What started as a beautification initiative by retail owners, residents and local artists of the Houston Montrose area in 1971 is now one the biggest art festivals of the city, hosting up to 300 artists every year. The festival is held twice a year during March and October. Houston's Memorial Park serves as the location for the March showing, while the streets of the city's downtown get flooded with artist's booths in October showing.
bayoucityartfestival.com
Held in the spring, the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is a juried show featuring up to 200 artists. The show features several art mediums and a floating art parade, in which local businesses and organization create art floats in that year's theme. The festival takes place outdoors at the Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center waterway, about 40 minutes north of Houston.
The Woodlands Waterway
2099 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
woodlandsartsfestival.com
The Menil Community Arts Festival is held by a coalition of Houstonian organizations for the arts, the Menil Collection and the City of Houston to bring free entertainment to city. Held in the spring, the festival includes movie showings by the Aurora Picture Show, art sales and fine art exhibits from the Menil Collection, photography at the Houston Center for photography and watercolor works by the Watercolor Art Society -- Houston. Visitors can also attend film, creative writing and watercolor workshops. The festival is held in the Menil Campus, where visitors are not only treated to quality art but also to extensive shaded lawns, refreshments and several of Houston's art museums nearby
The Menil Campus
1515 Sul Ross St.
Houston, TX 77006
menilcommunityartsfestival.org