The mood is festive around us. The holiday vibes are still going strong. Everyone is in high spirits for the coming days. We all are hyped up to spend our holidays with our families doing lots of fun activities. So if you are looking for things to do this coming weekend, then don't worry. We have got you covered! Here's a list of places you can go and spend your weekend.
1. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Holidays at Heard is going to be a fun, family-friendly fundraising event. They have their events on the 9th and 10 December from 6.30 - 9.30 P.M. They have a lovely light and decorated half-mile Heard nature trail. It's going to be a beautiful nighttime hike for you and your family and friends.
2. Candlelight At Old City Park
This December, join the 50th candlelight at the old city park, the longest-running event in Texas. The park will have over 13 acres of decorated buildings, food trucks, craft vendors, strolling carolers, and many more. Make sure to explore the historic buildings in the village, which will be decked up in period decoration. The walkway is going to be candle-lit in the evening with live music.
3. Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
The 2022 Arlington Holiday lights parade will happen on December 10, beginning at 6.00 p.m. The parade route traditionally started at the corner of Main and Center Streets, but the courses have changed within the past seven years. There's going to be pageantry followed by the Christmas tree's lighting. You can also stop by the Hawkes Downtown Library. navigating Dallas/Fort Worth Airport You can find Reindeer crafts and get pictures with Santa.
4. Scrooge The Musical
What better way to spend your weekend than watching the classic Scrooge the Musical? It's a fast-paced full-length musical by Leslie Bricusse, an award-winning songwriter. The musical play is a classic retelling of 'A Christmas Carol.' It's happening in the Courtyard Theatre from December 7 -11. travel options from Houston to Dallas
Texas Shuttle will help you plan your rides to all these beautiful places. Texas Shuttle can help We will pick you up and drop you off at your exact locations. Almost all rides are non-stop in nice cars, SUVs, or shuttles. We are available 24/7. You can also change the time or date with us without being charged. There's less hassle, and you save more money with us. The Texas Shuttle is safer, affordable, flexible, and more convenient than any other ride. Book a ride with us this season to experience that warm and stress-free holiday vibe. It even reduces the unwanted cost incurred on the fare of taxis and buses to reach home. We provide professional chauffeurs with uniform and clean vehicles. Their mission is to create lifetime customer loyalty by exceeding their expectations in terms of service.
Quick Answer: What Are the Most Popular Festivals and Parades in Texas?
Texas hosts festivals and parades year-round in every major metro. Some of the biggest and most beloved include the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Fiesta San Antonio, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Mardi Gras! Galveston, the Texas Rose Festival in Tyler, Dickens on The Strand in Galveston, and the Fourth of July celebrations in Austin and Fort Worth. Whether you're planning around a holiday weekend or a season-long celebration, there is always a festival, parade, or light display within driving distance of a major Texas city.
Iconic Texas Festivals Worth Planning a Trip Around
While the holiday events listed above are perfect for December weekends, Texas is a state that celebrates all year long. If you're building a travel calendar, these are the signature events that locals and visitors plan months in advance to attend.
State Fair of Texas — Dallas
Held at Fair Park, just off Interstate 30 east of downtown Dallas, the State Fair of Texas is one of the largest and longest-running state fairs in the country. It runs for roughly three weeks each fall and features the iconic Big Tex statue, the college football Red River Rivalry at the nearby Cotton Bowl, live music, a midway, and the famous fried-food competitions. Fair Park is also easy to reach via DART's Green Line, which makes it one of the most accessible large festivals in the state.
Fiesta San Antonio
Fiesta San Antonio is a multi-day citywide celebration each spring honoring the city's history and heritage. Events spread across downtown San Antonio and beyond, including the illuminated Fiesta Flambeau Parade along Broadway — one of the largest nighttime parades in the country — and the Battle of Flowers Parade, which draws enormous crowds near Alamo Plaza and the River Walk. Visitors flying into San Antonio International Airport (SAT) can reach downtown in about 15 minutes via U.S. 281.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Every winter and early spring, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes over NRG Stadium and NRG Park near the corner of the South Loop 610 and Kirby Drive. It combines championship rodeo competition, livestock exhibitions, a carnival, and nightly concerts by major recording artists. It's one of Houston's signature annual events, and rodeo season is a great excuse to pair a stadium visit with the city's museum district and Buffalo Bayou Park.
Mardi Gras! Galveston
Galveston Island celebrates Mardi Gras in the weeks leading up to Lent, with parades rolling through the historic Strand District and along Seawall Boulevard. The island's Victorian-era architecture makes it one of the most scenic parade settings in Texas. Galveston is about an hour southeast of Houston via Interstate 45 South, so many visitors combine it with a Houston stop.
Texas Rose Festival — Tyler
Each October, the city of Tyler in East Texas celebrates its rose-growing heritage with the Texas Rose Festival, featuring a queen's coronation, a parade, and tours of the Tyler Rose Garden — the largest rose garden in the United States. Tyler sits along Interstate 20 roughly halfway between Dallas and Shreveport, making it an easy day trip from the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Dickens on The Strand — Galveston
For fans of Victorian holiday charm, Dickens on The Strand transforms Galveston's historic downtown into a 19th-century London street festival each December, complete with costumed characters, carolers, and period vendors. It pairs beautifully with a Moody Gardens holiday visit on the island's west end.
