Updated Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:15pm
Find the perfect things to do in Houston this weekend with our Weekend Guide for Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16, 2023.
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Things to Do
All Weekend Long
- ERYD’s Downtown & EaDo Scooter Rentals | Daily – If you’re planning to spend time in the area around Downtown and EaDo, then consider a scooter rental from ERYD, which offers solo scooters, trikes and two-person vehicles so that you can get around town with ease. Rates start at $20 for 1 hour.
- 2023 Tall Ships Festival in Galveston | Daily – See these maritime beauties in all their full-sail splendor. The weekend commemorates the historic ships with a series of events, sailing opportunities, tours, food and drink, family fun and more. Festival admission is $15; $10 for ages 7 to 12; free for ages 6 and under. Admission that includes boarding of boats is $25; $15 for ages 7 to 12; free for ages 6 and under. 10am to 6pm.
- Black Restaurant Weeks at Multiple Locations | Daily | Final Weekend – The 8th annual culinary showcase at nearly 150 participating Black-owned restaurants, food trucks and eateries comes to a close with your final chance to sample menu offerings at can’t-miss price points. Menu prices and hours vary.
- Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at NRG Stadium | Daily – The beloved Disney stories take on a new life in this show that sets their tales and music to spectacular ice skating, joined by Mickey and Minnie. $25 and up. Times vary.
- UH Moores School of Music presents Ainadamar at Moores Opera House | Daily – Students in the highly-ranked opera program perform this work about the tragic life of poet and Spanish icon Federico Garcia Lorca, assassinated by fascists during the Spanish Civil War. $20 and up. Times vary.
- Comedian Billy Wayne Davis at the Secret Group | Thursday to Saturday – A finalist on Last Comic Standing, and seen on specials like Comedy Central’s Tales From the Trip, the Tennessee comedian swings through EaDo for a weekend of side-splitting sets. $20 and up. 8pm.
- The Riot Comedy Club presents Rich Vos at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – The popular comic, writer and podcaster Rich Vos returns to Rudyard’s upstairs stage for four shows of live comedy in the heart of Montrose. $20 and up. Times vary.
- 4th Annual Crawfish Critic Cook Off at 3 Palms Action Sports Park | Friday & Saturday – Head to Conroe for this crawfish celebration, where teams compete to be the best mudbug chefs. There are also kids’ activities, music and more. $15 and up. Times vary.
- Comedian Pete Holmes at the Houston Improv | Friday & Saturday –The actor, comedian and podcast host of You Made It Weird, Pete Holmes comes to H-Town for a series of sets on the Spring Branch stage. $60 for 2, and up. Times vary.
- The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival in Town Green Park | Friday to Sunday –The whole family will find something to love at this weekend event, featuring the works of more than 200 artists, live music, food and more. $16 ($11 on Friday); free for ages 12 and under. Times vary.
Tall Ships Festival
Galveston
Daily
See these maritime beauties in all their full-sail splendor. The weekend commemorates the historic ships with a series of events, sailing opportunities, tours, food and drink, family fun and more.
$15 and up | 10am to 6pm
- 51st Annual BakerShake presents The Taming of the Shrew at Rice University’s Baker College | Friday to Sunday – In Baker College’s latest outing of this annual celebration of Shakespeare, students present the Bard’s comedy about men, women and marriage. $8 and up. 7:30pm.
- Houston Symphony presents Chris Botti at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti joins the Symphony for a weekend of live performances in Downtown. $54 and up. Times vary.
- 713 Pils-a-palooza at Eureka Heights Brewing Co. | Friday to Sunday – The brewery releases its 713 Pilsner in this weekend of events that includes a concert from Holy Hell, Doomsday Wrestling on Saturday, and stand-up comedy. No cover Friday and Sunday; $15 on Saturday. Times vary.
- Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Sunday – The hometown ‘Stros welcome their in-state rivals for a three-game series. $38 and up. Times vary.
