Events
A Year of Exciting Events in Houston
Houston, Texas, is not only a dynamic city of diversity, rich history, and cutting-edge innovation but also a vibrant hub of year-round events that attract millions of visitors annually. Known for its cultural festivals, music events, sports competitions, and holiday celebrations, Houston offers something for everyone, no matter the time of year. From historical commemorations and rodeos to food festivals and holiday markets, the city’s events reflect its unique mix of cultures and traditions. Whether you’re visiting for the arts, sports, food, or entertainment, these events highlight why Houston is a must-visit destination.

January
Chevron Houston Marathon
Date: January 19, 2025
Location: Starts at Downtown Houston, 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@houstonmarathon.com | (713) 957-3453
What Makes It Special: The largest single-day sporting event in Houston, attracting thousands of runners and spectators. The marathon takes participants through Houston’s iconic neighborhoods and past famous landmarks.
Highlight: Runners from across the globe, live music along the route, and a family-friendly finish line celebration.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Date: January 15, 2025
Location: Downtown Houston, 900 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: mlkparadehouston.org | (713) 953-1633
What Makes It Special: One of the oldest MLK celebrations in the nation, this event includes floats, marching bands, and cultural performances to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
Highlight: The vibrant parade through downtown and live performances by local artists.
Houston Auto Show
Date: January 24–28, 2025
Location: NRG Center, 1 NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
Contact: info@houstonautoshow.com | (832) 667-1400
What Makes It Special: One of the largest auto shows in the U.S., featuring hundreds of new cars, trucks, and SUVs from leading manufacturers.
Highlight: Test drives of the latest vehicles and exclusive concept car exhibitions.
February
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo BBQ Cookoff
Date: February 27–March 1, 2025
Location: NRG Park, 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Contact: rodeo@hlsr.com | (832) 667-1000
What Makes It Special: This three-day cookoff kicks off the famous Houston Rodeo with more than 250 teams competing in the ultimate BBQ showdown.
Highlight: Enjoy delicious BBQ, live country music, and a carnival atmosphere.
Lunar New Year Festival
Date: February 8, 2025
Location: Viet Hoa Center, 8300 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, TX 77072
Contact: lunarnewyearhouston@gmail.com | (281) 495-1111
What Makes It Special: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional lion dances, cultural performances, and food from Houston’s vibrant Asian community.
Highlight: Fireworks display and traditional lion dances to bring good fortune.
Texas Medical Center Orchestra Concert
Date: February 18, 2025
Location: Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@tmcorchestra.org | (713) 315-2400
What Makes It Special: An inspiring evening of classical music performed by musicians who work in the healthcare industry.
Highlight: Themed performances celebrating the intersection of music and medicine.
March
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Date: March 1–17, 2025
Location: NRG Stadium, 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Contact: rodeo@hlsr.com | (832) 667-1000
What Makes It Special: One of the largest rodeos in the world, this event celebrates Texas’ Western heritage with rodeo competitions, concerts, livestock shows, and a carnival.
Highlight: The nightly concert lineup featuring country music’s biggest stars and the famous rodeo events like bull riding and barrel racing.
Bayou City Art Festival (Spring)
Date: March 22–24, 2025
Location: Memorial Park, 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Contact: artfest@artcolonyassociation.org | (713) 521-0133
What Makes It Special: One of the top art festivals in the U.S., featuring works from hundreds of artists in various mediums.
Highlight: Live music, food vendors, and interactive art installations make this a family-friendly event.
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Date: March 16, 2025
Location: Downtown Houston, 900 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@houstonstpatricksdayparade.org | (713) 365-9644
What Makes It Special: Celebrate Irish heritage with one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in Texas.
Highlight: Irish dancers, bagpipe performances, and plenty of green beer!
April
Art Car Parade
Date: April 12, 2025
Location: Downtown Houston, 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@thehoustonartcarparade.com | (713) 926-6368
What Makes It Special: Houston’s famous Art Car Parade features over 250 uniquely decorated vehicles, from whimsical to bizarre.
Highlight: Quirky, creative vehicles parading through downtown, attracting thousands of spectators.
