Considering the wide geography of the Lone Star State, there’s really no such thing as a bad time to visit Texas. While you may want to skip the soaring temperatures of the Santa Elena Canyon in summer months, winter in Amarillo is not the best time to visit the Great Plains.
Here are our tips and a month-by-month guide to help you decide the best time for your visit to different places across Texas.
High season (October and March)
Best time for festival goers
Music lovers flock to Austin in October and March for two of the state’s biggest festivals, Austin City Limits (two weekends in October) and South by Southwest (nearly two weeks in March). Both festivals attract musicians and music-lovers from all over the world, while the SXSW festival has grown to include programming in technology, politics, entertainment and entrepreneurship. In general, these are the two months that attract the most visitors to all cities in Texas with milder temps and plenty of outdoor fun.
Shoulder season (April and September)
Fewer tourists flock to Texas in April and September, but with slightly cooler temps than summer, these are both great months to make the most of outdoor activities. Regardless of your destination, it’s generally a safer bet to plan a hike outside the months of May to August.
Low season (May to August)
While there’s really no such thing as a low season in Texas, tourists often avoid the hotter months when temps across the state can range from 90°F to 113°F (32°C to 45°C) and above. That said, there are plenty of museums and galleries across the state to enjoy more air-conditioned fun, but locals cope with the heat by taking a plunge in one of the state’s many rivers, lakes and beaches. Pro tip: frozen margaritas also help.
January
Texas weather can be unpredictable in January: one day could be 70°F and ideal for a hike, the next could be cold and blustery and ideal for browsing museums and galleries.
Key events: MLK Grande Parade (Houston).
February
As temperatures generally start to rise toward the end of the month, February welcomes larger outdoor events and gatherings like Mardi Gras in Galveston — the second largest Mardi Gras parade outside Louisiana.
Key events: Rodeo Houston, Mardi Gras (Galveston).
March
Crowds flock to Austin especially in the month of March, but the arrival of spring across the state makes it an ideal time to get out and explore.
Key events: Texas Independence Day (Washington on the Brazos), South by Southwest (Austin).
April
Though they often blossom toward the end of March, the peak season for spying Texas wildflowers is in full swing in April.
Key events: Wildflower Season (Hill Country), Fiesta (San Antonio), Eeyore’s Birthday Party (Austin).
May
Often humid and muggy as spring transitions to summer, May is the beginning of the best season to cool off in Texas rivers.
Key events: Texas Crab Festival (Crystal City), Festival of Flowers (San Antonio).
June
By June, the best escape from the heat and humidity is finding respite in the many air-conditioned art galleries, shopping destinations and museums.
Key events: Juneteenth Parade (Austin, Houston and more).
July
July is ripe with some of Texas’ best produce, hill country peaches. Fredericksburg is known for its peaches, and Highway 290 is dotted with local peach stands.
Key events: Fredericksburg Peach Festival, Float Fest (Gonzalez).
August
One of the hottest months to visit, August travels in Texas will require a lot of river excursions and margaritas.
Key events: River Rodeo Festival (Gruene), Pride Festival (Austin)
September
Summer may officially end in September, but the temperatures mostly stick around. Still, evenings on a restaurant patio become a little more bearable.
Key events: Texas Tribune Festival (Austin), State Fair of Texas (Dallas).
October
Football and festival season is in full swing by October: catch the Friday night lights at a local high school, cheer on a college football team, gather pumpkins at a harvest festival or brave the crowds at Austin City Limits music festival.
Key events: Austin City Limits, Oktoberfest (New Braunfels), State Fair of Texas (Dallas).
November
Cooler temperatures are here to stay, making a trip out to west Texas ideal: hike Big Bend, browse the art galleries in Alpine or slow down in Marfa.
Key events: Art Walk (Alpine), Rockport Film Festival.
December
Texans love their holiday lights, and you can find extravagant displays in neighborhoods, parks and on courthouses across the state for the whole month of December.
Key events: Winter holiday lights displays such as the Austin Trail of Lights; Dickens on the Strand (Galveston).
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