Events
January
Compaq Houston Marathon
Held in mid January
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
713-957-3453
Nearly 7,000 entrants from around the world take
part in this challenging race. Beginning and ending at the George R. Brown
Convention Center, the 26.2-mile course winds through many Houston
neighborhoods.
February
Mardi Gras!
Held mid – late February
Location: The Strand in the Historic District
888-425-4753
The celebration centers on The Strand,
Galveston’s historic district, where elaborate parades, masked balls, festive
music and special events draw revelers from far and wide.
Rodeo Parade
Held in mid February
Location: Houston
713-791-9000
Call for exact location
Thousands of trail riders descend upon the city from hundreds of miles around,
to kick off Houston’s annual tribute to Texas’ traditions.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Held mid February – early March
Location: Astrodome
713-791-9000
One of the world’s largest rodeos fills the Reliant Astrodome and its
adjacent facilities with dazzling competitions, award-winning barbecue and
blockbuster concerts by country-and-western and other music superstars. Adding
to the fun are livestock exhibits by young farmers vying for scholarships and a
lively outdoor carnival.
March
The River Oaks Garden Club’s Azalea Trail
Held early – mid March
Location: Bayou Bend
713-523-2483
It’s just not spring until the azaleas are in bloom. Of particular interest
are the gardens at Bayou Bend, the former residence philanthropist Ima Hogg. The
rest of "the trail" refers to a tour of abundantly blooming landscapes in the
adjacent River Oaks neighborhood.
April
River Oaks International Tennis Tournament
Held in early April
Location: Houston
713-529-4321
Call for exact location and additional
information
Believed to be the oldest professional
clay-court tournament in the country still playing on its original site, this
annual event attracts some of the biggest names in tennis.
The Art Car Parade: Powered by Pennzoil
Held in late April
Location: Houston
713-926-6368
Call for exact location and dates
This whimsical parade of outlandishly decorated
cars, bicycles, lawnmowers and just about anything on wheels is one of the
oldest and largest of its kind. The parade caps a weekend of related art car
events sponsored by the Orange Show Foundation in collaboration with the Houston
International Festival.
Houston International Festival
Held mid – late April
Location: Downtown Houston
713-654-8808
Colorful and lively, this event transforms 20
downtown blocks into a sprawling open-air market of ethnic food, arts and
crafts, and live performances.
WordFest: Houston International Film Festival
Held mid – late April
Location: Varies in Houston
713-965-9955
Call for additional information
Cinema buffs get a chance to view films
fresh from production when the world’s largest international film and video
competition comes to town. Event organizers showcase a wide variety of film
genres under the theme "Independent Stories Well Told."
Japan Festival
Held in early April
Location: Hermann Park
713-963-0121
The tranquil Japanese Garden in Hermann Park
draws thousands of people annually to a weekend celebration of Japanese culture.
The beautiful garden provides a serene backdrop for folk and traditional
dancers, music performers and demonstrations of the martial arts, flower design
and origami.
Shell Houston Open Golf Tournament
Held in mid April
Location: The Woodlands
281-367-7999
Attracting close to 150 professional golfers, this is one of the biggest
events on the PGA Tour. The Woodlands Tournament Players Course hosts the event,
which boasts one of the largest purses on tour.
May
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Held in early May
Location: Hermann Park
713-284-8352
Mexico defeated invading French forces on this
date, but this festival’s organizers see this date as a day to remind Mexican
nationals of their heritage. Festivities include a parade downtown and a
festival with mariachi bands, dancers and food at Miller Outdoor Theatre in
Hermann Park.
June
George Ranch Juneteenth Celebration
Held in mid June
Location: George Ranch Historical Park
281-343-0218
George Ranch Historical Park re-enacts this
pivotal moment in the history of Texas African- Americans. The festivities
include tours, gospel music, food and fun.
Juneteenth Celebration
Held in mid June
Location: Hermann Park
713-284-8352
The date marks the day Texas slaves learned of
the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation — two years earlier. The month-long
celebration of African-American heritage includes a parade, blues, gospel and
jazz performances and other events at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
July
Reliant Energy Power of Freedom
Held on July 4
Location: Downtown Houston
713-522-9723
Live entertainment downtown fills the air as
spectators flock to the grounds of Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou in
anticipation of the evening’s spectacular pyrotechnics.
