Best time to visit · Houston · United States
The best time to visit Houston
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Houston are October to November and February to April, when temperatures are comfortable and humidity is lower. March brings the rodeo and spring crawfish; November is often the most pleasant month for walking. Summer is hot, humid and stormy, and hurricane risk peaks from mid-August to late September.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–April and October–November
- Shoulder season
- May and December–February
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 35°C (95°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 17°C (63°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- June–September and December–January
Seasons
Houston has a hot, humid subtropical climate with long summers, mild winters and rain spread across the year, often as heavy downpours. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from mid-August to late September.
March–May
Spring
Warm and green, with the rodeo, azaleas, wildflowers and crawfish; storms become more frequent in May.
June–August
Summer
Hot, humid and stormy; best spent in museums, Space Center Houston and air-conditioned malls.
September–November
Autumn
September is hot and at peak hurricane risk; October and November are pleasant and dry.
December–February
Winter
Mild with occasional cold fronts and rare freezes; good value and comfortable for sightseeing.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°C | 6°C | 10 | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 19°C | 8°C | 9 | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 23°C | 12°C | 9 | 11.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 26°C | 15°C | 8 | 12.9 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 30°C | 20°C | 9 | 13.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 33°C | 23°C | 12 | 14 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 34°C | 24°C | 11 | 13.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 35°C | 24°C | 11 | 13.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 32°C | 21°C | 10 | 12.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 28°C | 16°C | 8 | 11.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 22°C | 11°C | 9 | 10.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 18°C | 7°C | 10 | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Houston Marathon (usually mid-January); Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown (January or February) |
| February | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins at NRG Park (usually late February) |
| March | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — rodeo events and nightly concerts (through mid/late March) |
| April | Houston Art Car Parade (usually April) |
| June | Juneteenth celebrations, including Emancipation Park in the Third Ward (around 19 June); Houston Pride (usually June) |
| July | Independence Day festival and fireworks downtown (4 July) |
| September | Fiestas Patrias — Mexican Independence celebrations (around 16 September) |
| October | Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission (weekends, usually October–November); Día de los Muertos events (late October to early November) |
| November | Thanksgiving Day Parade downtown (Thanksgiving morning); Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (usually from mid-November) |
| December | Zoo Lights continues (through December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in June–September and December–January, and the sights are quietest in June–September and December–January. Many visitors avoid August–September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Houston?
The best times to visit Houston are October to November and February to April, when temperatures are comfortable and humidity is lower. March brings the rodeo and spring crawfish; November is often the most pleasant month for walking. Summer is hot, humid and stormy, and hurricane risk peaks from mid-August to late September.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Houston?
Usually in June–September and December–January. Mild, often grey, with occasional cold fronts; comfortable for museums and outdoor walks.
+What is the rainiest month in Houston?
June, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Houston get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 35°C (95°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).