Why Now Is the Best Time to Visit the Most Underrated Big City in the US This Holiday Season

When is the best time to go to Houston, the sprawling metropolis in Texas known for its NASA Space Center and deliciously diverse cuisine?

During my epic 5 month journey across the southwest US, I made a weekend pit stop in Houston right in the middle of winter, which was actually not too cold. The city’s weather can swing from comfortably mild to “I’m melting!” levels of heat, thanks to its Gulf Coast location. 

So, let’s break down the visitor seasons in Houston:

• Best Season: February to April or from September to November
• Peak Season: June to September (despite the heat)
• Off-Peak Season: December to January

Now, let’s look into what each season brings like the coolest events to check out and what weather to expect. Whether you’re in town for a one-day trip to Houston or planning a more leisurely exploration of the city’s museums, parks, and mouth-watering BBQ joints, this is the best time to visit Houston.

Best Time to Visit Houston

Best Time of Year to Visit

The best time to hit up Houston is between February and April or from September to November. Ditch the extreme weather for perfect patio weather, ideal for all the outdoor art and munching your way through the city’s famed food fests. Plus, the azaleas are in full bloom during spring.

Best Time for Good Weather

For the best weather, aim for spring or fall. You’ll enjoy mild temperatures, generally ranging from the 60s to the low 80s F for outdoor dining and park visits. This zone of weather avoids the city’s humid summers and short but unpredictable winters.

Best Time to Avoid Crowds

The best time to dodge the crowds is mid-January to early March. Houston is a popular place; around then, it’ll be after the holiday frenzy and before spring breakers storm in. Colder weather in many places and the post-holiday slump means fewer folks are traveling, so you get more space to yourself.

Cheapest Time to Visit

The cheapest time to visit Houston is during its off-peak season, from December to February. You’ll find airfare and hotel rates take a nice dip, saving you some cash.

Worst Time to Visit Houston

The worst time to visit Houston? That has to be between June and August when the city turns into a giant sauna, thanks to the sweltering heat and humidity. I’ve been to nearby Austin in August, and I promise you’ll be drenched in sweat two steps outside your air-conditioned haven.

Seasons of Houston

Spring (March-May)

Spring in Houston is the sweet spot where you’re comfortable in just a t-shirt during the day, and at night, a light jacket is all you need. The city blooms with azaleas and bluebonnets, and it’s as if the whole city collectively decides to start chilling outside.

The events calendar kicks into high gear during spring. Think food festivals, outdoor concerts, and art fairs. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a rodeo in person, and The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, held in March, is the largest in the world. Crowds do start to pick up, especially around the major events. 

Key Events: 

• Azalea Trail (March): Self-guided walking tours of Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood with some of the best azalea blooms in the state. 
• Moon 2 Mars Festival (March):  Held at the NASA Johnson Space Center, this festival celebrates the past, present, and future of space exploration. Get ready for a cosmic adventure without leaving Earth.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (February/March): Saddle up for the rodeo of a lifetime, complete with BBQ, concerts, and all the cowboy hats you can tip.
• Libation Creation Festival at B-52 Brewing (March): Calling all beer lovers! This festival is a homage to the art of brewing. Taste your way through innovative creations and maybe find your new favorite brew.
• Celtic Festival at Kemah Boardwalk (March): Free and filled with the luck of the Irish. Dance to traditional music and feast on food and drinks from Ireland.
• Bayou City Art Festival (March):  Browse through original artwork from over 300 artists while enjoying live music, local eats and drinks. 
• The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (April):  An outdoor art festival with over 200 national and international artists showcasing their work.
• The Houston Art Car Parade (April): Cars as canvases, the streets as galleries. This parade is filled with vehicles turned into colorful, quirky masterpieces.
• Annual Spring Fling (April): Step back in time to the 19th century and experience an old-fashioned carnival complete with games, food, a petting zoo, and more.

Summer (June-August)

Summer in Houston is like stepping into a sauna that’s also somehow an oven. Temperatures regularly flirt with the 90s, but with such intense humidity that may rival that of the Southeast Asia jungles.

Find clever ways to beat the heat by hitting the chock-full of splash pads, pools, and water parks that become local hotspots. And despite the heat, there are a ton of indoor activities, like museums, aquariums, and shows to keep you entertained.

The night brings a bit of a reprieve from the heat, so rooftop bars, open-air concerts, and nighttime festivals are a chance to actually enjoy the outdoors without feeling like you’re melting. And speaking of amazing festivals, summer’s packed with them.

