A note regarding COVID-19
Upcoming Events in Gulf Coast
Galveston
FeatherFest and Nature Photo Festival
April 18-21
Various locations
As one of the nation’s top locations for birding, Galveston Island hosts the 22nd annual FeatherFest birding and nature photography festival. FeatherFest is one of the largest birding festivals in Texas, and the only one with a dedicated nature photography track.
Houston
Studio Menil Presents
April 18
Richmond Hall, 1500 Richmond Ave.
Held at Richmond Hall, Studio Menil Presents is the Menil Collection’s creatively themed, annual spring party which includes colorful cocktails, amusing hors d’oeuvres, and an artfully presented seated dinner, all accompanied by live music. Proceeds from the event directly support the Menil’s operations.
Port Aransas
Texas SandFest
April 19-21
Port Aransas Beach, Between Mile Markers 9 and 13
Texas SandFest is the largest native-sand sculpture competition in the country. What began as a small competition in 1997 has grown into an internationally recognized three-day event that draws renowned sand sculptors and tens of thousands of visitors from around the world each year. Attendees enjoy amazing sand sculptures, food, live music, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, apparel, jewelry, furniture, and souvenirs.
Lake Jackson
“The Mountaintop”
April 19-21, 26-28
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
By American playwright Katori Hall, this fictional depiction of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth is set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel on the eve of his assassination in 1968.
Orange
Scott Mulvahill Candlelight Concert
April 20
Lutcher Theater, 707 Main Ave.
Scott Mulvahill has left his unique mark on the intersecting worlds of Americana, bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and roots music. Acclaimed for his work alongside musicians like Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, he has racked up a long list of milestones including a tour with multi-Grammy winner Lauren Daigle and a debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Candlelight concerts offer a one-of-a-kind experience, as candles illuminate the stage creating a serene atmosphere.
Corpus Christi
ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd in Concert
April 20
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Two titans of American classic rock, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd, host their first co-headlining tour: The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. The bands make a stop in Corpus Christi, where you have the chance to hear classics like “Simple Man,” “Free Bird,” “La Grange,” and “Sharp Dressed Man.”
Victoria
Historic Homes Tour
April 20-21
Downtown Victoria, 205 W. Goodwin Ave.
Victoria Preservation Inc. presents its annual Historic Homes Tour. Explore some of the historic buildings and homes and celebrate Victoria’s unique cultural and architectural heritage.
Galveston
The Grand Kids Festival
April 20
Postoffice Street between 23rd and 20th streets
Designed to introduce children and families to the arts, the festival offers three blocks of activities, entertainment areas, and vendor booths. Attendees are able to enjoy live performances, storytellers, arts and crafts, face painting, and other festivities themed around the arts.
Aransas Pass
Fishing for Wishes Tournament
April 20
Aransas Pass Convention Center, 700 W. Wheeler Ave.
Support Friends for Wishes, the largest contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, at this fishing tournament where anglers can compete in categories that include redfish, trout, most spots on a redfish, blackjack trout, and Texas Slam. There are also kids’ pier fishing and Make-A-Wish kids fishing tournaments, plus a live auction, drop ticket raffle, and giveaways.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
April 20
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Once a month, visitors can watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn about the birds of the Brazosport area.
Kids Reel Big Fish Event
April 20
Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive
Pack your sunscreen, hat, lawn chair, and fishing gear for a couple of hours of catch-and-release fishing at the marine fish hatchery and visitor education center. This event is available to guests 16 years old and younger accompanied by an adult. Anglers must bring their own gear and bait with barbless hooks. No artificial bait or treble hooks. Volunteers and staff are on hand to assist first-time anglers.
Port Aransas
Earth Day Celebration
April 22
Horace Caldwell Pier, 230 On The Beach Road
A huge crowd creates the “Port A for Peace” annual human peace sign to commemorate Earth Day. Hundreds of participants gather every year on the beach for the photo opportunity. The peace sign is marked with flags to indicate where to stand.
Houston
Worldfest International Film Festival
April 23-28
Cinemark Memorial City, 310 Memorial City Mall
The Houston International Film Festival is North America’s third oldest film festival and champions independent filmmakers. Come and be a part of the 57th year celebration as the festival showcases the visionaries of tomorrow and their exclusive creations.
Corpus Christi
The Birdiest Festival in America
April 24-28
South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.
Spotlighting South Texas’ peak spring migration in one of the country’s busiest flyways is the Birdiest Festival in America. The festival features birding field trips, presentations, workshops, bird walks, and educational programs by Jonathan and Susan Wood of The Raptor Project.
