Houston Texas Best Food and Drink Festivals
Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.
Yaga's Chili Quest & Beer Fest
January
Houston Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival
January
Beaumont SETX Whiskey Festival
January
Houston Oaks Wine & Food Classic
February
Katy Wine Fest
February
World Championship Bar-B-Que
February
Katy Wild West BrewFest
March
UH Energy Industry Crawfish Boil
March
Wine Fest Beaumont
March
Brew on the Bayou Lake Jackson
March
Katy Taste Fest
March
Houston Whiskey Riot
March
Snook Texas Chilifest
April
Katy Sip & Stroll
April
Houston BBQ Festival
April
FoodieLand Festival
April
Houston Whiskey Riot
April
Houston Brew Festival
April
Big Ass Crawfish Bash
April
Houston Latin Fest
April
Texas Crawfish & Music Festival
April
Houston Top Taco Festival
April
Texas Crab Festival
May
Bazaar Food & Wine Festival
May
Wino Wine Festival
May
Brenner's Wine Fest
May
Houston Heights Rotary Crawfish Boil
May
Texas Monthly Taco Festival
May - June
Brewsology Beer Fest
July
Galveston Island Wine Festival
August
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival
September
Cypress Taste of Cy-Fair
September
Woodlands Margarita Festival
September
Danny Dietz Memorial BBQ Cook-Off Waller
September
Oktoberfest Houston
September
Chefs for Farmers Food & Wine Festival
September
Huntsville Fair on the Square
October
Houston Pizza Festival
October
Cypress A Taste of Cy-Fair
October
Honeyland Festival
November
Houston Whiskey Social
November
Savoring Houston: A Taste of the Best Food, Wine, Spirits, and Beer Festivals
Houston is renowned for its rich cultural diversity and thriving culinary scene. The city is home to a vibrant array of festivals that celebrate food, wine, spirits, and beer, making it a haven for food and drink enthusiasts. Let's take a look of a few examples here.
Houston Food Festivals
Houston Top Taco Festival: April
The Top Taco Festival promises to delight taco enthusiasts with unlimited samples from over 30 local restaurants and food trucks. Hosted at POST Houston, the event features a highly anticipated Top Creative Taco contest, where participants will showcase their most inventive taco creations. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of tequilas and mezcals, with hundreds of spirits available for tasting. Live entertainment will include Lucha Libre wrestling performances by Coliseo Houston, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Notable participating restaurants include LORO, Phat Eatery, and Taco Deli, among others. Proceeds from the festival will support The Blackwood Land Education Institute's environmental education initiatives, highlighting its commitment to community engagement.​
Taste of Cy-Fair: September
This annual culinary event in Cypress is set to showcase the best of local cuisine and beverages. Hosted at the Bridgeland Lakeland Village Center, the festival will feature over 60 restaurants offering bite-sized samples of their signature dishes. Attendees can expect to indulge in a variety of flavors from popular eateries such as Texas Roadhouse, Chuy's, Alicia's Mexican Grille, and Rock'n Roll Sushi. The event will also offer an extensive selection of wines and craft beers for tasting, with dozens of breweries participating.
Live music will enhance the atmosphere, with Randy Hulsey performing on the main stage and Nate Gordon entertaining in the VIP area. As a special feature, the festival includes a silent auction benefiting Cy-Hope, a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in the community.
Katy Taste Fest: March
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Festival enthusiasts from across the region converge at Typhon Texas waterpark for one of the Houston area's most celebrated food festivals. The event features over 30 local restaurants and food vendors including local favorites like No Label Brewing Co., Phat Eatery, and Katy's own Midway BBQ showcasing their signature dishes ranging from Texas barbecue to international cuisine. Approximately 5,000 attendees wander through the transformed waterpark grounds, sampling craft beers, artisanal cocktails, and wine selections while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Live performances from regional musicians including country artist Max Flinn and Latin fusion band Mango Punch provide the soundtrack for this community celebration.
The festival incorporates interactive cooking demonstrations where local chefs share techniques and recipes on the main demonstration stage throughout the day. Children enjoy a dedicated kids zone featuring cupcake decorating contests and kid-friendly food options while adults participate in the popular "Best Bite" competition where they vote for their favorite dishes among participating restaurants. The event supports local culinary education programs with proceeds benefiting Katy ISD's culinary arts department and scholarship fund for aspiring chefs.
Houston Wine Festivals
Brenner's Wine Fest: May
Kick off spring with this signature wine festival that offers attendees a chance to sample award-winning wines from premium and champagne selections. Held at Brenner's on the Bayou, the festival showcases over 20 wineries, including notable names like Orin Swift from Napa and Kosta Browne from Sonoma County. Guests can enjoy chef-crafted bites from various Landry's concepts, including Italian-inspired fare from The Grotto Downtown and seafood specialties from Willie G's.
