Make the most of your month with our list of 15 favorite events and happenings in Houston during May 2019.
Also in May 2019
Top 14 Plays & Arts Performances
Happening This Week
Festival season has arrived, and Houston has no shortage of outdoor fun. Whether you’re looking for live music, food and drink, cultural celebrations, or sporting events, we’ve got you covered on where to go and what to do this May.
Go Greek with a full weekend of traditional performances and authentic cuisine at the ever-popular Houston Greek Festival; belt out the lyrics to “Thank U, Next” when Ariana Grande takes the stage; crack up laughing at a musical spoof of the Broadway hit, Hamilton; stuff your face with loads of splurge-worthy carbs at the Houston Pasta Festival, hang out on the lawn at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion while Dave Matthews sings the night away; and more.
Events are not ranked, but are listed in chronological order throughout the month of May.
Top 15 Things to Do in Houston This Month: May 2019
- JJ Watt Charity Classic at Minute Maid Park | Saturday, May 4 – Join JJ Watt and his celebrity teammates for an evening of softball, raffle prizes, and a silent auction during the annual JJ Watt Charity Classic at Minute Maid Park. Tickets start at $5. 6pm.
- Santo De Mayo 5K at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Sunday, May 5 – Combine your love of beer and running at the annual Santo de Mayo 5K presented by University of Houston Downtown and Saint Arnold Brewery. Participants will enjoy a post-race fiesta and receive a commemorative pint glass, T-shirt, three tasty beers, a breakfast burrito, and a race bib. Tickets are $50. 8:30am.
- Lauryn Hill in Concert at Smart Financial Centre | Thursday, May 9 – Jam out to a live show by the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill when she heads to Smart Financial Centre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Tickets start at $29.50, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s online resale market. 8pm.
- Comicpalooza at George R. Brown Convention Center | Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12 – Dress up in cosplay to hear from industry icons like Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke and Nathalie Emmanuel; Star Trek’s Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, and Wilson Cruz; Wilmer Valderrama, Billy Zane and more at the city’s biggest comic convention, Comicpalooza. The event also features several contests, panel discussions, live entertainment, and workshops, as well as literature and film festivals. Tickets start at $45. Times vary.
- AsiaFest 2019 at Asia Society Texas Center | Saturday, May 11 | FREE – Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with an international bazaar, live performances, arts and crafts, authentic cuisine, and live demonstrations at the annual AsiaFest. 11am to 5pm.
- Houston Whiskey Festival at Bayou Place | Saturday, May 11 – Sip and socialize among fellow whiskey enthusiasts at the Houston Whiskey Festival at Bayou Place. Attendees can enjoy educational seminars, a cigar lounge, live music, light bites, and recommendations from popular distilleries. Tickets for early birds start at $45, plus fees. 6pm to 10pm.
- Houston Greek Festival at St. Basil The Great Greek Orthodox Church | Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19 – Nosh on souvlaki, spanakopita, dolmas, and baklava while celebrating Greek culture during this annual festival at St. Basil The Great Greek Orthodox Church. Guests can tour the church, shop, and enjoy music and dancing throughout the weekend. $3. Times vary.
- Coppélia at the Wortham Theater Center | Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 26 – Spend an evening at the theater watching the Houston Ballet’s production of Coppélia, a beloved classic that follows a young couple who meets a dollmaker and his beautiful creation. Tickets start at $25, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s online resale market. Showtimes vary.
- Dave Matthews Band at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Friday, May 17 – Jam out to hit songs like “Crash Into Me” and “Ants Marching,” as well as new songs from their 2018 album when DMB performs an outdoor concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Tickets range from $45 to over $115, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- Houston Dynamo vs. DC United at BBVA Compass Stadium | Saturday, May 18 – Cheer on the Dynamo as they play DC United in a home game at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets range from $24 to over $79, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 7:30pm.
- Ariana Grande in Concert at Toyota Center | Sunday, May 19 – Bust out your high pony and cat ears for Ariana Grande’s stop in Toyota Center for “The Sweetener World Tour.” You can jam out to the singer’s sassy hits like “Thank U, Next” and “Seven Rings” while watching her epic stage show that’ll make you believe that “God is a Woman.” Tickets range from $39.95 to $249.95, but you may find better, cheaper, or hard-to-get seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 7:30pm.
- Houston Pasta Festival at Bayou City Event Center | Sunday, May 19 – Help yourself to heaps of long, short, stuffed, and layered noodles smothered in a variety of savory sauces and toppings at this year’s Houston Pasta Festival. More than 20 local restaurants will participate in the event, including ROMA Italian Eatery, BOH Pasta, Paulie’s, and Pizza Motus. Tickets cost $35 online; $40 at the door. 1pm to 4pm.
- 3rd Annual Love Street Music Fest at Karbach Brewery | Sunday, May 19 – Kick back on Karbach’s family-friendly patio while listening to live music from Walk the Moon, Bishop Briggs, Toadies, lovely the band, Wrestlers, slenderbodies, and VODI at the brewery’s annual Love Street Music Fest. Tickets start at $40, plus fees. 1pm.
- Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park | Saturday, May 25 – Get loud for the Astros when they take the field to play the Red Sox in a home game at Minute Maid Park. Tickets for this game range from $34 to $205, with a $35 add-on for entry to the Street Fest, but you may find better, cheaper, or hard-to-get seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 6:15pm.
- Spamilton: An American Parody at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts | Starts Tuesday, May 28 – Laugh it up when Spamilton—a musical spoof of the Tony-Award winner and Broadway hit, Hamilton—takes the spotlight at Houston’s Hobby Center. Tickets start at $41, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s online resale market. Showtimes vary.
Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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