Loosen your belt! Here’s the best Houston food festivals that’ll keep you full for days!
Who needs a buffet when you can choose a food festival that’ll not only bring delicious offerings but also immerse you in culture and entertainment? Well, if I could attend one every month, I’d be full for days—both in belly and in spirit!
With that, I think it’s time to explore another side of Houston that’ll bring out the glutton in all of us. Here, each event is a flavorful adventure waiting to be explored.
So, loosen those belts (or maybe don’t even bother to put one!), ready your appetite, and indulge in Houston’s food festivals!
1. UH Energy Industry Crawfish Boil
Media credit: @uhtechnology
Website: https://www.egr.uh.edu/alumni/events/crawfish-boil
For over 33 years, more than 500 attendees have supported the UH Energy Industry Crawfish Boil. Every Spring, this food festival is a one-day event that connects the country’s energy sector with the Cullen College of Engineering and Technology Division.
This event harps on the Texas’ long-standing tradition—boil and eat all the crawfish that you can. If you’re in Houston or Texas, in general, you’ll surely find crawfish in every gathering you go to.
Here, you can join a community with the students, faculty, and alumni. You also have a chance to widen your network as professionals and corporate sponsors attend the UH Energy Industry Crawfish Boil Festival!
Aside from enjoying the food, the committee also invites bands and singers—professionals or even students who are exploring their love for music.
The proceeds of this food festival will be used to fund the various activities for engineering and technology students of Cullen College of Engineering and Technology Division.
Pro tip:
Consider going to the event early and staying until the end to get a bigger chance to win in their raffle. The committee has gathered lots of prizes from various sponsors, ensuring that they have interesting gifts for the winners.
2. Top Taco Food Festival
Media credit: @toptacofest
Website: https://toptacofest.com/houston/
If you want to try out the biggest taco festival in Colorado, then there’s no need to take that trip all the way—you can catch one in Houston!
During the event, you can satisfy every Mexican and taco fix in every corner. With over 30 restaurants and food trucks showing their unique takes on tacos, and offering the best street tacos in town!
This food festival will also have your favorite restaurants and food trucks compete for titles such as Top Taco, Top Creative Taco, and Top Traditional Taco, just to name a few.
Different kinds of booze like tequilas, mezcals, and canned cocktails are also part of the tasting adventure during this event—just don’t forget to bring your I.D. to prove you’re over 21.
Aside from the live music entertainment during the event, you can also catch a live Lucha Libre wrestling, a freestyle wrestling that originated in Mexico.
Proceeds of the Top Taco Food Festival will support the sustainability efforts and environmental education of The Blackwood Land Education Insititute.
Pro tip:
No need to bring your wallets. The event ticket will cover for your entrance fee, food, and drinks. So just leave them in the car to avoid losing it.
3. Houston Pizza Festival
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/houston-pizza-festival
Though relatively new in the Houston food festival scene, Houston Pizza Festival has been gathering all the pizza lovers in the country for 3 years now.
You can grab the best pizza in Houston including pies made by the best providers in Houston.
And for those of you who are down for some competition, or maybe if you want some carbo-loading, then volunteer to join the food festival’s much-awaited pizza-eating contest!
No need to worry about bringing your kids to the event, various gaming corners and fun zones are available in the area, so it’ll be an exciting event for your young ones too!
Pro tip:
Consider bringing your own tent and chairs during the food festival. Since there will be several attendees, allotted wooden benches within the area can get filled up easily, so it’s best to bring your own for your convenience.
4. FoodieLand
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/houston-pizza-festival
FoodieLand had its first appearance in Houston on April 5 at NRG Park. This food festival is a 3-day event, showcasing food and flavors across a wide range of cuisines.
The organizers also just announced that they’ll be back next year, allowing you to catch this annual food festival in Houston.
Here, you can enjoy browsing almost 200 stalls. Aside from food, you can discover booths filled with games and entertainment for the whole family.
Yes, it’s a family-friendly atmosphere! And if you’re bringing your kid, there’s no need to worry about the entrance fee as they can come in for free!
Pro tips:
- Leave your pets at home as the organizers of FoodieLand only permit service dogs inside the main food festival area.
- Consider bringing a small bag as backpacks aren’t permitted inside.
5. Houston Japan Festival
Media credit: @greyfawnphoto
Website: https://www.houstonjapanfest.org/
As a way to celebrate the four memorable Meiji decades that brought Japan into its modern era, Japan Festival Houston will bring the country’s culinary and art culture to Houston—an event that happens every year at Hermann Park.
This annual event is held to reaffirm the Japanese and Japanese-American traditions from the past to the present.
Here, you can appreciate all your favorite Japanese food. They also share more creativity by introducing Japanese-inspired food that’ll tickle your interest.
Aside from the food, Japanese culture won’t be complete without that tea ceremony. You and your kids can appreciate checking out various tea leaves, and even learn about the different brewing methods.
Pro tip:
Consider attending an Ikebana flower arrangement class during the event. You can also take your kids with you to learn about origami, allowing you to appreciate it more while you create one.
