Texas Festivals, Special Events

Texas is a state that likes to celebrate.

Whether you call it a festival or a fiesta, a party or a special event, you'll find annual events scheduled for most weekends of the year (although January can be a very quiet time, topping even the sweltering month of August when it takes a dedicated festival lover to attend any function.)

Here's a month by month look at the top festivals across the Lone Star State:

	January Chilly January means the Cotton Bowl and a calendar of rodeos and stock shows plus the country's largest MLK parade.		July The 4th of July is celebrated across the state with parades; you'll also find some unconventional events this month like a mosquito festival!
	February Laredo's George Washington's Birthday Celebration is the country's largest.		August The Hotter 'n Hell Bicycle Race keeps the summer moving in North Texas while Austin gets batty with the annual Batfest.
	March Kite festivals kick off the month along with several spring bloom events, Austin's SXSW, and Austin's rodeo.		September The State Fair of Texas kicks off this month joined by festivals that celebrate everything from birds to kolaches to wine.
	April Bluebonnets, sandcastles, strawberries, and more are celebrated this month along with San Antonio's not-to-be-missed Fiesta.		October October means Halloween events and the continuation of the country's biggest state fair as well as the Texas Renaissance Festival.
	May Cinco de Mayo events start the month followed by Scarborough Faire® Renaissance Faire and the Kerrville Folk Festival.		November Wurstfest and the Texas Renaissance Festival continue while the Texas Book Festival and holiday events draw others.
	June From a Texas-sized motorcycle rally to a shrimp eating contest to Scottish games, Texas celebrates all month long.		December Holiday events, from light trails to crafts festivals to home tours, fill the month all the way to the New Year's countdown.

Specific Types of Festivals

• Oktoberfests and Fall festivals
• Renaissance Festivals & Faires
• Barbecue cookoffs
• Cinco de Mayo
• Wine Country

Photo credits:

January: Sister City Celebration, Laredo; courtesy Laredo CVB
February: George Washington's Birthday Celebration, Laredo; courtesy Laredo CVB
May: Kerrville Folk Festival; courtesy Kerrville CVB
September: Up the Chisholm Trail event & Chuckwagon Cookoff, Georgetown; courtesy Georgetown CVB
October: Photo courtesy Screams, Waxahachie