Texas Festivals at a Glance: Comparison Table
| Event | City | Typical Season | Setting | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Fair of Texas | Dallas (Fair Park) | Fall (about 3 weeks) | Historic fairgrounds | Families, foodies, football fans |
| Fiesta San Antonio | San Antonio | Spring | Downtown streets & River Walk | Parade lovers, culture seekers |
| Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo | Houston (NRG Park) | Late winter–early spring | Stadium complex | Rodeo & concert fans |
| Mardi Gras! Galveston | Galveston | Late winter (pre-Lent) | Strand District & Seawall | Adults, beach-town weekenders |
| Texas Rose Festival | Tyler | October | Rose Garden & downtown | Garden lovers, day trippers |
| Dickens on The Strand | Galveston | December | Historic downtown | Holiday travelers, history buffs |
Note: Dates, hours, and admission details change from year to year. Always confirm current schedules, entry costs, and ticket requirements on each event's official website before you travel.
How to Plan a Festival Trip in Texas: Practical Tips
Book Transportation and Parking Early
Downtown parade routes — like those in San Antonio during Fiesta or along Main Street in Fort Worth during its annual Day of day parades — often close streets hours in advance, and parking garages near festival grounds fill quickly. If you're flying into Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston Hobby (HOU), or Austin-Bergstrom (AUS), arrange a point-to-point shuttle or rides well ahead of the event weekend so you're not circling downtown looking for a spot.
Check Road Closures and Alternate Routes
Major parades routinely close stretches of downtown arteries — think Congress Avenue in Austin, Houston Street in San Antonio, or Elm Street in Dallas. Build in extra travel time, and know your alternate routes along frontage roads and cross-streets before heading out.
Dress and Pack for Texas Weather
Texas weather swings hard between seasons: December evenings in Dallas can be chilly enough for coats along a candlelit trail, while an October afternoon in Tyler or a spring Fiesta day in San Antonio can be warm and humid. Check the forecast, bring layers, and carry water — especially for outdoor events along the Seawall in Galveston or the open fairgrounds at Fair Park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals and Parades in Texas
1. What is the biggest festival in Texas?
The State Fair of Texas in Dallas is widely regarded as the largest annual festival in the state, drawing millions of visitors across its roughly three-week run at Fair Park each fall. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is another contender, given its massive stadium crowds and concert attendance.
2. When is the best time of year to visit Texas for festivals?
Fall and spring are the most popular festival seasons. Fall brings the State Fair of Texas, the Texas Rose Festival in Tyler, and harvest events across the Hill Country, while spring is peak season for Fiesta San Antonio and the Houston rodeo. December is ideal for holiday lights, parades, and Christmas-themed events statewide.
3. Are Texas festivals and parades family-friendly?
Most are. Events like the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade, Candlelight at Old City Park in Dallas, Holidays at the Heard in McKinney, and the Texas Rose Festival are designed with families in mind. Larger events such as Mardi Gras! Galveston skew more adult in the evening hours, so check each event's schedule for family-day programming.
4. How do I get to Texas festivals without dealing with parking?
Many major venues offer alternatives to driving: Fair Park in Dallas is served by DART's Green Line, NRG Park in Houston connects to the METRORail Red Line, and downtown San Antonio is compact enough to explore on foot once you arrive. For airport transfers or intercity travel — for example, from Houston to Galveston for Mardi Gras — a pre-booked shuttle or private car lets you skip downtown parking entirely.
5. Which Texas cities have the best holiday parades?
Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Galveston all host well-known holiday parades and light festivals. Smaller cities like Tyler, McKinney, and Georgetown also draw big crowds for their hometown Christmas parades, often with easier parking and shorter walks to the route.
6. Do I need tickets for Texas festivals, or are they free?
It varies by event. Many street parades — including most holiday parades — are free to watch from public sidewalks, while ticketed events like the State Fair of Texas, the Houston rodeo, and Dickens on The Strand charge admission. Ticketed seated areas and grandstands at major parades also typically require advance purchase. Check official event websites for current pricing and entry policies.
7. What should I bring to an outdoor Texas festival?
Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen), a refillable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and a light layer for evening temperature drops. Many festivals have clear-bag policies and prohibit outside food and drinks, so review the event's entry guidelines before packing.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Texas Festival Trip Stress-Free
From candlelit trails in McKinney to Mardi Gras revelry on the Galveston Seawall, Texas offers a festival or parade for every season and every travel style. The key to enjoying them is planning ahead: confirm dates on official event pages, book your transportation early, and build buffer time into your schedule for road closures and crowds. Arrange your ground transportation in advance — whether it's an airport pickup at DFW or a ride from Houston straight to the Strand — and you can spend your energy on funnel cakes, parade floats, and holiday lights instead of logistics.
