Find the perfect things to do in Houston this weekend with our Weekend Guide for Thursday, May 18 to Sunday, May 21, 2023.
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Things to Do
All Weekend Long
- 50th Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival at Pasadena Fairgrounds | Daily – Barbecue, music, a kid’s zone, mutton bustin’ and more highlight this annual Pasadena festival, packed with family fun. Single day tickets are $15; $5 for ages 6 to 10; free for ages 5 and under. $30 for weekend passes. Times vary.
- PlantCon at NRG Center | Daily – More than 100 vendors take to the NRG campus for a bustling plant market featuring botanicals from around the world, plus seminars and workshops with field experts, exhibitions and more. $25 and up. Times vary.
- 2nd Annual Activation Festival at the Ion | Thursday & Friday | FREE – Kicking off on Wednesday and held across three days, the Ion’s Activation Festival offers presentations and speakers that tap into Houston’s business and technical innovation through networking events, learning opportunities, social hours and more. The wrap-up party on Friday from 5pm to 8pm features a number of local businesses showing off dynamic technology on the plaza, along with food trucks and a “battle of the bands” competition. Free, but advance registration is required. Times vary.
- Umami Fest Night Market at Railway Heights | Friday & Saturday | No Cover – This umami-packed, Asian-inspired food festival and night market will rock street food and merchandise vendors, artists, night market games and prizes, and entertainment. 3pm to 8pm.
- Comedian Luis J. Gomez at the Secret Group | Friday & Saturday – The stand-up comedian, podcast host and co-creator of the Skankfest comedy festival in New York takes to the EaDo stage for back-to-back nights. $20 and up. 7pm.
50th Strawberry Festival
Pasadena Fairgrounds
Daily
Barbecue, music, a kid’s zone, mutton bustin’ and more highlight this annual Pasadena festival, packed with family fun.
$15 and up | Times vary
- The Riot Comedy Club presents Frank Castillo at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – The comedian and champion of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle II comes to Houston for back-to-back nights. $16 and up. Times vary.
- Houston Symphony presents Oedipus Rex at Jones Hall | Friday & Saturday – Actor Kyle MacLachlan (of Twin Peaks fame) joins the Symphony to narrate Stravinksy’s epic Greek tragedy, accompanied by an all-star cast of singers for this monumental season finale. $29 and up. 8pm.
- Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Sunday – This three-game division series features a Kyle Tucker bobblehead giveaway, a Bregman replica jersey on Saturday’s Armed Forces Day, and a birthday celebration for the ‘Stros mascot, Orbit, on Sunday afternoon. $35 and up. Times vary.
- Comedian Tommy Davidson at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – The longtime comedian and actor, Tommy Davidson was an original cast member on In Living Color, a lead role in The Proud Family, and most recently a published author for his 2020 memoir. Now, he’ll bring five seasoned sets on the weekend to the Improv. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston
- TUTS presents Rent at Hobby Center | Daily | Opening Weekend – The epic musical re-imagining of La Boheme became an anthem to love and acceptance that won the Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Awards. This brand new production gets a run in Downtown, courtesy of Theatre Under the Stars. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Stages presents Drag Wonderettes at the Gordy | Friday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – The Marvelous Wonderettes gets a new twist, with this high drag performance featuring songs you know and love from the 1960s like “Stupid Cupid,” “The Shoop Shoop Song” and more. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Brother Toad at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – Teenage Marques and his friend are sitting in their car one night when gunfire breaks out, killing Marques’ friend. When his uncle works to stage a march against gun violence, and Marques’ family doesn’t want to participate, tensions fly in this timely play. This production runs through Sunday, June 4. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Torera at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – This world premiere is the story of a Mexican girl who wants to be a bullfighter. But can she overcome entrenched societal traditions to achieve her dream? The play was part of the Alley’s All New Festival in 2022. This production runs through Sunday, June 4. $51. Showtimes vary.
- The Best of Everything at Main Street Theater | Daily | Ongoing – Catch this new adaptation of Rona Jaffe’s 1958 bestseller about ambitious secretaries in the big city. $10 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Music Box Theater presents The Greatest Hits Album Side B: Moving Boxes at Queensbury Theatre | Friday to Sunday | Ongoing – The cabaret troupe celebrates the move to its new home in CityCentre with an evening of jazz, pop, rock and Broadway tunes from the 1960s through the ‘90s. $38 and up. Showtimes vary.
- Open Dance Project presents 1968 at MATCH | Thursday to Saturday | Final Weekend – This immersive dance experience incorporates photos and audio to tell the story of an iconic year in American history. The audience can choose how they navigate the stage in this multimedia presentation. $40. Showtimes vary.