ArtHouston
Held mid July
Location: Varies
713-522-9116
More than 30 art galleries participate in this
annual evening artwalk organized by the Houston Art Dealers Association. Many
exhibits continue throughout the month of July. Several galleries include
lectures related to the artists whose works are displayed.
August
Houston International Jazz Festival
Held in early August
Location: Downtown Houston
713-839-7000
Jazz musicians from around the world celebrate
the birth of jazz with outdoor performances in downtown Houston.
Houston Shakespeare Festival
Held most of August
Location: Hermann Park
713-284-8352
Productions of two plays by the University of
Houston Theatre Department are a late-summer tribute to the Bard of Avon. The
free evening performances are at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
Ballunar Liftoff
Held in late August
Location: Space Center Houston
281-488-7676
Space Center Houston collaborates with the Clear
Lake community to present this unusual summer tradition involving a platoon of
more than 100 hot air balloons. Airborne competitions, sky diving, hang gliding
and air rescue add to the entertainment.
September
The Great Tastes of Houston
Held in mid September
Location: Varies throughout Houston
713-522-9723
The mayor’s official fall celebration serves up a
sampling of menu items from the best of Houston’s restaurants.
Festa Italiana
Held in mid September
Location: Hermann Square
713-524-4222
Artisans and performers help transform downtown’s
Hermann Square at City Hall into a piazza brimming with the music, food and wine
of Italy.
Houston Hot Sauce Festival
Held in mid September
Location: Houston
281-558-3518
Call for exact location and times
Annual event featuring hot sauce, salsa, chipotle, jams, spices, marinades,
chips, dips and more fiery food products. Ongoing stage entertainment, free kids
activities, cold drinks, a wide variety of food, "amateur salsa competition",
contests, prizes, arts & crafts, pepper merchandise, and more.
Fiestas Patrias
Held mostly in mid September
Location: Houston
713-926-2636
Hispanics representing Mexico and several Central American countries unite
to celebrate their independence. A fantastic parade, street dancing and outdoor
festival and other events provide the colorful atmosphere.
Egyptian Festival
Held in mid September
Location: St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church
713-669-1532
St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church hosts this festival of Egyptian music,
food, dance and culture.
October
Grand Prix of Houston
Held in mid October
Location: Adjacent to George R. Brown Convention
Center
713-739-7272
The CART racing circuit’s Grand Prix — a 1.68-mile Indy-car race through the
streets of downtown Houston. With two days of qualifying events followed by the
Grand Prix on Sunday, there’s plenty of high-speed action to see. The race
course is adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center, where pit crews
operate in air-conditioned comfort.
Greek Festival
Held in early October
Location: Streets around Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Cathedral
713-526-5377
OPA! Houston brings Greek culture and traditions
to the streets surrounding Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Lively Greek
music and colorful folk dancers in authentic costumes entertain visitors while
they sample spicy homemade dishes and heavenly pastries.
Texas Renaissance Festival
Held in early October – mid November
Location: Houston
800-458-3435
Call for exact location and dates
A 50-acre 16th-century English kingdom comes to life for seven consecutive
weekends. The merriment amidst the marketplace and gardens includes jousting,
falconry exhibitions, magic shows, juggling and more.
Festival Chicano
Held in mid October
Location: Hermann Park
713-284-8354
The Annual Festival Chicano brings music, dance
and more to Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre.
The Wings Over Houston Air Show
Usually held in late October
Location: Ellington Field
713-266-4492
The sky’s the stage at Ellington Field for awesome demonstrations of precise
flying, aerobatics and air-attack re-enactments. The food court and kiddie
carnival add to the day-long exhibition.
Asian American Festival
Held in mid October
Location: Hermann Park
713-861-8270
Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park is the
venue for performances of Asian music, dance and other arts. Cultural exhibits
and children’s activities make this noon-to-dusk event fun for the whole family.
