FALL FESTIVALS
It’s officially fall and the summer heat is mostly gone, which means it’s the perfect time of year to hit the streets in search of live music, food and an adult beverage or two. While a few of Houston’s best festivals have already come and gone, and a few
Texas Renaissance Festival When: 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 26 Where: 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission You know what happens here. People dress strange, speak strange and dole out Texas-sized turkey legs. It’s amazing. Details: $15-$30; texrenfest.com
Lone Star Rally When: Thursday-Sunday Where: Galveston Motorcycles from all over will once again take over the coastal city, harmonizing their exhaust growls with the constant churn of the ocean’s symphony. The free gathering congregates in downtown, with connected events all over the island.
Details: Free; lonestarrally.com
International Quilt Festival When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas One of Houston’s largest annual events, this gathering of all things quilting will feature more than 1,600 textile works of art. Details: $9-$12; quilts.com/quiltfestival-houston.html
Art @ Discovery Green When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney More than 70 fine and contemporary craft artists are scheduled to flood the downtown park to show and sell their original artwork. Details: Free; discoverygreen.com
Nutcracker Market When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 9-10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 11-12
Where: NRG Center, 1 NRG Park Get ready for the holidays with this festival that offers one-stop seasonal shopping. Details: $18-$20; houstonballet.org/ about/nutcracker-market
Magical Winter Lights
When: 5-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 5-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays Nov. 10-Jan. 2
Where: Gulf Greyhound Park, 1000 FM 2004, La Marque The lantern festival returns with its signature lights, cultural events and family-friendly activities, some involving dinosaurs. Details: $13-$25; magicalwinterlights.com/houston
Children’s Festival When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 11, noon-5 p.m. Nov. 12
Where: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands As the name implies, this is for the kids, reflecting aspects of their lives and interests ranging from art to being active to educational exhibits. Jack Hanna will be among the guests.
Details: $8-$10; woodlandscenter.org
Via Colori Street Painting Festival When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 19 Where: Hermann Square Park This might literally be the most colorful event in Houston all year long as the fest is basically a large outdoor art canvas. Details: $7-$10; centerhearingandspeech.org
Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival When: Nov. 24-26 Where: Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston If you like beer, you need to be here. But there’s more than 400 craft beer — like tequila and food, of course. Details: $15-$30; brewmastersbeerfest.com
Tomball German Christmas Market
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 10
Where: 221 Market Street, Tomball If you have some lederhosen, this is the time to put them on as the annual German culture fest celebrates the season with dance, music and, of course, beer.
Details: Free; tomballgermanchristmasmarket.com
Houston Margarita Festival When: Noon-10 p.m. Dec. 9 Where: Water Works Park, 105 Sabine There are going to be more than 30 varieties of margarita to try, as well as food and vendors. Don’t sleep on the salsa dancing. It pairs well with the drinks. Details: $15; houstonmargaritafest.com
Day for Night When: Dec. 15-17 Where: Post HTX, 401 Franklin More than a place to witness a legion of bands and musicians, this is an arts festival with several interactive arts displays. Though, for some people headlining acts like Nine Inch Nails, Thom Yorke of Radiohead and Solange are the reason to go.
Details: $105-$760; dayfornight.io