Alvin
Rotary Club Frontier Day
April 25-27
National Oak Park, 118 S. Magnolia St.
The 50th annual Frontier Day, presented by the Alvin Rotary Club, features the popular Frontier Day Parade through the old downtown area of Alvin. There are children’s rides, food concessions, carnival activities, arts and crafts vendors, and an antique car and bike show with vintage tractors on display. Proceeds support scholarships and other charitable activities in the Alvin area.
Corpus Christi
Nate Bargatze
April 25
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Widely known for his clean and relatable comedy for all age groups and for his Netflix specials “The Tennessee Kid,” “Greatest Average American,” and “The Stand-ups,” his latest special, “Hello, World,” can be found on Amazon Prime Video. Currently touring and selling out shows all over the world with his new The Be Funny Tour, Nate is also an avid golfer and sports enthusiast.
Victoria
Victoria Symphony—Downtown Rhythms
April 25
De Leon Plaza, 101 N. Main St.
The Victoria Symphony puts on an outdoor performance, interspersed with student and college musical groups. Children love the instrument petting zoo where they can play symphony instruments.
“Clue”
April 25-28
Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.
The hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery, “Clue” begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out who did it, where, and with what.
Corpus Christi
“Chicago”
April 25
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
After 25 years, “Chicago” is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder “Chicago” has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations.
Houston
Academy Spring Showcase
April 26-27
Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.
The students of Houston Ballet Academy represent the future of ballet, with over 60% of the company coming through the Academy. The Spring Showcase gives students the stage to shine, whether it’s performing works from the company repertoire or ballets created specifically for them. This is a can’t-miss performance to see the young dancers at their best.
houstonballet.org/seasontickets/pdps/2023-2024/academy-spring-showcase
“Abstraction After Modernism: Recent Acquisitions”
April 26-Aug. 25
The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross St.
Composed of recent acquisitions, this exhibition showcases the breadth of artists’ approaches to abstraction since the mid-20th century.
La Porte
Sylvan Beach Festival
April 27-28
Sylvan Beach Park, 636 N. Bayshore Drive
The Sylvan Beach Festival is one of the longest-running traditions along the Texas Gulf Coast, currently in its 68th year. A full day of family-friendly entertainment takes place beginning with the Sylvan Beach Day Parade. After the parade, make your way to the park for carnival rides, food vendors, live music, inflatables, and arts and crafts vendors. As the sun goes down, hear music well into the night.
Victoria
Victoria Symphony Concert: An Alpine Symphony
April 27
Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Drive
The Victoria Symphony presents Cliburn International gold medalist Yekwon Sunwoo performing Beethoven’s joyful Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor paired with Strauss’ epic “Alpine Symphony.”
Corpus Christi
ZaZu
April 27
Ed Rachal House, 3700 Ocean Drive
Join Camp Aranzazu’s 15th annual ZaZu, a fundraiser to support the camp’s mission to cultivate belonging for campers of all ages and abilities by creating accessible, empowering, and intentional camp experiences. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and fun at the event’s new location in Corpus Christi.
Brazoria
Migration Celebration
April 27-28
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, 2547 County Road 306
At this event, qualified naturalists take visitors on tours of San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge by marsh buggy or wagon. Children can participate in activities ranging from archery and fishing for catfish to bug sweeping and touch tanks. Adults and children can both enjoy the “Birds of Prey” show by EarthQuest as well as butterfly encounter tents. Guided walking tours to Bobcat Woods and to the largest Texas live oak are also available.
Galveston
“Chicago”
April 28
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
The multi-award-winning “Chicago” is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: A universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz. Look forward to a performance with one show-stopping song after another and some of the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen.
Houston
Han-Setzer-Finckel Trio in Concert
April 30
Stude Concert Hall, Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center, Rice University, 6100 Main St.
A memorable evening is certain when the power couple of chamber music, Wu Han and David Finckel, team with Philip Setzer for a performance of great piano trios. This program features works by Debussy, Smetana, and Mendelssohn.
chambermusichouston.org/concerts/2024-04-30-wu-han-philip-setzer-david-finckel-trio
Corpus Christi
Buc Days Festival
May 2-12
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Commencing with the mayor of Corpus Christi walking the plank, this pirate-themed festival has a variety of family-friendly activities like the Stripes Carnival, an indoor shopping event coined Treasure Island, multiple parades, Barbecue on the Bay Competition, and the Robotics Rodeo. Families can also attend the Professional Bull Riding Velocity Tour Finals and watch some of the world’s best bull riders compete for the championship title.
