When it comes to Texas festivals, Houston’s lineup doesn’t disappoint. From holiday themes to celebrating fruit and hosting the PGA, we pull out all the stops to impress all comers. Patten Title has compiled our favorite Houston festivals — the ones you can’t miss and the ones you can’t wait to take your out-of-town family to.
- Where: Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center, Port Arthur
- When: April 1, 2023
- Cost: TBA
- What: Music and food, much of it Cajun food, help celebrate the multicultural Port Arthur area. The fun includes a menu of bands and traditional Cajun dances.
- Where: Downtown Houston
- When: Jan. 15, 2023
- Cost: $180 for the full marathon and $150 for the half marathon.
- What: If you’re a runner, it’s a great way to start the running season. Besides a marathon and half marathon, a 3.1-mile run is available for those who don’t want to train through the entire holiday season.
- Where: Keman Boardwalk in Bay Area, Houston
- When: Dec. 10, 2022
- Cost: Free
- What: More than 100,000 people have attended this event in the past. The parade features 60 brightly decorated sailboats and power boats that travel through Clear Lake.
- Where: Galveston
- When: Dec. 2-4, 2022
- Cost: Free to $75
- What: This huge Victorian party features bed races, a parade, bagpipers, holiday carolers, and more for two days of continuous entertainment. Kids will love new additions like Tiny Tim’s Play Land, and everyone can shop from costumed vendors and peddlers with rolling carts.
- Where: Park Golf Course, Houston
- When: Nov. 10-13, 2022
- Cost: $29-$50 for General Admission
- What: Watch the best golfers in the world compete for a total purse of $8,400,000. Then, stay for the party that includes a concert stage, meet and greets, and daily giveaways.
- Where: Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook
- When: May 6-7, 2023
- Cost: $15-$40 (12 and under are free)
- What: This two-day show features hundreds of classic cars and wooden boats, attracting visitors from all over the country. Also, enjoy great food, lots of vendors, and more entertainment.
- Where: Galveston
- When: Nov. 3-6, 2022
- Cost: $75-$199
- What: Come for the motorcycle bonanza of motorcycle and car shows, then stay for concerts each night on two stages. Regular events include rodeo games and a tattoo contest.
- Where: Houston (San Jacinto St. and Alabama St.)
- When: Jan. 17, 2023
- Cost: Free
- What: Among the biggest multicultural events in the United States, the parade has participants from secondary and primary schools, colleges and the ROTC, as well as corporate and civic organizations from across the nation.
- Where: The Woodlands
- When: April 22, 2023
- Cost: Spectator Tickets TBA
- What: The Ironman is the ultimate athletic endurance test that includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. This running is part of the VinFast North American Iron Series and crowns a regional champion for North and South America. It includes 165 qualifying spots for the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
- Where: San Bernard Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria
- When: March-April 2023
- Cost: TBA
- What: Learn about the migration patterns of birds and butterflies in South Texas with this annual celebration. Families are invited to hold snakes and alligators, learn about birds of prey, and experience a butterfly encounter.
- Where: NRG Center, Houston
- When: Nov. 10-13, 2022
- Cost: $18
- What: This mammoth fundraising event kicks off the Holiday season in Houston and benefits the Houston Ballet Foundation. Food, toys, apparel, and home decor are available at this indoor market.
- Where: Pasadena
- When: May 18-21, 2023
- Cost: TBA
- What: Celebrate at one of the country’s largest strawberry festivals with arts and crafts, a barbecue cook-off and a very large strawberry shortcake. Kids will enjoy the kids’ zone, racing pigs, and daily special events.
- Where: 7250 Westpark, Beaumont
- When: March 23-April 2, 2023
- Cost: $10
- What: The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association brings in some of the top cowboys and cowgirls for competition. The STSF has everything a great fair offers: good food, exciting exhibitions, and plenty of rides for the kids.
- Where: Traders Village, Houston
- When: Nov. 12-13, 2023
- Cost: Free, $5 to park
- What: Kids as young as 2 and seniors in their 80s will perform dances of their native tribes and compete for prize money. This celebration has plenty of food, arts and crafts, and fellowship.
- Where: 9800 Town Park Dr., Houston
- When: Jan. 21, 2023
- Cost: Free
- What: Celebrate Chinese New Year as 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit. The festival includes traditional Chinese dances, martial arts performances, and plenty of food and vendors.
- Where: Bay Area, Houston
- When: June 21-25, 2023
- Cost: TBA
- What: Boat races, a car show, and a charity poker event are all part of the Texas Outlaw Challenge, which takes place on Clear Lake.
- Where: Woodlands
- When: April 14-16, 2023
- Cost: Free and paid tickets
- What: One of the top arts festivals in the country, the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival features great artists, great food, and music. Kids can enjoy activities curated for them and the adjacent book festival that highlights local, regional and national artists and a host of games and events.
- Where: Cinemark Memorial City, Houston
- When: April 25-30, 2023
- Cost: TBA
- What: The festival features a mixture of films, TV commercials, music videos and documentaries. Past winners include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Oliver Stone.
- Where: Market and Walnut Street, Houston
- When: Dec. 9-11, 2022
- Cost: Free
- What: Shop, listen to music and enjoy German food and drinks during the holiday season. Visit and shop at the more than 160 vendors on site.
- Where: City Hall, Houston
- When: Nov. 11, 2022
- Cost: Free
- What: With more than 250,000 veterans in Texas, second most in the nation, Veterans Day is a solemn but important remembrance of those who served. After a featured speaker, the parade through Houston starts at 11:30 a.m.