6. Asian Night Market Houston
Media credit: @asiannightmarket.htx
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AsianMarketHoustonTX/
The Asian Night Market Houston, hosted by the Houston Vietnamese Community, is held every two months in the city. They organize this weekend food festival to promote Asian food, dance, and music.
When you start feeling that the air is warm, you can already tell that the food vendors in the area are already firing up their bubbling pots, pans, and grills, located behind their tents.
No need to fly out to various Asian countries, the Asian Night Market Houston will already bring you your favorite street foods from Southeast Asia and Japan, which you won’t typically find in Houston’s restaurants.
You can also spot some grocery items which you normally find in Asian supermarkets.
Pro tip:
Most of the vendors in the Asian Night Market Houston only accept cash, so don’t forget to bring enough cash with you during your food trip. Also, consider paying using smaller bills, if not the exact cost, for more convenient transactions.
7. Houston BBQ Festival
Media credit: @houbbq @chicano.bbq
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11th-annual-houston-barbecue-festival
Houston BBQ Festival is an annual food festival in Houston which typically happens every April. If you want to catch Houston’s best barbecue joints, then this food festival is for you.
And those of you who would love to get first dibs on the new and upcoming barbecue restaurants and joints should not miss out on this food festival too!
Some of the favorite barbecue spots you can catch during the Houston BBQ Festival is the Daddy Duncan’s BBQ, the Henderson & Kane, and Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ, just to name a few.
No need to purchase from every food booth you see. Here, you can enjoy 2 ounces of barbecue from each BBQ joint—that’s about a half-slice of brisket or one rib!
So make sure you’ll come in with an empty stomach as over 100 barbecue joints are participating in Houston BBQ Festival!
You can even go back more than once if you’ve got your favorites!
Of course, BBQ won’t be complete without booze. Here, you can catch various food booths offering a bar with craft beer and domestic beers, completing your outdoor barbecue experience.
Meanwhile, don’t worry about getting seated. The area have both covered and uncovered seating for you.
Still, feel free to bring your own picnic mats or camping chairs.
Pro tips:
- There will be no ticket-selling onsite during the event, so make sure to grab your tickets online.
- Be ready for weather changes. The event will push through, rain or shine, so make sure you have raincoats and umbrellas with you all the time.
8. Tamale Festival Houston
Media credit: @tamalefestivalhouston
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tamale-festival-houston-2023-tickets-765920828817
Tamale Festival Houston is an annual food festival in the city, which aims to celebrate the culinary traditions associated with tamales. Since 2011, Tamales Festival Houston has been one of the top food festivals in the United States.
Every December, visitors can get a glimpse of the popular traditions associated with tamales.
Before indulging in delicious tamales, you can appreciate the traditions of tamale-making, which is an important part of the Mexican and Central American cultures.
You’ll also get a chance to see the significance of tamales in the Hispanic communities, which are always present at parties and gatherings.
And of course, the highlight of the festival is having vendors showcase unique recipes that have been passed down to the new generations.
In fact, you’ll get to taste innovative flavors like the sweet dessert tamales!
If you plan to stay until the end, you’ll determine the best tamale in town! And if you’re down for some further competition, you can even join in their tamale-eating contest.
Pro tip:
If you’re bringing home some tamales, don’t forget to reheat them. Consider steaming instead of using the microwave, as steaming will help preserve the tamales’ texture and moisture, ensuring they don’t dry out.
9. Texas Hot Sauce Festival
Media credit: @texashotsaucefestival
Website: https://texashotsaucefestival.com/
For those who love trying out different hot sauces in every meal, or you just simply like all things spicy, then the Texas Hot Sauce Festival is the right food fest for you!
What’s great about this event is that they showcase different food samples and greatly pair them with locally-made hot sauces.
For more than two decades, the Texas Hot Sauce Festival have been a go-to event for local and international brand owners, allowing them to showcase their prooducts.
Aside from hot sauces, you can also grab some spicy jams and jellies, allowing you to try out unique offerings that you won’t see in the market.
If you want to hit pause from all the indulging, you can watch cooking demonstrations scheduled throughout the day. You can even participate in various workshops, allowing you to explore your kitchen with the spiciest ingredients!
And if you’re down for some competition, you can try to win their hot pepper-eating contest!
Pro tip:
Pets are welcome in the Texas Hot Sauce Festival, but make sure to keep an eye on them to prevent them from picking up food from the ground.
Spicy foods can be harmful to your furry psalm causing digestive issues and discomfort.
10. Pasadena Strawberry Festival
Website: https://www.strawberryfest.org/
For over 52 years, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival is the city’s tribute to their history of strawberry farming.
One of the highlights of this festival is checking the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. Imagine all the sugars in that huge delectable treat!
Aside from, of course, the lovely berries in town, they also host BBQ Cook-off competitions, live music, and even sports like Mud Volleyball which you can all enjoy!
You can also take your kids here as there’s always a full carnival, complete with rides, games, and attractions.
Pro tip:
Consider donating to local charities and community projects during the event. Normally, volunteers will try to get your attention, so you can directly communicate with them.
You can also locate various donation boxes within the area.
