January

Mardi Gras - Galveston Island hosts annual Mardi Gras festivities that stretch throughout the Lenten season from January to February. Among the fun related activities are film screenings, sporting events, theatrical performances, masked balls, and colorful processions.

February

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - An amazing tribute to the famed cowboy culture of Texas, this 17 day celebration includes well-known cowboys trying their luck with bulls and broncos - all to the tunes of some of the biggest names in country music.

April

Houston International Festival - Another extravaganza of fun with 10 days of multicultural celebration that features food, art, and music. Events are held throughout the city starting in the third week of April.

Houston International Film Festival - One of the crowning events of the International Festival is the film festival.

Westheimer Colony Arts Festival - The city's Montrose District gets decked out for this showy event. Everyone puts on their best (or at least strangest) and shows up for the parades and to roam through the blocks of booths selling food, antiques, art, and less identifiable items. And for those who cannot get enough, the festival occurs again in October.

June

Juneteenth - This event is centered around June 19. In 1865, this was the day that word of the emancipation reached slaves in Texas. A variety of events abound including gospel and blues festivals and other local African-American cultural celebrations.

August

Theater District Open House - Each year the Theater District celebrates its annual Open House with all 9 of the city's major performing arts organizations opening their doors to give Houstonians a peek at the upcoming season. The event is free and features a wide range of activities including backstage tours, live performances, question and answer sessions with performers, activities for the kids, and free refreshments. This is also the best time to pick up season tickets, often at significant discounts or in package deals unavailable at other times of year.

Houston Shakespeare Festival - The University of Houston School of Theatre presents two Shakespeare plays annually, alternating the performances over a period of two weeks. The shows are free and run from Wednesday to Saturday of each week.

September

Fiestas Patrias - Throughout the Southwest, Mexican Americans annually celebrate two Mexican national holidays (Cinco De Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre), which are known as the fiestas patrias. With the growth of its Hispanic population, Houston began its celebrations in the 1920s. They have evolved from including only historic dramas to a series of events held throughout the month of September including a pageant and other festivities.

The Original Houston Hot Sauce Festival - This annual event draws over 20,000 Chiliheads each year with an amazing array of hot sauce, salsa, spices, marinades, chips, dips, jams, jellies, pickles, peppers, condiments, gourmet food, recipes, and more all ranging from harmless to blisteringly hot. Everyone is also well stocked with cold drinks to wash down the hot food. When your taste buds need a break, check out all the other fun including an amateur salsa competition, live entertainment, kids activities, crafts, and more.

October

Wings Over Houston - Ellington Field hosts one of the country's best air shows. The limitless sky serves as the stage for daring aerial acrobatics and precision flying as all the planes from modern jets to vintage crafts take flight. Typically the show includes team flying as well as a reenactment of a historic air battle. Of course, food and fun for the whole family abounds.

Texas Renaissance Festival - On weekends from October to November, you can join in the period fun as you mix with costumed knights, maidens, kings, and peasants as well as some fine musicians, fighters, and more. The festival features 21 stages with over 200 performances daily spread throughout a 50-acre complex. For an international experience, check out the food, games, and entertainment from around the world.

November

Texas Championship Pow Wow - Dozens of Native American tribes are represented at this event as several hundred Native Americans gather to celebrate their cultural heritage and perform traditional dances. These dances form a series of competitions. Also gathered are a variety of artisans, craftsmen, and traders. Visitors have the opportunity to experience a taste of Native American culture such as with the display of genuine teepees.

Uptown Holiday Lighting - It wouldn't be the holiday season in Houston without the Uptown Holiday Lighting festivities. People crowd onto Post Oak Boulevard waiting expectantly for the flip of a switch that will illuminate the half a million lights strung on more than 80 Christmas trees lining the street. Local choirs and bands provide seasonal entertainment and the festivities are crowned by a fireworks display.

December

Christmas Boat Parade - One of Houston's unique tributes to the season includes this floating extravaganza. More than 100 vessels get elaborately decorated for this judged procession around Clear Lake. Everyone enjoys watching the festivities whether from the boats, the shore, or the waterside restaurants.

Sources:

( Houston Events Calendar ) (Accessed November 12, 2004)

( Lonely Planet - Houston ) (Accessed November 12, 2004)