El Campo
Crawfish Cookoff and Car Show
May 3-5
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 County Road 451
Rev up your engine and appetite and enjoy the best of both worlds at the Crawfish Cookoff and Car Show, featuring delicious crawfish dishes, classic cars, and live music by Whiskey Bent and Trey Cruz.
Corpus Christi
PBR: Velocity Tour
May 3-4
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
The Professional Bull Riders organization brings its Velocity Tour to Corpus Christi during the city’s annual Buc Fest. See some of the best athletes of the sport going head-to-head with the fiercest bulls in the country.
South Padre Island
5K Kemp’s Krawl
May 4
Holiday Inn Resort, 100 Padre Blvd.
Runners, walkers, and everyone in between are invited to traverse the beach to raise money, with all proceeds going directly to the conservation and care of the Texas coast’s precious sea turtles. Starting at the Holiday Inn Resort, this unique community event enables participants to experience the coastal beauty of South Padre Island up close and personal. Finishers receive a T-shirt and medal.
Galveston
Historic Homes Tour
May 4-5, 11-12
Various locations
During the first two weekends of May, visitors can view numerous historical and architecturally significant homes located throughout the island’s old neighborhoods. Organized by the Galveston Historical Foundation, this is the 50th anniversary of the event that gives the public a chance to tour the insides of private residences and homes that are not open to the public during the year.
Rockport
Nautical Flea Market
May 4-5
Rockport Yatch Club, 722 Navigation Circle
Hosted by the Rockport Yatch Club, this flea market offers various items for fishing, sailing, power boating, windsurfing, surfing, and scuba diving. Find new and used parts, tools, motors, rods, reels, sails, nautical art, new and used boats, dinghies, and kayaks to buy, sell or trade.
Lake Jackson
Alden B. Dow Office Museum Tour
May 4, 11, 18, 25
Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place
Take a self-guided tour to see the restored midcentury architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 downtown office. Learn all about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. The museum is open every Saturday.
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
March 5, April 6, May 4
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site formerly owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Freeport
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 4
Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in historic downtown Freeport with food trucks, live entertainment, and cultural activities.
Clute
Planetarium Show
May 7, 14, 21, 24, 28
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Featuring high-tech equipment including a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector, this show re-creates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye, giving viewers a close-up look at comets, exploding stars, and black holes.
Orange
“Chicago”
May 9
Lutcher Theater, 707 Main Ave.
After 25 years, “Chicago” is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame and fortune with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. Set in Chicago during the ‘20s, “Chicago” chronicles the actual crimes reported on by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. This show contains mature content.
South Padre Island
Shallow Sport Fishing Tournament
May 9-11
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
Anglers compete to nab the largest red drum, trout, and flounder at one of the biggest and best boat owner’s fishing tournaments on the Gulf Coast.
Corpus Christi
Festival De Cine Latino Americano
May 10-12
Performing Arts Center, 6300 Ocean Drive
In cooperation with the Corpus Christi Film Commission and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Festival De Cine Latino Americano-Corpus Christi is a new event to showcase the finest international Latino and Latin American content and promote talented Latino filmmakers. It provides a platform for innovative, original, and thought-provoking works that are by, about, and for the Latino community.
El Campo
Lost Lagoon Anniversary and Mother’s Day Celebration
May 10-12
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 County Road 451
Lost Lagoon RV Resort celebrates its anniversary and Mother’s Day with the lively tunes of Rewind Texas, pickleball and cornhole tournaments, and a vendor fair—creating a perfect blend of music, games, and festivities to mark this special occasion and honor moms.
Galveston
“Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll IV”
May 11
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
With a cast of stars from Broadway’s greatest rock musicals and amazing rock ‘n’ roll singers, composer Neil Berg tells the exciting 50-year history of the music that changed the world forever.
Victoria
Guided Trolley Tour of Historic Victoria
May 11
Downtown Victoria, 101 N. Bridge St.
Part of Victoria’s 200th birthday celebration, this guided trolley tour begins with an interior look at the 1892 Victoria County Courthouse, travels the oak-lined streets of Old Victoria to view the unique architectural homes and structures, and ends with a prix fixe lunch at the historic PumpHouse Riverside Restaurant and Bar.
Fulton
Babes On The Bay
May 17-18
Fulton Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road
This is the largest one-day female angler fishing tournament in the country. Women from all over Texas and across the country come together for a fun-filled weekend with live bands, vendor booths, and educational outreach.
