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Houston Events
January
Compaq 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.
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