9 Unique Texas Festivals
Texans don’t wait around for an excuse to celebrate. We invent one! That’s how some of the Lone Star State’s most unique festivals got started, whether it’s celebrating the state’s most notorious nuisance, thumping giant watermelons in the town square, or searching for mysterious lights.
This year, the tradition continues with a slew of unique Texas festivals on the calendar. Take a look at some of the most alluring traditions.
World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup
Sweetwater (March 13-15)
The roundup started in the 1950s to put a dent in the snake population that threatened local livestock and pets. Now, it’s a full-fledged festival with a carnival, dance, cook-off, and guided hunts. Fun fact: Snake venom gathered during the roundup is used for medical research, and snake data is collected for Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF)
Llano (March 27-29)
Llano is known as the “Deer Capital of Texas” for its most populous resident, an estimated 400,000-plus white-tailed deer. But each spring, this Hill Country city morphs into a haven celebrating Earth, community — and rock stacking. This quirky, three-day festival attracts spectators and contestants from around the world for the World Rock Stacking Championship, featuring competitions ranging from the tallest rock stack to the most artistic rock stack design.
Texas Onion Festival
Weslaco (March 28)
This South Texas fest celebrates the sweet, oversized Texas 1015 onion, which was developed in Weslaco. With two stages filled with live music, a kids’ area, and a car show, there’s something for everyone — even an onion-eating contest.
Texas SandFest
Port Aransas (April 17-19)
Each year, hundreds of professional and amateur sand sculptors flock to Port Aransas for three days of sand-filled fun. Some sculptors start planning their work months in advance, making for breathtaking works of art. You’ll see everything from sandy depictions of intricate castles to mythical creatures.
Luling Watermelon Thump
Luling (June 25-28)
What started out as a humble gathering in 1954 to celebrate local farmers has evolved into a 4-day event that draws approximately 30,000 visitors to the 5,000-person town of Luling. Soak up live music or test your mettle in the seed-spitting or melon-eating contests. Don’t miss the crowning of the festival’s Watermelon Thump Queen.
The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
Clute (July 23-25)
This coast-adjacent town has been buzzing with mosquito-fueled excitement every summer since 1981, when the season’s most prominent pest is honored via a three-day festival. Seek out Willie-Man-Chew, a cowboy hat-clad 26-foot-tall mosquito, for a photo op while waiting in line for your chance at the Mosquito Legs and Mosquito Calling contests.
Mystery Lights Festival
Marfa (Eary September)
For nearly 40 years, the unassuming West Texas town has celebrated its most notable attraction: the Marfa lights. A lights sighting isn’t promised, but a parade and live music are sure things.
Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-off
Terlingua (Nov. 4-7)
Dubbed the “Super Bowl of chili cook-offs,” this West Texas fest gathers thousands of chili enthusiasts from around the world, deepening the history of chili in Texas. One thing’s for sure: Hold the beans.
Oatmeal Festival
Bertram (Fall)
This Hill Country festival started nearly 50 years ago as a spoof of the many chili cook-offs that were popping up throughout the Lone Star State. Plus, it was the perfect opportunity to advocate for the nearby rural community of Oatmeal, which had been left off of state maps. The unincorporated community is now recognized, and the festival continues to thrive with a massive street dance and oatmeal Bake-Off. Pro tip: Watch out for the Grits Guzzler! This masked character shows up with a pot of raw grits or instant packets trying to convince revelers that grits are the superior grain.
Mapping out your festival route? Don’t forget these unusual Texas roadside attractions!