El Campo
Hospice Barbecue Cookoff
May 17-18
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 County Road 451
Savor the flavors and support a great cause at the Coleto Creek Barbecue Association Barbecue Cookoff, where the delicious competition benefits Hospice of South Texas. Enjoy the tunes of Jeremiah James as you indulge in a day of fantastic barbecue and community spirit.
Corpus Christi
Beach to Bay Relay
May 18
JP Luby Beach
Runners across the nation gear up to conquer one of the largest relay marathons in the country, which boasts annual participation of more than 2,000 teams. Participants begin the six-leg race on the sands of North Padre Island, make their way through Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and end along scenic Shoreline Drive at McCaughan Park. Beach to Bay proudly honors the men and women serving in the military.
South Padre Island
Run the Jailbreak
May 18-19
Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill, 6900 Padre Blvd.
The Jailbreak Beach Escape has become a South Padre Island tradition. Each May, thousands of runners conquer the 5K course, covering 20 challenging obstacles on the sun-drenched beaches of South Padre before heading to Clayton’s Beach Bar for a Texas-sized beach party.
Galveston
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico
May 18
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
The Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico gives an energetic performance at The Grand.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
May 18
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Once a month, visitors can watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn about the birds of the Brazosport area.
Houston
“Mayerling”
May 23-June 2
Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.
Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s psychologically thrilling “Mayerling” is an epic triumph in classic storytelling. The three-act ballet tells the dark tale of Crown Prince Rudolf, the sole heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 1880s. The work weaves a story of scandal and political intrigue through an unhappy marriage, sensuous dalliances, and morbid obsessions all leading to the tragic murder-suicide of the prince and his young mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera.
El Campo
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24-26
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 County Road 451
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Lost Lagoon with a musical lineup featuring the dynamic sounds of Dameon Leve, the Bar Ditch Hippies, and the country vibes of Steel Country. Join in for a weekend of music, fun, and patriotic festivities.
Rockport
Wine Festival
May 25
Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation Circle
Enjoy a wide variety of wines, food demonstrations, and specialty food concessions, plus live bands and fun entertainment.
South Padre Island
Memorial Day Fireworks
May 26
Entertainment District, 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.
Fulton
Fishing Expo
May 26-28
Fulton Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road
At this annual expo, visitors can find some of the finest tackle used by industry pros and recreational anglers, along with guides, apparel, art, and other merchandise for all their fishing needs. The family-oriented event, which has indoor and outdoor vendor booths, includes the annual Texas Rattler Kids Fishing Tourney and goodie bags for children.
Port Arthur
Buu Mon Temple Lotus Festival and Vesak Celebration
June 1-2
Buu Mon Buddhist Temple , 2701 Procter St.
Gardens, koi ponds, and statuary and Vietnamese cultural displays are part of the fun. The Buu Mon Buddhist Temple’s gardens create a peaceful scene with fruit trees, lotus, bamboo, and other foliage. A statue of Buddha, rimmed in lights, is at the head of a reflecting pool, and a sitting Buddha watches over the koi pond.
visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/attraction/buu-mon-buddhist-temple
Victoria
Bach Festival
June 1-8
Various locations
Artistic director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez leads this festival that celebrates the works of J.S. Bach and composers spanning the ages. Orchestral, choral, and chamber works are performed by local and national musicians in venues in and around Victoria.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
June 1, July 6, Aug. 3
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site formerly owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Learn about the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Youth Fishing Event
June 1
Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive
Pack your sunscreen, hat, lawn chair and fishing gear for a couple of hours of catch-and-release fishing at Sea Center Texas’ marine fish hatchery and visitor education center.
Alden B. Dow Office Tour
June 1-29
Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place
Take a self-guided tour of the restored midcentury architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 downtown office. Learn about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. The museum is open on Saturdays.
Clute
Planetarium Show
June 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 28-29
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Featuring high-tech equipment including a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector, this planetarium show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye and gives viewers a close-up look at comets, exploding stars, and black holes. Showdates vary throughout each month.
Houston
The Houston Ballet: “Four Seasons”
June 6-16
Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave.
The Houston Ballet’s 2023-24 season, which celebrates Stanton Welch AM’s 20-year tenure as artistic director of the ballet company, comes to a close with “Four Seasons,” featuring works from four choreographers including Welch and Dwight Rhoden, founding artistic director and resident choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
Baytown
Pirate Party Nights
June 6-Aug. 29
Pirates Bay Waterpark, 5300 East Road
Every Thursday night throughout the summer, Pirates Bay Waterpark hosts these after-hours parties that include dive-in movies and other waterpark fun.
