HOUSTON — One of Houston's favorite events is right around the corner and it's a guaranteed good time!
The 37th annual Houston Art Car Parade on Saturday, April 13, will feature over 250 wild and wacky works of art on wheels. Along with cars, trucks and vans, parade entries include bicycles, unicycles, go-carts and even lawnmowers.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired in April 2023.
It's the oldest and largest art car parade in the world and attracts an estimated 250,000 people, according to organizers with The Orange Show.
They'll line the streets to watch mobile masterpieces from 23 states, Mexico and Canada roll through downtown and along Allen Parkway beginning at 2 p.m. It lasts about two hours.
Best of all, the parade is free!
This year's grand marshal is Brock Wagner, founder of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Art Car Parade route
The parade starts in the inbound lanes of Allen Parkway/Dallas. It will head east onto Bagby, north onto Smith, west onto Walker, south onto Bagby, west onto Lamar/outbound Allen Parkway and end at the Waugh St. Bridge.
There will be food trucks, drinks and restrooms along the route.
Chairs are welcome but you'll need to get there early to scope out a spot to park them. You can also buy reserved seats here for $40.
Here's a downloadable map of the parade route.
This is an interactive map. Just click on the icons for more information.
Art Car Parade street closures
If you drive, leave plenty of time to navigate around the street closures that start a few days before the parade.
Here are the closures for Saturday, April 13.
• McKinney St. from Bagby St. to Smith St. (FULL CLOSURE) – until 8 p.m.
• Walker St. from Smith St. to Bagby St. (FULL CLOSURE) – 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Allen Parkway Connector off Walker St. West of Bagby St (FULL CLOSURE) – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Bagby St. from Walker St. to Dallas St. (FULL CLOSURE) – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Louisiana St. (West Curb Lane) from Lamar St. to Walker St. – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Heiner St. from Allen Parkway to Dallas St. (FULL CLOSURE) – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Allen Parkway Exit Ramps at I-45 North and Southbound Exits – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• McKinney Exit Ramp at I-45 Southbound – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Walker-McKinney between City Hall Annex & Bagby – 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Walker St. from Louisiana St. to Smith St. (North Curb Lane) from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Lamar St. from Smith St. to Brazos St. (North Curb Lane) from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Photos: 2022 Art Car Parade
Weather forecast for Art Car Parade
Organizers say Saturday's parade will be held rain or shine, but the forecast promises a nice, sunny day, according to the KHOU 11 weather team!
You'll find the latest Houston forecast here.
Other Art Car Weekend events
Main Street Drag
What: The Main Street Drag presented by H-E-B is the first official event of Houston Art Car Parade Weekend. Art car artists offer mini parades at schools and other locations across Houston to visit with people who may not be able to attend the big parade.
When: Thursday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Galleria area; Medical Center area; Meyerland area; East End; and southeast Houston
Art Car Sneak Peek
What: Head downtown to Discovery Green for a Sneak Peek at nearly 100 mobile masterpieces featured in this year's parade. This free, family-friendly event also includes craft activities for the kiddos.
When: Thursday, April 11 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Discovery Green and along Avenida Houston
The Legendary Art Car Ball
What: The Legendary Art Car Ball takes place on the eve of the parade and it's the perfect place to show off your weirdly wonderful side. At the wildest party of the year -- think "Burning Man meets Mardi Gras" -- you can enjoy live music, performance art, creative costumes and over 100 illuminated Art Cars.
When: Friday, April 12, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tickets are still available for $50 or $200 for access to the VIP Lounge with an open bar, complimentary bites, valet parking and comfy seating areas.
- You must be at least 18 to attend.
Starting Line Party
What: Get into the Art Car spirit early and scope out a good spot to watch the parade at The Starting Line Party! See over 250 Art Cars participating in the parade and enjoy live music, street performers, food, beverages and more.
When: Saturday, April 13, at 11 a.m.
Kids Creative Zone
What: The H-E-B Kids Creative Zone is the perfect place to take the kiddos for hands-on interactive art projects and workshops from some of Houston's leading creative institutions, as well as children's entertainment, food, beverages, and more!
When: Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Sam Houston Park at 1000 Bagby St.
VIPit Experience
What: Let the good times roll early at the VIPit Party and Benefit for The Orange Show's Houston Art Car Festival.
Tickets are $250 for adults and $45 for kids 12 and under. They include:
- Complimentary alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
- Complimentary bites from a dozen of Houston's best restaurants
- Clean, air-conditioned restrooms
- Reserved, nearby parking
- Creative art activities for kids (and adults!)
- Commemorative 2024 Houston Art Car Parade Program
- Custom 2024 Houston Art Car Parade Badge & Lanyard
- Incredible views of the 37th Annual Houston Art Car Parade
When: Saturday, April 13, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hermann Square at Houston City Hall
Art Car Award Ceremony
What: Each year, the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art awards over $15,000 in prize money to artists, schools, and teams chosen by a panel of judges. The public is invited to come cheer on those winners whose entries wowed the judges and the crowds.
When: Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Art Car Parade history
The first parade was held in 1988 with 40 cars and about 2,000 spectators. The following year, the parade size doubled and the crowd grew to tens of thousands.
Word spread across the country thanks partly to a California artist who traveled to Houston with his own art car. Harrod Blank, who did two films and two books about art cars, told fellow artists all over America about the Houston event. Art cars began traveling from all over to take part in the parade.
Art Car Museum
Can't make it to the parade? No worries. You can see some of the entries at the Art Car Museum in the Heights. Sadly, it's closing for good on April 28.
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