Texian Market Days
Held in mid October
Location: George Ranch Historical Park
281-343-0218
The George Ranch Historical Park is a living
museum year round. But for Texian Market Days, more than 2,000 costumed
interpreters help depict 100 years of local history. Craft booths and live
entertainment mix the past with the present.
November
International Quilt Festival
Held in early November
Location: Houston
713-781-6864
Call for exact location and dates
More than 1,000 quilts are on display in special
exhibits during this celebration of the textile arts. Demonstrations and
mini-classes are also offered during the event. More than 800 booths offer
related items, such as quilting supplies, notions or finished quilts.
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Held on Thanksgiving Day
Location: Downtown Houston
713-654-8808
A lavish downtown parade with sensational floats,
marching bands and costumed characters escorts Santa Claus on an early visit to
the area.
Uptown Tree Lighting Ceremony
Held on Thanksgiving Night
Location: Post Oak Boulevard
713-621-2011
When half a million holiday lights simultaneously illuminate 80 Christmas
trees lining Post Oak Boulevard, it signals the start of the season. Choirs,
bands and a huge fireworks show help stir up holiday spirit the evening of
Thanksgiving. The abundant decorations and lights on area skyscrapers add to the
dazzling display all season long.
December
Mayor’s Official Downtown Holiday Celebration
Held in early December
Location: Hermann Square
713-845-1267
With City Hall as the backdrop, Hermann Square
hosts an upbeat outdoor show culminating in the lighting of the enormous
Christmas tree and a huge fireworks display.
Theater District Ice Plaza
Held all of December
Location: Fish Plaza
713-250-3670
Fish Plaza in front of Wortham Center hosts an
outdoor ice rink — a rare holiday treat for Houston. Skate day or night, and
enjoy special entertainment.
Dickens on the Strand
Held in early December
Location: Historic District
409-765-7834
A Victorian historic district is the setting for
Galveston’s signature seasonal event. Period entertainment, costumed
participants, horse-drawn parades and hearty British fare help create a scene
straight out of a Dickens novel.
Christmas Candlelight Tours
Held in early December
Location: Sam Houston Park
713-655-1912
The Harris County Heritage Society brightens the seven historical structures
in downtown’s Sam Houston Park with candles and 19th-century decorations.
Carolers and choirs lend musical accompaniment to your seasonal stroll.
Christmas Boat Parade on Clear Lake
Held in early December
Location: Clear Lake
281-488-7676
A flotilla of more than 100 boats dress their
decks with lights and other displays, The unusual procession up the Clear Lake
channel is visible from the shores and waterfront restaurants.
Arts and Entertainment
Houston Symphony
615 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77002
Performances held at Jones Hall
713-224-4240
Call for schedule of performances and additional
information
Founded in 1913, the Houston Symphony is one of
America's oldest performing arts organizations, with a rich history of musical
excellence. The Houston Symphony fills each busy season with more than 170
concerts attended by an estimated 350,000 people each year.
Houston Opera
510 Preston St.
Houston, TX 77002
Performances held at the Wortham Theatre Centre
713-546-0200
Call for schedule of performances
Founded in 1955 through the joint efforts of
Maestro Walter Herbert, former singer Edward Bing, and Houston cultural leader
Mrs. Louis G. Lobit, Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the United States’
premier opera companies.
City Ballet of Houston
9902 Long Point Road
Houston, TX 77055
Performances held at the Wortham Theatre Center
713-468-8708
Call for performance schedule
Houston Ballet performs on tour across the world
and at home in the magnificent, state-of-the-art facility, Wortham Theater
Center, in downtown Houston. Experience the power, beauty, and sensuality that
have made Houston Ballet -- in the words of The London Times -- "one of
America's most vibrant ballet companies."
Theatre Under the Stars
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
713- 558-8887
Call for performance schedule
As one of the largest nonprofit producers of
musical theater in America, TUTS has a reputation for premiering new musicals,
presenting classic revivals, producing touring productions and bringing local
audiences great entertainment. TUTS is the resident company of the Hobby Center
for the Performing Arts.
Zilkha Hall
Located in the Hobby Center for the Performing
Arts
800 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
713-315-2525
Call for performance schedule
In the Hobby Center for the Performing
Houston
