Houston Annual Gay Events Calendar

Houston knows how to put on a show. This is your roadmap to annual LGBT events and LGBT-friendly events citywide for 2018.

Also be sure to check the regular calendar for what's happening in the months ahead!

Jump to Month:

January • February • March • April • May • June • July
August • September • October • November • December

January

Chevron Houston Marathon

January 15, 2023
This year will be the 51th annual 26.2, 13.1 and 3.1 mile run, which begins and ends at Downtown’s George R. Brown Convention Center, letting runners see all the beauty the city has to offer. The race has steadily grown to attract more than 20,000 entrants from around the world and thousands upon thousands of spectators handed out cheers and sustenance for all the runners.

Luther King Jr. Grande Parade
January 16, 2023
This annual parade celebrating the civil rights leader marches through the heart of Houston and draws more than 300,000 supporters from around the nation.This celebration assembles a variety of dignitaries, dance and cheer teams, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, College, primary and secondary school marching bands, floats, and corporate and civic organizations from across the country.

February

Galveston Mardi Gras
February 10 - 21, 2023
Mardi Gras! Galveston is the largest Mardi Gras celebration in Texas, attracting more than 300,000 attendees annually. The two-week celebration is best known for its lavish parades held on the streets of the city's historic downtown and beachfront.

World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
February 23 – 25, 2023

The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is three days of cooking, competition, eating and dancing. The sweet aroma drifts over the Houston metropolis, drawing crowds like bees to honey. It is the best way to start the beginning of Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
February 28 - March 13, 2023

Rodeo has been a tradition in Houston since 1932, and the three-week extravaganza at NRG Park continues to consume the city every spring. The kickoff for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ is the Rodeo Parade, after trail riders ride into town and set up camp in Memorial Park. All 20 championship rodeo competitions are concluded with entertainment by music superstars. While most got for the musical entertainment, the real stars are the kids competing in the Mutton Busting competition, which if you don’t know what is, we highly suggest you Google it before making your way to the Rodeo.

March

LUEY Weekend
Date TBD
Let Us Entertain You started in 1971 in order to "keep the party going" for individuals returning from Mardi Gras in New Orleans...The weekend following Fat Tuesday was designated LUEY Weekend.

AIDS Walk Houston
March 5, 2023
Join thousands of walkers on a 5k trek through Downtown and along Buffalo Bayou as they raise money for AIDS services in Houston. This is a popular fundraising event in Houston.

Diana Awards Show
Date TBD
Houston's Diana Foundation is the oldest continually run gay organization in the country. Each spring the Dianas host their black tie awards ceremony which includes entertainment, dinner and a "roast" of members.

April

Bunnies on the Bayou
April 9, 2023 - Easter Sunday
More than 3,500 people participate in the annual Bunnies on the Bayou celebration on the shores of Buffalo Bayou Downtown. Lauded as one of the most popular gay events in the city, Bunnies draws participants from around the country to Houston for the big cocktail party!

RISE HRC Gala
TBD
The HRC Houston Gala gives the community the opportunity to support the nation's leading LGBT civil rights organization. Celebrities, awards and a fantastic dinner are part of this annual event.

Art Car Parade
Date TBD
The oldest and largest parade of its type in the world takes over Houston each year for four full days of excitement and creativity. More than 250,000 spectators line downtown’s streets to view this parade, which showcases Houston’s most outlandish folk art creations on wheels. Truly a sight to see, the parade is produced by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.

May

Victory Fund Brunch
TBD
The national organization responsible for getting LGBT candidates elected to office, hosts one of Houston's most anticipated events of the year. The annual Victory Fund Champagne Brunch draws more than 500 members to toast LGBTQ political power and support LGBTQ candidates.

Comicpalooza
Date TBD
Houston’s biggest pop culture festival is soaring back to the Bayou City for a weekend of anime, comics, gaming, literature, cosplay and more. With more than 2,000 hours of programming, you're sure to discover something for everyone in the family.

June

Dining Out for Life
Date TBD
Dining Out for Life is an annual dining fundraising event that raises money for AIDS service organizations across the country. Dozens of area restaurants participate in the event, donating a portion of proceeds from dining receipts that day to AIDS Foundation Houston.

Rainbow on the Green
Date TBH
Grab a blanket and get a spot in front of the stage. Discovery Green is hosting its Rainbow on the Green night with live music and performances from some of Houston’s finest drag queens.

Houston Pride Celebration
Date TBD
The largest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender event in the Southwest takes place each year during the Houston Pride Parade where more than 1,000 participants entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators with an empowering blend of light, color and sound with beautiful floats, costumes and performances.

July

Freedom Over Texas Festival
July 4, 2023
Houston’s official July 4th celebration takes place in Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou and features live entertainment, food booths and a world-famous fireworks display.

August

Houston Restaurant Weeks
August 1 - September 5, 2022
Enjoy lunch and dinner specials at dozens of Houston's top restaurants. Multi-course, pre-fixed menus make this a must for any foodie. A portion of the proceeds from each meal go to the Houston Food Bank so there is no excuse not to explore the eclectic culinary.

White Linen Night
August 6, 2022
Join other Houstionians as you check out participating vendors of 19th Street for a fun night out! From live music, art, and brews to shopping and supporting your local Houston businesses, come celebrate the annual music and art festival.

September

Galveston Gay Beach Weekend
September 2 - 4, 2022
Grab your friends and head down to Galveston for the annual Gay Beach Weekend. A fun-filled weekend downtown and at the beach with music, volleyball, horseshoes, drinking, sunning and swimming. And with a whole host of events, Galveston will start to feel like your second home.

Transgender Unity Banquet
September 24, 2022
The Houston Transgender Unity Committee produces this annual banquet, which has become the largest event for the local transgender community. The banquet raises money for scholarships, Pride-related activities and other events.

October

Diana Country Dinner Weekend
October 1 - 2, 2022
Join the Dianas for their country dinner weekend with a big dance on Saturday night followed by a brunch on Sunday. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits such as Legacy Community Health.

Out Smart Magazine Gayest and Greatest Awards
Mid October
Every year the city's top LGBT magazine conducts a reader's poll and names the best of the best in numerous categories, from local personalities to businesses, nightlife and more. This year’s winners will be announced in our October 2022 issue.

Texas Renaissance Festival
October 8 - November 27, 2022
Come be enchanted at the Texas Renaissance Festival that recreates an English village of the 16th century on the weekends. Magicians, jugglers, minstrels, troubadours and comedians perform on six stages.

The Original Greek Festival
October 6 - 8, 2022
Celebrate Greek culture at the annual Houston Greek Festival on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Authentic Greek food, wine, dancing and artifacts are fun for the entire family. Opa!

Bayou City Art Festival Downtown
October 8 - 9, 2022
The Bayou City Art Festival - Downtown will take place in Sam Houston Park, and along Allen Parkway, in beautiful Downtown Houston. 250 national and international artists, representing 19 disciplines of art, will come together with 20,000+ art-loving patrons, for 2 days full of art, music, food, live music and entertainment.

November

City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 24, 2022
Houston’s Thanksgiving Day parade, one of the biggest in the country, remains a six-decade-old holiday tradition showcasing the Houston community and entertaining more than 200,000 parade-goers lining the streets Thanksgiving morning.