Texas, United States — Events
Rodeo and Livestock Show
Houston’s raunchy rodeo is the largest in the world, and its accompanying livestock fair second in size only to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. This three-week spectacular not only includes the world-beater rodeo competition and about 35,000 livestock entered in different categories, but it also offers hundreds of other agricultural-related activities from pig races to pony rides, and premier concert entertainment.
Houston International Jazz Festival
Summertime in Houston is made even hotter during the first weekend of August when a variety of international jazz performers take over at Bayou Place for the annual Houston International Jazz Festival. Whether you prefer your jazz in Latin, contemporary or smooth mode, it is catered for at the Festival. It marks the start of a month-long citywide focus on jazz during which local clubs offer promotions and lectures, and radio stations focus on the popular music genre.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
A visit to San Antonio in February wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this rodeo and agricultural extravaganza. Currently preparing for its 61st anniversary event, there is also plenty of great shopping, eating, a carnival, and rock n’ roll and Latin music in equal measure.
Carnaval Brasileiro
One of the biggest carnivals staged outside Brazil, and undoubtedly Austin’s biggest party, is the euphoric Carnaval Brasiliero, a tradition in the city every February since it was started on a small scale in 1975 by a group of home-sick Brazilian students at the local university. Carnaval was adopted enthusiastically by Austinites and today the crowds pack into the Palmer Events Center to samba, march and drum the cold winter night away.
North Texas Irish Festival
Over the past quarter of a century the North Texas Irish Festival has become a March tradition in Dallas. Featuring more than 50 different bands, a blend of traditional and modern Celtic groups and solo artists, it is now the largest musical festival in the state. Along with the music and dance performances comes a wide variety of exhibitors, workshops, plays and demonstrations. It is not all Irish, either. Local Scottish clans join in, demonstrating the strong bonds between Irish and Scottish heritage with the popular ‘Scottish Village’.
South by Southwest
The largest and most important of the many live music events for which Austin is renowned is the annual South by Southwest festival, held at more than 50 venues around the city and drawing performers from around the world. The festival program includes 1,000 performances on more than 50 stages over a five-day period. In recent years the festival has expanded to encompass film and multi-media, both these categories now forming separate extravaganzas to make South by Southwest a convergence of entertainment and media.
Buffalo Bayou Regatta
Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, the waterways that weave through downtown, beckons visitors and locals alike to join in the fun at the annual canoe and kayak regattas, and Dragon Boat Festival. The serious racing is complemented by a hilarious ‘Anything that floats’ race, a relaxing picnic in Sesquicentennial Park, educational environment and nature demonstrations, and a trash pick-up with prizes.
Texas Hill Country Food and Wine Festival
Austin becomes a cuisine and fine wine destination towards the end of March and beginning of April with some of the best chefs in the US culinary scene descending upon the town at the behest of many of Texas’s local masters to educate and indulge a hungry and thirsty public. For more information, call (512) 249 6300 or email info@texaswineandfood.org.
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
The Deep Ellum Entertainment District is the hottest and most happening neighborhood in downtown Dallas and a fitting setting for the adult-oriented street-party styled annual arts festival, which draws more than 100,000 devotees over the three-day run. The festival features three outdoor stages with non-stop band performances, numerous diverse visual arts exhibitions from murals to ‘art cars’, fashion shows, a pet parade and a poetry circus. Admittance to the three-day festival is free. For more information, email info@meifestivals.com
Fiesta
Held every year in late April, Fiesta is a massive, mariachi fuelled celebration that spans 10 days, hundreds of performers and thousands of spectators from across San Antonio’s multicultural spectrum. With over 100 events, it is by some margin the biggest party in Texas and a great time to visit the city. Fiesta originated in 1891 and has today grown into a community benefit event that generates millions for charity.
