Events
January
HP 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 Arts is home to Uniquely Houston’s programs. Performances feature local community programs in music, dance, theater and educational outreach alongside distinguished artists from around the world.
Broadway in Houston
Performances held at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
713-622-SHOW
Call for performance schedule
Broadway In Houston delivers a mix of touring blockbusters direct from Broadway or London’s West End.
Alley Theatre
615 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
713-228-8421
Call for performance schedule
One of the oldest resident professional theater companies in the country, Houston’s Alley Theatre literally began in an alley in 1947. Its post-modernist two-stage complex in Houston’s Theater District presents diverse plays by contemporary dramatists.
Verizon Wireless Theatre
520 Texas Ave
Houston, TX 77002
713- 230-1600
Call for performance schedule
Expect diverse programs at Verizon Wireless Theater, host to more than 100 concerts each year. Broadway tunes, rock and roll, soul, country, jazz, chamber music, dance extravaganza and more play at the trendy venue
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
2005 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-363-3300
Call for performance schedule
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands is one of the world’s great entertainment experiences. The summer home of the Houston Symphony, this picturesque amphitheater offers performances ranging from rock to Bach. The Pavilion accommodates up to 16,000 with covered reserved seating for 3,000 beneath its soaring white peaks, room for 1,900 guests in the uncovered reserved area and nearly 12,000 on the hillside lawn.
Sports
Houston Aeros
Profession Hockey
Games played at the Toyota Center
1510 Polk St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-974-PUCK
Season runs October – April
Houston Astros
Professional Baseball
Games played at Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford St
Houston, TX 77002
713-259-8000
Season runs April – October
Houston Comets
Professional Women’s Basketball
Games played at the Toyota Center
1510 Polk St.
Houston, TX 77002
713- 758-7254
Season runs May – September
Houston Rockets
Professional Men’s Basketball
Games played at the Toyota Center
1510 Polk St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-627-DUNK
Season runs October – April
Houston Texans
Professional Football
Games Played at Reliant Stadium
1 Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054
713-629-3700 Season runs September – January
The largest City in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston has a population of over 1,500,000. This Texas city has much to offer both visitor and resident including more than twenty universities and colleges such as the distinguished University of Houston, the University of Texas-Houston Health and Science Center, Texas Southern University and Rice University. Houston’s international cuisine, moderate weather, and superb arts offerings are just a few of the reasons for the city’s popularity. Outdoor recreation in Houston all year and find quality entertainment day or night in local theme parks, major-league sports arenas, and in Houston’s highly acclaimed museums. Restaurants and entertainment are a short walk or trolley ride away in the downtown area.The METRO light rail whisks riders through the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, to the state-of-the-art Reliant Park sports and event facilities. Houston was named for Samuel Houston (1793-1863), the politician and general who was at the forefront of Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico. He later became President of the Republic of Texas; when Texas became part of the Union, serving as a Senator and later as Governor of Texas. In 1914 the Houston Ship Channel was created, beginning a whole new life for Houston. The 50-mile long channel linked Houston to Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.This deep-water port became a major shipping link and an important junction for the U.S. grain market. The following year oil was discovered and the boom began. Oil companies flooded the area and by the end of the decade there were forty companies located in the city. World War II found Houston a major supplier of many commodities. In 1958 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration made its home in Houston assuring the city its place in space age technologies. Houstonians are proud of their city’s diversity. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Art Car Parade, the International Festival, Fiesta Patrias, the Westheimer Street Festival, the Children’s Festival, and a variety of holiday celebrations bring the City together throughout the seasons of the year and are a source of great enjoyment for visitors.. Houston is renowned as a world center of oil, natural gas, iron and steel, paper products, electrical and electronic machinery. Above all, however, Houston is a city of great neighborhoods that welcome the visitor to a rich cultural environment and an enjoyable and memorable vacation. |
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