Some of the fun events & festival and things to do in Texas this year - from rodeos to music  to art shows and more.   If you have an event you would like listed, let me know.   We do not list monthly "markets" and reserve the right to decide what is appropriate here.   We also greatly appreciate it if you list our site on yours.  It makes me like you more.

Trip Diaries:  Galveston (the first article I've managed to finish). Fort Davis article coming soon.  We LOVE Fort Davis, the McDonald Observatory, the drier air out there, etc.

 
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January  (PLEASE NOTE.  Not all events have been updated, but the URLs should still be valid)

• Taylor County Livestock Show & Sale, Abilene, January 22-25, 2020 - Youth compete for best in show.
• Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo, January 17-Feb 8, 2020 - Fun rodeo festival.
• Texas Citrus Fiesta - Parade of Oranges, Mission, January 25,2020 - Parade in celebration of the citrus industry of the Rio Grande Valley.
• Jefferson Quilt Show, Jefferson, January 24-25, 2020 - A show of fabulous "quilts on the bayou".
• Dwight Yoakum In Concert, Houston, Jan 23, 2020 - PLEASE, if anyone out there loves me, please buy me tickets for this show.  I've seen Dwight Yoakum at a private party about 15 years ago, and of all the live performance I've seen, ranging from Willie Nelson to Bette Midler, I think Dwight Yoakum puts on the best show ever.  
• Washington's Birthday Celebration, Laredo, Jan 25, 2020 - Carnival celebrating George Washington, a longstanding tradition.

February

• Chaka Khan, Houston, Feb 1, 2020  - One of the reigning divas of R&B and soul, 10-time GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan ("I Feel for You,' "Through the Fire," "I'm Every Woman," "Ain't Nobody") returns to Arena Theatre for an up close and intimate concert. 
• San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, San Angelo, February 1-17, 2019 - One of the top rodeos in the nation based on total purse, the San Angelo Rodeo brings top cowboys and cowgirls from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association every year.
• Tracy Lawrence, Houston, Feb 15  - with Special Guest Sister Hazel
• William Shatner & Star Trek II Wrath of Khan, Houston Feb 16 - Prepare to be beamed up for an unforgettable night with William Shatner, live on stage. In this unique evening you’ll enjoy a screening of the classic film “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” on the big screen.
• Charro Days, Brownsville, February 28-Mar 10, 2019 - The biggest celebration in the Rio Grande Valley.
• Mardi Gras Southeast Texas, Port Arthur, February 28-March 3, 2019 - Motorcycle show & run and tons of fun.
• Mardi Gras! Galveston, Galveston, February 22-Mar 5, 2019- An extravagant Mardi Gras celebration, Texas-style.
• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Houston, Feb 25-March 17, 2019 - I grew up going to this every year.  The Cutting Horse competition was my favorite event, but the Cutting Horse Association has their own events now.  And if you're going to the rodeo, please see a C&W performer, not some pop star.

March

• South by Southwest, Austin, Mar 8-17, 2019- A unique festival of music, film, and technology.
• Mardi Gras! Galveston, Galveston, February 22-Mar 5, 2019- An extravagant Mardi Gras celebration, Texas-sty
• Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, Mercedes, March 7-17, 2019 - A fun livestock show promoting agriculture to youth, rodeo, calf scramble and all that good stuff.
• Best Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas, La Grange, March 7-9, 2019 - Texas Western Swing Festival celebrates western & cowboy heritage, BBQ, dancing & Texas hospitality.
• Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, Austin, March 16-30, 2019 - A fun rodeo for the whole family, Super Shootout, Mutton Bustin' and great entertainers.
• 9th Annual Outlaws & Legends Music Fest, Abilene, Mar 22-23 - Benefitting Ben Richey Boys Ranch, returns to the Back Porch of Texas.
• Texas Fly Fishing and Brew Festival, Plano, March 23-24. Informative classes, exhibitors and artists, speakers, and plenty of craft beer brews and tastings. This is an event for the whole family!