Angleton
Peach Street Night Jams
June 7-8
Peach Street Farmers Market, 234 S. Arcola St.
Four songwriters each night perform at the fifth annual Peach Street Night Jams. Bring your lawn chairs and ice chest. Food trucks are on site.
Victoria
Joe Peña and Michelle Belto Exhibits
June 7-July 27
The Nave Museum, 306 W. Commercial St.
Experience the art of Joe Peña and Michelle Belto. Peña’s work explores elements of ethnic identity, including aspects of cultural, familial, and social issues relating to his Mexican heritage. Time and memory are themes in Belto’s work. She is intrigued with how time shapes memories and how memories influence choices.
Galveston
Galveston Island Revue Weekend
June 7-9
Various locations
Galveston’s official kickoff to summer is a throwback to the “good ol’ days” of the city’s summertime history. Watch contestants in retro and vintage-inspired swimwear compete in the Bathing Beauties Revue at the seawall; plus, enjoy a classic car show, vendors, live entertainment, and other old-timey fun.
Rockport
Downtown Farmers Market
June 8, July 13, Aug. 10
Farmers Market, 105 S. Austin St.
At this monthly farmers market, vendors sell locally grown produce, jams, jellies, cottage canned goods, and pickled items. Visitors often find fresh baked bread, local honey, hen fruit, and freshly made goat soap.
Makers Market
June 8, July 13, Aug. 10
Showcasing local talent, this outdoor market features handmade items from artists in the community and fun, one-of-a-kind home décor items.
Austin Street Art Walk
June 8, July 13, Aug. 10
Downtown , Austin Street
Held on the second Saturday of the month, this art walk is an alfresco art experience featuring an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and textiles, as well as live music, artists demonstrations, and food.
Second Saturday in the District
June 8, July 13, Aug. 10
Downtown
The Rockport Cultural Arts District hosts Second Saturday every month with live music and special themes to enjoy along with a self-guided art walk, farmers market, and makers market.
Galveston
World Ocean Day Festival
June 8
East Beach, 1923 Boddeker Road
The Artist Boat’s World Ocean Day Festival brings the international celebration of the ocean to Galveston. With interactive exhibits, the Beautify the Bucket art contest, live music, and art workshops, the festival is fun and educational for ocean lovers of all ages.
Lake Jackson
Farmers Market
June 8, July 13, Aug. 10
Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place
This monthly farmers market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally roasted coffee, homemade food, handmade products, and other goods.
East Bernard
Czech Kolache-Klobase Festival
June 8
Riverside Hall, 14643 Buls Road
Enjoy live music and dancing with bands and entertainers performing from morning to night. A plate lunch of barbecue chicken, sausage, sauerkraut, and trimmings is available for purchase. Hamburgers are available in the evening. There are also arts and crafts vendors, a raffle, cake walk, and plenty of kolaches.
Aransas Pass
Shrimporee
June 14-16
Shrimporee Festival Grounds, 200 E. Johnson Ave.
The annual Shrimporee festival has celebrated the rich heritage of this coastal community for 76 years. The festival pays homage to a time when Aransas Pass was known as the Shrimp Capital of the World. The weekend includes live music on two stages, craft vendors, a live cooking stage serving up shrimp, a carnival, and kids’ zone and several family-friendly activities.
Rockport-fulton
Market Days
June 14-16
Rockport Harbor, 100 Sea Breeze Drive
Live music plays throughout the weekend while you peruse over 100 vendors and more than a dozen food trucks and food merchants. There’s seating in the shade for 48 people and you can bring your pets. Come join the fun at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor.
Port Aransas
Ladies’ Powder Puff Fishing Tournament
June 14-15
Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 Tarpon St.
This is the largest all-female fishing tournament on the Texas coast. Trophies are awarded to first, second, and third place finishers in the guided and amateur divisions.
Baytown
Market at Town Square
June 15, July 20, Aug. 17
Town Square, 213 W. Texas Ave.
Every third Saturday of the month, stroll through the outdoor market with your friends, family, or even your furry loved ones while discovering over 70 local vendors with unique, handmade and handcrafted merchandise.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
June 15, July 20, Aug. 17
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Once a month, visitors can watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn about the birds of the Brazosport area.
