Plan Your Weekend: September 28 to October 1, 2023

Things to Do
All Weekend Long

• Fort Bend County Fair at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds | Daily – Be part of the 87-year tradition when the county fair rolls back into Fort Bend through Sunday, October 8. Have a blast on carnival rides, chow down at BBQ cook-offs, hear live music, check out a week of rodeo events, and more. $15 for ages 12 and up; $5 for ages 6 to 11; free for ages 5 and under. Season passes start at $50. Times vary.
• Oktoberfest 2023 at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Friday & Saturday | FREE – The spacious beer garden at Saint Arnold hosts high energy live music from Das Ist Lustig with Valina Polka, plus King and Queens of Oktoberfest contests, chicken dances, stein hoisting, glass boots and more. 4pm to 9pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Joey Avery at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – Across two nights, the Riot hosts this comedian on the rise who frequently tours with fellow comics like Andrew Schulz, Mark Normand and Trevor Wallace. Catch him during one of his three sets at the upstairs stage at Ruds. $20 and up. Times vary.
• Karbachtoberfest Week 2 at Karbach Brewing Company | Friday to Sunday | FREE – The Spring Branch brewery keeps the celebration rolling with Friday night music from The Suffers; a Saturday of stein hoisting, chicken dances and keg races, with polka music, live DJ and The Mockingbirds Band; and Sunday wraps up with wiener dog races, a pup cup truck and pet vendors. Times vary.
• TEATRX presents La Vida es Cortos/Life is Short at MATCH | Friday to Sunday – This festival in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month presents stories on stage and screen. This year’s offerings include programming  geared toward young audiences ages five and up. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.

Karbachtoberfest
Karbach Brewing
^{Friday to Sunday}

The Spring Branch brewery keeps the celebration rolling with Friday night music from The Suffers; a Saturday of stein hoisting, chicken dances and keg races, with polka music, live DJ and The Mockingbirds Band; and Sunday wraps up with wiener dog races, a pup cup truck and pet vendors.

FREE | Times Vary

Learn More

• Manhattan Short Film Festival 2023 at MFAH | Friday to Sunday – The annual film event returns to Museum of Fine Arts Houston, becoming just one of many locations around the globe to screen this selection of short films from a rising generation of international filmmakers. $10. Times vary.
• Comedian D.L. Hughley at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – A legendary comedian, actor, and host of his weekday radio show, D.L. Hughley stops by the Improv for five sets across three nights. $100 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Houston Symphony presents Daphnis & Chloe at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – With Music Director Juraj Valčuha at the podium, the Symphony opens the season with a concert of French masterworks designed to showcase the towering talent of the orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Chefs For Farmers at Autry Park | Saturday & Sunday – Now with an extra day for Houstonians to enjoy, the all-inclusive tasting event in River Oaks has curated a lineup of top culinary talent to showcase family farms throughout Texas. Expect immersive activations and live entertainment, wines from the top vineyards and craft cocktails, and excellent farm-fresh eats. $135; VIP available for $185. 1pm to 5pm.
• Open Source Dance presents Flutter: The Monarch Butterfly Project at Houston Botanic Garden | Saturday & Sunday – This series of three half-hour, immersive contemporary dance performances explores the Monarch butterfly’s migration. This family-friendly event captures the dance ensemble’s athleticism and whimsical storytelling. $15. 4pm to 7pm.

Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston

• Catastrophic Theatre presents Waiting for Godot at MATCH | Friday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – In Samuel Beckett’s absurdist masterpiece, two penniless tramps wait on a road for Mr. Godot to show up, only to find out that he won’t come today, but surely tomorrow. As they wait, they pass the time in every way imaginable. Greg Dean, Charlie Scott, Kyle Sturdivant and Troy Schulze reprise their roles from Catastrophic’s 2013 production, which was hailed by critics across the city for its brilliance. This production runs through Saturday, October 14. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• What the Constitution Means to Me at Main Street Theater | Daily | Opening Weekend – This regional premiere tells the story of 15-year-old Heidi, who earned scholarship money for college by taking part in Constitutional debate competitions. As Heidi looks back on her experiences, she considers what one of our most important founding documents means for our history and our future. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $39 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Chicken & Biscuits at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – Douglas Lyons’ family comedy examines what happens when the Jenkins crew comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of the family patriarch. Things unravel when a family secret turns up at the funeral. This production runs through Sunday, October 15. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.
• American Mariachi at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – In this play about dreaming big, it’s the 1970s, and Lucha wants to form a mariachi band. But girls don’t do that. Or can they? This heartwarming clash of cultures showcases what it means to embrace all of your heritage. This production runs through Sunday, October 22. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• 4th Wall Theatre Company presents The Pavilion at Spring Street Studios | Daily | Ongoing – Craig Wright’s play explores the lives, loves and regrets of Peter and Kari, high school sweethearts who reunite at their 20th high school reunion. Called an “Our Town for our time,” critics around the country have praised the show’s deft dialogue and insight to relationships. This production runs through Saturday, October 7. $30 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.
• POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – This feminist farce explores power, misogyny and how women both support and undermine each other. When the president makes an off-color statement including a certain four-letter word, all hell breaks loose. The women on his staff and in his family roll into action to contain the fallout, even as events spool out of their control. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Music Box Theater presents Back to the ‘80s at Queensbury Theater | Friday & Saturday | Ongoing – The cabaret group performs a concert of hits from the era of legwarmers, Members Only jackets and big hair. Expect your ‘80s favorites along with hilarity and hijinks. $38 and up. 7:30pm.
• Main Street Theater for Youth presents Carmela Full of Wishes at MATCH | Sunday | Ongoing – This touching tale is the story of Carmela, who has a very special wish to help keep her family together. Based on the children’s book by Matt de la Peña, it’s a family-friendly production that explores hope in the migrant community. This production runs through Saturday, October 21. $20 and up. Showtimes vary.
• AD Players presents Forever Plaid at the George Theater | Daily | Final Weekend – The Plaids are on their way to a gig when they’re hit by a bus and killed instantly. What happens when they return from the afterlife for one final show? The answer lies in this beloved musical filled with barbershop harmonies and enchanting melodies. This production runs through Sunday, October 1. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Houston Ballet presents Tutu at Wortham Center | Friday to Sunday | Final Weekend – The ballet opens its season with a triple bill featuring the Houston premiere of Balanchine’s iconic “Stars and Stripes,” set to the marches of John Philip Sousa; Delmira, a world premiere Houston Ballet commission from Colombian Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; and Stanton Welch’s Tu Tu, with its tongue-in-cheek choreography set to Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major. This production runs through Sunday, October 1. $25 and up. Showtimes vary.