April

• Walker County Fair, Huntsville, March 21-30, 2019 - A fun fest for the whole family and a PRCA Rodeo, to boot!
• Scarborough Faire®, the Renaissance Festival, Waxahachie, April 6-May 27, 2019 (weekends) - Exciting Renaissance festival.
• Galveston FeatherFest, Galveston, April 11-14, 2019 - The largest birding festival on the upper coast.
• Poteet Strawberry Festival, April 2019 - Exciting events, contests, and carnival fun. Oh, and strawberries!!
• Chalk This Way, Lewisville, April 6, 2019 - Professional chalk artists, amateur chalk art contest, art vendors, food, music.
• Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, Denton, April 26-28, 2019 - A celebration of the arts in a creative community.

May

• Maifest, Brenham, May 3-4, 2019- One of the oldest German heritage fests of the south with great music and arts.
• Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Arlington, May 10-12, 2019 - Dancing, athletics, and more to celebrate Scottish heritage.
• Western Heritage Classic, Abilene, May 9-12, 2019 - Authentic ranch activities and showcase.
• Comicpalooza, Houston, May 10-12, 2019- Largest annual, multi-genre, comic book, science fiction, anime, gaming, and pop culture convention to the George R. Brown Convention Center.
• PianoTexas International Academy & Festival, Fort Worth, May 3-30, 2019 - A recital series, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and concerts by talented young pianists.
  
• Amy Grant, Houston, May 16, 2020 - Sings from her first new full studio album in ten years, "How Mercy Looks From Here." 
• Kerrville Folk Festival, Kerrville, May 23, Jun 9, 2019 - Music and food for "Kerrverts" of all ages.
• National Polka Festival, Ennis, May 24-26, 2019 - Czech heritage festivities; parade, Enjoy a weekend of polka dancing, Czech foods, and live polka bands.

June

• Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival, Houston, May 31-June 29, 2019 - Over 50 public events open to the general public featuring a concerts presented by Festival Orchestra, faculty, and institutes for high school jazz musicians, high school pianists, young professional opera singers, and flutists.
• Kolache-Klobase Festival, East Bernard, June 9, 2018 - Plenty of live music, dancing & lively entertainment with bands and entertainers from 10:30 am-8 pm.
• Texas City Kite Festival, Texas City Dike/Levee, June 9-10, 2018 - Competitions in kite flying, a kiteboarding hydrofoil race, powered paragliding exhibition, and the world’s first-ever tanker surfing competition.
• Pecos Rodeo, Pecos, June, 21-24, 2017 - The world's first rodeo - since 1883.

July

• Fate Bell's Pictograph Shelter/Canyon Guided Walking Tour- Seminole Canyone State Park & Historic Site - One guided-only hike per day at 10 AM on Wednesdays through Sundays.  No tours Mon & Tues.
• Water Recreation & Education Kid's Day Camp, San Angelo State Park - July 26, 2018 - Join park rangers for an exciting day on the water for children ages 8-12.
• Growing Up WILD Workshop, Justin, Jul 26 - NISD Outdoor Learning Center. Learn to share conservation with young children: Professional Development for anyone who works with children
• LBJ Annual Archery Clinics - Lyndon B. Johnson Park & Historic Site July 25 - Learn the basics of archery at this Annual Archery Clinic.
• Great Texas Mosquito Festival, Clute, July 26-28, 2018 - Three day fun filled family event
• Welcome to the Davis Mountains! Davis Mountains State Park, July 23 - Each Thursday at 4 pm. Join Kyrstin of the Indian Lodge at the Interpretive Center for an informative presentation on what makes the Davis Mountains so special. She can help inspire your next adventure in the region.
• Butterfly & Dragonfly Walks, Estero Llano Grande State Park  Every Friday at 10:30 AM through Sept 28- Over 300 butterflies and 100 dragonflies fly in the Valley, usually unnoticed and unappreciated--until now! Join a knowledgeable ranger as we seek out these natural wonders, some unique and found in the United States only in South Texas.
• Lady Bird Johnson Day at the Wildflower Center, Austin, July 28, 2018 - Free admission for all.  Come enjoy and learn!
• Welcome to the Davis Mountains! Davis Mountains State Park, July 23 - Each Thursday at 4 pm. Join Kyrstin of the Indian Lodge at the Interpretive Center for an informative presentation on what makes the Davis Mountains so special. She can help inspire your next adventure in the region.

