March in Texas has plenty to offer. Since March brings warm temperatures to the Lone Star State, there are plenty of outdoor festivals to enjoy on this list, from music festivals to cultural celebrations. Some of Texas’ largest and most popular events and festivals actually occur during the month of March. Therefore, the state is a great place to enjoy spring break. Explore the Lone Star State this spring by experiencing these 12 incredible events.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
For Houstonians, March means rodeo time. The first three weeks of March are dedicated to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This isn’t your average rodeo; it’s actually the second-largest fair in North America and the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. Here you can watch popular rodeo events along with some of the biggest names in music.
South by Southwest Music Festival and Conference
The Live Music Capital of the World holds its largest festival during the month of August. The South by Southwest Music Festival and Conference, noted as SXSW or simply called “Southby” by locals, turns the entire city of Austin into a venue. Watch live music everywhere. Austin’s parks, bars, clubs, hotels and even churches and stores boast live music events during SXSW. There are thousands of official SXSW performances and many unofficial SXSW shows. However, SXSW isn’t just about the music. This multi-week event also features interactive, film, and comedy weeks.
North Texas Irish Festival
The North Texas Irish Festival occurs in Dallas every year during the first weekend of March. This three-day event claims to be the “largest Celtic event in the Southwest.” Here, festival-goers experience live Celtic music and dancers along with great food, beer and other unique programs and performances.
ABC Kite Fest
This family-friendly event occurs in Austin on the first Sunday in March. The ABC Kite Festival features kite flying contests and plenty of unique kite displays. Thousands of Austinites head to Zilker Park for this free festival. Make a kite to fly yourself or simply enjoy the sky full of kites, along with live music and local eats.
Rio Frio Fest
Country music lovers should head to the Frio River for the ultimate spring break experience at Rio Frio Fest. Float the river during the day and enjoy live music at night. With a great lineup of musicians, along with a crawfish boil and other fun activities, Rio Frio Fest turns Concan into a hot spring break destination.
Sherwood Forest Faire
Enjoy a Renaissance festival in McDade known as the Sherwood Forest Faire. This festival spans eight weekends through March and April. Watch a thrilling jousting match and silly comedy shows. Shop in unique shops full of handmade items and medieval costumes. Located an hour east of Austin, Sherwood Forest Faire is located on a beautifully wooded 25-acre property.
Bayou City Art Festival
Support art in the Bayou City by attending the Bayou City Art Festival. Located in downtown Houston at Memorial Park, Bayou City Art Festival occurs in late March. This outdoor event features approximately 300 artists from 19 different art disciplines. The festival works to raise money to benefit local art programs in Houston. Besides viewing incredible art displays, also enjoy live music too.
Nederland Heritage Festival
This mid-March festival focuses on local handmade and collectible goods. Over 120 different vendors and artisans attend the Nederland Heritage Festival. For two days, support local artists at this huge free event that is one of the largest free events in the Lone Star State. Complete with a carnival, fun run, live music performances and a chili cook-off.
Borderfest
This South Texas festival has occurred every March since 1976. Borderfest is South Texas’ largest and longest-running festival. This cultural art and music festival showcases the diverse cultures found in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley. Both kids and adults will enjoy the atmosphere here. Adults will love the live music, international foods and other live performances, while kids will enjoy the interactive kid exhibit and the petting zoo. Nearly 100,000 people show up to Borderfest every year.
Tyler Azalea Trail
March in Texas means that spring has arrived. Embrace the warm weather and blossoming buds by visiting the Tyler Azalea Trail this March. Tyler is known as the “Rose Capital of America.” Mid-March to mid-April is the time to see this gorgeous trail full of rose blooms.
