Tips for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

Spark your imagination with a full weekend of natural beauty, fine arts shopping, live music, and more at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival! Hosted by The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC), this annual event takes place along The Woodlands Waterway in early April and consistently ranks among the top five fine arts festivals in the nation. Just take a look at these insider tips to make the most of your trip!

White tents line The Woodlands Waterway for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. The viewer faces The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

PUT YOUR FEET UP

If you've spent the morning exploring all the vendors in Town Green Park, take a break in your hotel room, then come back in the afternoon to browse the booths along The Waterway! Several hotels are located within walking distance and might offer special rates for those attending the festival, including The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Westin at The Woodlands, and Hyatt Centric - The Woodlands.

GRAB A BITE

A full day of wandering The Waterway is sure to work up an appetite! Local restaurants often host concession booths onsite, but there are plenty of dining options within walking distance as well. In Waterway Square, Grimaldi's Pizzeria offers fan-favorite foods and a family friendly atmosphere. On Market Street, enjoy a classy brunch at The Audrey or eclectic bar bites at Local Public Eatery.

Insider Tip: You can also climb aboard a Town Center Trolley for dining options at The Woodlands Mall and Restaurant Row at Hughes Landing.

An artist sits in a director's chair facing his paintings. The man is wearing a striped shirt and a navy ballcap. Two of the paintings are of white roses on colorful backgrounds, another is of lily pads on the water.

White pop-up tents line The Waterway, where dozens of visitors are seen admiring the artwork on display. The walkway is shaded by thick green trees.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Every artist has a story! Explore TWAC's Artist Directory before your trip, then meet all your favorites in person. The art pieces you bring home with you will mean so much more when you know where they came from and the stories behind them. Don't forget to keep an eye out for this year's Featured Artist!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Want an easy, breezy list of tips you should know before the festival?

There are five entrance gates to choose from
Gate 4 (behind this parking garage) offers a self-serve art check
Small, clear bags and purses are recommended
Please ask the artists before photographing their work
If you want to avoid large crowds, pop in on Friday or Sunday
Drop by Visit The Woodlands' welcome booth for complimentary swag items

A bright green trolley bus drives past The Westin in Waterway Square. Behind it is a large mural of yellow and orange flowers.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

In The Woodlands, the days of circling the block for parking are long gone. Leave your vehicle in one of the several parking lots or garages near Town Center while you explore the area on foot—or hop on a complimentary, ADA-accessible Town Center Trolley for a tour of all the local hotspots. Find all the best shopping, dining, and more at Market Street, The Woodlands Mall, Waterway Square, and Hughes Landing.

Insider Tip: Try the Passio GO! digital map for all the latest trolley information, including stop locations, nearby attractions, and live tracking of all operating trolleys.

GET INVOLVED

The Woodlands Arts Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all ticket proceeds from the festival directly support their educational outreach programs. Make a difference in The Woodlands community by becoming a festival volunteer and voting for this event for USA Today's Best Art Festival!

A close-up of a book propped up on a table at Books on The Green (during The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival). The book is called "Time to Make Art," and the cover depicts a cartoon-like figures of different kinds of artists (painters, photographers, florists, etc.).

The lead singer of the Will Carter Band plays a black guitar on a stage at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. He's wearing a navy button-down, blue jeans, and a dark ballcap. The guitar strap is embroidered with the band name and silver leaves.

BEYOND THE CANVAS

In addition to all the fine art pieces to peruse, the festival celebrates the literary and performing arts as well. Past years have featured as many as four stages for live music with genres spanning across pop, rock, country, and more. During Books on The Green, you can meet award-winning authors and try unique reading challenges. The Woodlands Children's Museum even hosts Artopoly with fun activities for kids.

ENJOY A WEEKEND PASS

General admission is about $20 per day or $35 for all three days. Students, veterans, and seniors can enjoy discounted rates, and children 12 and under are free to attend. Newsletters from Visit The Woodlands and The Woodlands Arts Council sometimes offer special deals, so be sure to subscribe and purchase tickets in advance. With so much to see and do, it's well worth it to stay the weekend!

EXPLORE PUBLIC ART

When you've seen all there is to see at the festival, immerse yourself in the public art scene! The Woodlands is home to one of the largest public art collections in Texas, featuring everything from murals and mosaics to benches and bike racks. Don't forget to share your photos with us at @visitthewoodlands!