The picturesque setting along Buffalo Bayou provides a beautiful backdrop for the festivities, which also feature live music throughout the day. A unique aspect of the event is the opportunity to explore Brenner's new event space, The White House Hall, adding an extra layer of excitement for attendees.
Galveston Island Wine Festival: August
Galveston Island Wine Festival offers a weekend of indulgence for oenophiles and food enthusiasts alike. Hosted at Moody Gardens, the event features over 100 wines from more than 50 wineries, alongside exclusive spirits tastings. Attendees can savor culinary creations from renowned chefs like David Cordúa, Bryan Caswell, and Dominick Lee during various tasting events. The festival's highlight is the Grand Tasting at the Aquarium Pyramid, where guests can sample wines and food bites while enjoying marine animal encounters.
Special features include a bourbon dinner, a luxury wine tasting showcasing vineyards from around the world, and a fireworks show to cap off the evening festivities. While specific music lineup details are not provided, the event promises live entertainment during the "Wine'd Down After Hours" portion at Palm Beach.
Houston Spirits Festivals
The Whiskey Social: November
One of Texas's largest annual spirits festival showcases over 350 different expressions from around the world. Held at The Citadel, the event features a wide range of whiskies, including rare and vintage offerings dating back decades. Attendees can sample products from renowned distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, and McTavish Spirits. The festival includes a cigar tent, food pairings, and educational masterclasses led by brand ambassadors.
Special guests in previous years have included actor Graham McTavish and distillers Robert and Marcia Likarish from Ironroot Republic. A unique feature of the event is the partnership with Village Liquor, allowing guests to order their favorite discovered products directly from the festival.
Beaumont SETX Whiskey Festival: January
This premier whiskey tasting event in Southeast Texas draws thousands of enthusiasts to the historic Julie Rogers Theatre in downtown Beaumont each year. The Beaumont SETX Whiskey Festival features over 40 craft distilleries offering samples of premium spirits, including notable vendors like Garrison Brothers Distillery, Yellow Rose Distilling, and Rebecca Creek Whiskey. Local restaurants serve elevated bar bites and gourmet food pairings, with offerings ranging from smoked brisket sliders to artisanal chocolates designed to complement specific whiskeys.
Live entertainment throughout the evening includes performances by regional blues and jazz musicians on the theatre's main stage, while master distillers host educational seminars in the venue's intimate side rooms. Special features of the festival include a VIP hour with exclusive tastings of rare and limited-edition whiskeys, along with a commemorative tasting glass for all attendees. The festival has grown significantly since its inception, now regularly hosting over 2,000 attendees who enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the historic performing arts venue.
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Houston Margarita Festival: November
This tequila-centric celebration, held at Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park, offers margarita lovers a chance to sample a wide variety of tequila-based cocktails. Attendees can enjoy live music performances, DJ sets, and dancing throughout the event. The festival features a diverse entertainment lineup, including DJ Mankind, Royal Dukes Band, Ballet Folklorico Mexico En Lapiel, and Orquesta Mi Rumba. Enjoy Food vendors are on-site, while a Best Margarita Competition allows participants to vote for their favorite mix.
Special features include a taco eating competition, limbo competition with cash prizes, an ice carving demonstration, and a variety of other activities that blend margaritas, salsa dancing, and live music under the iconic Houston skyline.
Houston Beer Festivals
Katy Wild West Brewfest: March
The Wild West Beerfest in Katy, has become a major attraction for craft beer enthusiasts throughout the region. The event, hosted at Katy Mills Mall, features over 100 brewers offering more than 600 different beers for attendees to sample. Food trucks provide a variety of culinary options to complement the brews, ensuring no one goes hungry during the festivities. Live music performances across multiple stages keep the atmosphere lively throughout the event.
The festival, organized by the Rotary Club of Katy, has grown significantly since its inception and now draws thousands of visitors from Katy, Richmond, west Houston, and surrounding areas. A unique feature of the event is its multiple party zones, allowing attendees to explore different themed areas while enjoying their favorite craft beers.
Brewsology Beer Fest: July
The Houston Museum of Natural Science will host a unique beer festival that combines craft brews with scientific exploration. Over 50 breweries, including local favorites like Spindletap Brewery, Freetail Brewing Co., and B52 Brewing, will offer samples of their finest beers to attendees. Visitors can enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the museum's exhibits, including the largest paleontology hall in the United States, while sipping on a variety of craft beers. Food options will be available from the museum's exclusive caterer, featuring a slider bar, street tacos, and crawfish étouffée.
The event offers a distinctive experience by allowing beer enthusiasts to explore scientific wonders, such as the museum's gem vault and one of the world's largest sundials, while sampling brews. A special feature of the festival is the opportunity to interact directly with brewery representatives, providing attendees with insights into the brewing process and beer culture.
Gather your friends and get ready to savor the best of Houston's food and drink offerings at these fantastic festivals in the city and surrounding areas. Whether you're a local or just passing through, these events are sure to leave your taste buds delighted and your spirits lifted.