- Crawfish & Zydeco Festival at Kemah Boardwalk | Saturday & Sunday | No Cover – Get ready to feast on boiled crawfish while enjoying the sounds of Zydeco at the Galveston Bay boardwalk. Times vary.
- Spring Market at Katy Merrell Center | Saturday & Sunday – Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this two-day gift market in Katy gathers 130 small businesses and local vendors for you to shop handmade crafts, home decor, jewelry, holiday accessories and more. $5 (good for both days); free for ages 12 and under. Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 11am to 4pm.
- DaCamera presents Osvaldo Golijov’s Falling Out of Time at Hobby Center | Saturday & Sunday – Golijov drew inspiration for his work from Israeli author David Grossman’s Falling Out of Time, a tale of grief and a journey to acceptance. $17.50 and up. Times vary.
Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston
- Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Jersey Lily at Alley Theatre | Friday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – This classic sleuthing caper gets a comic twist when the muse of author Oscar Wilde is caught up in a conspiracy that brings in the famed Sherlock Holmes to solve the case. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Stages presents The Bride Or: Does This Dress Make Me Look Married? at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – Beloved to Houston audiences for her role as Sister in Late Night Catechism, Denise Fennell offers her unique perspective on the institution of marriage. Mere hours before her wedding, a bride of a certain age questions everything, including whether she should get married at all. This production runs through Sunday, May 14. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
- The Oldest Boy: A Play in Three Ceremonies at Main Street Theater | Thursday to Saturday | Ongoing – In this regional premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s drama, an American mother and Tibetan father learn their three-year-old is believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist llama. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
- TUTS presents Legally Blonde at Hobby Center | Daily | Final Weekend – It’s, like totally happening, you guys! The effervescent musical based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon hits the Hobby Center stage with a message about staying true to yourself and never letting others define who you are. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Clyde’s at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Final Weekend – For the formerly incarcerated employees who work at Clyde’s, the truck stop is a place for them to find purpose. Can they rebuild their lives and dreams of more when a callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb? This production runs through Sunday, April 16. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
- The Book of Mary at MATCH | Daily | Final Weekend – Written by and starring Mary Hooper, this world premiere is the story of the artist’s growing up in Beaumont to deaf parents, being part of Montrose in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and finding a career on stage. By popular demand, the show has been extended, but it closes this weekend. $40. Showtimes vary.
- 4th Wall Theatre Co. presents Sanctuary City at Spring Street Studios | Thursday to Saturday | Final Weekend – Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Martyne Majok explores the lives of two undocumented friends, trying to find a place for themselves and each other in a world filled with uncertainty. This production runs through Saturday, April 15. $32 and up. Showtimes vary.
KBBQ, Spring Fests & More Destinations
- Top Korean BBQ Restaurants in Greater Houston – Grill delicious meats to your heart’s content at our picks for the top Korean BBQ restaurants in Asiatown, Spring Branch and beyond.
- 2023 Spring Markets in Greater Houston – Shop local vendors, craftmakers and more at over 20 spring markets across the Houston region.
- 2023 Spring Festivals in Greater Houston – Get a head start on your springtime planning with our guide to 50+ spring festivals taking place now through May 2023.
- Great Crawfish Spots Around Greater Houston – Make your shucking plans for mudbug season with our guide to more than 60 restaurants, bars and breweries that boil down throughout the season.
- Limited Time Museum Exhibits & Art Installations Around Greater Houston | Daily | Many FREE – Explore the many striking, stunning, and diverse exhibits exploring history, science, art, culture, and creativity around the Greater Houston metro area.
THURSDAY
April 13, 2023
- The Orange Show presents Art Car Sneak Peek at Discovery Green | FREE – Head Downtown to see dozens of art cars lined up ahead of the weekend’s parade. Stroll through the elaborately decorated autos, chat with the artists behind them, enjoy music in the park and more. 6pm to 10pm.
