International Quilt Festival Houston: Tickets, Classes and Guide

At a glance

• Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Downtown Houston
• When: Typically October or November — check quilts.com for exact dates each year
• Cost: General admission typically around $15–$20 per day; Preview Night and multi-day passes available — check quilts.com before you go
• Parking: GRB attached garages (event rates apply); downtown lots nearby; METRO Red Line to Convention District
• Time needed: Half a day to browse; a full day if you attend a class

The International Quilt Festival comes to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston every fall, typically in October or November. Organized by Quilts Inc., the show fills multiple floors of the convention center with more than 1,200 quilts on display and more than 600 vendor booths selling fabric, notions, patterns, tools, and finished work. Quilts Inc. describes it as the largest annual quilt show in the United States.

This guide covers how to buy tickets, whether Preview Night is worth the extra cost, how to register for classes, what to do on the vendor floor if you only have one day, and which nearby hotels to book before they sell out.

Tickets and passes

General admission is sold by the day. Multi-day passes are available at a discount if you plan to attend more than once. Check the current prices at quilts.com before you go — ticket prices are posted when registration opens, typically a few months before the show. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but buying online in advance avoids the entrance line.

Is Preview Night worth the extra cost?

Preview Night gives ticket-holders early access to the vendor floor on the evening before the main show opens to general admission. It typically runs on a Wednesday evening. The booths are fully stocked, the aisles are clear, and items in highest demand — limited-edition fabric collections, one-of-a-kind hand-dyed yardage, tools from small makers — are all still available.

If shopping is your primary goal, Preview Night is worth the premium. If you are mainly coming to see the juried quilt exhibits, save the money. The exhibits are on display all five days and look the same whether you attend Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon.

Classes: how registration works

The International Quilt Festival offers hundreds of classes ranging from 3-hour beginner sessions to multi-day intensives taught by internationally recognized quilt artists and designers. Topics include hand quilting, machine quilting, appliqué, color theory, foundation paper piecing, and specialty surface design.

What to know before you register:

• Class registration opens on quilts.com, typically in the summer months before the October show. Check the site for the exact opening date.
• Classes fill quickly, especially those with well-known instructors. Register on or near the day registration opens.
• Classes are sold separately from general admission. An all-day class may include that day's admission; a half-day class generally does not, so budget for a separate admission ticket.
• After registering, you will receive a supply list by email. Bring every item on it — instructors build the class around those specific tools and materials.

A class is the most focused way to spend a full day at the festival. A practical beginner approach: a 3-hour technique class in the morning, followed by the vendor floor in the afternoon.

Vendor floor strategy

The vendor floor spans multiple levels of the George R. Brown Convention Center with more than 600 booths. First-timers consistently describe feeling overwhelmed by the scale. These strategies help:

• Pick up a floor map at the entrance. Booths are organized loosely by category — fabric, tools, patterns, books, finished goods. The map tells you which section has what.
• Walk the full floor once before you buy. You will spot the vendor at the far end who has exactly what you passed on in the first aisle.
• Bring a rolling tote or wheeled cart. Fabric by the yard adds up fast. A rolling bag saves your shoulders on a long day — the show sells bags at the entrance if you forget yours.
• Set a spending budget before you walk in. The vendor floor is specifically designed to make this difficult.
• Cash and cards both work. Most vendors accept credit cards. Some smaller makers prefer cash for fabric cuts.

Special exhibits: what to look for

Beyond the vendor floor, the show's juried competition displays hundreds of quilts — large-scale works that take years to complete and read more like paintings than anything you would put on a bed. The show also includes a rotating lineup of curated special exhibits organized by guilds, invited artists, and designer groups. These change each year. Check quilts.com before you go to see what is showing; the exhibit lineup is typically posted a few months before opening day.

All exhibits are included with general admission. No separate ticket is required.

Where to stay nearby

Two hotels connect directly to the George R. Brown Convention Center via enclosed skybridge: the Hilton Americas-Houston and the Marriott Marquis Houston. If you want to move between your room and the show floor without going outside — useful on early morning class days and during Houston's October heat — one of these is worth booking first. Both sell out during major convention weeks.

For a broader look at downtown options, see our hotels in downtown Houston guide.

Hilton Americas-Houston

Downtown · 1600 Lamar St · directly connected to GRB via skybridge

The Hilton Americas is a full-service convention hotel sharing a block with GRB and connected via skybridge. It is the most convenient property for festival-goers who want to drop purchases in their room between the vendor floor and dinner. Typically the first to sell out — reserve as soon as the festival dates are posted.

Marriott Marquis Houston

Downtown · 1777 Walker St · connected to GRB via skybridge

The Marquis opened in 2016 and connects to GRB via skybridge. Its rooftop pool is shaped like the state of Texas. Rooms are larger than convention-hotel average. Slightly higher price point than the Hilton Americas but comparable walking distance.

