Houston’s April Events and Celebrations

Art Car Parade vehicles

Spring has sprung in Houston, and with it bursts a kaleidoscope of events guaranteed to tantalize every visitor. As the warm Texas sun chases away the winter chill, the city transforms into a vibrant hub of outdoor activities.

Embrace the Culinary Canvas

For gourmands seeking to tantalize their taste buds, April offers a delectable array of culinary experiences. Foodies won’t want to miss the return of the FoodieLand Night Market (April 4-6) at NRG Park. This open-air extravaganza brings together a diverse selection of Houston’s finest food trucks and vendors. From succulent barbecue and handcrafted tacos to international flavors and innovative fusion cuisine, prepare to embark on a global culinary journey without leaving the city limits. Live music creates a festive atmosphere as you wander through the endless rows of delicious options, making the FoodieLand Night Market a perfect venue for an evening of casual dining and socializing under the stars.

Embrace the Great Outdoors with the Whole Family

Celebrate Earth Day! Events happening this month:

Art Car Parade (events from April 10-13)

Art Car Parade
250+ vehicles like cars, motorcycles, bikes, floats

The Art Car Parade is an annual event in Houston, Texas that celebrates the creativity of art car makers. Every year, hundreds of artists and car enthusiasts from all over the world gather to show off their unique and creative vehicles. The parade features 250+ vehicles, including traditional automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, floats and more! Participants don costumes or dress up their cars in outrageous designs as they make their way through downtown Houston. Spectators line the streets to enjoy live music performances while admiring the colorful procession.

Learn more about where to stay, see the parade route, and how to get to the parade in Lodgeur’s Art Car Parade Guide. The parade is a uniquely Houston celebration.

Art Bike Parade (April 26)

Image courtesy of Art Bike Parade.

If you missed the Art Car Parade, you can still catch the Art Bike Parade in Macgregor Park. The parade, which typically takes place in the spring, sees participants dress up their bikes in colorful, imaginative designs, and ride through the streets of Houston.

Festival Season

CCMH Czech Spring Festival – Czech Center Museum Houston – April 5

Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival – The Woodlands – April 11-13

Houston International Film Festival – April 22-27

Mocha Fest Houston – April 25-28

Comedy & Stand-Up Shows in Houston

Houston’s comedy scene heats up this April with a gold-standard lineup of stand-up talent hitting stages across the city.

Josh Johnson at Houston Improv

Where: Houston Improv Comedy Club, 7620 Katy Freeway #455
When: April 13, 2025

Johnson brings a specific brand of storytelling that connects his personal anxieties to broader social observations. On The Daily Show, he crafted segments highlighting everyday absurdities, while his Peacock special Up Here Killing Myself examines the particular pressures facing millennials navigating career disappointments. His Houston set will likely feature his trademark quiet delivery that builds to unexpected punchlines.

Aziz Ansari: Hypothetical Tour

Where: Bayou Music Center, 520 Texas Ave
When: April 13, 2025, 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)

Ansari’s new material explores hypothetical scenarios that reveal uncomfortable truths about modern behavior. Unlike his early observational work on dating and technology, this tour reflects his evolution toward more narrative-driven comedy. Fans of his Master of None series will recognize his ability to find humor in cultural differences and relationship complexities, now with added perspective from his recent years away from the spotlight.

Jon “Polar Bear” Gonzalez

Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 7620 Katy Freeway
When: April 18 at 9:45 PM, April 19 at 7:00 PM and 9:15 PM, 2025

Gonzalez earned his nickname through his imposing physical presence and booming delivery. His comedy centers on growing up in a large family and navigating adulthood with minimal preparation. Known for engaging directly with front-row audience members, his Friday late show typically features his most unfiltered material, while Saturday’s early set offers a slightly tamer version of his storytelling style.

State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Swan Lake (April 8)

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine brings Swan Lake to Houston’s Cullen Theatre on April 8, 2025. The 7:30 PM performance features 50 dancers in 200 newly designed costumes telling the classic tale of love and deception through Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. The company’s technical precision and emotional delivery make this a standout spring arts event in the intimate Wortham Center space. Tickets start at $45.

Disney on Ice (April 10-13)

Mickey and pals hijack NRG Stadium’s ice rink for a cross-genre dance party spanning the Disney universe. Character-driven choreography sees Ariel’s underwater ballet, Timon and Pumbaa’s carefree moves, and Elsa’s frosty precision on full display, while strategic audience participation moments turn the arena into Houston’s biggest temporary dance floor.

FIRST Robotics Competition (April 16-19)

Houston will be hosting the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) from April 16-19, 2025. The FRC is an exciting event that brings together teams of high school students from around the globe to design, build, and program robots to compete in challenging games. The event is held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where more than 50,000 visitors are expected to visit to witness the competition.

The competition is not just about robotics, but also about developing vital life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and communication. Participants will work together in a high-pressure environment, competing against other teams while learning from each other. The winners of the Houston competition will advance to the FRC World Championship.

Need to book a place to stay for the FIRST Robotics Competition? Lodgeur has you covered.

Cirque Mechanics: Pedal Punks (April 19)

On April 19, Cirque Mechanics will present “Pedal Punk” at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, a Steampunk-themed show that combines acrobatic feats with cycling, featuring a custom-built, pedal-powered gantry bike that serves as both a prop and a character in its own right. This free performance promises an evening of high-energy entertainment, blending humor, mechanical ingenuity, and circus arts in a unique spectacle that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

Patio Weather!

Houston’s summer heat hasn’t set in yet and the patios are buzzing. Here are Lodgeur’s favorite places to enjoy food and drinks on a patio.

Looking ahead?

Check out Houston’s events in May.

Uncover more things to see and do in Houston

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