Lamar Volunteer Fire Dept and Downtown Lamar Peninsula, 302 Bois D'Arc

This festival features food, entertainment, a parade, and other festivities on Lamar Peninsula to benefit the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department.

lamarvfd.com

Galveston Historic Downtown and Seawall

The third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country includes masked balls, balcony parties, parades, concerts, and lots of beads.

mardigrasgalveston.com

11th Street Cowboy Bar, 307 11th St.

Join the fun at the 11th Sttreet Cowboy Bar for a three-day Mardi Gras celebration with Cajun food and zydeco music. Enjoy all the colorful floats and other parade entries as they travel down Bandera's Main Street in the Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 11.

11thstreetcowboybar.com

Luckenbach Texas, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop

It’s that time of year again for folks to get “Back to the Basics of Love” at Luckenbach’s 48th annual Hug-In and Valentine Ball. Enjoy live music and dancing all weekend long.

luckenbachtexas.com

Downtown Nocona, 100 Clay St.

It's all about the beads and classic cars in this fun, family-friendly and pet-friendly event. Enjoy three days worth of parades, cajun food, live music, and beads.

nocona.org/events

Main St. , 500 Main St.

Shop a range of merchandise at this Mardi Gras arts and crafts show located at the Bandera County Courthouse lawn.

banderacowboycapital.com

Great Lawn of the Event Center, 700 Crockett St.

Enjoy four days of family-friendly fun in downtown Beaumont, with parades, concerts, kids' activities, arts and crafts, and food vendors.

mardigrastx.com

Badu Park, 300 W. Legion Drive

It's Mardi Gras season and Llano knows how to celebrate. Cajun food and fun bring the crowd together, and zydeco and swamp pop music keep you dancing all day. There's a gumbo cookoff that awards cash and prizes, and a King and Ball Masque Queen are crowned. Costumes are encouraged for the judged contest.

visitllanotexas.com

Downtown Jefferson

The Krewe of Hebe presents Jefferson's annual Mardi Gras. The festivities last an entire weekend and feature parades, live music, food, vendors, a carnival, frosty beverages, and, of course, masks and beads.

mardigrasupriver.com

San Marcos Downtown and Historic District, 222 W. San Antonio St.

The Mistick Krewe of Okeanos Mardi Gras Parade is an annual celebration with floats, music, and lots of fun. The parade winds through the Historic Homes District of San Marcos and downtown.

visitsanmarcos.com/event/mistick-krewe-of-okeanos-carnival-parade/3055

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.

Festivities for Mardi Gras include a parade, gumbo cookoff, King Cake-eating contest, and live entertainment.

freeport.tx.us

Mitchell Park, 300 W. Louisiana St.

At this parade held each year on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, dogs and their owners dress up in costumes based on the special theme of the event, then they parade around McKinney's downtown square. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories. Music, food trucks, and pet-related vendors add to the festivities.

artinstituteofmckinney.com

Henderson Civic Center, 1500 Lake Forest Parkway

"Laissez le bon temps rouler" (let the good times roll) at Henderson's Mardi Gras Celebration with live entertainment from the Swampland Revival zydeco band, an old-fashioned cake walk, Cajun food, and plenty of beads.

visithendersontx.com

Fulton Festival Grounds, Fulton Beach Park, North Casterline Drive

This salute to the oyster industry is held at Fulton Harbor and includes entertainment, food, arts, crafts, a carnival, a parade, men's and women's oyster-eating contests, oyster shucking and decorating, and a fireworks show on Thursday night.

fultonoysterfest.org

Gruene Historic District, 1601 Hunter Road

To celebrate the 187th anniversary of Texas independence, Gruene Historic District is throwing a Texas-size celebration with special offers and live music.

gruenetexas.com

Gibbs-Powell House and Oakwood Cemetery, 1228 11th St. and Ninth Street between Sam Houston Memorial Drive and Ryan's Ferry Road

Celebrate Texas Independence Day and Sam Houston's birthday in historic Huntsville. The day features a coffee reception at the Gibbs-Powell House at the Walker County Museum, and a gravesite ceremony honoring "the father of Texas" at Oakwood Cemetery; plus, music, speakers, the "baptized Texan" ceremony for new residents (register online to be included), and a luncheon hosted by the Walker County Historical Commission.

huntsvilletexas.com

Downtown

Join Sherman Main Street, Texoma Society of CELTS, and the Old Iron Post for Sherman's St. Patrick's Day Parade in historic downtown Sherman. Bring your friends and family to check out all of the groups and music.

facebook.com/shermanmainstreet

Surfside Beach City Hall, 1304 Monument Drive

One of the longest-lasting and most fun traditions held at Surfside Beach, this annual event includes a parade where part of the route goes down the beach, and there are plenty of free beads and candy thrown from the floats. In addition to the parade, there are costume contests, a social, fundraisers, and a reenactment of the Battle of Fort Velasco.

beachblarney.com

Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E. Austin St.

