The holidays are over, but January is still merry and bright thanks to an exciting lineup of festivals taking place throughout Texas this month.
Grand Prairie
Jan. 6-8 and 13-15: Celebrate Lunar New Year in Grand Prairie at Asia Times Square, one of the largest Asian markets in Texas. The 2023 event will be one of the biggest yet, featuring live music and dance performances, food from various cultures, art and vendors from all around Texas and more. Both the event and parking are free. More at asiatimessquare.com.
Since 1896, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has offered an authentic western lifestyle experience. Credit FWSSR
Fort Worth
Jan. 13-Feb. 4: Saddle up for the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo –– 23 days of western fun featuring the best of the West rodeo action and competitions, livestock and horse shows, kid-friendly activities and exhibits, live music concerts, a carnival midway, shopping, food and more unfolding in the Dickies Arena. For more information and tickets, visit www.fwssr.com.
Luckenbach
Jan. 14: Head to Luckenbach for the 16th Annual Blues Festival. This year’s music lineup includes Vin Mott Blues Band, Ben Beckendorf Band, Gary Cain Band, Clay Melton, Sue Foley and Cedric Burnside. The outdoor show takes place from noon to 7 p.m. and tickets are $30. More at www.luckenbachtexas.com.
San Antonio
Jan. 16: Take part in the largest march in the nation: The 36th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration. This year’s celebration begins with the in-person march kickoff at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy (3501 Martin Luther King Drive) and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park (1101 Iowa St.). The march will be followed by the park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park, including a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors and information booths. More at www.sanantonio.gov/MLK.
Girls Getaway: 24 Hours in San Antonio’s Pearl District
Cancel out your carbs from all the beer and chili by getting your morning exercise in at the 5K fun run. Contributed
Galveston
Jan. 20-21: If you love a hot bowl of chili served with a side of cold beer, don’t miss the 14th annual Chili Quest & Beer Fest taking place along Galveston’s Historic Strand. This annual festival includes a chili cook-off, chili tasting, beer fest featuring craft beers from across the country, a 5K fun run, a corn hole tournament, a Patron margarita contest, live music and more taking place at Galveston’s Historic Strand District at the intersection of 23rd Street and Strand Street. Purchase tickets and find out more at www.yagaschiliquest.com.
Hear ye! Hear ye! In 2023, Kerrville Renaissance Festival is expanding to three weekends. Credit Robert Self
Kerrville
Jan. 21-22 and 28-29: Travel back in time at the Kerrville Renaissance Festival, taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Lords and Ladies, knights and knaves will stroll the grounds of the River Star Arts and Events Park each weekend for shopping, entertainment, stage shows, live music, games, food and participatory revelry inspired by the days of the Renaissance. Expect seven stages of entertainment, including the Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey show, Marty the Juggler, Belly Dance Troupes and more. Renaissance-era clothing and attitudes encouraged. Tickets at the gate are $16.95 for adults, $6.95 for children 5-12 and free for children under 4. A third festival weekend takes place Feb. 4-5. More at www.KerrvilleRenFest.com.
Experience the largest antiques fair in America. Contributed
Round Top
Jan. 21-22: Shop for quality antiques and vintage finds at Round Top’s annual Winter Antique Show. Taking place in the tiny 90-population Texas town of Round Top, the antiques show is the largest of its kind in the country, stretching over 11 miles on either side of Texas State Highway 237. Shop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. A general admission ticket costs $10 and is valid for both days, and children 16 and under are free. More at www.roundtoptexasantiques.com.
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Denton
Jan. 25-29: The Denton Black Film Festival is a five-day event that showcases some of the best in Black cinema, music, spoken word, comedy, art, food and fashion and more. Each festival, held annually in January, shares stories of the Black community –– its traditions, ideas and experiences –– in a multitude of ways. This year, there are five ways to see the festival, including both in-person (Jan. 25-29) and virtual experiences (Jan. 29-Feb. 6). More at www.dentonbff.com.
Migrations is a three-day festival featuring workshops and performances of dance styles from around the world. Credit Carrie Meyer of the Dancers Eye Studio
Round Rock
Jan. 27-29: The annual Migrations Dance & Music Festival brings together dance and music from around the globe to the heart of Texas. Since 2017, the festival has featured three days of workshops in a wide range of dance and musical styles from all around the world including Spain, India, West Africa, Polynesia, Egypt, and more. Find more information about the 3-day inclusive dance and music festival and purchase tickets at www.migrationsaustin.com.
Surfside Beach
Jan. 28: At the sixth annual Surfside Food and Art Festival, expect live music, a chili cookoff, art and food vendors, a community art project, fun activities for kids, beer tasting and more taking place at Stahlman Park (2211 Bluewater Highway) in Surfside, Texas. More at surfsidetx.org.
