One of the qualities that makes Houston such a great place to live
in and visit is its cultural richness. Houstonians love to celebrate,
and with so many different ethnicities represented you can always find
your way to at least one major event or festival.
WINTER
Jan. 14: Compaq Houston Marathon
Nearly 7,000 entrants from around the world are expected for this year’s
challenging race. Beginning and ending at the George R. Brown Convention
Center, the 26.2-mile course winds through many Houston neighborhoods.
(713) 957-3453
Feb. 16-27: Mardi Gras! Galveston
The 2000 Mardi Gras fete in Galveston spotlights Space & Beyond so
expect the merrymaking to be out of this world. 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. (888) 425-4753
Feb. 10: Rodeo Parade
Thousands of trail riders descend upon the city from hundreds of miles
around, to kick off Houston’s annual tribute to Texas’ traditions.
(713) 791-9000
Feb. 13-March 4: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
The world’s largest rodeo 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. (713) 791-9000
SPRING
March 3-4 and 10-11: The River Oaks Garden Club’s Azalea
Trail
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. (713) 523-2483
April 2-8: River Oaks International Tennis Tournament
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. (713) 529-4321
April 28: The Art Car Parade: Powered by Pennzoil
This whimsical parade of outlandishly decorated cars, bicycles, lawnmowers
and just about anything on wheels is 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.
(713) 926-6368
April 20-29: Houston International Festival
Colorful and lively, this event transforms 20 downtown blocks into
a sprawling open-air market of ethnic food, arts and crafts, and live
performances. This year, the 30th annual festival spotlights Ireland.
(713) 654-8808
April 20-29: WordFest: Houston International Film Festival
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." (713) 965-9955
Early April: Japan Festival
The tranquil Japanese Garden in Hermann Park draws 22,000 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, Ikeban flower design and origami.
(713) 963-0121
April 16-22: Shell Houston Open Golf Tournament
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 a purse of $2.8 million. (281) 367-7999
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Celebration
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. (713)
284-8352
SUMMER
June 16: George Ranch Juneteenth Celebration
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. (281) 343-0218
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration
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 4: Reliant Energy Power of Freedom
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. (713) 522-9723
July 14: ArtHouston 2000
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. (713) 522-9116
Mid-July: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
The Greatest Show on Earth returns to Compaq Center. Animals, acrobats
and a crowd of clowns perform with flexibility and finesse in a three-ring
production full of special effects. A family-oriented pre-show reveals
and teaches skills performed during the main event. (713) 627-9470
August 3-5: Houston International Jazz Festival
Jazz musicians from around the world celebrate the birth of jazz with
outdoor performances in downtown Houston. (713) 839-7000
July-August: Houston Shakespeare Festival
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. (713) 284-8352 or (713)
743-3003
Aug. 24-26: Ballunar Liftoff
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. (281) 488-7676
FALL
Late September: The Great Tastes of Houston
The mayor’s official fall celebration serves up a sampling of
menu items from the best of Houston’s restaurants. (713) 522-9723
Sept. 14-16: Festa Italiana
Artisans and performers help transform downtown’s Hermann Square
at City Hall into a piazza brimming with the music, food and wine of Italy.
(713) 524-4222
Sept. 21 & 22: Houston Hot Sauce Festival
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.... Information 281-558-3518 or email carolfmhou@houston.rr.com
visit the official site: houstonhotsauce.com
Mid-September: Fiestas Patrias
Throughout September, 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. (713) 926-2636.
Mid-September: Egyptian Festival
St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church hosts this festival of Egyptian
music, food, dance and culture. (713) 669-1532
Oct. 5-7: Texaco-Havoline Grand Prix of Houston
This year will be the fourth for the CART racing circuit’s Texaco-Havoline
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. (713) 739-7272
Oct. 4-7: Greek Festival
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. (713) 526-5377
Oct. 6-Nov. 18: Texas Renaissance Festival
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. (800) 458-3435 or
(281) 356-2178
Oct. 11-13: Festival Chicano
The 20th Annual Festival Chicano brings music, dance and more to Hermann
Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8354
Late October: The Wings Over Houston Airshow
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. (713) 266-4492
Oct. 20-21: Asian American Festival
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. (713)
861-8270
Oct. 20-21: Texian Market Days
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. (281) 343-0218
Nov. 1-4: International Quilt Festival
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 (classes begin Oct. 30). More than 800 booths
offer related items, such as quilting supplies, notions or finished quilts.
(713) 781-6864
Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day Parade
A lavish downtown parade with sensational floats, marching bands and
costumed characters escorts Santa Claus on an early visit to the area.
(713) 654-8808.
Nov. 22: Uptown Tree Lighting Ceremony
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. (713) 621-2011.
Dec. 1: Mayor’s Official Downtown Holiday Celebration
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. (713) 845-1267.
Late November-early Jan.: Theater District IcePlaza
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. (713) 250-3670
Dec. 1-2: Dickens on the Strand
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. (409) 765-7834
Dec. 6-8: Christmas Candlelight Tours
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. (713) 655-1912
Dec. 8: Christmas Boat Parade on Clear Lake
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. (281) 488-7676
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