Fun things to do in Texas

“Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West”

FREE! Through August 3 This exhibit features original pictorial quilts that tell the story of Black history in the West from the 1500s through the civil rights movement. The quilts illustrate Blacks’ achievements in society, religion, education, and the arts, disproving the myth they were mostly just cowboys in the Old West. Stark Museum of Art, Orange.

Spring Native Plant Sale

FREE! April 19–21, 26–28 From the iconic Texas bluebell to the lesser-known corkystem passionflower, this event features more than 300 native species for sale in the arboretum, plus horticulturists to answer gardeners’ questions. Visit the center’s lush botanical garden for inspiration (admission is $15 for adults). Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin.

Texas SandFest

April 19–21 Watch in amazement in real time as sculptors turn tons of sand into towering masterpieces at this 3-day beach festival. A beer garden and fair foods round out the experience. General admission tickets, $30. Port Aransas.

The Diamond Bessie Murder Trial

May 2–5 In the late 1800s, “Diamond Bessie” Moore went for a picnic with her male companion (who had registered them as husband and wife at a local hotel) in the Big Cypress Bayou, but he returned alone. Her body was found a few weeks later. Nearly 150 years later, the townspeople continue to tell her story, and that of the man’s sensational murder trial, with an immersive, on-stage adaptation—now in its 70th year. Tickets, $20. Jefferson Playhouse, Jefferson.

Galveston Historic Homes Tour

May 4–5, 11–12 Set in Texas’ oldest port city and benefiting the Galveston Historical Foundation, this preservation-focused home tour marks 50 years this May by granting access to about 10 architectural marvels—from Victorian-style mansions to midcentury modern bungalows. Tickets, $50. Galveston.

O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships

FREE! May 11 Wordsmiths battle it out with both prepared and impromptu performances at the “granddaddy of all pun competitions,” held in honor of Austinite and author William Sydney Porter (a.k.a. O. Henry). Brush Square Park, Austin.

Texas Steak Cookoff

May 18 Support top grillmasters in their quest to serve up the juiciest, tastiest steaks. Your $45 ticket ($40 if bought in advance) includes a variety of appetizers, a steak prepared by the chef of your choice, and all the fixin’s. Artisan vendors and live music add to the fun. Historic Downtown Business District, Hico.

Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo

May 18 and June 15 This Black rodeo thrills with bronc and bull riding, barrel racing, and “bulldogging,” a steer-wrestling event created by Bill Pickett. At the June event, the 40th anniversary rodeo, expect special celebrity appearances and performances by soul and country artists. General admission tickets start at $40 for adults ($15 for kids). Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth.

Memorial Day Stampede Parade

FREE! May 25 For a mix of the Old West and old Americana, look no further than the so-called Cowboy Capital of the World, where a costumed procession featuring horses and stagecoaches makes its way down Main Street. The weekend of fun also includes a rodeo and an artisan market. Bandera.

Family Fishing Tournament

FREE! June 1 Multigenerational teams converge on Boerne City Lake Park to see who can hook the longest bass, largest perch, and most fish overall. Licenses aren’t required, but bring your own gear and bait. Prizes (and bragging rights) awarded after the final weigh-in. Boerne.

MillHouse MuralFest

FREE! June 1–2 A former cotton mill serves as a large-scale canvas for this third-annual juried art show. Mingle with the muralists or track progress from beside the live-music stage. The Cotton Mill, McKinney.

Kolache-Klobase Festival

June 8 Traditional Czech pastries (kolache) and sausages (klobase) abound at this family-friendly festival outside of Houston. Between bites, try your luck at the cake walk or two-step to polka music. General admission, $10 (kids 12 and under, free). Riverside Hall, East Bernard.

“The Perfect Shot: Walter Iooss Jr. and the Art of Sports Photography”

FREE! June 13–August 11 See 60 photographs by longtime Sports Illustrated contributor Walter Iooss Jr., known for capturing Olympic history, the first Super Bowl in 1967, and portraits of legends like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams. Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin, Odessa.