Houston's festival season is in full swing, a perfect time to celebrate music, art and food and enjoy the great weather with outdoor events. We've gathered 20 of the city’s must-attend festivals that you should not miss this spring.
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival
Printed artwork from Florencio Zavala is seen during The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival.
Gustavo Huerta, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerTaking place along the scenic banks of The Woodlands Waterway and Town Green Park, festival guests can enjoy an outdoor art gallery with music, food, and kid's activities, as well as shopping for works of art created by fine artists from all over the world.
When: 1-5 p.m. April 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 15 and 10 a.m.-5p.m. April 16
Where: Woodlands Waterway Square, Waterway Square Pl, The Woodlands
Details: $11-$28, free for ages 12 and under; thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/p/festival
MORE FROM ANA KHAN: Free things to do in Houston: Museums, boat tour, outdoor movies, bats
Houston Art Car Parade
People celebrate during the annual Houston Art Car Parade in downtown Houston.
Mark Mulligan/Staff photographerFor its 36th year, Houston celebrates one of its most beloved events, featuring more than 250 art cars rolling through downtown. Marilyn Oshman, the Orange Show’s founder, will be this year’s grand marshal, and you can expect kids activity stations and more along the route.
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 15
Where: Hermann Square at City Hall, 901 Bagby
Details: thehoustonartcarparade.com
Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival
Tomball's Rails & Tails Mudbug Festival.
Courtesy of City of TomballAlong with boiled crawfish and other Cajun treats, festivalgoers will enjoy a variety of festival foods. Performing this year is Palomino Moon, Bayou Roux will fill the Depot Plaza with tasty sounds of Cajun rock and closing out the festival is award-winning country artists Buck Yeager Band.
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 15
Where: 201 S. Elm St., Tomball
Details: Free; tomballtx.gov
Puranava Indian Art & Culture Fest
The Puranava Indian Culture Fest returns to the Pearland Town Center Pavilion.
Courtesy Puranava Indian Culture FestExperience Indian culture through performances, art exhibits, hands-on activities, a bazaar with local food, plus youth competitions in chess, art, dance and trivia.
When: 4-8 p.m. April 15
Where: Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway St., Pearland
Details : Free; puranava-usa.org
Houston Whiskey Riot Festival
The Whiskey Riot Festival.
Whiskey Riot FestivalThis Downtown festival for all things whiskey offers more than 200 whiskies, inventive whiskey cocktails, and a chance to meet master distillers.
When: 4 p.m. April 15
Where: POST Houston, 401 Franklin
Details: $85-$160; bit.ly/3UDVFUl
Love Street Music Fest
Photos from Karbach Brewery's annual Love Street Music Fest in Houston.
Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographerKarbach Brewing Company brings back its annual Love Street Music Fest at the Biergarten. The festival will be headlined by Grammy-nominated rockers Spoon, Jukebox the Ghost and Mind Shrine.
When: 5-10 p.m. April 15
Where: Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach
Details: $40-$135; bit.ly/43eEcpj
Brazilian Food and Music Festival
The Brazilian Food and Music Festival in Katy, Texas.
Courtesy photoThe 8th Annual Brazilian Food and Music Festival will offer mouthwatering cuisine and vibrant music. The event will also feature live samba music, arts and crafts, kids' area, and vendor.
When: Noon-6 p.m. April 16
Where: Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 Katy Fwy, Katy
Details: $12-$15; bit.ly/3KMSO83
Obscure Houston Oddities Market: April Fools Festival
Cotton Moth Studio by Karla AnaMarie is a featured vendor at this year's Obscure Houston Oddities Market: April Fools Festival.
Cotton Moth StudioNumbers Night Club hosts a unique market featuring goth boutiques, taxidermy, bones and skulls, antiques, vintage toys and clothes, as well as plenty of other peculiar goods. In addition to a live performance by Houston's own avant-garde group Ak'chamel, there will be a comedy showcase and a DJ set.
When: 1-8 p.m. April 16
Where: Numbers Night Club, 300 Westheimer
Details: $7-$10, free for ages 5 and under; bit.ly/3KOSMN8
The 15th Annual H-Town Blues Festival
Singer Calvin Richardson performs at The 15th Annual H-Town Blues Festival.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARASThe annual blues extravaganza returns to Houston, featuring renowned blues musicians like Tucka, Calvin Richardson, Pokey Bear, King George, and many more.
