The Most Popular Holidays and Festivals in Texas

Top 5 Most Popular and Best Foods in Texas

10 Inspirational Things Tourist Must Do in Texas

With most of the biggest and most well-known rodeo events worldwide, Texas celebrates its cowboy past over the top every year. Its sizable Hispanic population several times also fuels the fiesta, and even hosts one of America's top music events in Austin's South by Southwest venue.

Capced by October's State Fair of Dallas, the biggest event of its kind in the nation, most of the special events fall in the pleasant seasons of winter, spring, and fall. Though Texas holidays also include national celebrations like Independence Day and Veteran's Day, these events are always done up Texas-style, which means major attractions and many days.

Learn more: Top 10 Biggest Rodeos with the Most Famous Cowboys in the US

Most Popular Holidays and Festivals in Texas

Most Popular Holidays and Festivals in Texas

Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

This huge rodeo and livestock show in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the oldest and most well-known in the country. Every January, the Will Rogers Memorial Center hosts two weeks of Western-style events that draw about a million people. To begin, the All-Western Parade is the biggest horse-drawn parade in the world. There are then about 30 different rodeo performances that go on all day.

South by Southwest

Every March, one of the most popular and exciting music events in the United States takes place in Austin. It's both an awards show and a huge music festival with the best new and well-known bands in the country. They play for several days at different places in Austin, making this event the most popular thing to do in the capital. Keynote speakers and workshops with well-known musicians finish off the schedule.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston, Texas holds its big rodeo event every March for more than two weeks. It's said to be the biggest rodeo in the world, and it has all the usual shows, competitions, and livestock shows, as well as a great group of country-western musicians. It is the big event in Houston.

Fiesta San Antonio

End of April is San Antonio's "big city festival," which has everything from concerts and food fairs to fancy balls and other events. It's a huge 10-day party that brings most of the city together every day to celebrate with parades, live music, art shows, and the royal court's fancy costumes.

Gran Fiesta de Fort Worth

Every July, a week of all things Latin is held in Texas to honor the state's rich Hispanic culture and heritage. In Fort Worth, you can enjoy great food fairs, live music, parades, traditional dances, and other fun events with a Hispanic theme. This is a great chance to see how different Texan society is.

State Fair of Dallas

Dallas is home to the biggest state fair in the United States. From the end of September to the beginning of October, when the weather gets nice, this city really gets into the holiday spirit for a month. The carnival rides, livestock shows, concerts, and great food at this Texas-sized fair aren't the only things that make it stand out. It was built in 1936, and the Art Deco fairgrounds are the perfect place for Texas' big event.

Charro Days

Chronos Days is held in Brownsville, which is at the very southern tip of Texas. It is said to be the oldest fiesta in Texas. Charro Days has been held every February since 1938. It is a traditional Mexican "pachanga" that lasts for a week and includes parades, dances, and lots of fun activities for the whole family.

Czhilispiel

For more than 30 years, the Czhilispiel has been held every year in the Czech settlement of Flatonia. It brings together some of the best chili and BBQ cook-off teams from across the state. As a CASI-approved event, you can be sure that the best competitors will be there, and the Czech Fest vibe will make sure that the whole family has a great time.

Dickens on the Strand

For more than 30 years, in December, characters from Charles Dickens' books have walked along Galveston's historic Strand. This holiday festival, called Dickens on the Strand, takes people back to the Victorian era with street vendors with pushcarts, carolers, and musicians. Kids can have fun at the Royal Menagerie Petting Zoo or make snow angels in the fake snow that lines the street on "Snow on Sunday."

Great Texas Mosquito Festival

Great Texas Mosquito Festival

Texas is best known for its mosquitoes, not its sausages or bulls. So why not have a party? The Great Texas Mosquito Festival in Clute is a time for people to do just that. There is a paintball tournament, karaoke, a Mosquito Chase "Run," and more at this event that happens every year. It's never been so much fun to honor a pest!

Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup

It's true—this isn't Texas's only Rattlesnake Roundup. But it has been going on since 1958 and is the "World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup." There are many things to do at the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup besides the actual snake hunt. The snakes are the main attraction. There is a barbecue cookoff, the Rattlesnake Parade, the Rattlesnake Dance, the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant, and more. There are also guided bus tours and rattlesnake hunts.

State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is just as big as everything else in Texas. There is a great carnival, an art competition, an auto show, a livestock show, and, of course, the annual "Red River Shoot-out" between the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma football teams during this three-week fun fest in Dallas.

