August Festivals and Events in Texas
Texas International Fishing Tournament
Held in the waters around Port Isabel and South Padre Island, the Texas International Fishing Tournament is the largest saltwater fishing tournament in Texas. The tournament features bay, offshore, and fly fishing divisions, drawing around 1,200 participants annually.
Moreover, it’s exhilarating to watch boats unload and weigh their catches of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish. Those fishing in the bay typically weigh in catches of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. There are also little kids proudly displaying their strings of fish.
Main Street Stroll
Taking place in historic downtown Round Rock on the second Sunday of each month, the Main Street Stroll is a free, family-oriented event showcasing artists, musicians, and street performers.
Furthermore, downtown Round Rock serves as a tourist hotspot recognized for shopping, dining, and a charming holiday lights festival.
North Texas State Fair
Annual for over seven decades, the North Texas State Fair held in Denton features a rodeo, live music, games, a carnival, barbecue cook-off, and much more.
Visitors can wander through the barns to see animals raised by local 4-H kids, appreciate the skills of riders, and enjoy the beauty of horses at the fair’s horse show, along with a lively parade in Denton.
Hotter ‘n Hell 100
Attracting over 11,000 cyclists nationwide, the Hotter ‘n Hell 100 is renowned as one of the most popular 100-mile cycling events in the country.
Consequently, over 13,000 bike riders gather in Wichita Falls for this 4-day event. This endurance ride is not for the faint-hearted, with temperatures soaring above 110 degrees. On race day, riders gather as early as 4 a.m., with the event commencing after the singing of the National Anthem, an Air Force fly-over, and a cannon blast.
Texas Legends Billfish Tournament
With hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament attracts many participants. Anglers may depart from any Texas port, while weigh-ins occur at Robert’s Point Park in Port Aransas.
Billfish, known for their spear-like bill (rostra), include sailfish, marlin, and swordfish, which are the prized catches for this tournament.
Harvest Wine Trail
Featuring 50 participating Hill Country wineries, the Harvest Wine Trail provides a variety of special events, tastings, tours, and entertainment options.
In addition to the four annual hosted trail events, member wineries hold events throughout the year. Guests can enjoy grape stomps, food and wine pairing dinners, live music, and unique tastings.
In August, several winery-specific events occur, culminating in a massive Labor Day weekend celebration with live music.
Austin Ice Cream Festival
Taking place at Waterloo Park, the Austin Ice Cream Festival offers a fantastic way to cool off from the summer heat. The festival includes various games, activities, live entertainment, and, of course, an abundance of ice cream.
Moreover, attendees can participate in ice cream eating contests, competitions for the best ice cream treat, and explore numerous booths featuring a wide range of ice cream options, from ice cream sandwiches to frozen yogurt.