AAPI Month, Pool Passes & More Destinations
- Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Asia Society Texas – All month long, Asia Society offers a slate of virtual and in-person events, festivals, educational activities and more that help you get in touch with Houston’s vibrant AAPI community.
- Day Passes for Pools in Greater Houston – Pool weather is officially here and we have 10+ of the best hotel pools where you can spend a day making a splash.
- Celebrate Asian Restaurants Month in Houston – Tour the globe from the plate in front of you at 15 spots to celebrate Asian Restaurants Month in Houston.
- Best Places to Study & Remote Work in Houston – Check out our 20+ picks for places where you can cozy up and cram throughout Houston.
- 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
May 18, 2023
- Innovation on Tap: EntrepreNeuro at the Ion | FREE – A signature event of the Activation Festival, this one-hour TEDx-style presentation features three individuals from career backgrounds that span academia and industry. 5pm to 7pm.
- Houston Grand Opera: Seeking the Human Spirit at Menil Collection | FREE – Starting at Rothko Chapel at 6pm, and then at the Menil main building at 7pm, this night of opera from HGO highlights the universal spiritual themes raised by the art form. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 6pm to 8pm.
- Futbolito in the City at Memorial Park | FREE – Partnering with Memorial Park, the Dynamo and Dash host a free coaching clinic for ages 6 to 14, held once a week for ten weeks. The program uses the power of soccer to offer an opportunity for youth to pursue their interest in the sport and gain new skills at zero cost to their families. 6pm to 7:30pm.
- Bank of America Women’s Leadership Series: Houston’s News Anchors at Asia Society Texas – Houston anchors Shern-Min Chow, Melanie Lawson, Pooja Lodhia, and Rekha Muddaraj share their career inspirations, memorable events and interviews, the stories that are nearest to their hearts, and their advice to the next generation of leaders in journalism. $50. 6pm to 8:15pm.
- Wild Child Opening Reception at Laura Rathe Fine Art | FREE – The gallery near Uptown unveils a playful group exhibition featuring new works by artists Marcos Anziani, Gian Garafalo and Katherine Houston. Together, the artists push boundaries of primary color through geometry and form to explore the notion of nostalgia in relation to their practice. 6pm to 9pm.
- Urban Green’s Night of Lotería at Lott Hall – Hermann Park’s young professionals group, Urban Green, hosts a night of Houston-themed lotería with designs like El Astrodome, El Space City, La Lizzo and more. $40. 6:30pm to 10pm.
- Blanket Bingo in Market Square Park – Come with your blanket or lawn chair and take part in an evening of music, fun and Bingo. Proceeds benefit Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase. $10. 7pm.
- Bright Eyes in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The indie rock stalwarts led by Conor Oberst return to Houston for a make-up show on the Downstairs stage. $35. 7pm.
- Coheed & Cambria in Concert at House of Blues – The progressive rock group returns to Downtown, performing their 2007 album, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow in full, along with other fan favorites and new tunes. Post-metal group Deafheaven joins in support. $49.50 and up. 7pm.
Blanket Bingo
Market Square Park
Thursday, May 18
Come with your blanket or lawn chair and take part in an evening of music, fun and Bingo. Proceeds benefit Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase.
$10 | 7pm
- Dario Robleto in Conversation with Mimi Swartz at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston | FREE – Artist Dario Robleto joins Texas Monthly Executive Editor Mimi Swartz for a conversation about the ways artists use books as tools for education and inspiration, and a driving force for the art world today. 7pm.
- The Riot Comedy Club presents Jack Jr. at Rudyard’s Pub – Jack Jr. rolls through Montrose with back-to-back sets, providing the laughs he’s known for as a finalist on NBC’s Stand Up and as creator of the NoHo Comedy Festival. $20 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
- Cha Wa in Concert at Discovery Green | FREE – The Downtown parkspace hosts a free concert from the Grammy-nominated New Orleans group that blends NOLA brass band energy with the spirit of Mardi Gras Indians. 7pm to 9pm.
- Comedian Emma Wilmann at the Houston Improv – Expect unflinching honesty and a vibrant presence when this Comedy Cellar regular takes the stage in Spring Branch. $40 and up. 7:30pm.