Corpus Christi
WWE “Monday Night Raw”
June 17
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
For more than 30 years, “Monday Night Raw” has been WWE’s flagship show. Fans across the world love the action-packed and drama-filled episodes of “Raw,” and WWE’s greatest stars such as The Undertaker, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Becky Lynch, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Charlotte Flair have competed.
ticketmaster.com/wwe-monday-night-raw-corpus-christi-texas-06-17-2024/event/3A006031F1F946DD
Port Arthur
S.A.L.T. Summer Classic
June 19-21
S.A.L.T. Club, 900 T.B. Elison Pkwy.
The Saltwater Anglers League of Texas hosts a fishing tournament from Pleasure Island in the Cajun Capital of Texas. Look for multiple adult divisions and a free kid division.
South Padre Island
Beach Bash Skate Jam
June 21
John L. Tompkins Park, 6100 South Padre Blvd.
At South Padre Island’s annual skate competition, there’s live music, food, and cash prizes.
Edna
Jackson County Winery Tour
June 22
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, 130 Main St.
Hop on the bus and ride along to taste local wine. The bus stops in Edna and Ganado and visits Lavaca Bluffs Vineyards and Winery.
Baytown
Full Moon Hike
June 22, July 20, Aug. 17
Baytown Nature Center, 6213 Bayway Drive
Enjoy a nighttime walk and explore nature’s handiwork. Take advanatage of this opportunity to visit the nocturnal habitats that are home to owls, raccoons, opossums, and other wildlife that emerge after dark.
Who Wants to Dance? DJ Nights
June 22, July 20, Aug. 24
Yepez Vineyard, 12739 FM 2354
Visit the Yepez Vineyard for an enchanting evening of rhythm and romance under the starlit skies. This monthly event features the rich flavors of handcrafted premium wines, created with grapes grown in Texas.
Freeport
Fort Velasco Day
June 22
Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.
Fort Velasco Day commemorates the 191st anniversary of the Battle of Fort Velasco. This living history event attracts reenactors from across the state who give visitors a glimpse of what life and conflict was like at the mouth of the Brazos River in 1830s Texas.
Baytown
Historic Building Tours
June 29
Republic of Texas Plaza, 5117 N. Main St.
On the last Saturday of the month, the historic 1894 one-room Wooster School and 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse, located at The Republic of Texas Plaza, are open to the public for tours. Learn about the past at the city’s living history museum.
Clute
Planetarium Show
July 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26-27, 30
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Featuring high-tech equipment including a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector, this planetarium show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye and gives viewers a close-up look at comets, exploding stars, and black holes. Showdates vary throughout each month.
Baytown
Fourth of July Celebration
July 3-4
Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St.
The city of Baytown’s annual Fourth of July event is a two-day spectacular that celebrates American Independence Day. This outdoor festival features live musical entertainment, activities, a parade, food and shopping vendors, and ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
South Padre Island
Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4
South Padre Island Entertainment District, 211 W. Whiting St.
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a spectacular fireworks show over the bay.
Beach Parade
July 4
Beach Access #4—Beach Circle, 2100 Gulf Blvd.
Kick off the Fourth of July with a parade on the beach.
Corpus Christi
Mayor’s Big Bang Celebration
July 4
Corpus Christi Bayfront
Corpus Christi is hosting its annual Fourth of July celebration with a bang. Families and friends can experience a fireworks show, festivities, and food trucks. The fireworks show takes place along the waters of the Corpus Christi Bay.
Rockport
July Fourth Patriotic Boat Parade and Fireworks
July 4
Little Bay at Rockport Beach
Get in a patriotic mood watching the boat parade that gets underway at noon—the best views are from Broadway adjacent to Little Bay or directly across from the north end of Rockport Beach. The Wendell Family Fireworks Show is held at dark later in the evening.
Galveston
Fourth of July Celebration
July 4
Galveston Seawall
Celebrate the long weekend with a parade along the seawall and traditional fireworks over the Gulf.
Freeport
Fishin’ Fiesta
July 4-7
Freeport Municipal Park, 421 N. Brazosport Blvd.
Since 1947, anglers have been drawn to this fishing tournament in the hopes of catching the biggest redfish, barracuda, or any other offshore or inshore fish. Along with fishing, the Fiesta has games, food, live entertainment, dances, arts and crafts, and a fireworks display on Saturday night. The tournament is one of the largest on the Gulf and includes prizes for both offshore and inshore categories.
Houston
Freedom Over Texas
July 4
Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou
Houston’s official July Fourth celebration offers a live concert featuring a nationally known and recognized recording artist, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the United States.
Rockport
Art Festival
July 6-7
Rockport Festival Grounds, 1500 E. Laurel St.
