From flowers and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to rodeos and rattlesnake roundups, here are 10 Texas festivals worthy of a road trip this March.
Discover more than 500,000 spring-blooming flowers at Dallas Blooms. Contributed by Dallas Arboretum
Dallas
Now-April 16: Soak in the sights and smells of spring at Dallas Arboretum’s Dallas Blooms: Great Contributors which bursts with more than 500,000 spring-blooming flowers. The largest annual floral festival in the Southwest will feature a new collection of Great Contributors realistic bronze statues including Harriet Tubman, Joan of Arc and Mother Teresa displayed alongside the flowers, hundreds of Japanese cherry trees and thousands of azaleas. Find fun for everyone at this floral festival blooming with music, food and family-friendly events including Mommy and Me Mondays, Tiny Tot Tuesdays and Cool Thursdays Concerts. More at www.dallasarboretum.org.
Follow the pipes to the North Texas Irish Festival. Contributed by NTIF
March 3-5: The annual North Texas Irish Festival, a three-day family-friendly festival celebrating the rich traditions of Irish and Celtic culture, unfolds each year in Dallas’ Fair Park. Now one of the largest Irish festivals in the country, expect live music on multiple stages, dancing, storytelling, chef demonstrations, sheep herding, beer and whiskey tastings, a fun run and more. Admission is $15 on Friday, a one-day ticket is $25 on Saturday and Sunday, a two-day ticket is $40 and a weekend pass is $45. Children 6 and under are free with an accompanying adult. More at www.ntif.org.
Head to Houston to attend the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. Contributed by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston
Now-March 19: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors annually with thrilling Texas experiences spanning calf scrambles, horse shows, a carnival, rodeo competitions and nightly concerts from performers including Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Machine Gun Kelly, Brad Paisley and more. Find out more and buy tickets at www.rodeohouston.com.
Volunteers shuck oysters in Fulton. Photo by Pat Elbel
Fulton
March 2-5: You’ll have a shell of a good time at the 44th annual Fulton Oysterfest, put on by the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department at Fulton Navigation Park as a fundraiser and salute to the tasty bivalve found in local Gulf waters. Expect everything from oyster-eating and oyster-decorating contests to live music and arts and craft vendors. Find more and purchase tickets at fultonoysterfest.org.
Bandera
March 10-11: There’s sew much to experience at Bandera’s Fiber and Arts 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, sheep shearing, farm demos and more. More at www.banderafiberandarts.com.
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The economic impact of the Sweetwater Texas Rattlesnake Roundup grosses $5 million. Contributed
Sweetwater
March 10-12: The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup takes place the second weekend in March each year in Sweetwater at the Nolan County Coliseum. 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.
Mansfield
March 17-18: 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 at www.pickleparade.org.
Shamrock
March 17-19: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the heart of Shamrock –– home of the official St. Patrick’s celebration for the entire state of Texas. The 76th annual “Green & Free in ’23” 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.
LEAF unfolds on the banks of the Llano River. Contributed
Llano
March 24-26: Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF), taking place in Grenwelge Park, features art, music, food, crafts and stacks of rocks. This unique festival unfolds on the banks of the Llano River, where you can watch internationally renowned artists defy gravity with incredibly balanced rock sculptures, listen to talented musicians, try your hand at rock balancing, take part in workshops and more. LEAF tickets are $25 and free for kids 17 and under with a guardian. More at www.llanoearthartfest.org.
Abilene
March 31-April 1: Outlaws & Legends, recently named “Festival of the Year” by Texas Music, is putting on its 12th 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 Willie Nelson, Carly Pearce, Kevin Fowler and more. View the full lineup, schedule of events and purchase tickets at www.outlawsandlegends.com.
