Take a tour of H-Town’s weekend highlights with our 365 Houston guide to the best things to do in Houston this weekend, from Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Every weekend, Houston has plenty of happenings to be found around town—but which ones are the highlights that can help you plan an enjoyable weekend of outings?
We’ve whittled down our extensive Weekend Guide to offer you some of our favorite things to look forward to from Friday to Sunday.
Looking for more things to do? Dig deeper for all of our weekend picks with the 365 Houston Weekend Guide, or comb through our Calendar for even more events, activities, and things to do this weekend.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: May 5 to 7, 2023
- Change the Pattern at Multiple Locations | Daily | FREE – On display over five days in Downtown Houston and near the Intercontinental Airport, newly-made panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt offer visitors the chance to help remember the lives and stories of those lost to HIV/AIDS. Daily quilt-making workshops, educational forums and movie screenings help round out this week-long event. 11am to 3pm.
- Houston Polish Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church | Daily | FREE – Held in spring and the fall, the Houston Polish Festival combines traditional and modern elements featuring food, drink, and entertainment, plus a Children’s Corner that offers an area full of exciting games, face painting, bounce houses and more. Though free to attend, food and drinks are on you. Times vary.
- La Izquierda Surf & Music Festival at Galveston’s Beach Central | Daily – Head down to the island for a three-day celebration of beach culture and live music, with 20 acts including headliner Bun B on Saturday, along with sets from other local favorites Swimwear Department, Los Skarnales, Young Mammals, India Tigers in Texas, and more. The festival will also feature surf competitions on Saturday, yoga, vendors, food trucks, art installations, and more. Free on Friday; $20 per day on Saturday and Sunday. Times vary.
- Cinco de Mayo at Monkey’s Tail | Friday, May 5 | No Cover – The Mexican American dive bar and cantina is getting the Cinco de Mayo fiesta started early by opening its doors at 11am. In addition to its weekend brunch menu, party goers can expect festive decor including a swag wheel to spin at the door, crawfish and an outdoor burrito and taco stand, specialty drinks, a special $5 holiday menu, and DJ beats and mariachi music throughout the day. 21+ all day. 11am to 2am.
- Cinco de Mayo Party at Social Beer Garden | Friday, May 5 | No Cover – This Cinco blowout celebrates Mexican American culture with a backyard celebration featuring an outdoor market curated by Los Jefes, a late night Latin X-Burlesque show, a grito contest with cash prizes, giveaways, mariachi, a VIP smoke lounge, and more. Free Jell-o shots for those arriving by Uber. 5pm to 2am.
- Performing Arts Houston presents Metamorphosis: Third Coast Percussion at Wortham Center | Friday, May 5 – This Grammy-winning ensemble lights up the stage in the style of street dance, choreographed by Lil Buck and Jon Boogz of Movement Art. $34 and up. 7:30pm.
- Comedian Michael Rapaport at Houston Improv | Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6 – Acting in more than 60 films since the early 1990s, with appearances in Boston Public, Friends, Prison Break and other shows, the podcast host and comedian takes to Spring Branch for back-to-back nights of hilarity. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
- East End Street Fest at the Esplanade at Navigation | Saturday, May 6 | FREE – Held during Cinco de Mayo week, this festival celebrates the art, music and heritage of East End with dance performances, live bands, artwork and plenty of fun for kids at the Plaza de los Niños. Noon to 6pm.
- Derby Day Party at Julep | Saturday, May 6 – The Washington Avenue drinkery invites locals to break out their best hats and bowties for its annual Derby Day Party, featuring house cocktails, Champagne, two main bars, a whiskey bar, tacos from El Topo, a live DJ set from DJ G Funk, cigars and more, along with the live stream of the Kentucky Derby. $20 and up. 1pm to 6pm.
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer) at the Menil Collection | Saturday, May 6 | FREE – This annual event invites the community to bring their own projections to cast on the side of the museum’s facade, while others spread out on the lawn for an evening picnic. All are invited to contribute their own video, film, projector or slide imagery for this experience. Participants must register in advance for a space and time slot. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
- 27th Annual Keels & Wheels: Concours D’Elegance at Lakewood Country Club | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 – This gathering combines displays of vintage and contemporary automobiles—including antiques, Ferraris, hot rods, super cars, classic American and European models, and more—along with boats that range from historic crafts built before 1919 through classic and contemporary classes. $30 and up. Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 9am to 4pm.
- 49th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 – In the first of two weekends, Galveston Historical Foundation opens up the doors to some of the Island’s significant architectural history, along with numerous special events that offer unique experiences at historic sites across Galveston. $45 and up. 10am to 6pm.
- Japan Festival Houston 2023 at Hermann Park | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 | FREE – Following a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the popular Japan Festival returns to Hermann Park, offering two days of cultural celebration through music, dance and martial arts, food, hands-on activities and more. 11am to 6pm.
- I’ll Have What She’s Having Rock & Roll Picnic at Last Concert Cafe | Sunday, May 7 – Shifting to a new venue near Downtown, this concert fundraiser helps support the essential healthcare needs of those in the restaurant and bar industry. In addition to live music, visitors can also snack on food offerings from Dawn Burrell, Houston Dairymaids, and Andrea De Gortari of the Bake Happening, plus VIP holders will score a special picnic tiffin by Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Justin Yu of Theodore Rex, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare. $85; $15 for children. Noon to 4pm.
- Jazzy Sundays: The Suffers, with Maryum Echo at the Water Works | Sunday, May 7 | FREE – Kicking off the first of four Jazzy Sundays concerts at Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s own Gulf Coast soul group the Suffers will headline the Water Works stage, along with Maryum Echo. 5pm to 7pm.
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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