- Small Batch Trivia at East End Backyard | FREE – Geeks Who Drink brings six rounds of hosted trivia to the laidback space in East End. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
- Poetry at the Pro at the Proletariat Gallery | FREE – Head to Galveston’s Proletariat Gallery & Public House for an evening of poetry and spoken word. This event’s guest is LeChell “The Shootah” R. H.—three-time Women of the World Poetry Slam Finalist, currently ranked second in the world for the 2022 competition. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
- Rodrigo & Gabriela in Concert at Smart Financial Centre – The Grammy Award–winning duo brings their distinct guitar stylings for a live performance in Sugar Land. $50 and up. 8pm.
- O-Town & LFO in Concert at Rise Rooftop – These two iconic ’90s boy bands team up for a stellar show on the Midtown rooftop. $20 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
May 19, 2023
- Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions Symposium at Asia Society Texas | FREE – This full day of events features panel discussions and a keynote address in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition, Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions. Throughout the day, attendees will examine the myriad cultural, historical and artistic themes on view, and the ways they relate to the histories, traditions and practices of artists of Chinese and Chinese American descent. 9:30am to 6pm.
- Storytime in the Garden at Houston Botanic Garden – Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join the Park Place Library team for a half-hour storytime among the Gardens. Free with registration; limited to 50 admissions. General admission fees apply after those are claimed. 10:30am to 11am.
- Ion Block Party: Innovation on DisPlay at the Ion | FREE – The wrap-up party for the Activation Festival at the Ion will feature a number of local businesses showcasing dynamic tech, complete with food trucks and a “battle of the bands” competition. 5pm to 8pm.
- Dave Matthews Band in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The hitmakers known for “Crash Into Me” delivers songs from their first release in five years, Walk Around the Moon. $49 and up. 7pm.
- Mayeux & Broussard in Concert at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar | FREE – The Austin-based country duo brings their eclectic style to the Heights, performing with special guest Kathryn Legendre. 9pm to midnight.
Skylab 50th Anniversary
Space Center Houston
Friday, May 19
This exclusive event gives guests after-hours access to Space Center Houston and a special cocktail hour in the Skylab trainer exhibit. The reception will include passed hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine with liquor available to purchase, live music and the unboxing of Skylab artifacts, followed by a discussion.
$75 | 7pm
- Skylab 50th Anniversary Celebration at Space Center Houston – This exclusive event gives guests after-hours access to Space Center Houston and a special cocktail hour in the Skylab trainer exhibit. The reception will include passed hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine with liquor available to purchase, live music and the unboxing of Skylab artifacts, followed by a discussion. $75. 7pm.
- Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience at Wortham Center – The star of the hit TLC show, The Long Island Medium, comes to Houston, bringing with her messages of peace and comfort from those who have passed on. $55 and up. 7:30pm.
- The Backseat Lovers in Concert at Bayou Music Center – The alt rock band from Utah brings their major label debut, Waiting to Spill, to the Bayou City. $60 and up. 8pm.
- The Mars Volta in Concert at 713 Music Hall – The progressive rock band is back on stage after breaking up a decade ago. They’ll perform fan faves and new songs from their latest album, Qué Dios Te Maldiga Mí Corazón. $59 and up. 8pm.
- Danielle Ponder in Concert at the Heights Theater – A recent standout at the Newport Jazz Festival, the American soul singer—and criminal justice lawyer—works her way to the Heights stage for a night of goosebump-inducing notes. Sara Van Buskirk opens. $20 and up. 8pm.
Danielle Ponder in Concert
Heights Theater
Friday, May 19
A recent standout at the Newport Jazz Festival, the American soul singer—and criminal justice lawyer—works her way to the Heights stage for a night of goosebump-inducing notes. Sara Van Buskirk opens.
$20 and up | 8pm
- Zach Bryan in Concert at Toyota Center – The country music superstar comes to Houston as part of his Burn, Burn, Burn tour. Trampled By Turtles joins him. 8pm.
- Ricardo Arjona in Concert at Smart Financial Centre – The Guatemalan singer-songwriter returns to Houston with another leg of his worldwide Blanco y Negro: Volver tour. $77 and up. 8pm.
- Mark Farina DJ Set at Last Concert Cafe – The near-Downtown haunt hosts a downtempo DJ set from Mark Farina, featuring a blend of Chicago house and acid jazz on the turntables. $20 and up. 9pm.
- Paco Osuna DJ Set at Bauhaus – The Spanish EDM DJ takes over the tables at the Downtown venue for all things electronica. $15 and up. 10pm to 2am.
- Anna DJ Set at Stereo Live – Brazilian techno DJ, Anna, swings through West Houston for a late-night set. $9. 10pm to 2am.
- 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, May 20 & Sunday, May 21, 2023.
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