From spring blooms and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to rodeos and rattlesnake roundups, here are 10 of the top Texas festivals worthy of a road trip this month.
This year’s Dallas Blooms features larger-than-life peacock topiaries along with more than 500,000 spring blooming bulbs. Contributed by Dallas Arboretum
Dallas
Now-April 10: Spring comes to life at the Dallas Arboretum’s Dallas Blooms, the largest annual floral festival in the Southwest. Themed “Birds in Paradise,” this year’s Dallas Blooms will feature larger-than-life peacock topiaries along with more than 500,000 spring blooming bulbs to create the largest and most colorful floral display in the Southwest. This explosion of spring flowers comes from 100 varieties of spring bulbs, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees. Dallas Blooms bursts with fun for everyone, including Mommy and Me Mondays, Tiny Tot Tuesdays, Cool Thursdays Concerts, live music throughout the garden, piano performances, picnics and more. More at www.dallasarboretum.org.
Dallas Blooms is the largest and most colorful floral display in the Southwest. Contributed by Dallas Arboretum
March 4-6: The pipes are calling everyone to Fair Park in Dallas for the 40th Annual North Texas Irish Festival, a three-day family-friendly festival celebrating the rich tradition of Irish and Celtic culture. Tens of thousands of people from across Texas and beyond flock to this family-friendly event that has become one of the largest Irish festivals in the country. Expect live music, dancing, storytelling, chef demonstrations and more on multiple stages throughout Fair Park, as well as horse shows, fencing and sheepherding demonstrations, beer and whiskey tastings, and more. Admission is free from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday; $10 after 7 p.m. One-day tickets are $25 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Children 11 and under are free with an accompanying adult. More at www.ntif.org.
North Texas Irish Festival is a three-day family-friendly festival celebrating Irish and Celtic culture. Photo by Susan Thweatt
Houston
Now-March 20: This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The world’s largest livestock show and rodeo attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually with its family-friendly experiences spanning calf scrambles, horse shows, a carnival, rodeo competitions and nightly concerts from performers including Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, Chris Stapleton, George Strait and more. Find out more and buy tickets at www.rodeohouston.com.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. Contributed by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Fulton
March 3-6: You’re guaranteed one shell of a good time at the 42nd annual Fulton Oysterfest. Each year, the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department puts on this annual event as a salute to the tasty bivalve found in local Gulf waters and a way to raise funds needed for equipment, training and maintenance. Expect everything from oyster-eating and oyster-decorating contests to live music and arts and craft vendors at the event, located along the waterfront on the Fulton Festival Grounds. Gate admission is $2 on Thursday and $5 per person for those 12 and over Friday through Sunday. More at fultonoysterfest.org.
Each year the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department sponsors Oysterfest, a salute to the tasty bi-valve found in the coastal waters. Photo by Pat Elbel
Bandera
March 8-12: You’ll find sew much to experience at Bandera’s Fiber and Arts Week Festival celebrating all things Texas wool, mohair and alpaca. The farm to fiber arts adventure unfolds at The Sheepwalk Ranch and offers classes and demonstrations on spinning and weaving; the Fiber-a-Torium, part fiber arts fun and part shopping experience with fiber producers and artists; and live animals. More at www.banderafiberandarts.com.
Llano
March 11-13: Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF), taking place in Grenwelge Park, features art, music, food, crafts and stacks of rocks. Undoubtably one of the most unique festivals taking place on the banks of the Llano River, attendees can watch internationally renowned artists defy gravity with incredibly balanced rock sculptures, listen to talented musicians, try out rock balancing, take part in workshops and more. LEAF tickets are $25 at the gate and free for kids 17 and under with a parent. More at www.llanoearthartfest.org.
Attend the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. Photo credit Teddy Kidd
Sweetwater
March 11-13: The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup takes place the second weekend in March at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater. Started in 1958, festival highlights range from guided snake hunts and snake eating contests to a Miss Snake Charmer pageant and carnival. For more information and tickets, visit www.rattlesnakeroundup.net.
Pickle Queens at a past St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade & Palooza. Contributed
Mansfield
March 18-19: The world’s only St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade & Palooza unfolds in downtown Mansfield, the official Pickle Capital of Texas. This free two-day, family-friendly event features a pickle parade, pet and baby parades, keg races, pickle runs, pickle contests, pickle queens, live music, food and fun. Admission, parking, shuttle service, children’s activities and entertainment is free. More information at www.pickleparade.org.
Shamrock
March 18-20: There’s no better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Texas than deep in the heart of Shamrock, home of the official St. Patrick’s celebration for the entire state of Texas. The 75th annual Diamond Jubilee St. Patrick’s Celebration brings three days of fun in the form a festive parade, a ranch rodeo, the crowning of Miss Irish Rose, a motorcycle rally and poker run, craft shows, a Donegal beard contest, a Lad n’ Lassie pageant, live concerts and more Irish-themed activities. More at www.shamrockstpatricks.com.
Outlaws & Legends is putting on its 11th annual Music Fest at the Back Porch of Texas in Abilene. Credit Rock Williams
Abilene
March 25-26: Outlaws & Legends, recently named “Festival of the Year” by Texas Music, is putting on its 11th annual Music Fest at the Back Porch of Texas in Abilene. The lineup is stacked from top to bottom with nationally known country, Americana, rock, and Texas country artists including headliners Robert Earl Keen, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, Brent Cobb, Jack Ingram and more. New to the 2022 Fest is a songwriting competition. To view the full lineup, schedule of events and purchase tickets, visit www.outlawsandlegends.com.
If You Go
Getting there:
Dallas is 3 hours from Austin.
Houston is 2.5 hours from Austin.
Fulton is 3 hours, 15 minutes from Austin.
Bandera is 2 hours from Austin.
Llano is 1.5 hours from Austin.
Sweetwater is 4 hours, 15 minutes from Austin.
Mansfield is 2 hours, 45 minutes from Austin.
Shamrock is 7 hours from Austin.
Abilene is 4 hours from Austin.
