Events in Brownsville

Whether it’s the fantastic year-round birding, people enjoying the summer sun at the beach, a music festival, or the cultural parties every First Friday in downtown, there’s always something going on in Brownsville. This fun and friendly border town is a little bit Mexican and a little bit American, giving it a unique character of its own. One of the ways this is expressed is the annual events in Brownsville, including the Charro Days Fiesta and the Space Fest and the Brownsville Birding Festival. Discover many of Brownsville’s fun events below.

All Year Long

First Friday –Downtown Brownsville: First Friday is a community event held, just as the title says, the first Friday of each month in downtown Brownsville. Here you can enjoy live music and artists performances, arts and crafts from local artists and vendors, as well as dining at the various downtown restaurants and bars.

Lunada Artisan Market: Join us every third Saturday from May to September at Linear Park in the Mitte Cultural District (E. 6th St. and E. Ringgold St.) for an evening open-air Artisan Market! This family-friendly event is an ideal opportunity to support local artisans, indulge in delectable food, and connect with your community. Immerse yourself in live entertainment, enjoy a free outdoor movie projected on a large screen, and bask in the vibrant atmosphere under the stars.

February

Charro Days Fiesta: The Charro Days Fiesta in Brownsville is an annual community celebration of the town’s rich cultural heritage. It includes a Sombrero Festival, various contests including the “Frijolympics” (a bean cook-off), a parade, a carnival, music concerts, and plenty of fun. The festival typically starts at the end of February and ends in the beginning of March.

455 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX 78520

Ch arro Days Classic Soccer Game: Charro Days Classic is the ideal way to conclude the festivities of the Charro Days in our city. This annual sporting event brings together the communities of Brownsville and our sister city Matamoros, Tamaulipas, as both teams experience the thrill of soccer and share a common passion for the sport. This event provides a unique opportunity for families and soccer enthusiasts to cheer on their favorite teams in an exhilarating and festive atmosphere.

April

Brownsville Birding Festival: Join us in April for the Brownsville Birding Festival, at Gladys Porter Zoo. Get ready for two days of birding tours, exhibits, keynote speakers, kids’ activities, and more celebrating the rich biodiversity that makes our city a birding paradise. Explore Brownsville’s top trails like Resaca de la Palma and Sabal Palm Sanctuary with expert guides. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, there's something for everyone!

500 E Ringgold St

Brownsville, TX 78520

May

Brew At The Zoo: An annual event held at Gladys Porter Zoo, offers an evening of beer sampling and food tasting from nine local restaurants. Attendees can enjoy live music and various other activities while supporting the zoo’s efforts to save wildlife and habitats through the proceeds of the event.

500 E. Ringgold Street
Brownsville, TX 78520

Space Fest: This annual event celebrates all things space in the heart of Downtown Brownsville each May. It’s an event where you can see local artists share their talents with the community. Space Fest is also a place where you can find music, food and dancing. Not only is Space Fest about celebrating, but you can also learn something new; it offers a wide range of educational activities including robotics, virtual reality and more. This festival represents Brownsville’s vibrant and growing community.

October

Boo At The Zoo: The annual fundraiser held on the grounds of the Gladys Porter Zoo. This one-night event features a live auction, silent auctions, food, music, and fun for the whole family. A fun night to spend at the zoo!

500 E. Ringgold Street
Brownsville, TX 78520

Brownsville Beer Fest: Brownsville Beer Fest, a yearly event held at Dean Porter Park every first week of October, features over 100 beer tastings, food vendors, live music and entertainment. Organized by the non-profit of the same name, the event’s proceeds support other local nonprofit organizations that contribute to our community.

Dean Porter Park Dr
Brownsville, TX 78520

Latin Jazz Festival: Latin jazz represents a confluence of African rhythms and Latin flair, a combination that is as soulful as it is romantic. Listen to some of the best Latin jazz performers at the Latin Jazz Festival in Brownsville, held in mid-October. Local, regional, and world-class acts headline the three-day festival, which also features dance performances and art shows.

6700 Ruben M Torres Boulevard
Brownsville, TX 78526

November

Holiday Village: Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Brownsville’s Holiday Village! Stroll through Dean Porter Park from November to the end of December and you’ll see adorable scaled-down cottages lit up just for the holiday season. Performances from dance, choir, and mariachi groups are held throughout the event. Admission to the Holiday Village is free, but the memories are priceless.

501 East Ringgold Street
Brownsville, TX 78520