Celebrate the holiday aboard the St. Patrick’s Day Express. The historic depot is decked out in green, and the train ride includes a stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding (weather permitting).

jeffersonrailway.com

Davey Dogwood Park and surrounding Forest Trails, 825 W. Spring St.

Enjoy the delicate beauty of the dogwood trees in Davey Dogwood Park the last two weeks in March and first week in April. Activities are scheduled each weekend to compliment the celebration, including a festival the first weekend. Stop at Palestine Visitor Center for venues and maps.

visitpalestine.com/p/things-to-do/84th-annualbrdogwood-trails-celebration

Cave Without a Name Throne Room, 325 Kreutzberg Road

Enjoy an evening of contemporary acoustic music, soaring vocal harmonies, and a percussive tribal/world-beat vibe performed on an unusual mix of ancient and modern instruments, all focused on the theme of the Spring Equinox as a time of rebirth and renewed energy. Some of this concert is performed in total darkness, illuminated by periods of flickering candlelight, providing a visually rich setting and mesmerizing listening environment.

cavewithoutaname.com

Wildseed Farms, 100 Legacy Drive

Enjoy viewing and snapping photos of the wildflower fields in full bloom along with two butterfly gardens.

wildseedfarms.com

The Colony Five Star Complex, 4100 Blair Oaks Drive

Bring the whole family to this classic celebration of springtime. Watch the kids have a ball as they gather eggs filled with an assortment of candy and prizes. Tickets are required for entry into the hunting area.

thecolonytx.gov/828/spring-eggstravaganza

Downtown Corsicana, 301 S. Beaton St.

Join in and hop your way through downtown. Children and children at heart are all welcome for Easter egg hunts, games, free food and drinks, and prizes.

visitcorsicana.com

Freestone County Courthouse , 118 E. Commerce St.

Join along at the Freestone County Courthouse for Easter festivities. Bring your Easter baskets and participate in Easter egg hunts, art and crafts, and face painting.

fairfieldtexaschamber.com

LBJ State Park and Historic Site, 199 State Park Road 52

Learn about German Easter traditions including friendship cards, homemade egg dyes, grass baskets, and lamb cake.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson

Flat Rock Lake Park, 3840 Riverside Drive

At this fun-filled event, enjoy a barbecue and chili cookoff, food, games, rides for all ages, vendors, live music, and Easter egg hunt, an open car and bike show, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

kerrvillechamber.biz

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 201 Holdsworth Drive

Bring your Easter basket for a family day of fun. This community event is filled with bounce houses, face painting, a cake walk, pictures with the Easter Bunny, food vendors, games, and two Easter egg hunts with over 25,000 candy-filled Easter eggs and giveaways with prizes.

kerrvillekroc.org

Quintana Bird Sanctuary, 814 N. Lamar St.

Spring is peak migration time so the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory hosts Spring Fling at the Quintana Neotropic Bird Sanctuary. For four weeks, volunteers and staff are available each day to help identify the migrants as well as resident birds and keep a daily list going.

gcbo.org

Luckenbach Texas, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop

Participate in free family fun that includes hunting for Easter eggs, live music, games, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny.

luckenbachtexas.com

Diamond B Ranch, 11589 FM 321

The race takes place every year during the celebration of Texas' independence. This unique Western event welcomes visitors to come early and bring their horses, mules, and wagons. Enjoy the many activities or just set back and watch. On-site camping is available starting April 14.

1836chuckwagonrace.com

Municipal Grounds, 405 N. Rusk St.

The Texoma Earth Day Festival offers a family-friendly event with something for everyone. Come for entertainment, education, food, and fun.

earthdaytexoma.org

Pease Park, Tudor Cottage and Terrace, 1100 Kingsbury St.

