Houston Events

February

Mardi Gras Galveston

This family-friendly event typically features  parades, dozens of concerts, masquerade balls, musical performances, art exhibits and athletic competitions.

February/March

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

This huge annual event attracts more than two million people during its three-week run. Rodeo competitions, livestock judging, bull riding, various vendors, barbecue cook-offs, auctions, carnival and kids' activities. The major appeal is live concerts put on by big-name artists!

March

Bayou City Art Festival

This annual event features more than 300 artisans showing and selling their works at Houston's Memorial Park.

Buffalo Bayou Regatta

This large canoe and kayak race, finishing at Sesquicentennial Park in downtown Houston, also includes live entertainment, food, drinks, and more after the race!

April
 

Houston Childrens Festival

This family-oriented celebration offers several entertainment stages, games, family adventure areas, food, drink, and lots of fun for everyone! Several downtown Houston venues are utilized, including Tranquility and Sam Houston parks.

Bayou City Cajun Fest

This annual festival is full of Cajun fun, featuring authentic Cajun food, music, dancing, rides, market, and more! From etoufee to Po-boys, the good times roll at Traders Village.

Japan Festival

This annual event takes place in Hermann Park and celebrates the fascinating Japanese culture with music, traditional and folk dance, martial arts, flower arranging, a tea ceremony and origami!

Easter Weekend at Kemah Boardwalk

If you find your family in Houston over easter weekend then head to Kemah Boardwalk where the little ones can hunt for eggs, visit the Easter Bunny and decorate eggs.

iFest

The Houston International Festival takes place on 20 downtown blocks that are closed to traffic. Houston's diversity is showcased through live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts booths and more. Over one thousand performers appear on outdoor stages during the festival.

May

Houston Dragon Boat Festival

Join the thousands of people who come out to watch this exciting race and join in on the festivities such as live entertainment, educational cultural booths, authentic cuisine and games for children and adults.

Asian Pacific Heritage Festival

Celebrate Asian heritage and culture with a parade, fashion show, live performances, tangrams, origami, Chinese calligraphy and fish kites. The fest is held at Allens Landing in downtown Houston.

Orange Show

Patrons line Allen Parkway to see the cars, bicycles, lawnmowers and anything on wheels roll past, adorned with art work. Special features include the Art Car Ball, Main Street Drag and the Art Car Parade.

June

Juneteenth

Celebrate Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves at this annual jubilee featuring live blues, gospel and jazz performances at Hermann Park.

July

Fourth of July at Miller Outdoor Theatre

This annual celebration, held in Hermann Park, invites you to enjoy fireworks and a 16 cannon salute in honor of Independence Day. The Houston Symphony performs.

August

Houston International Jazz Festival

Some of the hottest and biggest names in Jazz convene in Downtown Houston during this annual festival. Various venues are utilized for the fest.

Houston Shakespeare Festival

Throughout the month of August free performances of Shakespeare's plays are performed at Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theater.

September

Houston Hot Sauce Festival

This is a spicy annual event offering hot sauce, salsa, chips, dips, and other fiery food selections for you to sample! Live entertainment is provided continuously; free kids' activities, cold drinks, a salsa competition, contests, prizes and crafts make this a fun event for the entire family. The festival is held at the Stafford Centre in Stafford.

Turkishfest

Jones Plaza in downtown Houston hosts this annual celebration focusing on everything Turkish, including live performances and arts and crafts. Shop the Grand Bazaar and enjoy activities just for your children.

October

Halloween Boo Bash

Traders Village sponsors live entertainment, activities, trick-or-treating throughout the market, games in the Kreepy Kidz Zone, costumed characters and caricature artists.

Wings Over Houston Airshow

The Wings Over Houston Airshow includes a variety of events showcasing elite military aircraft. Watch in awe at the accuracy of jump teams and the amazing stunt flying of the aerobatic teams. The show is held at Ellington Airport.

Festa Italiana

Join fellow revelers, celebrating Italian music, wine, and food with events honoring the culture, heritage, and allure of everything Italy! Take part in the Grape Stomp, enjoy the car show, arts and crafts, and a pasta eating contest. The fest is held at the University of St. Thomas.

Greek Festival

This four-day festival offers live music, folk dancing, cathedral tours and fabulous Greek food. The annual event is held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex near downtown.


October/November

Texas Renaissance Festival

For eight weekends in October and November, visitors can travel back in time to the Renaissance period with live entertainment, arts and crafts, demonstrations, games, rides and food galore. The festival is found in Todd Mission, Texas.

November

Ballunar Liftoff Festival

Dozens of hot air balloons gather at Johnson Space Center and dazzle the crowd as they ascend into the daytime and nighttime skies. The event also features skydiving performances, food from local restaurants, arts and crafts and other flight exhibits.

Holiday Parade

This annual parade is fun for everyone, travelling through the streets of downtown Houston. You'll see large balloons, decorated floats, marching bands, and much more!

December

Christmas Boat Lane Parade

The Christmas Boat Parade at Clear Lake is a juried event featuring more than 100 boats making their way around the lake, into Galveston Bay and back again. Boat owners elaborately decorate their boats, and many feature costumed passengers who dance or play music in hopes of garnering a few more votes.

Holiday Lights Walks

A number of Chistmas lights tours are offered, letting visiting explore various Houston neighborhoods lit up and beautiful.

Other Events:

Sailboat Races
April through October

On Wednesday evenings professional and amateur sailors get together for a friendly sailboat race on the waters of Clear Lake. These race courses have been set so they can be enjoyed by spectators from some of the restaurants around the lake.