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, August 18 to Sunday, August 20, 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: August 18 to 20, 2023
- Da Camera presents Houston SummerJazz 2023 at Wortham Center | Thursday, August 17 to Sunday, August 20 – 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.
- Punk Rock Garage Sale Night Market at Bad Astronaut Brewing | Friday, August 18 | No Cover – More than three dozen local vendors pack inside the adult playground of the Northside brewery for a night market bustling with music, art, toys and books, collectibles, clothing, music gear and more. 7pm to 11pm.
- The Glow Show with Comedian Joey Z at the Secret Group | Friday, August 18 – Bask in the ultraviolet glow at this traveling comedy show from Austin’s Joey Z. Comics will deliver sets in a glowy, trippy room and then riff with the host about their favorite party stories, psychedelic misadventures, and more. $10 and up. 8pm.
- Musiqa & NobleMotion present Unchained at MATCH | Friday, August 18 & Saturday, August 19 – 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.
- Miller Summer Mixtape with Paul Wall & George Ducas at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, August 18 & Saturday, August 19 | 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.
- 4th Annual Mariachi Festival at Wortham Center | Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20 – 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.
- Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park | Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20 – 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.
- Saturday Morning Cartoon Cereal Party at Houston Toy Museum | Saturday, August 19 – In the Heights, the toy museum screens a mix of classic episodes from beloved cartoons like She-Ra, The Gummi Bears, Duck Tales, and more. Guests can enjoy a milk and cereal buffet, complete with all the sugary classics. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $18; ages 1 to 17 pay their age, starting with $1 for 1-year olds. 10:30am.
- NFL Preseason: Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins at NRG Stadium | Saturday, August 19 – Head coach DeMeco Ryans makes his Houston debut when the Texans host their only home game in NFL preseason. $24 and up. 3pm.
- Houston Beer Block Party at Spindletap Brewery | Saturday, August 19 – Sample through many of Houston’s local breweries at this community-focused event that also includes live music, collectible charity event posters, food vendors, and more. 21+. $40 and up. 3pm to 8pm.
- Macabre Market at Equal Parts Brewing | Saturday, August 19 | FREE – The Second Ward brewery hosts this market of vendors doling out witchy wares, horror artwork, and other goods along the lines of spiritual, occult and punk. Plus, you can enjoy treats, coffee and flash tattoos. 5pm to 10pm.
- Latina Sip & Shop Market at the Esplanade at Navigation | Saturday, August 19 | FREE – Celebrate National Latina Day at the Esplanade with local vendors, complimentary Latina-inspired cocktails, cumbias, and more. 6pm to 10pm.
- Open Skate Sesh with Daisies & Pancakes at the Orange Show World HQ | Saturday, August 19 | FREE – Grab your skates and glide through a night of family-friendly social skating and music at the Houston folk art destination. Non-skaters welcome; rentals not available. 7pm to 10pm.
- Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit at Shell Energy Stadium | Saturday, August 19 – In a big match that could help the Dash climb the standings, they’ll face the women of Washington Spirit on the eve of the Women’s World Cup Final. $10 and up. 7:30pm.
- Beck & Phoenix, with Weyes Blood, Sir Chloe at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Sunday, August 20 – The mononymous pop rocker joins forces with French pop band Phoenix for a highly anticipated co-headlining show in the Woodlands. $20 and up. 5:45pm.
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