori® Street Painting Festival – More than 200 local and international artists converge on the streets of downtown Houston to create live street paintings right before your eyes. Attendees can enjoy live music performed by local bands and entertainers on three stages, family-friendly activities, and delicious local food and beverages.
City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade – The Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1949, when Santa arrived at Union Station and rode his sleigh to the downtown Foley’s. Since then, the Thanksgiving Day parade has gone through a few changes but today, it remains a holiday tradition showcasing the Houston community and entertaining parade-goers lining the streets on Thanksgiving morning.
A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas – An annual event for a few weeks in November-December held at the Alley Theatre, with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve.
The Nutcracker -The Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker every year over the months of November and December. Enjoy all the splendor of this timeless classic, with opulence brighter than ever. The music, costumes, and hundreds of delightful characters will bring out the child in everyone!
Zoo Lights – The Houston Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland! Zoo Lights celebrates as one of Houston’s most well-loved holiday traditions. Stroll through the beautiful Houston Zoo and take in the sights and sounds of the season.
Ice Land: Ice Sculptures, Festival of Lights – Watch your holiday come alive with this festive attraction. Held at Moody Gardens in Galveston, this is a daytime or evening event. Lights, skating, ice sculptures, entertainment and food. Beginning in mid November through December, it is the perfect activity for families during the holidays!
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DECEMBER
A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas – An annual event held at the Alley Theatre for a few weeks in November-December, with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve.
The Nutcracker -The Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker every year over the months of November and December. Enjoy all the splendor of this timeless classic, with opulence brighter than ever. The music, costumes, and hundreds of delightful characters will bring out the child in everyone!
Zoo Lights – The Houston Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland! Zoo Lights celebrates as one of Houston’s most well-loved holiday traditions. Stroll through the beautiful Houston Zoo and take in the sights and sounds of the season.
Dickens on the Strand – The annual holiday street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers.
The Mayor’s Official Downtown Houston Holiday Celebration – The spectacular event is a holiday tradition of music, Santa, fireworks and family fun. A towering Holiday Tree, glowing with energy efficient LED lights, shimmering ornaments and a stunning star topper will light up the streets of downtown Houston this holiday season.
Ice Land: Ice Sculptures, Festival of Lights – Watch your holiday come alive with this festive attraction. Held at Moody Gardens in Galveston, this is a daytime or evening event. Lights, snow, ice, entertainment, food. Beginning in mid November through December, it is the perfect activity for families during the holidays!
Tamale Festival Houston – Food, shopping and music in celebration of tamales!
Ice Land: Ice Sculptures, Festival of Lights – Watch your holiday come alive with this festive attraction. Held at Moody Gardens in Galveston, this is a daytime or evening event. Lights, skating, ice sculptures, entertainment, food. Beginning in mid November through December, it is the perfect activity for families during the holidays!
Tomball German Christmas Market & Festival – Come and enjoy the family-friendly ambience – Gemütlichkeit – of this unique music/street festival with three stages of live music and an open-air market along with antique shops in the old town area.
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend – Get in the holiday spirit with carolers, a faux-snowball play area, a handcrafted model train, thousands of lights, and more—all on 14 acres of gardens and art nestled in River Oaks.
Christmas In The Park – Come tour the George Ranch in all of its holiday glory. It’s a great time to take a day trip and experience a day in the frontier.
Until Next Time!