Strawberry Festival

Over 100,000 people visit the small town of Poteet every year for the Strawberry Festival. The event has been going on for almost 60 years and has a carnival, art show, rodeo, dances, parade, and a "Taste of Texas" food show. It also has nationally known country music stars and Tejano entertainers.

Texas Renaissance Festival

The Texas Renaissance Festival takes you back to the 1600s for six weeks with more than 200 performances every day, 300 arts and crafts shops, 60 food and drink shops, fireworks every night, and more than 3,000 costumed characters walking around the grounds. The 15-acre park is between Magnolia and Plantersville, about 50 miles northwest of Houston. It takes you into a world of castles, knights, and magicians that will make your head spin.

Texas Rose Festival

The Texas Rose Festival has been going on since 1933 and is now a big part of life in Tyler. There is more fun than just the Rose Parade. There is also the Coronation Ball and "Concert in the Park" with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. When you go to the "Rose Capital of the Nation," don't forget to check out the Rose Museum.

Wurstfest

Wurstfest is a 10-day party that celebrates sausage and the German heritage of New Braunfels, the city that hosts it. Along with lots of food, Wurstfest has great music (including a lot of Polka!), rides, games, melodramas, yodelers, and more.

A Full List of Events, Holidays, Festivals & Competitions In Spring

Spring is one of the best times of year to visit Texas (should you wish to escape the heat). Texas also hosts rather many well-known (famous, even) events, celebrations, and contests attracting local, national, and even worldwide audiences during the Spring.

Thus, if you intend to visit Texas, take Spring into account. And, should you be here during the Spring, here are some noteworthy events you might wish to investigate.

March

From international prominence to local popularity, the Texas calendar is bursting with a great array of events, celebrations, and contests all around the state.

And March is no exception either. Texas is a great place to be every year in the month of March whether your search is for a great ol'-fashioned competition, a mouthwatering plate of world-class cuisine with a glass of award-winning wine, or a relaxing live music event with a healthy side of boutique shopping.

Of course they cannot all be "the most popular" or "well known" events; hence, here is the whole list of noteworthy Annual events held in Texas during March:

Spring at The Silos (Waco): Celebrated annually at Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas, Spring at the Silos honors the arrival of spring. Along with live music and unique spring menus, the event features a vendor fair including artists, craftspeople, vendors from all around the nation. Usually, it starts in March.

Texas Independence Day Celebration in Washington, TX (March 2nd): honors Texas's independence with musical and historical events. Texas Independence Day falls on March 2nd, but the events honoring the day don't always line up that date. Either February or March might be used for the celebrations.

South by Southwest (SXSW) (Austin): a big conference and celebration honoring the convergence of the music, film, and technology sectors. It offers lots of panels, concerts, and movie screenings.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Houston): Among the biggest livestock shows and rodeos worldwide, it also features a carnival, several contests, and concerts including big music acts.

Texas Independence Day Celebrations (Various Locations): Commemorating Texas's independence with parades, historical reenactments, and festivities throughout the state.

Texas Independence Day (March 2): History, Celebration

Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade (Dallas): One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the Southwest, featuring floats, bands, and lots of green.

Rodeo Austin (Austin): Combines a professional rodeo with live music concerts, a fair, livestock show, and other family-friendly activities.

Corpus Christi Festival of the Arts (Corpus Christi): Showcases visual and performing arts with artist booths, performances, and community activities.

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival (Fort Worth): Celebrates the culinary diversity of the region with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and food-related events.

Zilker Park Kite Festival (Austin): An annual event that encourages adults and kids to fly their kites in the park.

Bayou City Art Festival (Houston): One of the top art festivals in the country, held in Memorial Park, featuring hundreds of artists, music, food, and creative zones for children.

Texas Storytelling Festival (Denton): A gathering of storytellers sharing tales through concerts, workshops, and story swaps.

Houston Tech Rodeo: Blends local culture with technology and innovation.

April

Old Settler's Music Festival in Tilmon: A celebration of Americana, bluegrass, and roots music with workshops and jam sessions.

Brazos Nights Series in Waco (April - July): Free riverfront concert series including drone displays, food trucks, family events, and music in Waco, Texas. Growing annually, the most recent event drew more than 30,000+ people to hear world-class musicians on the Brazos Riverfront stage in downtown Waco.

San Antonio Book Festival: A literary event uniting readers and writers with readings, signings, and panels.

Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill: Celebrates Texas's state flower with music, activities, and a parade.

Battle of San Jacinto Reenactment (Around April 21st): Dramatic reenactment of Texas's fight for independence.

