The eclectic automotive exposition is roaring back into town for their 38th year. Mark your calendar for the weekend of April 10 – 13 when the Houston Art Car Parade will once again motor through the streets of Downtown Houston.
“The Orange Show’s 38th Annual Houston Art Car Festival & Parade presented by Team Gillman returns this April,” The Orange Show wrote in an Instagram post.
The festival takes place over the course of 4 days. Beginning on April 10th, the iconic event is set to feature over 250 craft cars from artists, schools, non-profits, and other creators from across the country.
On Thursday, April 10, the organization is holding The Main Street Drag, in which the vibrant vehicles will venture on “mini parades” through town, visiting schools, hospitals, and more in an effort to “bring the parade to the people.” Later that day, visitors can catch a sneak peak at Discovery Green with around 100 cars placed about the promenade.
On Friday, April 11, things rev up with the Legendary Art Car Ball. Here, patrons can go pedal to the metal in full costume at the legendary party of music, art, and excitement; that which “teeters somewhere in between the all-out artistic chaos of Burning Man and the revelry of Mardi Gras.”
The ball, otherwise known as the wildest Houston party of the year, is located at Orange Show World Headquarters, and will feature live performances from Brittany Davis, Kam Franklin Band, and Free Rads 2nd Line. Furthermore, the Art Car Ball will also feature performance arat from The Renegade Carnies and Art Jam.
Don’t miss the main parade on the 12th. While scheduled to begin at 2 pm, the day is otherwise packed with a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy including a starting line party and kids zone. Line up anywhere along the route and be one of hundreds of thousands gathered in Downtown Houston to see the spectacle.
Food trucks, beverage stations, merch, and entertainment booths will all be available along the route. (Map and specific route information TBA).
Gear heads can keep the good times rolling at the Art Car After Party at 5 pm, where art cars will park at the Market Square Park in a mobile display of artwork.
Art Car is organized by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art – the same organization behind the eponymous Orange Show an eclectic monument honoring the self-same fruit, Houston’s Beer Can House, and The Art Car Museum.
The museum, otherwise known as the “Garage Mahal” was conceptualized in 1984 and later founded in 1998. Now, the motorcar museum exists as a contemporary art exposition that champions personal expression and creativity.
This will come as no surprise if you’ve ever seen any of the folky, avant-garde automobiles roll out onto the red carpet. Past creations include the likes of a minivan-turned spaceship, a baroque wheely armadillo, a dragon, a fruitmobile, and a giant heavy-metal skull.
Any Houstonian thinking of missing this legendary cultural event would do right to pump the breaks. The Art Car Parade is a must see for any person of any age!
See also: 55 Essential Houston Bucket List Experiences