Hyatt Regency Houston

Downtown · 1200 Louisiana St · about a 10-minute walk

About a half-mile north of GRB, the Hyatt Regency connects to the downtown tunnel system — useful during Houston heat or rain. A reliable convention-week hotel with consistent service.

JW Marriott Houston Downtown

Downtown · 806 Main St · about 15 minutes on foot

A higher-end option on the Main Street corridor near the theater district. Best for combining the festival with a dinner evening in the downtown core. Farther from GRB than the skybridge properties.

Cambria Hotel Houston Downtown

Downtown · 1314 Texas Ave · about a 10-minute walk

A mid-tier hotel on the northeast side of downtown. Festival-week rates at the Cambria are typically below those at the convention-connected hotels. Book early — it fills during large shows.

Aloft Houston Downtown

Downtown · 1422 Texas Ave · about a 10-minute walk

A Marriott Bonvoy mid-tier brand, consistently priced below the full-service convention options. Solid pick for staying downtown without paying convention-center rates.

Hampton Inn & Suites Houston Downtown

Downtown · 115 E Dallas St · about a 15-minute walk or short rideshare

One of the better value options in the downtown core, with free hot breakfast included. Books out during large convention weeks — reserve as early as possible once dates are confirmed.

Courtyard by Marriott Houston Downtown/Convention Center

Downtown · 916 Dallas St · about a 10-minute walk

Positioned between GRB and the Marriott Marquis. Reliable mid-tier with on-site breakfast available for purchase. A practical choice if the skybridge hotels are sold out.

How we chose

These eight hotels were selected for proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center, confirmed operating status via their brand websites as of October 2026, and coverage of a range of price points. The two skybridge-connected properties are listed first because direct indoor access is genuinely useful during festival days. Prices spike significantly during convention weeks — book as early as possible once quilts.com posts the year's dates.

Getting there and parking

The George R. Brown Convention Center is at 1001 Avenida De Las Americas in Downtown Houston. The METRO Red Line stops at the Convention District station, one block from the main entrance. The line connects downtown to Midtown, the Museum District, and Uptown, making it a practical option for visitors staying anywhere along the corridor. Full details in our METRO Houston guide.

If you drive, GRB has attached parking garages. Event parking rates apply during the festival. Off-site surface lots on surrounding blocks are typically cheaper, especially with an early arrival. Current lot options and rates are in our downtown Houston parking guide.

For a full breakdown of the convention center itself — loading, registration, food options inside — see our George R. Brown Convention Center guide.

Where to eat nearby

The Hilton Americas and Marriott Marquis both have on-site dining. For the full range of options, our Downtown Houston restaurant guide covers the neighborhood. Two worth singling out:

Xochi, the Oaxacan restaurant at the Marriott Marquis by chef Hugo Ortega, is the top dinner option within walking distance of GRB. See the Xochi guide for what to order and how to get a table.

Discovery Green, the park directly across Avenida de las Americas from GRB, has food vendors on event weekends — a faster option when festival lines inside are long.

Save this: your IQF planning checklist

• [ ] Check quilts.com for exact dates and ticket prices as soon as they are posted
• [ ] Register for classes early — the best-known instructors fill within days of registration opening
• [ ] Book your hotel when dates are confirmed; skybridge properties sell out first
• [ ] Bring a rolling tote or wheeled cart for fabric purchases
• [ ] Download the floor map before you arrive (available on quilts.com)
• [ ] Set a spending budget before you step onto the vendor floor
• [ ] Wear flat, comfortable shoes — the show floor is concrete
• [ ] Bring your class supply list and arrive 10 minutes early
• [ ] Preview Night is worth the extra cost if shopping is your priority; skip it if exhibits are the draw
• [ ] METRO Red Line to Convention District is faster than driving during convention week

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is the International Quilt Festival in Houston?

The International Quilt Festival in Houston is held annually in October or November at the George R. Brown Convention Center, typically running four to five days including Preview Night. Exact dates change each year — check quilts.com once the current year's schedule is posted.

How much are International Quilt Festival tickets?

General admission has typically run around $15 to $20 per day. Multi-day passes and a Preview Night ticket are available at different price points. Check quilts.com for current pricing before you go.

Do you need to quilt to enjoy the International Quilt Festival?

No. Many visitors come specifically for the vendor floor and to see the juried quilt exhibits, which include large-scale works that take years to complete. No quilting experience is required to enjoy the show.

How do I register for International Quilt Festival classes?

Class registration opens on quilts.com, typically in the summer months before the October show. Classes fill quickly — register on or near the day registration opens for the best selection of instructors and techniques.

Which hotels are closest to the George R. Brown Convention Center?

The Hilton Americas-Houston (1600 Lamar St) and the Marriott Marquis Houston (1777 Walker St) connect directly to GRB via enclosed skybridge. Both are typically the first to sell out during the festival.

Can you take METRO rail to the International Quilt Festival?

Yes. The METRO Red Line stops at the Convention District station, one block from the main entrance of George R. Brown Convention Center. The Red Line connects downtown to Midtown, the Museum District, and Uptown.