Key Events:

• Juneteenth Summer Celebration (June): Celebrate the end of slavery with live music, food, and a parade.
• Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas (July 4th):  Celebrate America’s independence with food, fireworks, and live entertainment. All for free!
• Houston Pride (June): A month-long celebration of love and equality culminating in an epic parade. With over 700,000 attendees, it’s one of the largest Pride events in the US.
• Galveston Sandcastle Competition (September):  The perfect combination of art, athleticism, and beach fun. Watch sand sculptors create insanely intricate sand castles, or try for yourself. 
• Houston International Jazz Festival (August): Jazz and Houston go just together. The city hosts this festival to showcase the best of both local and international jazz talent.

Fall (September-November)

Fall in Houston is just right, not too hot, not too cold, and the humidity breaks, leaving you with weather that actually makes you want to be outdoors. Temperatures range from the 70s to the mid-80s F, which, in Houston terms, is pretty much perfect.

Fall in Houston is festival central. There’s everything from the Texas Renaissance Festival, which I recommend anyone to go to. I’ve gone LARPing before as well, and dressing up for the RenFest never fails to give me a grand time. 

For sports fans, fall means one thing: football season. Cheer on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, or get wrapped up in the high school and college football fever. Tailgate parties start early, and the camaraderie among fans is something you’ve got to experience firsthand.

Restaurants start rolling out their fall menus, integrating seasonal produce like pumpkin, squash, and sweet potatoes into dishes. Plus, with Halloween and Thanksgiving on the horizon, there are plenty of themed treats and festive eats.

Key Events: 

• Mid-Autumn Festival (September): Celebrate the full moon and the bounties of harvest with this Asian tradition. Lanterns, mooncakes, and dragon dances? Yes, please!
• Magnolia Park Dia de los Muertos Festival & Parade (October): A celebration of life and remembrance in Houston’s First Barrio. Expect colorful altars, traditional dancing, and a parade that brings the community together in a heartfelt homage to loved ones passed.
• Houston Polish Harvest Festival (October): A Polish culture with traditional dances, music, and mouth-watering pierogi.
• The Original Greek Festival (October): Opa! Get ready to break plates, savor gyros, and dance Zorba style while celebrating Greek heritage with a side of baklava.
• Korean Festival (October): Korean traditional festival with K-pop performances, Hanbok clothing, and food that’ll take your taste buds straight to Seoul.
• Texas Renaissance Festival (October-December): Step into a world of knights, fairies, and quests in a parallel dimension that takes you back in time to the golden age of humans. Seriously, go, I dressed up like a barbarian, and it was super fun.

Winter (December-February)

You won’t find snow in Houston’s winter, but you will find people bundled up to their eyeballs in scarves. I’m laughing since I grew up in New England. Temperatures hover around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, dipping lower on occasion.

Snow in Houston is a rarity, something that tends to make headline news like that crazy deep freeze from a few years ago. But the city lights up nonetheless with dazzling Christmas decorations.

One of the highlights is the Holiday Lights Festival at Discovery Green, and then there’s ice skating. There’s an outdoor ice rink at Discovery Green even when it’s 60 degrees out. Houston’s bike trails and city parks see a lot of action during these months, as do patios of cafes and restaurants. 

Key Events: 

• H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (November): Kick off the holiday season with floats, balloons, and bands in one of Houston’s cherished traditions.
• Holiday Candlelight Concerts (December): Be wrapped in the cozy glow of candlelight while listening to live holiday music at these festive concerts.
• Annual Urban Harvest Winter Festival (December): Local produce, face painting, and holiday crafts to support local farmers and artisans.

Houston Weather By Month

Below is a monthly overview of the typical high and low temperatures as well as precipitation in Houston:

Month	Average High	Average Low	Precipitation (Inches)
January	62°F	41°F	3.68
February	67°F	44°F	2.98
March	73°F	51°F	3.36
April	79°F	57°F	3.60
May	86°F	66°F	5.15
June	91°F	72°F	5.35
July	94°F	74°F	3.18
August	94°F	73°F	3.83
September	89°F	68°F	4.33
October	82°F	59°F	4.50
November	72°F	50°F	4.19
December	65°F	43°F	3.69

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in Texas?

I’ve stayed with friends and vanlifed around, about, and through much of Texas. If you’re looking for more information on the Lone Star State, check out these other destination itineraries.

• One Day in Dallas Itinerary: Perfect First-Timers Day Trip
• One Day in Big Bend National Park Itinerary for First-Timers
• One Day In San Antonio Itinerary: What To Do In 24 Hours
• Perfect One Day In Houston Itinerary For First Timers

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.