Houston Japan Festival
Date: April 6–7, 2025
Location: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Contact: japanfestival@jashouston.org | (713) 963-0121
What Makes It Special: A cultural celebration of Japanese heritage with traditional music, dance, martial arts, and food.
Highlight: Tea ceremonies, taiko drumming, and sushi-making demonstrations.
Houston International Festival (iFest)
Date: April 19–21, 2025
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park, 18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Contact: info@ifesthouston.com | (713) 654-8808
What Makes It Special: Celebrate the cultures of the world with live performances, international cuisine, and global artisans.
Highlight: Cultural exhibits, world music performances, and a diverse array of international foods.
May
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Date: May 5, 2025
Location: Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@cincodemayohouston.com | (713) 259-8000
What Makes It Special: A colorful celebration of Mexican heritage with traditional music, dancing, and food.
Highlight: Mariachi performances, folkloric dancing, and authentic Mexican food vendors.
Houston Greek Festival
Date: May 16–19, 2025
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Contact: info@houstongreekfest.com | (713) 526-5377
What Makes It Special: One of Houston’s most popular cultural festivals, featuring Greek food, music, and dance.
Highlight: Enjoy souvlaki, baklava, live music, and traditional Greek dance performances.
Houston Dragon Boat Festival
Date: May 25, 2025
Location: Allen’s Landing, 1001 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@texasdragonboat.com | (832) 721-8101
What Makes It Special: A thrilling dragon boat race along Buffalo Bayou, celebrating Asian culture.
Highlight: Colorful dragon boats, live cultural performances, and delicious Asian cuisine.
June
Free Press Summer Fest (FPSF)
Date: June 1–2, 2025
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park, 18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Contact: info@fpsf.com | (713) 654-8808
What Makes It Special: Houston’s premier music festival, bringing together big-name headliners and local acts across multiple stages. Expect a wide range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, EDM, and pop.
Highlight: In addition to music, the festival offers art installations, local food vendors, and a beautiful setting along Buffalo Bayou.
Pride Houston Festival & Parade
Date: June 29, 2025
Location: Downtown Houston, 900 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@pridehouston.org | (713) 529-6979
What Makes It Special: A vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a colorful parade and festival. Houston’s Pride event is one of the largest in the country, drawing thousands of participants and spectators.
Highlight: The high-energy parade is followed by a street festival with live performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Houston Shakespeare Festival
Date: June 10–16, 2025
Location: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Contact: shakespeare@uh.edu | (713) 743-3003
What Makes It Special: A beloved annual event, the Houston Shakespeare Festival presents professional performances of the Bard’s works in an open-air setting.
Highlight: Free performances under the stars in one of Houston’s most scenic parks, featuring professional actors from around the country.
July
Freedom Over Texas
Date: July 4, 2025
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park, 18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Contact: freedomovertexas@houstontx.gov | (832) 393-0868
What Makes It Special: Houston’s signature Fourth of July celebration, featuring live music, food vendors, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the country.
Highlight: The event culminates in a massive fireworks display over downtown Houston, synchronized to patriotic music.
Houston Caribbean Festival
Date: July 13, 2025
Location: NRG Park, 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Contact: info@houstoncaribbeanfestival.com | (281) 779-5624
What Makes It Special: Celebrate Caribbean culture with a colorful carnival parade, live calypso and reggae music, and delicious Caribbean food.
Highlight: The Grand Carnival Parade, featuring dancers in vibrant costumes, steel bands, and floats celebrating Caribbean heritage.
Houston World Series of Dog Shows
Date: July 17–21, 2025
Location: NRG Center, 1 NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
Contact: info@houstondogshows.com | (832) 667-1400
What Makes It Special: One of the largest dog shows in the U.S., featuring competitions, dog agility events, and exhibitions showcasing a variety of breeds.
Highlight: Meet champion show dogs and enjoy family-friendly activities like “Meet the Breeds” and agility demonstrations.
August
Houston Restaurant Weeks
Date: August 1–31, 2025
Location: Various participating restaurants across Houston
Contact: info@houstonrestaurantweeks.com | (713) 223-3100
What Makes It Special: A month-long celebration of Houston’s culinary scene, where top restaurants offer prix fixe menus at discounted prices, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Houston Food Bank.
