City: Houston, TX

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Insider Pick:

Description: Whether you like good art or just want something fun to do here in March or October, put the Bayou City Art Festival on your must-­do list. The semiannual event is regarded as one of the country’s best art festivals—and for good reason. More than 300 artists and crafters from around the country participate, and all of them must apply and win the approval of the festival jury. The semiannual festival is held along a 1.1-mile loop in Memorial Park for 3 days during late March; in mid-­October a 2-day show is held downtown in front of City Hall around Hermann Square and at Sam Houston Park. In addition to gallery-­quality art of all media, both shows feature cooking demonstrations from some of the city’s top chefs, food and wine samplings, artist demonstrations, live musical and dance performances, and the Creative Zone, where kids make crafts such as mini art cars and wax hand sculptures. Admission is $12 for guests 12 and up; kids under 12 get in free. All festival profits benefit local charities. Although both festivals are held outdoors, pets aren’t allowed.Unfortunately, there’s no public parking in Memorial Park for the Bayou City Art Festival. But you can take a free shuttle to and from Northwest Mall (located on Loop 610 North at 18th Street). On Saturday and Sunday, there’s also free shuttle service between the park and three locations downtown—Memorial Drive at Rusk Street, Smith Street at Capitol Street, and Rusk Street at Smith Street.