Dallas International Film Festival (Around April or May): Showcases a diverse range of global films with screenings and Q&A sessions.

Ironman Texas in The Woodlands (April or May): A grueling triathlon challenge with international participation.

Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival (April): Features artists, live concerts, and street performers.

Houston International Film Festival: Celebrates independent cinema and emerging filmmakers.

May

May The 4th Be With You: This is the way. No, there isn't really such an event. On this day, there may be some Star Wars-related events, but nothing as big as these other ones. I wish!

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations (May 5th; Statewide Events): Because Texas has a lot of Hispanic history, many cities celebrate Cinco de Mayo with festivals, parades, music, and traditional Mexican food.

Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio: Showcases Tejano and Conjunto music with performances and traditional food.

Austin Food + Wine Festival (Austin): Top chefs, sommeliers, and winemakers from across the country will be at this festival, which is a food and wine extravaganza. It has cooking demos, wine tastings, and samples of gourmet foods.

Kerrville Folk Festival (Kerrville): With 18 days, this is one of the longest music festivals in North America. It has workshops, concerts, and craft vendors, and it features singers and musicians from all over the world.

Pecan Street Festival (Austin): This is one of the biggest and free arts and crafts shows in Texas. It takes place every other year in the historic Sixth Street district. It has artists, food vendors, musicians, and people performing on the street.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival (Waxahachie): From April to May, this festival recreates a 16th-century English village with Renaissance entertainment, artisans, and performers.

Houston Art Car Parade (Houston): The world’s largest and oldest art car parade showcases cars transformed into artistic masterpieces.

Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival (Fort Worth): It's one of the biggest art shows in Texas, with 100s of artists, live concerts, and performances. It's usually held in April, but sometimes it goes into May.

Texas Crab Festival (Crystal Beach): A celebration of Gulf Coast style with a weekend full of crab-themed events, including a crab gumbo cook-off, crab races, and live music.

Dallas International Guitar Festival (Dallas): The oldest and largest guitar festival in the world, showcasing a mix of guitar legends and up-and-coming artists.

Asian Festival (San Antonio): A cultural festival celebrating the rich diversity of Asian cultures with traditional music, dance performances, and food.

A Full List of Summer Events, Festivals & Competitions in Texas (JUN-AUG)

June

Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally (Austin): One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the United States, featuring bike shows, concerts, and a parade through downtown Austin.

Juneteenth Celebrations (Various Locations): Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, these celebrations include parades, festivals, and historical reenactments.

Texas Folklife Festival (San Antonio): An immersive cultural event showcasing the diverse ethnic communities in Texas through food, music, and crafts.

Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series (Arlington): Offers free outdoor concerts spanning various music genres throughout the summer.

Luling Watermelon Thump (Luling): Celebrates the local watermelon harvest with watermelon eating contests, seed spitting contests, a parade, and live music.

Bandera ProRodeo (Bandera): A traditional rodeo event featuring bull riding, barrel racing, and other rodeo activities.

Free Press Summer Fest (Houston): A music and arts festival featuring a diverse lineup of bands and artists, held in Eleanor Tinsley Park.

Fort Worth's Juneteenth Festival (Fort Worth): A cultural celebration with live music, food vendors, and various community events.

Shakespeare in the Park (Dallas): An annual summer series of outdoor Shakespeare performances by the Dallas Shakespeare Festival.

July

Texas International Fishing Tournament (South Padre Island, TX): A major saltwater fishing competition focusing on skills and marine conservation.

Waco Independent Film Festival: Showcases independent films from Texas and worldwide.

Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic (Austin or Fort Worth) is a well-known music event that he hosts each year around the Fourth of July and features a lineup of country music performers.

Freedom Over Texas (Houston): Houston's official Fourth of July celebration, featuring live music, food, and a large fireworks display.

Fort Worth's Fourth (Fort Worth): A family-friendly Independence Day event with live music, water activities, and a fireworks show.

Market Days in Wimberley (Wimberley): Held on the first Saturday of each month, including July, where visitors can explore hundreds of booths with art, crafts, and food.

Cactus Pear Music Festival (San Antonio): A chamber music festival that takes place in early July, featuring musicians from around the world.

The Great Texas Balloon Race (Longview): A hot air balloon event featuring balloon glows, races, and concerts.

Port Aransas SandFest (Port Aransas): One of the largest sand sculpting festivals in the United States, with master sand sculptors showcasing their skills.

