What's Happening This Weekend: Spring Break & St. Paddy's Day

HOUSTON, TX — The weekend is here, but so is spring break for many students in the Houston area and that means kids of all ages will be looking for something to do.

Despite the threat of fecal bacteria, primarily in areas near Freeport and farther south along the coast, the beach may still be a prime destination.

But there are other events going on and many have to do with St. Patrick's Day parades and events, and other spring time events in the Houston area.

Here are a few to take you through the weekend and into your spring break week:

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park | Daily| Get your giddyup on, don your best duds for thed annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Get your bellyful carnival grub, carnival rides, rodeo competitions, as well as nightly concerts from acts like Chris Young, Cody Johnson, and Calibre 50. Tickets start at $18.
• The Woodlands Family Fun Fest|Town Green Park in The Woodlands| Saturday 10-4| Enjoy carnival rides, games, exotic reptiles, food trucks, music and a lot more. The event is free to the public. Come on out and have some fun this weekend.
• Houston's St. Patrick's Parade| Saturday @ noon| This parade has always been rain or shine and has always been free, and this is no exception. Parade starts at the Clock Tower at Minute Maid Park on Texas Avenue and goes west-bound. This year's theme is Houston Strong. Irish Proud. The two-hour parade has historically been one of the largest in the U.S. and each year includes over 100 entries to delight the Irish and Irish-at-heart.

• 21st Annual Irish Cook-off and Music Festival at Griff's | No Cover| Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.| Sample some fine Irsh grub as 18 teams compete in the 21st annual Irish Cook-off and Music Festival at Griff’s. Enjoy Irish stew, chili, chicken, desserts, and an Irish open dish while listening to live Irish music. 11am to 10pm.
• 46th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta at Buffalo Bayou Park| Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.| Consider the the largest canoe and kayak race in Texas. This one manders for 15 miles of the scenic Buffalo Bayou. Then there's fun at the finish line with live zydeco music and food and drinks available for purchase. $50.
• The 40th Annual FM 1960 St. Patrick's Day Parade| Spring| Free| Sunday 1-5 p.m.|One of the larges St. Paddy's day parades in the Houston area.Proceeds from the event raise funds for scholarships for EMT students for Cypress Creek EMS.
• Eado Vintage Fest|Sundays | No Cover| Feeling nostalgic? Check out everything fro aa time gone by including vintage clothing, antique furniture, decor, and handmade goods. Eado. Noon to 6pm.
• Make the rounds to Houston's Irish Pubs and Restaurants| This weekend|Places like McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, Irish Pub Kenneally’s, Pimlico Irish Pub, The Goose’s Acre in The Woodlands, and The Gorgeous Gael in Rice Village will be the places to be, if you're feeling especially shamrocky.

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