Highlight: A chance to dine at some of Houston’s best restaurants while supporting a good cause.
Theater District Open House
Date: August 11, 2025
Location: Houston Theater District, 500 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: info@houstontheaterdistrict.org | (713) 658-8938
What Makes It Special: A free event offering behind-the-scenes tours of Houston’s Theater District, with performances by local theater, dance, and music companies.
Highlight: Free performances and a sneak peek of the upcoming season’s shows.
Texas Taco Music Fest
Date: August 24, 2025
Location: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Contact: info@texastacomusicfest.com | (713) 400-7336
What Makes It Special: A celebration of Texas’ favorite food—tacos—paired with live music from local and national artists.
Highlight: Sample creative taco varieties from local restaurants and food trucks, while enjoying live performances from Tex-Mex, rock, and indie bands.
September
Houston Theater District Open House
Date: September 7, 2025
Location: Houston Theater District, Downtown Houston, TX
Website: houstontheaterdistrict.org
What Makes it Special: This annual open house provides a behind-the-scenes look at Houston’s vibrant performing arts scene, with free performances and backstage tours.
Highlights and Features: Attendees can enjoy live performances by the Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, and Houston Grand Opera. Interactive activities include costume displays, family-friendly workshops, and ticket discounts for upcoming shows.
Fiestas Patrias Parade
Date: September 14, 2025
Location: Downtown Houston, TX
What Makes it Special: This parade celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a vibrant display of Hispanic culture and traditions.
Highlights and Features: The parade features colorful floats, traditional folklórico dancers, mariachi bands, and community groups showcasing their heritage through music and dance.
Houston Hot Sauce Festival
Date: September 21-22, 2025
Location: Stafford Centre, Stafford, TX
What Makes it Special: A spice lover’s paradise, this festival celebrates hot sauce, fiery foods, and bold flavors from around the country.
Highlights and Features: Vendors showcase a wide variety of hot sauces, salsas, and spicy snacks. The festival also includes live music, cooking demonstrations, and a pepper-eating contest.
October
Texas Renaissance Festival
Date: Weekends, October 4 – November 24, 2025
Location: Todd Mission, TX (just outside Houston)
Website: texrenfest.com
What Makes it Special: This is one of the largest themed festivals in the United States, recreating a 16th-century European village with immersive entertainment.
Highlights and Features: Enjoy jousting tournaments, artisan shops, live performances, themed weekends, and a variety of food and drink, including giant turkey legs and mead.
Houston Italian Festival
Date: October 10-13, 2025
Location: University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
Website: houstonitalianfestival.com
What Makes it Special: This family-friendly event highlights Italian culture through authentic cuisine, music, and interactive activities.
Highlights and Features: Indulge in Italian favorites like pasta, cannoli, and gelato while enjoying live Italian music, wine tastings, and grape-stomping contests.
Wings Over Houston Airshow
Date: October 19-20, 2025
Location: Ellington Airport, Houston, TX
Website: wingsoverhouston.com
What Makes it Special: This thrilling airshow celebrates aviation history with impressive aerial displays by military and civilian aircraft.
Highlights and Features: Performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, aerobatic stunts, and vintage warbirds captivate audiences. The event also includes a static aircraft display and family-friendly activities.
November
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Date: November 2, 2025
Location: MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts), Houston, TX
Website: meca-houston.org
What Makes it Special: This festival honors Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with traditional altars, music, and art, celebrating Mexican heritage.
Highlights and Features: The event includes beautiful altars, live performances, traditional Mexican food, and artisan markets.
Houston Cinema Arts Festival
Date: November 6-10, 2025
Location: Various venues across Houston, TX
Website: cinemartsociety.org
What Makes it Special: A unique festival celebrating the intersection of film and art, featuring independent films and discussions with filmmakers.
Highlights and Features: Film screenings, panels, and workshops showcase films that emphasize dance, music, and visual arts.
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Date: November 28, 2025 (Thanksgiving Day)
Location: Uptown Houston, TX
What Makes it Special: This Thanksgiving tradition benefits local charities while encouraging families to start their day with a fun, healthy activity.
