Why I Love Houston: Festival Season II

Hold on to your turkey leg – the Texas Renaissance Festival kicks off October 8th!

Welcome to my Why I Love Houston Series, where I share my favorite Houston experiences and excursions. My goal is to make my hometown of Houston more accessible to the ever-changing mix of folks adopting our amazing city as their home base and reminding natives of the hidden gems throughout H-town. 

Why I Love Houston…Festival Season Part II

Mark your calendars for more great festivals and events coming up in Houston. Whether it’s a longstanding tradition like RenFest or a new, interactive pedestrian experience like Remote Houston, the city has plenty of crowd pleasing options to make your next Houston outing more festive! 

Texas Renaissance Festival (October 8-November 27) Tis’ the season for giant turkey legs, barbarian bombshells, roving bands of pirates, gypsy dance troupes, and knights in shining armor of course! The festival also offers a calendar of themed weekends for Oktoberfest, All Hallows Eve, and Celtic Christmas among others. Get in the spirit and come in costume or pick up a pair of elf ears and flower crowns at the Renaissance Shoppes in the New Market Village.

Houston Heights Bicycle Rally and Scavenger Hunt (Sunday, October 2) Explore the historic Heights neighborhood by participating in the 11th annual bike ride and scavenger hunt. Whether you pick the 20-mile course or opt for the five-mile ride (great for parents and kids to do together!), the views of Victorian mansions, outdoor sculptures and yard art, and murals will provide a scenic backdrop as you cycle and hunt for clues. The rally ends with a party and awards ceremony in picturesque Marmion Park. 

Festa Italiana (October 13-16) Be Italian in the heart of Montrose when the 38th annual Italian Festival sets up on the grounds of the University of St. Thomas. Listen to the sounds of Italian music, including a performance by an Italian tenor, view sidewalk art masterpieces, and come hungry to compete in the pasta eating contest. Festival activities also include a classic car show, adult bocce tournament and a children’s stage featuring puppets and traditional Italian dance lessons. 

Remote Houston (September 29-November 18) Experience live theater on the streets and Metrorail line via Remote Houston, a pedestrian-based interactive performance that returns to Houston after making its debut at the CounterCurrent Festival in April. An audio tour leads you and approximately 50 other participants from the East End to downtown’s Theater District with unique stops and audience participation along the way! Take advantage of the $34 ticket special on select Thursdays (9/29, 10/9 and 10/13) with promo code UH.

Enjoy Houston!

Kathlyn