Plan Your Weekend: August 17 to 20, 2023

Things to Do
All Weekend Long

• Houston Craft Beer Month Around Houston | Daily – Take advantage of special prices on tastings, bottles, beers to go, and more at Greater Houston’s finest craft breweries—including Saint Arnold, True Anomaly, Great Heights, Holler, 11 Below, Galveston Bay, Spindletap, Walking Stick, and more—for $25, and part of your purchase will go to support Houston Food Bank. You’ll also find special pop-up events, tours, and more at select breweries. Times and offers vary.
• Houston Theater Week | Daily | Ends Sunday – Snag 2-for-1 tickets, aka Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO), to see current and upcoming performances from the city’s premier performance companies, including Alley Theatre, DaCamera, Main Street Theater, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Performing Arts Houston, Ars Lyrica, Houston Grand Opera, and more.
• DaCamera presents Houston SummerJazz 2023 at Wortham Center | Daily – The annual celebration of jazz artists returns with four days of concerts, including a free show by the Jalen Baker Quartet, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, award-winning vocalist Gretchen Parlato in her Houston debut, Mwenso and the Shakes, and a special Sunday brunch event at the Lancaster. Tickets for most events are pay-what-you-can, with a minimum admission price of $10. Times vary.
• Sugar Land Space Cowboys vs. Round Rock Express at Constellation Field | Daily – Houston’s very own cosmic cowboys are hosting the Round Rock Express for an entire week of minor league baseball action. Show off your artistic abilities by being one of the first 2,000 fans on Saturday to receive a paint-your-own Orion bobblehead, or enjoy other giveaways on gamedays. $9 and up. Times vary.
• Comedian Earthquake at Houston Improv | Daily – Fresh off dropping 2022’s Legendary special on Netflix, the classic Def Jam comic returns to the Improv for four nights. $70 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Houston Restaurant Weeks Around Houston | Daily | Ongoing – The Houston Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser returns for another year, offering a month-plus of tasty and charitable food and drink. Over 200 local restaurants are lined up to offer prix fixe meals for brunch, lunch and dinner (and even to-go), with a set dollar donation from each meal sold benefiting the Houston Food Bank and its mission to end hunger and provide food for better lives. Prices are $25 for brunch and lunch, $39 or $55 for dinner. Times vary.
• Night Court presents The Law Files at Hobby Center | Thursday to Saturday – This annual all-lawyer theater show performs an original musical comedy, with themes and characters from The X-Files, Stranger Things, Men In Black, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The good-spirited show raises funds for Houston-area charities that provide free legal services to people from our community in need. $45 and up. 7:30pm.

Mariachi Festival
Wortham Center
^{Friday to Sunday}

The best mariachis from all over Texas are headed to the Wortham Center to perform during a three-day festival featuring Mariachi Marisposas, Mariachi 7 Lenguas, and Una Noche de Musica con Mariachi Imperial.

$29 and up | 7pm

• Musiqa & NobleMotion present Unchained at MATCH | Friday & Saturday – This two-night event features a trio of works composed by Iranian American composer Badie Khaleghian, weaving together solo piano and live painting, a unique dance performance by NobleMotion, and a multisensory exploration of sound and color. Pay-what-you-can; suggested price of $35, free for those that can’t afford it. 7:30pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Nick Simmons at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – A comic with the physique of a bodybuilder, Nick Simmons heads upstairs at Rudz to share his insights on the hot button issues of the day. $15 and up. Times vary.
• Miller Summer Mixtape with Paul Wall & George Ducas at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday & Saturday | FREE – This annual 2-day concert at Miller celebrates Houston’s vibrant music scene with free performances from the Hermann hill. Friday night honors the 50-year legacy of hip-hop with Paul Wall, DJ Mr. Rogers, Lanell Grant, AJ McQueen and more. Saturday features a night of country and blues from George Ducas, Robert Ellis, Kim Cruse and DJ Mike. 7:30pm.
• Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Sunday – Celebrate Jose Altuve at this final home series against division rivals from Seattle. The first 10,000 fans on Friday will receive an Altuve ’90s Throwback Jersey, or a Jose Altuve Silver Slugger bobblehead on Saturday. And, with a special ticket purchase, you can even bring your pup along to the game on Sunday afternoon. $26 and up; special ticket required for dog admission. Times vary.
• 4th Annual Mariachi Festival at Wortham Center | Friday to Sunday – The best mariachis from all over Texas are headed to the Wortham Center to perform during a three-day festival featuring Mariachi Marisposas, Mariachi 7 Lenguas, and Una Noche de Musica con Mariachi Imperial. $29 and up. 7pm.
• 48th Annual Vintage Glass & Antique Show & Sale at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds | Saturday & Sunday – Find fragile treasures, antique furniture, kitchenware, linens and quilts, silver, and more inside the crisp and cool air conditioning. $7 cash. Times vary.

Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston

• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – The Alley’s popular Summer Chills series is back with this Agatha Christie story that finds detective Hercule Poirot investigating secrets and blackmail to solve a murder. This production runs through Sunday, August 27. $46 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Stages presents Always…Patsy Cline at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – Celebrating its 35th anniversary, this musical biography features 27 of the iconic country singer’s hits, while showcasing her rise to stardom in the 1960s. It’s also the story of the friendship between Cline and Houston native Louise Seger, who met the singer in a Bayou City honky tonk. $48 and up. Showtimes vary.
• The Garden Theatre presents Bonnie & Clyde at MATCH | Daily | Final Weekend – This cult-favorite musical tells the stories of notorious bank robbers and lovers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who became folk heroes to many—and a nightmare for law enforcement—during the Great Depression. Their antics captivated a nation, as they evaded the law across multiple states. $26.50 and up. Showtimes vary.

Independence Heights, Summer Relief & Other Destinations

• Must Do Things in Independence Heights | Daily – Hit up one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods for a tasting tour of the city’s classic eateries and forward-thinking breweries.
• Things to Do in Houston When It’s Way Too Hot | Daily – Summer has firmly arrived in Houston, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of it. Check out our guide to more than 150 things to do and places to go when the temps top out in H-Town.
• Things to Do this Summer for Kids & Families in Houston | Daily – Enjoy the latest museum exhibits, head out on an outdoor adventure, make a splash, and savor much more that will make this summer one to remember with our guide to keep families entertained and cool this summer.
• Snow Cone Shops in Greater Houston | Daily – Chill out with a shaved ice treat from our 20+ picks for the coolest snow cone shops in Greater Houston this summer.
• Day Passes for Pools in Greater Houston | Daily – Pool weather is officially here and we have 10+ of the best hotel pools where you can spend a day making a splash.

• Houston Texans Training Camp at NRG Park | FREE – Catch the final training camp session at NRG, where the Texans take part in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins ahead of their preseason game on Saturday. Free with advance ticket. 9am.
• Chalkboard & Cocktails: A Teacher Appreciation Event at Little Woodrow’s Bellaire | No Cover – The Bellaire outpost of this popular drinkery hosts a teacher appreciation party with a raffle giveaway, Shiner bucket specials, and themed cocktails for the night. 4pm to 7pm.
• Cocktails & Conversations at the Health Museum – Join Scotty Sheridan, owner of Scotty’s Fermented Foods, for a night of craft cocktails and conversation about the human microbiome, how to maintain a healthy gut, and a taste test of delicious live-culture foods. $15. 5:30pm.
• Live Art Modeling Class with Artist Ray Dunlap at Sabine Street Studios | FREE – Houston artist Ray Dunlap leads this live art modeling class that is free and open to all artistic skill levels, including those who do not have drawing experience. Dunlap’s exhibition Diary of an Abductee is on display at the studios, exploring the line between dreams and imagination versus reality. 6pm to 8pm.
• Author Mark Pryor at Murder by the Book | FREE – The Austin-based former newspaper reporter, felony prosecutor, and author comes to Houston to discuss and sign his latest novel, The Dark Edge of Night, the second in his new Henri Lefort mystery series. Free to attend; books for signing can be purchased for $28. 6:30pm.
• Summer Camp for Grown Ups: Color Chemistry at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – This final summer camp for grown-ups at the Arboretum offers a hands-on opportunity to learn about chemistry, how fireflies grow, make lichen-inspired blacklight art, and more while enjoying a simple snack and refreshing Saint Arnold brew among nature. $35. 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Blanket Bingo
Market Square Park
^{Thursday, August 17}

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for a night of music, great prizes and bingo at the historic Market Square Park in Downtown.

$10 | 7pm

• Film Screening: Sight & Discussion with Dr. Ming Wang at Asia Society Texas Center – Ahead of its October release, Asia Society screens Sight, starring Terry Chen and Greg Kinnear, about the story of Dr. Ming Wang who rose from a life as a poor Chinese immigrant to a world-renowned eye surgeon in the United States. A conversation with Dr. Wang follows the film. $10. 6:30pm to 9pm.
• Pantera with Lamb of God in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Legends of heavy metal, Pantera are traversing the country on a massive year-long tour with special guest, death metal quintet Lamb of God. $33 and up. 7pm. 
• Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park – Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for a night of music, great prizes and bingo at the historic Market Square Park in Downtown. $10. 7pm.
• Tiki Takeover Dinner at Brenner’s on the Bayou – The River Oaks restaurant on the banks of Buffalo Bayou is serving up a five-course Caribbean-inspired menu paired with rum cocktails. Enjoy dishes like sweet and spicy sticky ribs, vadouvan-spiced snapper, Hawaiian ribeye kabobs, and more. $150. 7pm to 10pm.
• Miller Summer Mixtape Concert Series: Hip Hop Night with Paul Wall at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE – H-Town’s own Paul Wall headlines a celebration of 50 years of hip hop, with a lineup featuring DJ Mr. Rogers, Lanell Grant, AJ McQueen, and more. Come back Saturday night for an evening of country and blues. 7:30pm.
• BigXthePlug in Concert at Warehouse Live – The Dallas rapper brings Big Yavo and Splurge to the EaDo stage while on his national summer tour. $25. 8pm.
• Comedian Alex Hooper at the Secret Group – The stand-up comic, actor and professional roaster, who broke out with an America’s Got Talent performance, brings his blend of dark humor and silly positivity to the EaDo comedy club. $10 and up. 8pm.
• Tremors Movie Screening at Daiquiri Time Out | No Cover – The Galveston hot spot for frozens continues its Creature Feature Movie Series with the 1990 film, Tremors. 21+. 8:30pm.

• 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.