August

• Butterfly & Dragonfly Walks, Estero Llano Grande State Park  Every Friday at 10:30 AM through Sept 28- Over 300 butterflies and 100 dragonflies fly in the Valley, usually unnoticed and unappreciated--until now! Join a knowledgeable ranger as we seek out these natural wonders, some unique and found in the United States only in South Texas.
• Welcome to the Davis Mountains! Davis Mountains State Park, August 6 and each Thursday at 4 pm throught Aug 27. Join Kyrstin of the Indian Lodge at the Interpretive Center for an informative presentation on what makes the Davis Mountains so special. She can help inspire your next adventure in the region
• Star Party, Pedernales Falls State Park, Aug 11 -Join the Austin Astronomical Society in viewing the wonders of space through many different telescopes!
• Austin Bat Fest, Aug 18.2018 -  In mid to late August, thousands of peoplecome to Austin's Lady Bird Lake and downtown Austin to see millions of Mexican Free Tail Bats, shop for locally made crafts and listen to over 30 live bands on two stages.
• East Texas Sacred Harp Singing Convention, Henderson, August 11-12, 2018 -163^rd Annual East Texas Convention.  Singers from many U.S. states annually descend on Henderson, Texas for this special event.
• Lost 80'x Live, August 22, 2019, Houstonn - Iconic acts from that great decade, including:  A Flock Of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Missing Persons, The original members of When In Rome UK, The Motels, Information Society, Trans X, Anything Box, The Escape Club, Bow Wow Wow,   Boy’s Don’t Cry, Real life, Vapors, and more performing the 80s songs you know and remember and love
• Hotter 'n Hell Hundred Bike Ride, Wichita Falls, Aug 23-26, 2018 - This has gotta be the hottest Hotter 'n Hell Bike Ride in history!  Masochists and extreme athletes welcome.  (That last bit is just my personal opinion. hehe)

September

• Butterfly & Dragonfly Walks, Estero Llano Grande State Park  Every Friday at 10:30 AM through Sept 28 - Over 300 butterflies and 100 dragonflies fly in the Valley, usually unnoticed and unappreciated--until now! Join a knowledgeable ranger as we seek out these natural wonders, some unique and found in the United States only in South Texas.
• The Fall Corn Maze, 17 Mazes in Texas, from Amarillo to Texarkana - The Texas Mazes are part of a larger MAiZE family that has more than 260 corn mazes located around the globe. Our MAiZE craze began back in 1996, bringing agritainment to millions around the world.
• Washington County Fair, Brenham, September 13-21, 2019 - The first county fair in Texas!  Petting zoo, Chainsaw sculpture, BBQ contests and all kinds of fun things to do for the entire family.
• Annual GrapeFest®, Grapevine, Sept 12-15, 2019 - Texas Wine Experience, presented by Bank of the West, is back for four days of family-friendly festival fun.
• Texas Hot Sauce Festival, Sept 21-22, 2019 - The Texas Hot Sauce Festival celebrates 20 years of serving hot sauce, salsa, chips, dips, peppers, spices, marinades, rubs, jams/jelly, pickled products, condiments, soup mixes, chili mixes, wing sauces; chunky, spicy, smooth, garlicky, sweet, fruity, peppery, smoky, from hot to mild to REALLY HOT!   Sample products from award winning chefs and vendors from across the country.  While hot sauce is the main focus, there will be plenty of other food for all tastes, plenty of cold drinks to cool the heat. Live music, a “Chile-dren’s Area,” and Arts & Crafts vendors and Slayer’s Reptile Ranch complete the festival. Live music includes performances by Houston’s iconic Zydeco Dots, Talk of the Town, Chris Godby, Tommy Schaefer and more. Join Mikey V’s Spicy Pickle Eating Contest and check out the Houston Community College Culinary Arts Dept Cooking Demos at their booth. 
• The Oak Ridge Boys, Houston, Sept 25, 2020 - One of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry
• Texas Renaissance Festival, Todd Mission, September 29-November 25, 2018 - Each weekend of the festival takes on a different theme, influencing the performances, costumes, food, drink, art, shops, contests, and games throughout the festival grounds.