Founded in 1969 as a way to stimulate the arts economy in Rockport, an emerging art colony on the Texas Gulf Coast, the Rockport Art Festival has since become a staple of the summer season on the coast, with over 120 artists selling their work to over 10,000 art buyers.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
June 1, July 6, Aug. 3
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site formerly owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Learn about the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Alden B. Dow Office Tour
July 6-27
Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place
Take a self-guided tour of the restored midcentury architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 downtown office. Learn about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. The museum is open on Saturdays.
Edna
County-Wide Community Garage Sale
July 8
Various locations
Find a bargain at garage sales across town. Items include clothing, décor, antiques, toys, and lots of unique finds.
Port Aransas
Deep Sea Roundup
July 11-14
Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 Tarpon St.
Dating back to the 1930s, the Deep Sea Roundup is the oldest fishing tournament on the Gulf Coast. The fish categories remain the same, following the Texas and federal fishing guidelines. This is a tournament for all who wish to participate—men, women, and youth—with trophies given out to first, second and third place in the guided and amateur divisions. Weigh-in for all divisions is at the Fred Rhodes Pavilion in Roberts Point Park.
South Padre Island
Ron Hoover Fishing Tournament
July 12-13
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
Anglers compete in an exciting bay tournament, with a portion of proceeds going to Make-A-Wish of the Rio Grande Valley.
Clute
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”
July 12-14, 19-21
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This stage production takes you on a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. The show was adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams and is based on the children’s motion picture starring Dick Van Dyke.
Rockport-fulton
Market Days
July 19-21
Rockport Harbor, 100 Sea Breeze Drive
Live music plays throughout the weekend while you peruse over 100 vendors and more than a dozen food trucks and food merchants. There’s seating in the shade for 48 people and you can bring your pets. Come join the fun at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor.
Clute
Great Texas Mosquito Festival
July 25-27
Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive
At this fun-filled family event, celebrating its 43rd year, festivalgoers can expect vendor booths with a variety of foods, arts and crafts, and other merchandise; a carnival; live entertainment each evening; and Willie-Man-Chew, the 26-foot-tall mosquito mascot that greets visitors.
Victoria
“Cinderella”
July 26-Aug. 4
Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.
Based on the classic musical, this modern take on the tale features Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs.
Baytown
“The Music Man”
July 26-Aug. 4
Lee College Performing Arts Center, 805 W. Texas Ave.
Baytown Little Theater presents a production of “The Music Man” with various showtimes spanning six days. Come and watch Harold Hill as he transforms a small town with his passion for music and love.
Corpus Christi
Plumeria Sale
July 27
Jewish Community Center, 750 Everhart Road
Members of the Plumeria Society of South Texas offer propagate cuttings, rooted plants, and potted specimens from personal plants to sell at their annual Plumeria Sale. Admission is free, and proceeds benefit care and upkeep of the plumeria garden at the South Texas Botanical Gardens.
Rockport
Rockin’ Rockport Regatta
July 27-28
Rockport Yacht Club, 722 Navigation Circle
The Rockport Yacht Club hosts this annual Texas Sailing Association-sanctioned youth sailing event, where participants must be under 20 to compete. Potentially 90 boats may be entered in this event that brings families to the Rockport area for a summer weekend.
Galveston
Esports Summit
July 27-28
Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd.
Enjoy an opportunity to look, learn, and participate in this fast-growing entertainment industry. Daily panels focus on the influence esports has on STEM education, mental and physical health, and diversity in gaming. There are also appearances by voiceover and game celebrities and game developers, demonstrations, gaming areas, and tournaments for all ages.
Baytown
Historic Building Tours
July 27
Republic of Texas Plaza, 5117 N. Main St.
On the last Saturday of the month, the historic 1894 one-room Wooster School and 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse, located at The Republic of Texas Plaza, are open to the public for tours. Learn about the past at the city’s living history museum.
Saturday History Lecture Series: National Cowboy Day
July 27
Enjoy learning about National Cowboy Day with a guest lecturer while also having an opportunity to explore the historic 1894 one-room Wooster School and 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse, located at The Republic of Texas Plaza.
Trade Days Market
July 27
Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market St.
Visit this indoor/outdoor shopping event that offers over 100 vendor booths selling handmade crafts, art, clothing, and gifts. There are also local food trucks onsite.
