Houston Art Car Parade Weekend

The oldest and largest parade of its type in the world takes over Houston April 11-14, 2019! Featuring four full days of excitement and creativity, Houston Art Car Parade Weekend features over 250 mobile masterpieces designed and created by artists, individuals, schools, non-profits, corporations and anyone with a dream and a set of wheels.
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Powered by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, one of the leading folk and outsider art organizations in the country, the Houston Art Car Parade celebrates the artist in everyone and the "drive to create," and has become one of the most recognized and beloved events in Houston. See below for some of the event highlights, and check the website for the full schedule!

The Main Street Drag: Thursday, April 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
The Main Street Drag is the first official event of Houston Art Car Parade Weekend and famously one of the art car artists' favorite parts of all four days. Organized by the Houston Art Car Parade Volunteer Committee, the Main Street Drag is an opportunity for art car artists to travel to locations across Houston and visit with individuals that may not have the opportunity to attend the actual parade. Schools, nursing homes, developmental centers, hospitals, and other similar institutions are stops along the five miniature parade routes.

Sneak Peek at Discovery Green & Avenida Houston: Thursday, 6-10 p.m.
Celebrate the beginning of Houston Art Car Parade Weekend with our partners Discovery Green & Avenida Houston! Live music, food & drinks, kids activities, and an incredible selection of art cars, all along downtown Houston's beautiful Discovery Green Park and Avenida Houston promenade.

The Legendary Art Car Ball: Friday, 7-10 p.m.
The ultimate kickoff to the Houston Art Car Parade, and one of the most colorful and exciting nights of the year! Come dressed in your wildest costume and dance to music from Boyfriend, Sailor Poon, Free Rads 2nd Line & DJ Fredster while enjoying craft cocktails & beer, awesome food from Pico's, and amazing interactive art installations.

The Starting Line Party, hosted by Byline Houston and River Revival Music Festival at Allen Parkway & Heiner St., Saturday, 11 a.m.
Grab your spot early and get in on the action! The Starting Line Party will get you into the mood with live music on the Saint Arnold Stage, food and drinks nearby, and a prime viewing location. Free for all!

32nd Annual Houston Art Car Parade, Sat., 2 p.m.
Over 250 mobile masterpieces will take to the streets of Downtown Houston for the 32nd year in a row! Be one of the hundreds of thousands that will line the streets to witness some of the world's most creative works of art on wheels. Don't miss what the whole city will be talking about. Free and open to the public.

Houston Art Car Parade After Party, Saint Arnold Brewery, Saturday, 4-8 p.m.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company isn't going to let the party end after the parade! Hop on over to their beautiful new facility for more art car action! This is the official Houston Art Car Parade After Party Location!

Art Car Parade Award Ceremony, Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Each year the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art awards over $15,000 in prize money to artists, schools, and teams through a judging process. The public is invited to come cheer on those winners who's entries have wowed and amazed the judges and the crowds.