October

• South Texas Maize Hondo, September 21 - Nov 30, 2019 - 7 acre maize maze (get it?) Fun event for the family.
• "Come and Take It" Days, Gonzales, October 4-6, 2019 - Music, T-Bone cookoff, battle reenactment.
• All American Pro Rodeo Finals, Waco, Oct 5-12, 2019 - Rodeo events include: Saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and bull riding, not to mention everyone's favorite calf scramble and mutton bustin'.
• Texas Mesquite Art Festival, Fredericksburg, October 11-13, 2019 - Collections of sculpted wood from the world’s finest mesquite craftsmen.
• Texas Mushroom Festival, Madisonville, Oct 19, 2019 - Mushroom Capital of Texas celebration.
• Bluebonnet Horse Expo, Austin, October 19, 2019, 9 AM to 7 PM - Travis County Expo Center, Austin, TX.  The Bluebonnet Horse Expo is a day of horses, fun, and shoppThousandsing  that benefits the horses of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. Ongoing Clinics & Demonstrations, Silent & Live Auctions, Vendor Booths, Art Sale, and the Rescue Horse Training Challenge
• Harvest Moon Festival, Granbury October 19-20, 2019- Showcasing the unique and diverse works from 60+ artists, makers and craftspeople!  Live music, food, and an interactive, “make-it, take-it” arts area for all ages!
• Flatonia Czhilispiel, Flatonia, October 25-27, 2019 - 45th annual event with a concert series, cook-off, biergarten, carnival, parade, arts and crafts market, 5K and various other activities.
• Texas Book Festival, Austin, Oct 26-27, 2019 -The Texas Book Festival is FREE and open to the public. One of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features 250+ nationally and critically recognized adult and children’s authors, 100+ exhibitors, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. We are a nonprofit organization. Book sales at the Festival support the two day event and our statewide school and library programs. Thank you for your support! 

November

• South Texas Maize (Maze) continues (see listing in October above)
• Wurstfest, New Braunfels, November 1-10, 2019 - Annual celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun! You’ll enjoy good food, music, dancing, exciting carnival rides and games, German, Texan and domestic beer, special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian Style Entertainment.
• Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, Harlingen, November 6, 2019 - Offering great birds, excellent guiding, educational seminars, rousing socials and fun.
• On The Trail With The Buffalo Soldiers, Fort Davis, Nov 16, 2019 -Guided Hike with the Buffalo Soldiers, Davis Mountains, Fort Davis NPS, Living History, Free activities, Family fun, Outdoor learning, Reenactments
• Festival of Lights, Lake Jackson, Nov 23,  2019 - Kick-off the holiday season with this event that has games, a parade, and lots more!
• Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, Austin, Nov 2-3, 2019 (tickets required)  The "Top 50 BBQ Joints" in Texas demonstrate their talents.

December

• Austin Trail of Lights, Austin, Dec 10-23, 2019 - More than 40 displays, 2 million lights and holiday activities that create countless memories.  It's an Austin tradition.
• Dickens on the Strand, Galveston, December 6-8, 2019 - Street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers.
• Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride - Gruene, December 7, 2019, 10 am - A Pony Express rider from the Heritage Trail Ride Association of New Braunfels will arrive and relay riders carry a “Christmas Greetings” message from the Governor of Texas. A temporary Post Office will be set up to cancel stamps for mailing. Bring your Christmas cards to have the stamps cancelled with the 2019 commemorative stamp representing Gruene.

Thanks to Bob Fuldauer of Turn To Productions for his help in providing events to list here.