South Padre Island
Texas International Fishing Tournament
July 31-Aug. 4
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel and South Padre Island play host to Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament. Anglers compete in one of three divisions: bay, tarpon, and offshore. Dockside, thousands of spectators turn out to view impressive catches of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish brought in by the big boats offshore.
sopadre.com/event/texas-international-fishing-tournament/1734
Houston
Shakespeare Festival
Aug. 1-10
Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive
Debuting in 1975, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, a collaboration between the city and the University of Houston’s School of Theatre, offers free public performances of the Bard’s works each summer at Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre. There is seating on the hill and in the covered audience area.
Tomball
Tomball Night
Aug. 2
Market Street, 100 Market St.
A family-friendly festival ends with a lighted parade and fireworks. Previous festivities have included live entertainment, kids’ activities, food, drinks, shopping, giveaways, vendors, and door prizes.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
June 1, July 6, Aug. 3
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site formerly owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Learn about the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Alden B. Dow Office Tour
Aug. 3-31
Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place
Take a self-guided tour of the restored midcentury architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 downtown office. Learn about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. The museum is open on Saturdays.
Clute
Planetarium Show
Aug. 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 23-24, 27, 31
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Featuring high-tech equipment including a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector, this planetarium show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye and gives viewers a close-up look at comets, exploding stars, and black holes. Showdates vary throughout each month.
South Padre Island
U.S. National Lifeguard Championships
Aug. 6-9
Isla Grand Beach Resort, 500 Padre Blvd.
Founded in 1964, the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is America’s nonprofit, professional association of beach lifeguards and open-water rescuers. The USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means. Events include beach runs and sprints, swims, board rescues, and relays.
Port Aransas
Texas Legends Billfish Fishing Tournament
Aug. 7-24
Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 Tarpon St.
This tournament pioneered the concept of a video-release format with points awarded for blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish. It is unique in that once you are registered in the tournament, you may depart from any Texas port. The Port Aransas weigh-in and awards allows fisherman easy access to the natural offshore structure and deep-water rigs for which this area is famous.
South Padre Island
Ladies Kingfish Tournament
Aug. 9-11
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
The first all-ladies tournament in Texas is divided into two divisions: bay and offshore fishing.
Port Aransas
Majek Owners Tournament
Aug. 9-10
Robert’s Point Park Pavillion, 301 JC Barr Blvd.
The Majek Boats Owners’ Tournament was created to show Majek owners how much they are appreciated as well as bring Majek owners together to show off their boats, meet new friends, and win great prizes including a brand new Majek boat. The fishing tournament gives Majek owners the chance to win the title of the top Majek angler on the Gulf Coast.
Victoria
Carol Koutnik and Irmgard Geul Exhibits
Aug. 16-Oct. 5
The Nave Museum, 306 W. Commercial St.
Carol Koutnik’s work is about experiencing a world of diverse places and cultures. She pulls inspiration from exploring the growth patterns and colors of gardens. Irmagard Geul creates stories and adventures with “embroidery paintings,” a self-explored technique where she applies embroidery and stitching over acrylic paintings on paper, to create depth and a visual perspective.
Rockport-fulton
Market Days
Aug. 16-18
Rockport Harbor, 100 Sea Breeze Drive
Live music plays throughout the weekend while you peruse over 100 vendors and more than a dozen food trucks and food merchants. There’s seating in the shade for 48 people and you can bring your pets. Come join the fun at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor.
Port Aransas
Texas Women Anglers Tournament
Aug. 23-25
Fisherman’s Whart, 900 Tarpon St.
The Texas Women Anglers Tournament is a women-only, family-run fishing tournament held every summer in Port Aransas. It was founded in the 1980s with the mission to raise funds for the Women’s Shelter of South Texas, now named The Purple Door. In 1989, 18 boats registered for the tournament with over 50 women anglers. Today, an average of 70 boats and over 400 women anglers gather in Port Aransas to fish the tournament.
Corpus Christi
Parker McCollum in Concert
Aug. 31
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Singer/songwriter Parker McCollum makes his return to American Bank Center on his “Burn it Down” tour with special guest Corey Kent.
Baytown
Historic Building Tours
Aug. 31
Republic of Texas Plaza, 5117 N. Main St.
On the last Saturday of the month, the historic 1894 one-room Wooster School and 1910 Brown-McKay Farmhouse, located at The Republic of Texas Plaza, are open to the public for tours. Learn about the past at the city’s living history museum.
Lake Jackson
Festival of Lights
Nov. 18
Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 SH 332
Lake Jackson brings the Yuletide cheer with this kick-off to the holiday season. Festivities include a carnival, games, and a parade.