Houston festivals and annual events

Some Houston events are worth planning a trip around, and a few are worth planning a whole season around. This page collects the annual ones: the festivals, parades and holiday traditions that come back every year. Each guide covers what to expect, how to get there and how to avoid the worst of the crowds. For what is happening this week, see events.

Winter into spring: Rodeo season

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over NRG Park every year from late winter into March, with nightly concerts, a carnival, livestock shows and one of the biggest barbecue cook-offs anywhere. It is the city’s signature event. Our Rodeo survival guide covers tickets, parking and what is worth your time.

Spring and summer

Spring brings parades, art fairs and crawfish season, while the outdoor calendar is at its best before the heat sets in. Summer moves indoors and to the water, with Fourth of July fireworks as the big shared night out. Our Fourth of July guide lists where to watch.

Fall and the holidays

Cooler weather restarts the outdoor festival season, and the year ends with holiday lights, markets and seasonal shows across the city and suburbs. Our Christmas events guide rounds them up.

Doing the big events well

The large festivals draw crowds from across the region, so the same few habits pay off every time. Buy tickets early for anything with a headliner. Check whether the venue is on the METRORail Red Line before you drive: NRG Park, downtown and the Museum District all are, and the train avoids event-day parking entirely. Our downtown parking guide covers the rest.

Plan for the weather, too. Even spring and fall events can be warm in the afternoon, and summer events are best enjoyed after sunset. Bring water, wear sunscreen, and keep an eye on the forecast, because Gulf Coast storms can arrive quickly.