Are you ready for summer? Regardless of how you feel about the sweat-inducing heat and humidity that greets you every time you step outdoors, we’re sure one or more of the summer festivals will ensure you have plenty of fun outside your apartment.
Without further ado, we present the events that made our list of Houston’s best summer festivals for 2015.
Free Press Summer Festival
Organized by Free Press Houston, the Free Press Summer Festival is the largest multi-genre music festival in Houston. Music is at the heart of the festival, and this year’s lineup features Weezer, Skrillex, Steve Angello, Flume, R. Kelly, The Decemberists, Band of Horses, Flogging Molly, and Portugal. The Man.
Attend, and you can scream along to “Shout! Shout! Let it all out. These are the things I can do without. Come on!” with Tears for Fears. When is the last time that happened? When you’re not rocking out to some of the greatest music of the ’80s, ’90s, and today, browse through dozens of interactive art installations, cool off on the paint slide or with a run through the 30-foot water wall, or attend an educational music workshop. All this action takes place at Eleanor Tinsley Park on June 6 and 7, 2015.
Houston Beer Festival
If you like beer, however,head to the 2015 Houston Beer Festival. The music lineup for this year’s festival has been announced, and includes Mutemath, Scarface, Riff Riff, and Chamillionaire. The beer taps have yet to be filled, but will dispense hundreds of specialty and seasonal craft beers brewed by dozens of small and independent brewers from around the world. The event takes place on June 13 and 14, 2015 at Hermann Square Park.
Freedom Over Texas Festival
Ring in the Fourth of July with loved ones at Houston’s official Independence Day celebration, Freedom Over Texas in Eleanor Tinsley Park. Bands come from far and wide to pump up attendees. Food and beer are available in abundance. An All-American Kids Zone is the perfect place for your child to engage and learn during the event. The highlight of the event, which is actually sponsored by the city’s mayor, is the spectacular fireworks show over the Buffalo Bayou.
The Freedom Over Texas Independence Day celebration, as you may already know, can also be screened from the comfort of your apartment. Last year, the more than 50,000 attendees were joined by over two million viewers at home. You might as well haul yourself over to the park if you don’t have other plans. Not worrying about parking or a long cab ride is a real luxury.
Houston International Jazz Festival
The Houston jazz scene is one of the most dynamic in the country. As the city gears up for the 25th anniversary of the Houston International Jazz Festival, fans should be preparing for one of the most exciting and inspirational festivals of their life. The event, taking place the weekend of July 31 through August 2, 2015, promises to fill Houston’s best venues and streets of downtown with the sounds and rhythms of jazz.
Houston Shakespeare Festival
Houston’s Shakespeare festival puts on two classics each year. Outdoor renditions of the English playwright’s work are performed by trained professionals in Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theater. This year’s offerings are The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth. Catch them between July 31 and August 9, 2015.
No matter what’s in store for your summer, we hope you make memories you’ll treasure for a long time to come. If live music, good food, great beer, and throngs of happy people tend to make you happy, then attend one of these hot summer festivals.
What’s your favorite Houston summer festival?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst