Houston’s Art Car Parade Promises a Weird and Wonderful Weekend
Take a weekend getaway from Austin to see over 250 artistic mobile masterpieces from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
While Austin boasts its love of all things weird, Houston’s annual Art Car Parade certainly shows that we’re not the only Texas city celebrating a quirky, colorful, artistic flair. The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art in Houston is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the country dedicated to the preservation, documentation and exhibition of visionary and outsider art. This April 10 – 13, The Orange Show will present its 38th Annual Houston Art Car Parade Weekend. The city’s celebration will feature over 250 mobile masterpieces from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico culminating in the grand parade on Saturday, April 12.
Whether you choose to go just for parade day or pack up and go for an overnight stay, take note of the many exciting events taking place during The Orange Show’s Houston Art Car Parade Weekend. Here’s the overview of both ticketed events as well as free fun for the public.
The Main Street Drag, presented by H-E-B
Thursday, April 10, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Designed to “bring the parade to the people” the Main Street Drag is an opportunity for Art Cars and their artists to visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, developmental facilities, and other locations where residents may not be able to participate on their own during the Art Car festivities.
Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green
Thursday, April 10, 6-10 p.m., 1500 McKinney Street
This free and family-friendly evening features live music, art activities for the kids, food & drinks, and the opportunity to interact with 100+ art cars and on display and meet their artists throughout in the park and along Avenida Houston.
The Legendary Art Car Ball
Friday, April 11, 6-11 p.m. at The Orange Show World Headquarters
Not your average party, this event features wild costumes, interactive installations, dancing and more. At the ball, see Brittany Davis, Kam Franklin, Free Rads 2nd Line; performance art from Art Jam – Mark Medina, Renegade Carnies; and art installations from Geoffrey Muller, Moon Papas, Art Car artists and more. Tickets start at $50.
The 37th Annual Houston Art Car Parade, presented by Team Gillman
Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m., Downtown Houston and Allen Parkway
The parade is free and open to all to attend. Arrive early to secure your viewing spot. The parade’s official start is at Dallas St. (inbound Allen Parkway) & Bagby St., where it will head into downtown, taking a left onto Smith St., circling around City Hall onto Walker St., then cutting a left onto Bagby St., and finally taking a right onto Lamar St. (outbound Allen Parkway). The parade will continue along Allen Parkway until dispersing at Waugh Drive.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, April 14 with the Art Car Awards Celebration which honors the incredible artists that participated in this year’s Parade by offering a brunch and awards.
Learn more and plan your visit to this unbelievably eclectic experience at www.thehoustonartcarparade.com.