16. Houston Women’s Music Festival
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 601 Louisiana St.
Description: Since 1995, the Houston Women’s Music Festival has celebrated the artistic contributions of independent female musicians from the Gulf Coast region. Hosted by the Athena Art Project, this daylong event features performances by about 10 solo artists and groups, as well as wine tastings and food. Many artists also sell their work here. The festival is usually held in October, but it sometimes takes place in September. About 1,000 people—mostly women—attend each year. The event is held outside at Jones Plaza, so it tends to be hot and humid. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $22 at the gate. Parking is available for $7 in the Theater District Parking Garage in front of Jones Hall. Use entrance 4 on Texas Avenue or entrance 7 on Capitol Street.
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 21778 FM 1774
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
19. International Quilt Festival
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (713) 781-6864
Address: 1001 Avenida de las Americas
Description: Quilters and quilt collectors, rejoice. Your little piece of heaven can be found downtown at the George R. Brown Convention Center in late October or early November. That’s when the International Quilt Festival showcases thousands of beautiful quilts, cloth dolls, and other art made from fabric. Most are available for purchase. And, whether you quilt or just collect quilts, you’ll find something that suits you in the catalogue of more than 400 demonstrations and classes. General admission costs $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors 65 and over. Kids 10 and under get in free. For $35, you can get a full show pass, which gets you admission for all 4 days of the show, plus the preview night the evening before the main event.
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1601 NASA Pkwy.
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1 Reliant Park
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
25. Ice At Discovery Green
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1500 McKinney St.
Description: Snow is rare in Houston, but the Ice at Discovery Green might almost make you forget that. From Thanksgiving to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a 7,200-square-foot ice-skating rink is set up at Discovery Green, with a smaller area for younger children to play in the snow. The festive rink features art glass railings and mural kiosks, and is powered entirely by renewable energy. Other highlights include live music, open-air movies, a gift shop, and seasonal treats, like hot cocoa. Admission is $10 plus tax, which includes skate rental. Beginners can take 20-minute skating lessons for $25. Ten-visit passes are available for $84, or you can by a season pass for $124 per person. Parking is available at meters near Discovery Green and in paid lots and parking garages.
26. Mayor’s Holiday Celebration And Tree Lighting
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (832) 393-0868
Address: 901 Bagby St.
Description: In late November or early December, Houston’s mayor kicks off the holiday season outside City Hall. Held around the reflection pool, the celebration includes musical, theatrical, and dance performances before the lighting of the City Hall Christmas tree. The evening wraps up with a fireworks display, creating a spectacular backdrop for the newly lit tree. The event is free and open to the public.
27. Meineke Car Care Bowl Of Texas
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1 Reliant Park
Description: Held at the end of December in Reliant Stadium, this event, a Houston favorite, features teams from the Big 12 and Big Ten Conferences. Pre-game festivities include a carnival with plenty of games, and tailgating competitions, plus the consumption of plenty of stadium food favorites and libations, all of which happen right in the parking lot. There is a fee for parking and tickets start at just under $20.
28. Glowarama
City: Houston, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1500 McKinney St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Downtown Houston lights up in more ways than one on New Year’s Eve, thanks to Discovery Green. When the sun goes down, the park begins ringing in the New Year with a variety of family-friendly activities. The main event, though, is the illuminated art car parade. Houstonians young and old line the streets around Discovery Green to cheer as cars decorated like everything from peacocks to boats drive down the street, honking and—in some cases—tossing beads to bystanders. Throughout the evening, several musicians perform at Discovery Green. Glowarama is free. Prefer to stay in for New Year’s Eve? The entire event airs on local television stations, so you can enjoy the highlights without leaving the couch.