The Orange Show’s 39TH ANNUAL HOUSTON ART CAR PARADE WEEKEND Set to Takeover Houston from April 9–12, 2026
Orange Show’s 39th Annual Houston Art Car Parade Weekend is one of Houston’s largest free cultural events
Visitors will see downtown transformed into a rolling gallery of over 250 art cars
WHAT TO KNOW:
Leading this year’s parade as Grand Marshals are Grammy award winning artist Kam Franklin, and recent Houston Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Brian Ching, who will help kick off the celebration and guide the procession through downtown Houston.
Serving as the 2026 Featured Artist is Phillip Pyle, II, a visual artist, graphic designer and photographer whose work engages with issues of race and popular culture through the lens of graphic design.
“What makes the Houston Art Car Parade so special is that it never stands still,” said Jack Massing, Executive Director of The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. “Every year brings a completely new wave of ideas, with artists finding inventive ways to transform everyday
materials into something unexpected. It’s a celebration of creativity in its most accessible and joyful form, and one that truly belongs to the city.”
Through hands-on collaboration, students design and build art cars that reflecting personalities, cultures, and creativity. Presenting Sponsor Team Gillman donated 10 vehicles to Houston-area schools. This year’s participating schools are Durham Elementary, Crockett, Elementary, Harmony School of Ingenuity, Harmony School of Fine Arts and Technology, Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary, Westbury High School, Impact Leadership Academy, Harmony Science Academy, Shadow Creek High School, and RP Harris Elementary.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, APRIL 9:
The Main Street Drag – 9 am, beginning and ending at The Orange Show World HQ (2334 Gulf Terminal Drive) – 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 during the Art Car festivities. Over 100 cars will create a series of “mini parades” that will make their way to designated locations throughout Houston.
Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green – 6-9:30pm (1500 McKinney Street) – 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 over a 100 art cars and their artists throughout in the park and along Avenida De Las Americas. Photo courtesy of Art Car Parade
FRIDAY, APRIL 10:
The Legendary Art Car Ball – 6–11pm Held at Hermann Square at City Hall (900 Bagby) – Experience a collision of creative vision and automotive brilliance in a night of electrifying displays, interactive installations, wild costumes, and pulsating beats. The evening lineup features headliner Bo Dollis Jr. and The Wild Magnolias, plus Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws and Houston guitarist Shawn Allen.
Orange Show 2026 Artists-in-Residence Poncili Creación will spin a DJ set from their custom art car Reality Breaker, with additional activations from the Renegade Carnies, Moon Papas Art, and visiting curator and parade judge Sasha Galitzine. Emceeing the night will be Orange Show Center for Visionary Art Executive Director, Jack Massing, and award-winning, internationally recognized and locally loved multidisciplinary artist, GONZO247. Photo: Emily Jaschke
SATURDAY, APRIL 11:
Lineup Party – 11 a.m. on Allen Parkway between Taft & Bagby – Get a closeup view and peruse all 250+ Art Cars as they get ready to roll in the parade. Enjoy live music, beverage booths, food trucks, games, prizes, and a surprise installation by our friends at Meow Wolf.
Kids Creative Zone – 11 a.m. at Sam Houston Park (1000 Bagby Street) – Head to the Kids Creative Zone to kick off the parade with fun activities for both kids and adults. Best of all, it’s completely FREE.
Reserved Seating at Heritage Society – At The Heritage Society (300 Dallas Street) – Embark on an upgraded parade adventure this year with a specially reserved area at the Heritage Society. Tickets are $60 and are available for purchase here.
The VIPit Party & Benefit – 12 pm at City Hall’s Hermann Square (901 Bagby Street) – The ultimate viewing party and largest fundraiser for The Orange Show’s Houston Art Car Parade offers unobstructed front row views of the parade set within beautiful Hermann Square at City Hall. The event features complimentary bites from over a dozen local chefs and restaurants, cocktails, pre-parade entertainment, kids’ art activities, live parade commentary from notable Houston personalities, and nearby reserved parking. Individual tickets start at $250, reserved tables start at $2,000, and shared or reserved grandstand sections start at $6,000. All are available for purchase at
www.thehoustonartcarparade.com.
The 39th Annual Houston Art Car Parade – 2 pm (Downtown Houston and Allen Parkway) – For the 39th year, 250+ rolling masterpieces will take over Houston’s streets as nearly 400,000 fans cheer them on from the sidelines. The parade officially begins on Allen Parkway at the I-45 overpass, heading into Downtown before circling City Hall and heading outbound on Allen Parkway out of Downtown. As always, the parade is FREE TO ATTEND. Photo by Charlie Ewing.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12:
Art Car Awards Ceremony – 11am at The Orange Show World HQ (2334 Gulf Terminal Drive). Over $16,000 will be awarded to Art Car artists and groups in various categories through a judging process that rates entries based on their creativity, artistic techniques, and inspiration. The public is invited to celebrate the winners and get a final chance to see this year’s Art Car entries and celebrate their artists.