Art Car Parade (Downtown)
Art Car Parade DETAILS
From the organizer:
2PM | Along Allen Parkway & Smith Street
For the 37th year, 250 rolling masterpieces will take over the city’s streets as nearly 300,000 fans cheer them on from the sidelines. The parade officially begins at the intersection of Dallas and Bagby Streets (on Allen Parkway) heading into Downtown before circling City Hall and heading outbound onto Allen Parkway out of Downtown until dispersing at Waugh Drive. As always, the parade is FREE TO ATTEND.
2024 Parade Week Schedule of Events
MAIN STREET DRAG
Thursday, April 11 – 9AM – 1PM | All Over Houston
Designed to “bring the parade to the people,” the Main Street Drag is an opportunity for Art Cars and their artists to visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, developmental facilities and other locations where residents may not be able to participate on their own at The Orange Show’s Houston Art Car Festival & Parade events. Over 100 cars will create a series of “mini parades” that will make their way to designated locations as the artists spend time showing off their rolling masterpieces, talk about their inspirations and how they built them while bringing smiles to everyone along the way.
ART CAR SNEAK PEEK
Thursday, April 11 – 6 – 10PM | Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney St.
A free and family-friendly evening under the stars in Downtown Houston featuring live music, art activities for the kids, food & drinks, and the opportunity to interact with 100+ art cars and on display and meet their artists throughout in the park and along Avenida Houston. The annual Art Car Sneak Peek is one of the first public opportunities to see new entries rolling in this year’s parade.
THE LEGENDARY ART CAR BALL
Friday, April 12 – 6 – 11PM | Orange Show World Headquarters – 2401 Munger St.
Wild costumes, live music, interactive and performance art, food, drinks, and a huge selection of illuminated and fire-breathing art cars are hallmarks of the annual Legendary Art Car Ball. Featuring incredible musical acts, performance art Immersive and interactive art installations, and the visual spectacle of hundreds of glittering, twinkling, bouncing, and pulsating art cars scattered throughout the Orange Show World Headquarters 8-acre campus.
Complete entertainment lineup and schedule coming soon. Mark your calendars and don’t miss it!
THE LINEUP PARTY
Saturday, April 13 – 11am – 2pm | Allen Parkway @ Heiner St.
Join Splice Records and Saint Arnold Brewing Company for The Lineup Party – your chance to peruse all 250+ art cars as they get ready for the parade. Enjoy live music on the Saint Arnold Brewing Company stage, beverage booths, food trucks, sponsor activations, games, prizes and more.
THE H-E-B KIDS CREATIVE ZONE
Saturday, April 13 – 11AM – 2PM | Sam Houston Park – 1000 Bagby St.
Ideally situated on the frontlines of the parade starting cars, the Kids Zone features an array of creative activities for both kids and adults alike. Guests to the FREE event will enjoy interactive and creative activations and performances from community partners including Aeolian Manor Foundation, Alley Theatre’s El Zocalo, Art League Houston, The ARTZ, CAMH Teen Council, Children’s Museum of Houston, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Mariachi Festival, Houston Public Library, MECA, Ripley Cheer, and more.
Verify all dates and times with the organizer.