Oktoberfest Bashes, Montrose Drinks & Other Destinations

• Oktoberfest Celebrations in Greater Houston | Ongoing – Find more Oktoberfest parties than what’s listed in the Weekend Guide with our comprehensive look at celebrations taking place through the end of October.
• Best Bars in Montrose – Check out our rundown of 20+ signature cocktail bars, dives, and more that can be found throughout the lively Montrose neighborhood.
• Must Do Things in Buffalo Bayou Park – Find your way underground, bring your pup to one of the city’s best dog parks, take to twilight viewing of bat colonies, and more with our 5 ways to explore Buffalo Bayou Park.
• Happy Hour Hot Spots in the River Oaks District – Toast to the post-work sesh with some of our picks for happy hour drinks and eats at the River Oaks District development.
• Greater Houston Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month | Ongoing – This weekend and beyond, find more things to do that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month at concerts, festivals and more in neighborhoods across Greater Houston.

• Guns N’ Roses at Minute Maid Park – The OGs of heavy metal rock and roll, GNR, are winding down their massive We’re F’N’ Back! Tour and are doing a show with ’90s grunge rock superstars Alice in Chains on the Astros’ home turf. $24 and up. 6pm.
• Blue Willow Bookshop presents Rick Riordan at Pasadena High School – The best-selling middle-grade author will sign and discuss his latest, Chalice of the Gods. Riordan, known for his Percy Jackson series, has sold millions of copies around the world, and is popular with children and adults alike. $19.99. 6pm.
• Zero Gravity Movie Screening at Holocaust Museum Houston | FREE – This film follows a diverse group of middle-school students who compete in a nationwide tournament to code satellites aboard the International Space Station. The film is presented by University of Houston’s SACNAS, which seeks to foster the success of Chicanos, Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM fields. 6pm to 8pm.
• Sunset Yoga at Buffalo Bayou Park – Yogis of all ages and abilities are welcome to this sunset yoga session hosted by young professionals groups from Buffalo Bayou Park and Houston Audubon. The 45-minute session celebrates Houston Bird Week with bird-related poses, song-bird tunes and golden hour views of Downtown. Suggested donation of $10. 6:30pm.
• Galveston Fall Fashion Show at Tremont House – Held in the Royal Ballroom of Downtown Galveston’s signature hotel, this fall fashion show will showcase the latest trends, styles and colors in a lively environment with music and entertainment. Proceeds will help support th emission of Unbound Now Houston, which fights human trafficking in Galveston County. $100 and up. 6pm to 9:30pm.

Guns ‘N’ Roses
Minute Maid Park
^{Thursday, September 28}

The OGs of heavy metal rock and roll, GNR, are winding down their massive We’re F’N’ Back! Tour and are doing a show with ’90s grunge rock superstars Alice in Chains on the Astros’ home turf.

$24 and up | 6pm

Learn More

• The Riot Comedy Club presents Rob Stant at Rudyard’s Pub – The Montrose comedy club hosts a night of laughs from Philly comedian Rob Stant, who delivers his observations on everyday life, his fiancé, and the world around us. $15 and up. 7pm.
• Comedian Joe Dombrowski at Houston Improv – The one-time elementary teacher rose up in the comedy world after making an impression on Ellen with his spelling test prank on April Fools’ Day. Now, he brings his tales from the classroom to the Improv stage. $50 for 2, and up. 7:30pm.
• Brent Cobb in Concert at Last Concert Cafe – The country singer-songwriter stops by the near Downtown Tex-Mex haunt and music venue, supporting his new album, Southern Star. $25. 8pm.
• Youth Lagoon in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – After a seven-year hiatus, Trevor Powers returns as Youth Lagoon, stopping by the White Oak upstairs stage to perform songs from his new album, Heaven Is a Junkyard. $25. 8pm.
• Houston Musical Theater presents The Best of Rodgers & Hammerstein at Post Houston – Enjoy sweeping views of the Houston skyline while listening to this cabaret performing some of the most iconic songs of musical theater. You’ll hear selections from South Pacific, Oklahoma!, Carousel and more. $28. 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.