Kerrville Summer Music Festival (Kerrville): A smaller, more intimate version of the Kerrville Folk Festival, focusing on singer-songwriters and folk music.

Texas Shakespeare Festival (Kilgore): A summer-long festival celebrating Shakespeare with performances, workshops, and educational programs.

Rockport Art Festival (Rockport): An annual event featuring a variety of artists and craftspeople, with live music and food.

August

Austin Ice Cream Festival

Austin Ice Cream Festival (Austin): A family-friendly event celebrating ice cream with local vendors, activities, contests, and live entertainment.

Houston Shakespeare Festival (Houston): An annual event held at the University of Houston featuring free performances of Shakespeare's plays.

White Linen Night in the Heights (Houston): A community street party in the historic Heights neighborhood, where attendees dress in white linen and enjoy art, music, and local food.

GrapeFest (Grapevine): A celebration of Texas wine held in Grapevine, known as the "Wine Capital of Texas," with tastings, grape stomping, and culinary events.

Bat Fest (Austin): Celebrates the nightly emergence of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats from under the Congress Avenue Bridge with live music, food, and arts & crafts.

Texas International Fishing Tournament (South Padre Island): One of the largest saltwater fishing tournaments, usually held at the end of July or beginning of August.

Blanco Lavender Festival (Blanco): Held in the Lavender Capital of Texas, this festival celebrates lavender with tours of local farms, market vendors, and live music.

Hotter’N Hell Hundred (Wichita Falls): One of the oldest and largest cycling events in the U.S., where participants brave the Texas heat for a 100-mile ride.

Lubbock Arts Festival (Lubbock): Showcases visual and performing arts with artist booths, performances, and activities for children.

Fiesta La Ballona (Cotulla): A cultural festival featuring a parade, live music, food, and family entertainment.

Learn more: Top Most Popular Holidays & Festivals in August Around The World

Summer (General)

Great American Shoot-Out Basketball Tournaments (Various Events & Locations): One of the largest amateur basketball tournaments in the U.S.

USA Track & Field Championships (Various Events & Locations): These events bring together top track and field athletes from the country.

A Full List of Fall Events, Festivals & Competitions in Texas (SEP-NOV)

September

Grapevine's Texas Wine and Grape Harvest Festival (Grapevine): An event celebrating Texas vineyards with wine tastings, grape stomping, and culinary events.

Austin City Limits Music Festival (Austin): A massive music festival held over two weekends featuring a diverse lineup of big-name and emerging artists across various genres.

State Fair of Texas (Dallas): In late September and through October, this is one of the biggest state fairs in the U.S. It's known for its unique food, games, concerts, and the Big Tex statue that everyone knows.

West Texas Fair & Rodeo (Abilene): Offers traditional rodeo events, carnival rides, livestock shows, and entertainment.

Plano Balloon Festival (Plano): A family-friendly event featuring hot air balloon launches, races, and a variety of entertainment and activities.

Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival (Bryan): Celebrates Texas wine and steak with tastings, live music, and other activities.

CineSol Film Festival (Rio Grande Valley): Focuses on supporting and promoting independent filmmakers from the U.S. and Latin America.

Houston Hot Sauce Festival (Houston): A spicy food lover's paradise featuring a wide variety of hot sauces, salsas, and foods.

Oktoberfest (Fredericksburg): A celebration of German heritage with beer, music, food, and dancing in a town known for its German roots.

Gruene Music & Wine Fest (Gruene/New Braunfels): Combines Texas wines with live music in the historic district of Gruene.

Learn more: Most Popular Festivals in September in The World

October

Ironman Waco in Waco, TX: A grueling triathlon challenge with international participation.

San Antonio's Diwali Festival: Features Indian culture with dance, music, and fireworks.

Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo (Waco): Features rodeo events, craft competitions, and fair attractions.

Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest: A wine festival extravaganza in Texas wine country.

Texas Book Festival in Austin: Showcases readings and panels with authors from around the world.

November

Houston Turkish Festival: Celebrates Turkish culture with cuisine, folk dances, and crafts.

Dia de Los Muertos Festivals in Texas (Various Locations): Honors the departed with altars, parades, and traditional music.

Terlingua International Chili Championship (Terlingua, TX): A famous chili cook-off attracting global participants.

Homestead Fair in Waco: Showcases traditional crafts, farming techniques, and more.

Waco Cultural Arts Fest: Celebrates artistic and cultural expressions with a variety of activities and performances.

Unspecified Dates in Fall

Houston Jazz Festival: A vibrant jazz music showcase with live performances and masterclasses.

