With a thriving Museum District, Houston offers at least 12 art museums and roughly 60 galleries. Houston is clearly a great city for both artists and art lovers alike. Although you’re unlikely to get bored with the city’s museum and gallery offerings, an art fair is a great way to mix things up. Whether you’re a collector or just an appreciator of the arts, the best art fairs in Houston are a great way to spend an afternoon. – Amber Hilton

Houston Fine Art Fair (HFAF)

George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
Houston, TX 77010

Hamptons Expo Group (HEG)
223 Hamptons Rd.
Southampton, NY 11968
(800) 211-0640
www.houstonfineartfair.com

The Houston Fine Art Fair is put on annually in September at the George R. Brown Convention Center and is certainly one of the best art fairs in Houston. It is one of four national art fairs put on by the Hamptons Expo Group, operated out of Southampton, New York. More than 80 galleries from across the nation and the globe are represented here, with a focus on post-war and contemporary works. Tickets can be purchased for one-day admission for $20 on site or for $17 online; three-day tickets are $30 on site and $26 online; Gold passports, which include perks such as a preview party and private museum tour, are priced at $100 on site and $90 online. More information on dates and hours can be found at the art fair Web site or by contacting the Hamptons Expo Group.

Bayou City Art Festival

1113 Vine St., Suite 138
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 521-0133
www.bayoucityartfestival.com
The Bayou City Art Festival is an annual art fair and celebration put on in downtown Houston. The festival features a performance stage and “Art on the Water.” The latter is a collection of floating artworks on Houston’s City Hall Reflection Pond in Hermann Square. In 2010, the Festival jury took in more than 1,000 applications, of which the highest scoring 300 artists were invited to show their works; at least 19 media formats were represented. The festival takes place in Tranquility and Sam Houston Park, as well as on McKinney, Bagby and Walker Streets, around City Hall and against the backdrop of the Houston skyline. Admission is $10 for adults; children age 12 and younger get in free. Dates and hours vary by year, but the festival generally takes place in mid-October.

Emma Lee Turney’s Round Top Folk Art Fair & Creative Market

(281) 493-5501
www.roundtopfolkartfair.com
This folk art fair takes place in Round Top, near Houston, Texas, typically in late March and early April. This unique fair offers works from established folk artists that display their work around the country. In addition to paintings and more traditional art works, you’ll find folk art like woodcarvings, tinsmithing, natural furniture, folk dolls, bird houses, and other arts and crafts that focus on country living. Free parking is offered on the many acres that surround the fair, and yummy food is served, adding to the country fair atmosphere. The barn that holds the exhibitions is air-conditioned to protect the artwork, exhibitors and guests from the Texas heat. Visit the Round Top Web site for directions, dates and other details.