Highlights and Features: Includes a 5K, 10K, and Kids’ K, followed by post-race festivities. Many participants dress in festive turkey-themed attire.
December
Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Date: December 1-24, 2025
Location: Wortham Theater Center, Houston, TX
Website: houstonballet.org
What Makes it Special: A beloved holiday tradition, Tchaikovsky’s magical ballet is brought to life with stunning choreography and elaborate sets.
Highlights and Features: Features a live orchestra, dazzling costumes, and the enchanting story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
Zoo Lights
Date: December 2, 2025 – January 7, 2026
Location: Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX
Website: houstonzoo.org
What Makes it Special: The Houston Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of sparkling lights and festive displays.
Highlights and Features: Stroll through illuminated pathways, sip hot cocoa, and take photos with life-sized animal sculptures made of lights.
City of Houston New Year’s Eve Celebration
Date: December 31, 2025
Location: Eleanor Tinsley Park, Buffalo Bayou, Houston, TX
What Makes it Special: A free, family-friendly event to ring in the New Year with live music, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Highlights and Features: Includes live performances from local and national artists, a kids’ zone with activities, and the grand finale fireworks show at midnight.
Practical Information for Event Attendance
Tickets and Pricing
- Free Events: Many events, such as the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Dia de los Muertos Festival, are free to attend.
- Ticketed Events: Events like Houston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” and Zoo Lights require tickets, which can range from $15 to $100, depending on the seating and event. Tickets for popular events should be purchased in advance to secure the best spots. Visit official websites or trusted platforms like Ticketmaster to book tickets.
Transportation and Parking
- Public Transit: Houston’s METRORail and METRO buses serve most major event venues. For large events, like Freedom Over Texas and The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, public transit is highly recommended to avoid traffic congestion.
- Parking: Many venues, such as NRG Park and Downtown Houston, have paid parking lots. Rates vary but typically range from $10 to $30 depending on the event. Parking at large festivals can fill up quickly, so arriving early is advised.
- Ride-Sharing: Services like Uber and Lyft are convenient options, especially for events in crowded downtown areas.

Insider Tips for a Great Experience
- Arrive Early: For events like the Thanksgiving Parade or the Houston Rodeo, arriving early guarantees you a good spot and allows you to avoid the bulk of the crowds.
- Dress for the Weather: Houston’s weather can be unpredictable, particularly for outdoor events. Check the forecast before heading out and wear comfortable shoes. For winter events like Zoo Lights, layering is essential for chilly evenings.
- Local Etiquette: For cultural events like Lunar New Year or Dia de los Muertos, it’s important to respect traditions. Engaging with local customs, such as bringing offerings for altars or respecting ceremonial performances, enhances the experience.
- Combine Events with Sightseeing: Many events are held near major attractions. For example, the Art Car Parade takes place near the Houston Museum District and Discovery Green, so plan a full day to explore the city’s sights.
Safety and Comfort
- Stay Hydrated: For summer events like the Caribbean Festival and Free Press Summer Fest, bring a refillable water bottle and stay hydrated. The Houston heat can be intense, and many venues provide water stations.
- Follow Event Guidelines: Most large events have designated entrances and exits, security checks, and bag size restrictions. Check event websites for detailed guidelines and avoid bringing prohibited items.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: With events like the Bayou City Art Festival or Texas Renaissance Festival, you’ll be doing a lot of walking, so wear supportive shoes.
Planning Your Visit
Houston’s diverse event calendar offers something for everyone, from family-friendly parades and cultural festivals to concerts, food fests, and holiday markets. These events highlight the city’s dynamic cultural fabric, giving visitors a chance to experience Houston in a new and exciting way. Whether you’re planning to visit for the iconic Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the festive Zoo Lights, or the eclectic Art Car Parade, Houston’s events are bound to leave you with unforgettable memories.
With practical tips, insider advice, and detailed event information, this guide helps ensure that your visit to Houston in 2024–2025 is well-planned and full of fun. Be sure to explore the city’s other attractions and local food scenes while attending these events—Houston’s unique mix of culture, history, and modern flair guarantees a memorable trip!