Texas Greek Festival (Various Locations): Offers a taste of Greece with traditional dance, music, and cuisine.

Learn more: 6 Most Popular and Best Festivals In The US You Should Not Miss

A Full List of Winter Events, Festivals & Competitions in Texas (DEC-FEB)

December

UIL Texas State High School Football Championships: Highlights Texas's high school football culture with championship games.

Waco Wonderland (1st week of December): A festive event with lights, decorations, and holiday activities.

Christmas at The Silos (Waco): Christmas at the Silos is a fun event that happens every year in December at Magnolia Market in Waco. There are holiday-themed activities, shopping for one-of-a-kind art and home decor, ice skating, live music, and Santa Claus will be there.

January

Texas Black Film Festival (Dallas): Showcases African-American cinema with screenings and discussions.

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (Fort Worth): One of the oldest continuously running livestock shows and rodeos, featuring livestock exhibitions, rodeo competitions, live music, and a carnival.

Houston Marathon and Half Marathon (Houston): A significant running event attracting thousands of runners from around the world, featuring a marathon, half marathon, and a 5K race.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations (Various Locations & Dates): Parades, marches, and commemorative events in cities across Texas to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Big Bend Ranch Rodeo (Alpine): Showcases the skills of real working cowboys in a competitive setting, featuring traditional rodeo events.

Ice Sculpting Competition (Galveston): Held as part of Galveston's annual Winter Wonder Island event featuring talented ice sculptors.

Polar Bear Plunge (Various Locations & Dates): A fun and chilly tradition where participants take a dip in cold waters to celebrate the New Year, often for charity.

Dallas Safari Club Convention & Expo (Dallas): One of the largest gatherings of hunters and conservationists, featuring exhibits, seminars, and auctions.

Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival (Austin): A tattoo convention featuring local and international artists, live tattooing, contests, and entertainment.

Eagle Fest in Emory (Emory): Celebrating the seasonal migration of bald eagles to the area with guided tours, educational programs, and bird watching.

February

Mardi Gras Galveston (Galveston): The third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

Bar-B-Que Cook-Off & Festival (San Antonio): The largest BBQ competition in Texas, featuring over 280 teams.

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (San Antonio): One of the largest livestock shows and rodeos in the country.

Cupid's Chase 5k Run (Various Locations): A charity event promoting community participation and support for people with disabilities.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run (Houston): A 10k race and 5k fun run/walk held in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Legends of Texas Whiskey Festival (Waco): At this event, famous Texas whiskey distilleries show off their work, including limited edition whiskey elixirs. Aside from meeting and conversing with professional athletes, visitors can also view memorabilia from illustrious historical figures.

Legends of Texas Whiskey Festival

Events With Changing Dates, Seasons or Locations

Krewe of Barkus (McKinney): A unique Mardi Gras parade featuring dogs in costumes.

Charro Days Fiesta (Brownsville): A bi-national festival celebrating the culture of the Texas-Mexico border region.

Austin Marathon & Half Marathon (Austin): A major running event featuring a course through Austin's landmarks.

Spindletop Spin Bike Ride (Beaumont): A cycling event benefiting a local charity.

Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas: Focuses on the migration of whooping cranes and wildlife conservation.

Other Notable Annual Competitions and Events

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: A prestigious classical music event that draws pianists from all over the world. Events take place in Fort Worth, Texas, in the fall, usually in October. They only happen every four years.

Big Tex BBQ Fest (Pasadena & Cotton Bowl): combines Texan culture with barbecue cooking skills to make the best BBQ festival ever. Throughout the year, many events take place in many places.

Each event shows how diverse Texas's culture and interests are, with everything from music and delicious food to sports and cultural celebrations.

10 Most Dangerous Religious Festivals In India India is one of the only few countries on this planet with a lot of different ethnic groups that managed to survive on the same ...

Top 15 Most Popular and Famous Festivals in Canada Annually, hundreds of festivals and holidays are celebrated in Canada attracting thousands of people.

Top 25 Most Famous Festivals In Europe 2024 You Should Enjoy We're your entry point to the largest events on the Old Continent, whether you're traveling to Europe for the beer, the cheer, or to see ...

15 Most Popular Cultural Festivals Around the World Each country is not only attractive to tourists by its scenic spots or cuisine, culture - festivals are also important factors to attract tourists. Here ...

US Calendar for All 12 Months: Full List of Holidays and Celebrations The US will observe several federal holidays and festivals in 2024. Let's review our extensive list below and highlight the most important days.