Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Houston Hobby Airport, TX

Via Colori, a unique street painting festival benefiting the Center for Hearing and Speech, showcases more than 175...

Via Colori, a unique street painting festival benefiting the Center for Hearing and Speech, showcases more than 175 artists creating original artwork on the streets around Sam Houston Park. Festival-goers can watch artists create their masterpieces from beginning to end, and there are children's activities and food, beverages and entertainment, so everyone can enjoy this exciting weekend. Individual squares are also available for purchase ($500 - $1,500), so you can leave your own mark on the festival.

Hours: Sat, Nov 17, 2012: 10am - 6pm Sun, Nov 18, 2012: 10am - 5pm

Every Thanksgiving evening, thousands of locals and guests from all over flock to uptown Houston for the annual Uptown...

Every Thanksgiving evening, thousands of locals and guests from all over flock to uptown Houston for the annual Uptown Holiday Lighting. This fun, family-friendly event ushers in the holiday season with more than 500,000 decorative lights, festive seasonal music, holiday characters (including a special appearance by Santa) and an exciting fireworks display. The event is held along Post Oak Boulevard, which is lined by 80 brightly lit holiday trees and numerous seasonal decorations.

Hours: Thu, Nov 22, 2012: 4pm

One of Houston's larger festivals and its preeminent arts celebration, iFest salutes a different country each year,...

One of Houston's larger festivals and its preeminent arts celebration, iFest salutes a different country each year, along with its attendant culture. The festival extends across two consecutive weekends in late April and takes place at venues throughout the city, including Sam Houston Park and City Hall. Musical performances get plenty of focus, but you'll also find arts and crafts for sale, a children's zone, and dance performances. Highlighted nations have included India, Jamaica, Mexico, and Ireland.

Hours: Sat, Apr 20, 2013 Sun, Apr 21, 2013 Sat, Apr 27, 2013 Sun, Apr 28, 2013

If you've always dreamt of piloting a state-of-the-art military jet, or if you can't get enough of the spectacle of...

If you've always dreamt of piloting a state-of-the-art military jet, or if you can't get enough of the spectacle of perfectly aligned aircraft flying in formation, make sure to put this event on your autumn calendar. The popular airshow, now more than two decades old, draws folks young and old to come marvel at high-flying acrobatics, socialize with stunt pilots, and simply absorb the allure of flight, aeronautics, and machinery. The USAF Thunderbirds are guests of honor, and aircraft are displayed for public observation. Food and drink are also for sale. The field is located 15 miles south of Houston.

Hours: Sat, Oct 27, 2012 Sun, Oct 28, 2012

Now celebrating its 37th season, the Houston Shakespeare Festival performs two Shakespeare plays in repertory each...

Now celebrating its 37th season, the Houston Shakespeare Festival performs two Shakespeare plays in repertory each summer. The Houston Shakespeare Festival has grown into one of Houston's major summer entertainment events, having entertained thousands of people, from seasoned theatergoers to those experiencing live theatre for the first time, with free performances in Hermann Park's Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Hours: Fri, Aug 3, 2012: 8:30pm Sun, Aug 5, 2012: 8:30pm Tue, Aug 7, 2012: 8:30pm Wed, Aug 8, 2012: 8:30pm Thu, Aug 9, 2012: 8:30pm Fri, Aug 10, 2012: 8:30pm Sat, Aug 11, 2012: 8:30pm Sun, Aug 12, 2012: 8:30pm

Everybody loves a parade, and this Thanksgiving Day procession is a favorite. Beginning at 9am, approximately 3000 folks...

Everybody loves a parade, and this Thanksgiving Day procession is a favorite. Beginning at 9am, approximately 3000 folks gather to march through downtown streets, regaling spectators along the 20-block route with huge balloons, marching bands, colorful floats, and more. Kids, of course, can't get enough of the festivities, but adults also find themselves caught up in the excitement. Even if you can't make it to the real thing, find comfort in the fact that the whole event is televised for people at home.

Hours: Thu, Nov 22, 2012: 9am

Since its 1972 premiere, this marathon has grown by leaps and bounds and now greets participants from all over the...

Since its 1972 premiere, this marathon has grown by leaps and bounds and now greets participants from all over the world. The single-day event is a city mainstay, and the closed marathon course is unique in Texas. These days, folks can also compete in a half-marathon and a 5K fun run. The fast, flat course takes runners through some of Houston's better known areas and finishes up downtown near George R. Brown Convention Center on Rusk Street. Entertainments take place along the entire course of the marathon.

Hours: Sun, Jan 13, 2013: 7am

A Houston tradition since 1977, the Reliant Park World Serious of Dog Shows takes place for four days every July in the...

A Houston tradition since 1977, the Reliant Park World Serious of Dog Shows takes place for four days every July in the Reliant Center, Houston's premier convention center. The event is actually four separate, consecutive dog shows, some of which are filmed for future broadcast on Animal Planet. Families searching for a new pet can even attend various Meet the Breed seminars, where the public can experience and learn about more than 80 different breeds.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Wed, Jul 18, 2012 Thu, Jul 19, 2012 Fri, Jul 20, 2012 Sat, Jul 21, 2012 Sun, Jul 22, 2012

This Texas-sized event annually attracts almost two million people during its three-week run, and it needs more than...

This Texas-sized event annually attracts almost two million people during its three-week run, and it needs more than 16,000 volunteers to get off the ground! The exhibition features rodeo competitions, livestock judgings, bull ridings, lots of vendors, barbecue cook-offs, auctions, a carnival, and kids' activities -- absolutely something for everyone. However, its major appeal is its C&W concerts featuring folks like Gretchen Wilson, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, and Trisha Yearwood.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sun, Feb 17, 2013 Mon, Feb 18, 2013 Tue, Feb 19, 2013 Wed, Feb 20, 2013 Thu, Feb 21, 2013 Fri, Feb 22, 2013 Sat, Feb 23, 2013 Sun, Feb 24, 2013 Mon, Feb 25, 2013 Tue, Feb 26, 2013 Wed, Feb 27, 2013 Thu, Feb 28, 2013 Fri, Mar 1, 2013 Sat, Mar 2, 2013 Sun, Mar 3, 2013 Mon, Mar 4, 2013 Tue, Mar 5, 2013 Wed, Mar 6, 2013 Thu, Mar 7, 2013 Fri, Mar 8, 2013 Sat, Mar 9, 2013 Sun, Mar 10, 2013 Mon, Mar 11, 2013 Tue, Mar 12, 2013 Wed, Mar 13, 2013 Thu, Mar 14, 2013 Fri, Mar 15, 2013 Sat, Mar 16, 2013 Sun, Mar 17, 2013

For 30 years, this lively festival has celebrated Italian music, wine, and food. Events address the European nation's...

For 30 years, this lively festival has celebrated Italian music, wine, and food. Events address the European nation's culture, heritage, and allure and include everything from a grape stomp to a car show, arts and crafts area, and a pasta eating contest. Concerts and folk dancing are also showcased. A huge draw for everyone is the wealth of great foods to be had: sausages, cakes, cookies, pastas, pizzas, and much more!

Hours: Thu, Oct 11, 2012: 5pm - 10pm Fri, Oct 12, 2012: 11am - 11pm Sat, Oct 13, 2012: 11am - 10pm Sun, Oct 14, 2012: 11am - 6pm