Texas Festivals and Fairs
Texas takes its festivals seriously. Browse by month or category to see what's happening near where you're considering.
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A Very Derrick Christmas(Kilgore Christmas)
November · 5,000 attendees
Lighting the historic oil derricks for the holidays.
Visit website →Alpine Artwalk(Artwalk)
November · 8,000 attendees
A two-day gallery crawl and street party in the Big Bend region.
Visit website →Bowels of Steel Chili Challenge(Bowels of Steel)
November · 1,000 attendees
A test of endurance for both cooks and judges.
Chili Appreciation Society Cook-off(CASI Terlingua)
First Saturday in November · 10,000 attendees
The championship chili cook-off in the ghost town of Terlingua.
Visit website →Chitlin Strut
November · 2,000 attendees
Celebrating a Southern culinary tradition.
Christmas Capital of Texas(Grapevine Christmas)
Nov-Dec · 2,000,000 attendees
Over 1,400 events in 40 days, including the North Pole Express and ICE! at the Gaylord.
Visit website →Ford Holiday River Parade(River Walk Parade)
Fri after Thanksgiving · 150,000 attendees
A televised parade of illuminated floats on the San Antonio River Walk the day after Thanksgiving.
Visit website →Fort Worth Greek Festival(Greek Fest)
November · 15,000 attendees
Traditional Greek culture, food, and dance.
Visit website →Fort Worth Parade of Lights(Parade of Lights)
November · 100,000 attendees
The largest illuminated holiday parade in North Texas.
Visit website →Henderson Heritage Syrup Festival(Syrup Fest)
November · 30,000 attendees
The only festival in Texas where ribbon cane syrup is made.
Visit website →Ice Land at Moody Gardens(Ice Land)
Nov-Jan · 250,000 attendees
Two million pounds of ice carved into massive sculptures in a 9-degree environment.
Visit website →Lone Star Rally
November · 400,000 attendees
The largest weekend motorcycle rally in the US.
Visit website →Mingle and Jingle(Kilgore Holiday)
November · 3,000 attendees
Holiday downtown shopping and community festivities.
Visit website →Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival(Birding Fest)
November · 5,000 attendees
A premier birding event attracting enthusiasts from around the world.
Visit website →Salado Scottish Games(Scottish Games)
November · 10,000 attendees
Clan gathering and traditional Highland games.
Visit website →Santa’s Ranch(Santa's Ranch)
Nov-Jan · 100,000 attendees
One of Texas’ favorite drive-thru light displays featuring over 3 million lights.
Visit website →Santa’s Wonderland(The World's Largest Christmas Park)
Nov-Dec · 500,000 attendees
A massive 150-acre Christmas village with hayrides, real snow, and millions of lights.
Visit website →Seismic Dance Event(Seismic)
November · 15,000 attendees
The Southeast's premier boutique house and techno festival.
Visit website →Slap Your Papa Chili(Slap Your Papa)
November · 2,500 attendees
A local favorite for high-flavor, sanctioned competition chili.
Storybook Christmas Parade(Abilene Parade)
Late November · 20,000 attendees
The largest holiday parade in West Central Texas.
Visit website →Sun Bowl Thanksgiving Day Parade(Sun Bowl Parade)
Thanksgiving Day · 250,000 attendees
A historic parade featuring floats and bands in El Paso.
Visit website →Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-off(Terlingua Chili Fest)
First Saturday in November · 10,000 attendees
The granddaddy of all chili cook-offs in the West Texas desert.
Visit website →Texas Anything Chili Cook-off(Anything Chili)
November · 2,500 attendees
A unique format where 'anything goes' as long as it's chili.
Visit website →Texas Book Festival(Texas Book Fest)
November · 40,000 attendees
A celebration of authors and reading at the State Capitol.
Visit website →Texas State Fair of San Antonio(San Antonio Fair)
November · 150,000 attendees
A traditional fair for the San Antonio area with carnival and livestock.
Visit website →Texas State Fairgrounds Holiday Wonder(Holiday Wonder)
Nov-Dec · 40,000 attendees
A lantern festival and winter wonderland.
Texas State Railroad Polaris Express(Polar Express)
Nov-Dec · 60,000 attendees
A magical train ride to the North Pole during the holidays.
Visit website →Via Colori Street Painting Festival(Via Colori)
November · 30,000 attendees
Street painting festival benefitting The Center for Hearing and Speech.
Visit website →Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival(Winnsboro Arts)
November · 5,000 attendees
A fine arts market in the piney woods of East Texas.
Visit website →Wonderland of Lights(Marshall Lights)
Nov-Dec · 150,000 attendees
Millions of white lights illuminate the historic Harrison County Courthouse and downtown.
Visit website →World Championship Shrimp Cook-off(Shrimp Cook-off)
November · 10,000 attendees
Testing the best shrimp recipes in the 'Shrimp Capital of the World'.
Visit website →Wurstfest(The Sausage Festival)
First Friday of November · 200,000 attendees
A 10-day salute to sausage and German culture.
Visit website →Sponsored
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