Whether you prefer getting bead-azzled at a Mardi Gras celebration or saddling up for a rodeo, February brings a slew of fun festivals throughout Texas. Below are 10 festivals sure to keep the state sizzling throughout the month.
Bandera
Feb. 1-3: Blending boots and beads, the 12th annual 11th Street Cowboy Mardi Gras features all of your favorite Cajun traditions in the Cowboy Capital. Come out to enjoy live Cajun and country music, Cajun food, a gumbo cookoff, costume contests and a Cowboy Mardi Gras Parade featuring floats, feathers, horses, cowboys, masks and plenty of beads. More at banderacowboycapital.com.
Galveston
Feb. 2-13: Grab some beads and hit the beach this year at Mardi Gras Galveston. Experience the unique chance to have sand between your toes and gorgeous beach sunsets while taking in the revelry and lavish parades known to dominate Galveston Island during carnival season. The island's 107th Mardi Gras celebration is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees for more than 30 concerts, 24 parades, 20 balcony parties, several elegant balls and some new festive additions. More at mardigrasgalveston.com.
San Angelo
Feb. 2-17: Saddle up for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, a multi-day event dedicated to preserving the western way of life and promoting agricultural education to youth through PRCA Rodeo performances, cattle shows, cookoffs, a carnival, calf scrambles, a petting zoo and more. Daily admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 11 and under and free for 2 and under. More at sanangelorodeo.com.
Laredo
Feb. 7-10: Birding enthusiasts should make a beeline to Bird the Border, the sixth annual Laredo Birding Festival. Home to hundreds of species of local and migratory birds, attendees will have unprecedented access to view the White-collared Seedeater and other avian beauties. The young but growing festival provides birders the opportunity to work closely with professional field guides and to explore the depth of Laredo's natural beauty through birding field trips and special talks. More at laredobirdingfestival.org.
Port Arthur
Feb. 8-11: Celebrate at the 26th annual Mardi Gras Southeast Texas, where family-friendly highlights include Ms. Mardi Gras Pageant, carnival rides, concerts, krewe parades, food, arts and crafts, a kids zone, street entertainment and live concerts from performers including Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager and Keyun & the Zydeco Masters. Tickets range from $10-$15 and kids under 12 are free. More at mardigrastx.com.
San Antonio
Feb. 8-25: Find everything from animals and agriculture to family entertainment and live music at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, now one of the largest single events in the Alamo City attracting more than 2 million visitors each year. At the multi-day event, expect live concerts from entertainers including Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and the Josh Abbott Band; horse and livestock shows and rodeos; and plenty of family-friendly fun spanning petting zoos and pony rides. More at sarodeo.com.
Luckenbach
Feb. 10-11: If it's time to get "back to the basics of love," make plans to attend Luckenbach's 43rd annual Hug-in and Valentine's Ball. Gary P. Nunn holds court on Saturday night for the Valentine's Ball, and Jesse Dayton takes the stage on Friday night with the "Give Me More Kisses" dance. Tickets are available for the entire event, which includes a camping pass and tickets to both shows ($45), or purchase individual tickets for the shows ($15, Jesse Dayton; $20, Gary P. Nunn). More at luckenbachtexas.com.
Brownsville
Feb. 18-25: It's countdown time to the 81st Annual Charro Days Fiesta, which features a festive mix of parades, live music, fiesta dances, a carnival featuring over 40 rides and attractions, food and fun to celebrate the spirit of two cultures between the border towns of Brownsville and Matamoros. More at charrodaysfiesta.com.
Port Aransas
Feb. 22-25: Whoop it up for the 22nd annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, which is still recovering and rebuilding from Hurricane Harvey but rallying together to host this one-of-a-kind festival. Focused on the rarest of cranes and one of the most endangered birds in the world, the Whooping Crane Festival is open to birders, photographers, families and anyone who loves the outdoors and nature-related activities. For more information and online registration, visit whoopingcranefestival.org.
Fort Worth
Feb. 24-25: Get moo-ving for a great cause at the 40th annual Cowtown Marathon, where proceeds from every race entry go toward helping low-income children in North Texas receive a free pair of running shoes. Register for the ultra-, full and half-marathons; 10K; and adult and children's 5K races slated for Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. All races start and finish at the Will Rogers Memorial Center on Gendy Street. More at cowtownmarathon.org.