- The Sound of One Hand Clapping: Traditional Japanese Instruments at Museum of Fine Arts Houston | FREE – This concert features Stan Richardson performing on the shakuhachi within the museum’s galleries, inspired by the recently unveiled exhibition, None Whatsoever: Zen Paintings from the Glitter-Yellen Collection. 6:30pm.
- Ling Ling Huang in conversation with Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton at Murder by the Book | No Cover – Huang, a violinist and the author of Natural Beauty discusses her work with Mouton, Houston’s first Black poet laureate, educator and activist. Copies of Natural Beauty are available for sale at the event ($27); guests who would like them autographed must purchase copies of the book from the store. 6:30pm.
- Sunset Yoga at the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park – End your work day with this 45-minute session that offers yogis of all levels stunning views of Buffalo Bayou to help melt away your stress. Suggested donation of $10. 6:30pm.
- Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder & More at Majestic Metro – An assembly of local musicians perform a slate of songs from soul artists Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and more at the Downtown venue, surrounded by candlelight. $55 and up. 6:30pm and 8:45pm.
Art Car Sneak Peek
Discovery Green
Thursday, April 13
Head Downtown to see dozens of art cars lined up ahead of the weekend’s parade. Stroll through the elaborately decorated autos, chat with the artists behind them, enjoy music in the park and more.
FREE | 6pm to 10pm
- Double Vision: Foreigner Tribute Concert at Heritage Place | FREE – Head to Conroe to relive all your favorite hits from the iconic band known for songs like “I Want to Know What Love Is.” 7pm.
- Black Restaurant Week: Dine with Friends at Kulture – The Southern restaurant in Downtown hosts a three-course dinner prepared by Chef Mason as one of Black Restaurant Weeks’ signature culinary events. Courses include options liek black bean hummus, grilled bone-in pork chop and creme brulee. Menu prices vary. 7pm.
- Samba Class at Midtown Park | FREE – Learn how to do this traditional Brazilian dance at an all-levels class in the heart of Midtown. 7pm.
- 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards at Silver Street Studios – The annual awards ceremony honors Houston’s best of the best restaurant and bar talent, as determined by their peers. Its an exciting evening of great food and wine, celebrating the city’s incredible culinary scene. $75 and up. 7pm.
- Kim Loaiza & JD Pantoja at Warehouse Live – The Latin pop artists co-headline this concert as part of their “Bye Bye” Tour. $60 and up. 7pm.
- Artist Talk: Robert Longo at the Menil | FREE – The New York–based artist discusses his practice that spans drawing, sculpture, film and performance. 7pm to 8pm.
- Alzheimer’s Association presents An Evening of Hope Gala at the Corinthian – Maria Shriver offers the keynote at this event in Downtown that aims to raise funds for the debilitating disease. $2,500 for 2, and up. 7pm to 10pm.
- Tribute to Woodstock at Main Street Crossing – Local acts take the stage in Tomball to perform songs by the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and more, in honor of the most iconic music festival of all time. $35 and up. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Scroll up to explore events and shows spanning multiple days, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.
FRIDAY
April 14, 2023
- Blue Dragon Tai Chi at Levy Park | FREE – Begin your day with this guided all-levels meditation through slow movements and stretches. 9am.
- The Legendary Art Car Ball at the Orange Show World Headquarters – The annual Orange Show celebration kicks off another year of wild partying ahead of the annual art car parade. Expect live music from Boyfriend and Caleb de Casper, as well as interactive and performance art, food and drink, extravagant costumes, and hundreds of illuminated and fire-breathing art cars. 18+ only. $40 and up. 6pm.
- Duplicity: Shannon Cannings & William Cannings at Anya Tish Gallery | FREE – This two-person show brings together the hyper-realistic paintings of Shannon Cannings and the inflated steel sculptures of William Cannings. 6pm to 8pm.
- Party on the Plaza at Avenida Houston | FREE – The annual festival on the Avenida plaza kicks off with The C.I.T.Y., a high-energy seven-piece that blends genres of R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop and more. Expect beverages, a 14-foot selfie display and more in a festive atmosphere. 6pm to 9pm.