Austin Shakespeare presents a new project, Shakespeare’s Birthday: Celebrate Sonnets, a collaboration with the Pease Park Conservancy featuring poetry, music, and dance as well as cake and beverages. The event features the park’s newly restored 1920 Tutor cottage and terrace. 

austinshakespeare.org

Brown Plaza, 305 Cantu St.

Celebrate the Battle of Puebla, which took place during the French-Mexican War when an outnumbered Mexican army defeated invading French forces at Puebla. Wednesday there is a parade, and Thursday and Friday include live music, food, and arts and crafts vendors.

facebook.com/brownplazaofdelrio

Various locations

Immerse yourself in the 19th century—period attire is optional but always fun. Events take place on different evenings and include the Illumination ceremony at old Oakwood Cemetery (where hundreds of Civil War veterans are buried and candles illuminate the headstones), a ladies tea, the Grand Ball, and the Presentation of Colors.

battleforjefferson.com

Village Creek State Park, 8854 Park Road 74

Join this ranger-led hike for a chance to see the unseen and learn how nocturnal creatures communicate and what effect the moon can have on natural cycles of plants and animals. This hike explores the sights and sounds of the night, illuminated by the Flower Full Moon of May, and how the ecosystems have changed over the last 100 years. Explore nocturnal creatures with black lights and listen to their languages with amplifying devices.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/village-creek

Fort Stockton Convention Center, 2181 I10 West

Commemorate and celebrate Mexican history and culture. The party includes live bands, "folklórico" dancers, and street vendors. This is a free event that's open to the public.

Van Horn City Park, Second and Austin streets

Spend a full day celebrating the culture and traditions of Old Mexico with food, arts and crafts, mariachi bands, "folklórico" dancers, and local talent. A moonlit outdoor dance concludes the celebration.

vanhorntexas.org

Winters Park Ampitheater, 1419 Spring Creek Drive

Garland's fiesta features live music from "norteo," "cumbia," country, Tejano, and rock bands, "ballet folklórico," Mexican street food, student performances, and cold beer. The event is free and a celebration for the entire family.

facebook.com/cincodemayogarlandtx

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in historic downtown Freeport with food trucks and live entertainment.

freeport.tx.us/page/historical_museum

Cleburne Conference Center Parking Lot, 1501 W. Henderson St.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Cleburne with vendors, food trucks, and Mexican street food. There is mariachi music, "ballet folklórico," a dancing horse show, live music, a kids' area, and Mexican wrestlers. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers. The event is free to the public.

visitcleburne.com

Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 South Oakes

This daylong celebration honors the nation's military with military history displays and artillery salutes.

fortconcho.com

Salmon Lake Park Texas, 247 Salmon Lake Road

Musicians and singers from around the state converge in Grapeland for the 26th annual festival, with music starting after noon and going well into the night.

salmonlakepark.com

Marktplatz, 100 block of West Main Street

At this festival on Memorial Day Weekend, indulge with great Cajun food, live music, shopping, and a kids' carnival. This event is sponsored by the Fredericksburg Jaycees.

fbgcrawfishfestival.com

Mansfield Park and Main Street, 2886 SH 16 North

Bandera Pro Rodeo presents three nights of PRCA-sanctioned rodeos with bull riding, team roping, bareback riding, and other competitions. The annual Memorial Day Parade down Main Street gets underway at 11 a.m.

banderaprorodeo.org

Crider's Rodeo and Dancehall, 2310 SH 39

For 95 years, Crider's Rodeo and Dancehall has been a entertainment spot along the banks of the Guadalupe River each summer, with seasonal rodeos, live music, and dancing on Saturday nights. The season kicks off on May 27 with a rodeo followed by dancing and live music by Mike Donnell.

cridersrandd.com

South Padre Island, 211 W. Whiting St.

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend on South Padre Island with a fireworks display over the bay. For the best viewing spots, check out the restaurants and bars in the Entertainment District.

sopadre.com/event-calendar

National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Main St.

At this event hosted at the National Museum of the Pacific War, visitors can remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms enjoyed today. The event includes guest speakers, music, and a wreath-laying ceremony.

pacificwarmuseum.org

Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd.

Each Memorial Day, Sugar Land invites the community and visitors to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the country.

sugarlandtx.gov/437/special-events