Houston is gearing up to celebrate one of its most iconic and creatively charged traditions — the 38th Annual Houston Art Car Parade, revving up Downtown from April 10–13, 2025, with an electrifying lineup of festivities guaranteed to ignite imaginations and fuel community pride.

Organized by the legendary Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, this annual festival is more than a parade — it's a full-blown celebration of art, innovation, and inclusivity, where everyday vehicles are transformed into jaw-dropping mobile masterpieces.

✨ Thursday, April 10: Art on the Move with Main Street Drag

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Starting Location: Orange Show World HQ, 2334 Gulf Terminal Dr., Houston, TX 77023

The celebration kicks off with the beloved Main Street Drag, bringing art directly to the people. Over 100 wildly imaginative Art Cars will cruise through schools, hospitals, senior centers, and special care facilities — delivering joy, inspiration, and a glimpse into the minds of the artists who brought these cars to life. This feel-good tour ensures that everyone in Houston, regardless of mobility or circumstance, gets to be part of the magic.

🌟 Thursday Night Lights: Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green

Time: 6 PM – 10 PM
Location: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010

Enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars at the Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green. Perfect for families and fans of all ages, this free event offers a first look at this year’s rolling works of art. Explore the park, meet the artists, indulge in delicious eats, enjoy live music, and dive into interactive art activities designed especially for kids. It's a night where creativity takes center stage.

🎭 Friday, April 11: The Legendary Art Car Ball

Time: 6 PM – 11 PM
Location: Orange Show World HQ

Brace yourself for the wildest night in Houston — the Legendary Art Car Ball. Known for its whimsical chaos and avant-garde aesthetic, this costume-clad soirée merges music, dance, and visual spectacle into one sensory explosion. With performances by Kam Franklin, Brittany Davis, and Free Rads 2nd Line, plus immersive installations from Geoffrey Muller, Moon Papas, and more, this isn’t just a party — it’s a celebration of boundless expression and vibrant community spirit.

🎉 Saturday, April 12: The VIPit Experience

Time: 12 PM – 4 PM
Location: Hermann Square, 901 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77010

Get parade-perfect with the VIPit Experience — an upscale, front-row party set in Hermann Square. Hosted by Art Car Grand Marshal Carl Lewis, this exclusive ticketed event includes gourmet bites from top Houston chefs, craft cocktails, live music, family art activities, and unbeatable views of the parade as it cruises through the heart of Downtown. It's Houston’s premier cultural tailgate!

🚘 Saturday, April 12 at 2 PM: The Main Event — 38th Annual Art Car Parade

Route Start: Dallas St. & Bagby St. → Downtown → Smith St. → City Hall → Allen Parkway → Ends at Waugh Dr.

Back and better than ever, the Houston Art Car Parade presented by Team Gillman will feature nearly 250 spectacular vehicles — each uniquely imagined and meticulously crafted. Grand Marshal and Olympic legend Carl Lewis will lead the fleet as thousands of spectators line the streets, cheering on the rolling gallery of creativity. From lowriders and bicycles to monster trucks and everything in between, this parade is a love letter to originality — and it’s 100% free to attend.

💥 Why the Houston Art Car Parade Matters

Now in its 38th year, the Houston Art Car Parade is the largest event of its kind in the world, a homegrown phenomenon that has become a global beacon for outsider art, community empowerment, and pure joy. Spearheaded by the Orange Show, this tradition reflects Houston’s inclusive spirit and cultural diversity, drawing artists and fans from across the globe.

📸 Don’t Miss a Moment

Follow the fun on social media at @TheOrangeShow and tag your experience with #HoustonArtCarParade to be featured. For a full schedule, visit www.thehoustonartcarparade.com.