Top 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston: October 17 to 23, 2022

Updated Friday, October 14 at 1:45pm

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, October 17 to Sunday, October 23, 2022.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our 15 picks for the week, but you can always check out the extended calendar for more things to do in Houston.

Scroll below to find great things happening in Houston from Monday, October 17 to Sunday, October 23, 2022.

Top 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• 6th Annual Hess Houston Corporate 5K at Memorial Park | Tuesday, October 18 to Thursday, October 20 – The annual, three-night corporate teambuilding event boasts hundreds of companies that are represented by their employees that take to Memorial Park for a 5K that typically sells out each year. Stick around for a post-race party that includes free food and Saint Arnold brews along with a live band, raffle prizes and more. Registration is $40 and up. 4pm to 7:30pm.
• 2022 ALCS Games 1 & 2: Houston Astros vs. TBD at Minute Maid Park | Wednesday, October 19 & Thursday, October 20 – The Astros take one step one closer to the World Series, facing the winner of an ALDS matchup between Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees. Tickets are very limited and start at $125, but you may find better, cheaper or hard-to-get seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. Times TBD.
• Jorge Pardo’s Folly Opening Week & Events at University of Houston | Wednesday, October 19 to Friday, October 21 | FREE – The latest public art installation by Mexico-based, Cuban American artist Jorge Pardy brings the vibrant, immersive environment of Folly to the UH campus, inviting everyone to experience it through a Wednesday Opening Reception, a conversation with the artist on Thursday, and a tour with Chief Curator Maria C. Gaztambide on Friday afternoon. Times vary.
• Urban Green’s Halloween Screen at McGovern Centennial Gardens | Thursday, October 20 – Hermann Park Conservancy’s young professionals group, Urban Green, screens the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters. $12; $37 for a package that includes bites, brews from St. Arnold, popcorn and more. 7:30pm to 10pm.
• RuPaul’s Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag at Smart Financial Centre | Thursday, October 20 – Queens such as Aquaria the Sloth, Asia O’Hara the Envying, Bosco the Lusting and more turn up for the 11th Annual Night of the Living Drag, where “Boogieman” a/k/a Yvie Oddly, returns from the Inferno to hunt the Souls of Seven Sinful Queens. $49.50 and up. 8pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies at the Toyota Center | Friday, October 21 – It’s the first home game of the season for the Rockets, who take on Ja Morant and the Grizzlies. $25 and up. 7pm. 
• Southern Smoke Festival at Multiple Locations | Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23 – From an opening night barbecue welcome wagon to a high-end raw bar experience and a sampling of culinary stars, the Southern Smoke Festival returns this weekend with three nights of showcases featuring more than 60 of the country’s best chefs—all to help fund-raise in support of food and beverage workers in crisis nationwide. Prices range from $150 to $1000. Times and locations vary.
• 2022 KBR Kids Day at Tony Marron Park | Saturday, October 22 | FREE – Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s annual family event returns, bringing with it entertainment, hands-on activities, face painting and other fun activities. Costumes are encouraged. 11am to 3pm.
• Korean Festival at Discovery Green | Saturday, October 22 | No Cover – Enjoy Korean music, foods, performances, shopping and more at this day-long, family-friendly event in Downtown. 11am to 10pm.
• Houston Filipino Street Festival at Constellation Field | Saturday, October 22 – This family-friendly festival celebrates the Philippines and Filipino heritage in a day of music, food, activities and more. $17 and up. Noon to 6pm.
• 9th Annual Houston Afrifest at Houston Baptist University | Saturday, October 22 – Houston’s largest African festival will feature cultural music, dance and artistic stage entertainment from the communities of Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, including live soukous and zouk music, Afro-Brazillian drumming, West African dance and more. Plus, shop a vendor market of crafts, artwork, and made-in-Africa goods, and enjoy kids activities and storytelling, face painting, and much more. $10; free for ages 5 and under. Noon to 7pm.
• Fresh Arts’ 20th Birthday Bash at El Corazon on Navigation | Saturday, October 22 – Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Houston arts institution with an evening 21+ birthday bash that features great sunset views, dynamic light projections, DJ Gracie Chavez on the decks, complimentary cider and beer, plus bites from Urban Eats, Popston, and more. $35. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
• 50th Annual Jewish Book & Arts Festival at Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center | Saturday, October 22 & Sunday, October 23 – Bringing to Houston some of the finest contemporary writers across a variety of genres, this festival offers two weeks of events for all ages. $38 and up. Times vary.
• Performing Arts Houston presents Mutts Gone Nuts at Wortham Center | Sunday, October 23 – This hilarious, crowd-pleasing dog show is perfect for pooch lovers of all ages. $25.55 and up. 1pm and 4:30pm.
• Doomsday Wrestling presents Halloween Matinee Massacre at Numbers | Sunday, October 23 – All ages should enjoy the haunted headlocks and bodyslams that headline this Halloween-themed event by Houston’s very own comedy wrestling troupe. $18 and up. 6pm to 8pm.

Many More Things to Do in Houston

• Top Concerts & Live Shows This Week – Check out our top picks for local and touring musicians, stars, and personalities hitting the stage in H-Town this week.
• Top Games & Sports Events This Week – Scope out professional and select college sports games, touring athletic competitions, local fitness and participatory events, and more.
• Top Things to Do For Kids & Families This Week – Zero in on the best option for families and the junior set around Greater Houston.
• Current Temporary Museum Exhibits & Art Installations in Greater Houston – Explore the newest installations and exhibits on short term display at museums and locations around Houston, with a focus on art, history, and science.
• More Options on Our Calendar – Explore more live entertainment, events, pop-ups, markets, and other options around Houston.