When: 8 p.m. April 21
Where: NRG Park, 1 NRG Pkwy
Details: $59 and up; nrgpark.com
Houston LatinFest
Michele Capri, center, and other members of Samba Houston perform at the Houston Latin Fest.
Melissa Phillip/Staff photographerLive Latin music, local vendors and delicious Latin food are all part of this family-friendly annual music and cultural festival.
When: 1-10 p.m. April 23
Where: The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land, 18355 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land
Details: $12 and up; theofficialhoustonlatinfest.com
The Grand Kids Festival
The Annual Grand Kids Festival presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House.
Courtesy photoThis free, family-friendly festival features fine arts activities for kids in the Cultural Arts District of Downtown Galveston, including hands-on projects, dance performances, shows, inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides, and more, all hosted by the Grand 1894 Opera House.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 29
Where: Downtown Galveston, 502 20th St, Galveston
Details: Free; grandkidsfestival.com
Frida Festival
The annual Frida Festival in Houston.
Alex Barber: Visible in LightHouston's East End has hosted the Frida Festival for the past 18 years. This year's celebration features local performers, an arts market with unique finds and the famous Frida look-alike contest for all ages.
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 29
Where: MECA, 1900 Kane
Details: fridafestival.org
Houston Zydeco Fest
The Houston Zydeco Fest returns to Emancipation Park.
Houston Zydeco FestThis event at Emancipation Park, combines Zydeco music with food vendors and games, contests, and other activities.
When: 2-10 p.m. April 29
Where: Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation
Details: $13 and up; houstonzydecofest.com
Sonoma County Wine Fest
The Kemah Boardwalk hosts the Sonoma County Wine Fest.
Kirk Sides/Staff photographerSpend the day sampling over 72 wines from Sonoma County, snacking on delicious appetizers and listening to live music at Kemah Boardwalk.
When: 2-5 p.m. April 29
Where: 215 Kipp, Kemah
Details: $59.95 and up; kemahwine.com
Japan Festival Houston
A Sakura Sakura performance during the Japan Festival Houston at Hermann Park.
James Nielsen/Houston ChronicleIn celebration of its 30th anniversary, the popular Japan Festival will return to Hermann Park for two days of music, dance, martial arts, food, hands-on activities, and more.
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 6-7
Where: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin
Details: Free; houstonjapanfest.org
Spring Festival
The Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston.
Photo by Slight Clutter Photography/Katya HorneJoin GHIRP's premiere Spring Festival featuring live music, food, drinks, raffles and children's activities, all in support of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project's mission to provide holistic legal services to immigrants in need.
When: Noon-4 p.m. May 6
Where: The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine
Details: $10 and up; bit.ly/3ZVJLGe
38th Annual Texas Crab Festival
The Texas Crab Festival at Crystal Beach.
Jake DanielsThe annual festival kicks off Mother's Day weekend at Crystal Beach's Festival Park. Festivities include a Crab Gumbo Cook-Off, arts and crafts and live music. A crab legs contest and a 5K run are also on the schedule.
When: p.m. May 12-14
Where: Festival Park, 1605 Highway 87, Crystal Beach
Details: $20; bit.ly/3GxV7cG
Houston Art Bike Festival
Art bike riders start the art bike parade during Houston’s first Art Bike Festival in MacGregor Park.
Justin Rex/ContributorThe Houston Art Bike Festival features an Art Bike Parade where families, individuals, and youth groups are invited to participate and cheer on hundreds of art bikes rolling through MacGregor Park. There will be live music, community activations, food and drinks, and art bikes. Head to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art after the parade for live music from Mononeon, exciting interactive art, food and drinks.
When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. May 13
Where: MacGregor Park, 5225 Calhoun
Details: Free; artbikehouston.com
Buzzfest 2023
Fans cheersat Buzzfest at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion in The Woodlands, TX.
Eric Kayne/For the ChronicleThis year's event will be headlined by Godsmack, I Prevail, Highly Suspect, The Struts, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and The Warning.
When: 2:30 p.m. May 13
Where: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands
Details: $39 and up; woodlandscenter.org
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
Representatives from the Volunteer Firemen's Association of Pasadena Ladies Auxiliary wave to the crowd during the Pasadena Strawberry Festival parade.
Kirk Sides/Houston ChronicleThe annual strawberry celebration returns to Pasadena to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The event features live music, the world’s largest strawberry shortcake, mutton bustin', a car show, carnival rides and a BBQ cook-off.
When: May 18-21
Where: Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena
Details : $5-$30; strawberryfest.org
ana.khan@houstonchronicle.com