- Feast with the Beasts at Houston Zoo – Enjoy live music, food from more than 40 of Houston’s most popular restaurants, and animal experiences at this annual culinary event at the zoo. $149 and up. 6pm to 10pm.
Feasts with the Beasts
Houston Zoo
Friday, April 14
Enjoy live music, food from more than 40 of Houston’s most popular restaurants, and animal experiences at this annual culinary event at the zoo.
$149 and up | 6pm to 10pm
- Chinese at its Best with Dorothy Huang at Central Market Cooking School – You and a small team will create Chinese classics such as crab rangoon, kung pao chicken, stir-fry beef with asparagus, and more. Though open to ages 18 and up, those that are 21 and older can also enjoy a glass of wine paired with the meal. $80 per person. 6:30pm.
- Opening Reception: No Place Like Home at Alta Arts | FREE – This photography exhibition at the Gulfton gallery showcases the work of Claudia Chicas, JP Perez, Ylei Gachupin, Alfonso Ochoa, Dranat Vazquez and others, exploring the connections each artist feels with what they consider to be “home.” 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
- Black Restaurant Week: The Art of Flavor Community Dinner at Finn Hall – Chef Shannen Tune of Craft Burger and Chef Reginald Scott of the Smoke join forces for a four-course dinner with cocktail pairings, helping to raise funds for Feed the Soul Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund. Enjoy courses like lamb pepper pot soup, sweet beet salad, curry smoked oxtail rendang, and more. $100. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
- Griffin House in Concert at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – The folk singer-songwriter brings a raw set to the Upper Kirby stage. $30 and up. 7pm.
- H-Town Clash of Sound at Rise Rooftop – Houston hip-hop legends Lil Keke and Lil Flip co-headline this set of H-Town rap classics at the Midtown rooftop venue. $15 and up. 7pm.
- Bat Boat Tour at Allen’s Landing – Buffalo Bayou Partnership offers this exploration of Buffalo Bayou from Allen’s Landing to the Waugh Avenue Bridge, where you can watch the emergence of more than 250,000 bats that live there. $30. 7pm to 8:30pm.
Legendary Art Car Ball
The Orange Show
Friday, April 14
Expect live music from Boyfriend and Caleb de Casper, as well as interactive and performance art, food and drink, extravagant costumes, and hundreds of illuminated and fire-breathing art cars.
$40 and up | 6pm
- Bollywood Film Nights: 3 Idiots at Asia Society Texas – The cultural center in the Museum District screens the 2009 Bollywood film that tells the story of three college friends, two of whom look to learn more about the elusive life of the third. $10. 8pm.
- Seong-Jin Cho in Concert at the Grand 1894 Opera House – The classical piano virtuoso takes the stage at Galveston’s historic opera house. $35 and up. 8pm.
- Ballet Folklórico Los Angelitos at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE – The world-class dance company brings the artistry and elegance of Mexico’s dance traditions to life on the Miller Outdoor stage. 8pm.
- Ana Gabriel in Concert at Smart Financial Centre – La Luna de América appears on stage as part of her Por Amor A Ustedes World Tour. $68 and up. 8pm.
- Sullivan King in Concert at Bayou Music Center – The genre-bending musician that melds EDM and heavy metal takes the stage in Downtown, performing songs from his brand new release, Thrones of Blood. $30 and up. 9pm.
- Sasha DJ set at Bauhaus – The Grammy Award–winning Welsh DJ and record producer performs live in Downtown. $15 and up. 10pm.
- Free Burlesque Fridays at Social Beer Garden | FREE – Take in a dazzling burlesque show featuring talent such as Ramona Rose, Fox Monroe and more at the Midtown beer garden. 11pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Scroll up to explore events and shows spanning multiple days, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.
Things to Do on Saturday, April 15 & Sunday, April 16, 2023.
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