There are festivals and events happening all over Houston throughout the year in the city's many parks and through its historical streets. Houston's various colorful festivals include sporting events, walking tours, a Japanese festival, July 4 festivities, music festivals and boating parades.
If nothing seems to be on during your visit, head for Tranquility Park outside of Houston's City Hall, where shows are often held. There is always a wide range of things to do in Houston.
National Public Holidays- 1st January - New Year's Day
- Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
- 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
- Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
- Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
- 4th July - Independence Day
- First Monday in September - Labor Day
- Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
- 11th November - Veterans Day
- 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
- 25th December - Christmas Day
Houston Calendar of Festivals and Events 2012 / 2013
January
- HP Houston Marathon - mid-January, this single-loop race through Houston's neighborhoods is a fun day out for all, but a grueling day for the runners
February
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - late February/early March, a three-week show featuring some well-known country musicians and drawing millions of people
- Mardi Gras - late February, full details from the visitors' bureau lists all the events in this popular two-week family festival
March
- The River Oaks Garden Club's Azalea Trail - early March, this colorful azalea tour around the city takes in the River Oaks neighborhood and the renowned Bayou Bend
April
- Japan Festival - early April, this festival of origami, color, music and folk dancing set in the quaint Japanese Gardens in Hermann Park celebrates Japanese culture and also includes martial arts demonstrations and Ikebana flower design
- Houston International Festival - third week of April, this 10-day event celebrates food, art and music in the city
May
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration - May 5, a celebration for Mexicans, who beat the French on this date and includes a downtown parade, Mariachi music and dancers at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park
June
- Juneteenth Celebration - June 19, a month-long festival marking the date in 1865 when Texan slaves were freed by the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Also at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park, the festival includes parades and musical performances in celebration of African-American heritage
July
- Fourth of July at Miller Outdoor Theater - July 4, the annual celebration of independence with fireworks and a 16-cannon salute
- ArtHouston - early July, an evening art walk with more than 30 galleries participating
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - late July / early August, an extravaganza of performing animals and clowns for the whole family
August
- Houston International Jazz Festival - early August, a weekend of jazz performances in two of the city's best venues celebrating the birth of jazz
- Ballunar Liftoff - late August, held at the Space Center and Clear Lake and involving more than 100 balloons, the Ballunar liftoff is a dazzling display that includes sky diving and hang gliding demonstrations
September
- Fiestas Patrias - September, a celebration of the independence of Hispanic nations including Mexico and other Central American countries
October
- Wings Over Houston Air Show - early October, Houston's annual air show featuring amazing, death defying displays and other activities
- Houston Italian Festival (Festa Italiana) - held for three days in mid-October at the University of St. Thomas grounds this event celebrates the Italian way of life with fun activities for all including, wine tasting, grape stomp competition, bocce tournament, pasta eating contest and planty more
- The Texas Renaissance Festival - October and November, taking place every weekend during these months, the Renaissance Festival celebrates the 16th century with gusto
November
- Texas Championship American Pow Wow - mid-November, a two-day festival of traditional singing and dancing by Native Americans from all over the country as well as arts and crafts and food displays
- Thanksgiving Day Parade - a colorful downtown parade featuring floats, bands and Santa Claus
December
- Christmas Boat Parade on Clear Lake - mid-December, a procession of dressed-up boats on Clear Lake
