Texas Art & Festival Guide

Festivals bring people together to celebrate and showcase different interests, ideas, and cultures. As summer approaches, you may be thinking about fun or family friendly outdoor activities. To help out, our writers have compiled a list that is sure to have something for everyone perhaps to introduce you to a new world of music or food, or the delightful wackiness of a UFO festival.

Please note, while we have made every effort to represent accurate dates and details for each, we recommend checking online for schedule changes before heading out for the day.

For a unique art experience close to home, head to Georgetown with our art map (page 18) and explore the many vibrant murals and street art around the city.

MAY EVENTS

May 6 • Leander Kite Festival • Kick off the summer with the annual Kite Festival at Devine Lake Park, a free community event for all ages that includes kite events, food and craft vendors, and lots of high-flying fun! Bring your own kite or bring the family to watch other kites soar. leandertx. gov/parksrec/page/kite-festival

May 20 • Liberty Hill Whimsy and Wonder • Each year, Liberty Hill's Main Street is transformed into an eclectic fusion of all things whimsical and wonderful, with live music, art demonstrations, wine tastings, artisan vendors, street performers, and a Children’s Imagination Garden. experiencelhtx.com/whimsyandwonder/

Georgetown, Liberty Hill, & Austin Texas Bach Festival • Annual celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other classical composers.

JUNE EVENTS

Weekends on or near June 19 Juneteenth • Parades, live music, food, and activities in various locations in Georgetown, Round Rock, San Marcos, Austin, Killeen

JULY EVENTS

July 3 • Leander • Leander Liberty Fest • Celebrate Independence Day with Liberty Fest at Lakewood Park! Leander's largest annual event includes live music, food, children's activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.

July 3 • Liberty Hill • Liberty Hill Independence Day Spectacular • This festival celebrates the Fourth of July with live music, food vendors, and a fireworks display. experiencelhtx.com/ independence-day-spectacular/

July 4 • Georgetown • 4th of July Celebration • This Independence Day event hosted by the Georgetown Sertoma Club features a parade, auto show, arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, amusement rides, petting zoo, inflatables, and a fireworks show. georgetown4th.org

AUGUST EVENTS

August 5 • Georgetown • Blazin' Beer Crawl • An antidote for thirst for heat-weary Texans, the Blazin' Beer Crawl offers craft beer tastings at downtown retail stores and restaurants. mainstreet.georgetown.org/beercrawl/

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September • Georgetown • Art Hop • With artwork displayed at both the Georgetown Public Library and the Georgetown Art Center, viewers can “hop” across the Square to enjoy diverse pieces created by artists who live all over the state.

September 30 • Georgetown • GTX Film Festival • Annual cinematic celebration featuring a full day of films. gtxfilm.org

OCTOBER EVENTS

October 6-7 • Round Rock • Round Rock Chalk Walk • This unique event features sidewalk chalk artists who turn the pavement into a stunning canvas of colors and designs. Visitors will also have the chance to explore a variety of vendors as well as enjoy food, live music, theatrical performances, and children's activities. chalkwalk.org

October 21 • Georgetown • South Main Arts Festival • Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities. arts.georgetown.org/ southmainartfest/

October 21 • Liberty Hill • International Sculpture Festival • Each year, Liberty Hill’s Sculpture Park features live sculpting demonstrations, hands-on art activities, vendors, live music, a street dance, and a silent disco. experiencelhtx. com/sculpture-festival

October 26-29 • Taylor • Williamson County Fair and Rodeo • This fair features carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and exhibits showcasing local agriculture and crafts. wilcofair.com/

NOVEMBER EVENTS

November 16 • Round Rock Beaujolais Nights • A global celebration of the opening and tasting of the George Dubeouf Beaujolais Nouveau wine at this 21-andover festival celebrating culinary, performing, and visual arts. Free admission and complimentary wine tastings. roundrocktexas.gov/event/beauiolais-nights

November 24 • Georgetown • Lighting of the Square • The Lighting of the Square kicks off the holiday festivities with traditional carolers and a mass countdown to switching on thousands of lights downtown.

DECEMBER & JANUARY EVENTS

December 1-3 • Georgetown Christmas Stroll • Each December, the Georgetown Square is transformed into a hotspot for the holidays with a parade, festive marketplace, Bethlehem village, and activities just for kids.

December 9 • Liberty Hill • Christmas Festival, Shop, eat, and enjoy live music while the kids have a blast ice skating, playing in real snow, and meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. Don't miss the dazzling, lighted Christmas parade along Loop 332.

Late December - Early January • Cedar Park Winter Festival, Family friendly event featuring live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and a holiday-themed light display.

January 17 • Killeen, MLK Freedom Festival • Celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a parade, live music, and cultural performances.

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February • Taylor • Hops for Houses • Craft Beer Festival Visitors can enjoy beer samples from over 25 craft brewers along with live music, a silent auction, food trucks, games, and more! williamsonhabitat.org/hops-for-houses/

February • Austin • Carnaval Brasilerio • Carnaval grew from a small party for homesick Brazilian students in the 1970s to the largest indoor Carnaval party on the planet. Music, dancing, costumes, and general bacchanalia. (Think Brazilian mardi gras.) sambaparty.com

MARCH EVENTS

March 8-16 • Austin • South by Southwest (SXSW) • This annual festival is a convergence of music, film, and technology that attracts thousands of people from around the world to experience live performances, screenings, and interactive events. sxsw.com

March • Georgetown Georgetown Swirl • Savor the flavors of local wineries and food vendors at this annual wine tasting event. All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Main Street Facade & Sign Grant Program, which awards grants to over 90 downtown property and business owners. swirl.georgetown.org

March • Georgetown • GTX Photography • Festival A one-day festival jam-packed with photo walks, educational classes, and meet-and-greet opportunities with featured photographers. All classes and photo walks are free and open to the public on a first-come basis by registering in person Saturday morning at the Williamson Museum. georgetowntexasphotographyfestival.com

March • Austin • Rodeo Austin • An annual 15-day celebration, Rodeo Austin features livestock and horse shows, carnival activities, live music, and hands-on learning experiences in agricultural education for youth.

The last weekend in March • Salado • Wildflower Arts and Crafts Festivals • Visitors can enjoy this family-friendly festival that features arts and crafts vendors selling handcrafted items from all over the state. visitsaladotexas.com/event/wildflower-arts-and-craftsfair/2023-03-25/

March & April • Austin • ABC Kite Fest • Day-long activities for all ages, including the traditional kite flying contest and showcase, and MossFest, a children’s music concert.

APRIL EVENTS

April • Austin • Eeyore's Birthday • Eeyore's Birthday Party is a fundraiser run by the Friends of the Forest Foundation to benefit local 501c3 nonprofit groups in Austin. eeyores.org

April • Austin • Austin Reggae Festival • Music lovers can enjoy live reggae music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. austinreggaefest.com

April • Austin • Lone Star Rod & Kustom Round Up • This huge outdoor car show and live music festival features miles of vintage hot rods and custom cars driven by folks on an annual pilgrimage to Austin from all over the country and the world. lonestarroundup.com

April • Temple • Bloomin' Temple Festival • This festival features live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo and inflatable games.

April • Georgetown • Spring Art Stroll • Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities.

Late April • Georgetown • Red Poppy Festival • This festival celebrates the city's official flower, the red poppy and features live music, food vendors, a parade, and artisan booths. poppy.georgetown.org