Plan Your Weekend: October 12 to 15, 2023

Things to Do
All Weekend Long

• Fall Artisan Market at Contemporary Handweavers of Houston | Thursday to Saturday | No Cover – The Spring Branch guild house for handweavers hosts its annual artisan market, where you can find one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items ranging from shawls, scarves and jewelry to art, table linens and more. Thursday 6pm to 9pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm.
• Live at the Founders Club: The Songs of Tony Bennett at Hobby Center | Friday & Saturday – This evening of jazz by saxophonist Shelley Carrol and saxophonist/vocalist David Caceres includes songs you know by heart, including “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “New York State of Mind” and more. $40 and up. Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 7pm and 9pm.
• King’s Oktoberfest 2023 at King’s Bierhaus Heights | Friday to Sunday – The Bavarian BierHaus in the Heights hosts a weekend of Oktoberfest fun with a wide selection of German beer and authentic German plates, costume contests, mug lifting competitions, live music and carnival games. One-day passes are $20 and up, $59 including drinks. VIP passes are $120 and includes food and more. Times vary.
• 34th Annual Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival in Downtown Conroe | Friday to Sunday – The family-friendly Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival features three days of live music with local, regional and national performers on three stages, food vendors offering festival and Cajun favorites, arts and crafts vendors, a professional carnival, assorted community and educational exhibits, an annual Catfish Pageant, a KidZone area, and more. $15 and up; free for ages 12 and under. Times vary.
• Comedian Craig Ferguson at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – Best known for his role on The Drew Carey Show and as host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, the Scottish comedian spends a weekend in Spring Branch, delivering his observations on the world around him. $60 for 2, and up. Times vary.

Wings Over Houston
Ellington Field
^{Saturday & Sunday}

One of the top airshows in the nation, Wings Over Houston showcases vintage World War II aircraft and modern aviation with soaring spectacles, reenactments, and high-flying aerobatics. This year will feature an appearance by the USAF Thunderbirds along with simulator rides, a kid’s carnival, merchandise and autograph booths.

$45 and up | 8am to 4pm

Learn More

• 2023 Wings Over Houston Airshow at Ellington Field | Saturday & Sunday – One of the top airshows in the nation, Wings Over Houston showcases vintage World War II aircraft and modern aviation with soaring spectacles, reenactments, and high-flying aerobatics. This year will feature an appearance by the USAF Thunderbirds along with simulator rides, a kid’s carnival, merchandise and autograph booths. Tickets include admission for one adult and up to 6 children (ages 14 and under). Sign up for free to be an Air Show Insider and score discounted admission on tickets. Advance tickets are $45, $50 at the gate. 8am to 4pm.
• Pearland Art on the Pavilion at Pearland Town Center | Saturday & Sunday | No Cover – Hit up Pearland’s outdoor shopping district for a two-day juried art market featuring regional artists showcasing and selling one-of-a-kind artwork, with performances by local bands and musicians, plus food truck offerings. 10am to 5pm.
• Bayou City Art Festival in Sam Houston Park | Saturday & Sunday – The Bayou City Art Festival returns to Sam Houston Park in Downtown for two days of art shopping and showcases by more than 220 national and international artists. Plus, you can stroll the craft beer and boutique wine gardens, participate in a community art project and take in live performances. Tickets are $18 and up; free for ages 12 and under. 10am to 6pm.
• Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival at Nature Discovery Center | Saturday & Sunday | FREE – This two-day festival for the whole family offers as day of games, crafts and fun activities, plus food, photo ops, animal ambassadors and plenty of pumpkins. 11am to 4pm.
• Galveston Greek Festival at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church | Saturday & Sunday | FREE – Galveston’s Greek fest returns with two days of Greek food, drinks, pastries, souvenirs, and more. There will be live Bouzouki by Dimitri Karageorgo, traditional Greek Dancers, church tours, imported merchandise and food products in the Greek market. Times vary.
• I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce at Evelyn Rubenstein JCC | Saturday & Sunday – Explore the legendary life and death of funnyman and free speech champion Lenny Bruce, portrayed by actor Ronnie Mario in a performance that’s been lauded by the comedian’s real life friends, family, and fans. The show explores Bruce’s personal pain, sharply funny social commentary and completely original, freestyle comedy that left a lasting impact on today’s poetry, politics, music, film, and comedy. $45 and up. Times vary.

Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston

• Heroes of the Fourth Turning at Rec Room Arts | Thursday to Saturday | Ongoing – When four friends gather on the edge of the wilderness to honor their mentor, recently named president of a deeply conservative Catholic college, they find their sensibilities and values challenged amid a changing world. Are they really who they thought they were? Find out in this play about grace and redemption. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
• Switzerland at Stages | Daily | Ongoing – In this taut, psychological thriller, Texas murder mystery writer Patricia Highsmith gets a strange visitor to her remote Swiss Alps home. A stranger, a fan of her work, turns up urging her to write another installment of her Tom Ripley series. Will she? Or will something worse happen? Stages favorite Sally Edmunson stars as Patricia. This production runs through Sunday, November 12. $50 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.
• 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.

• Main Street Theater for Youth presents Carmela Full of Wishes at MATCH | Saturday | 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.
• Catastrophic Theatre presents Waiting for Godot at MATCH | Thursday to Saturday | Final 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. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• What the Constitution Means to Me at Main Street Theater | Daily | Final 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. $39 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Chicken & Biscuits at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Final Weekend – 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. $34 and up. Showtimes vary.

Houston’s Fall Patios, Rice Village Bars & Other Destinations

• 20+ of Houston’s Best Patios – It’s patio weather in Houston—at long last—and we’ve gathered more than 20 spots across town where you can post up and enjoy a breeze, a beer or a meal.
• Best Bars in Rice Village – Check out our rundown of 10 signature cocktail bars, dives, and more that can be found throughout the lively neighborhood of Rice Village and West University.
• 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 EaDo – This walkable strip of East Downtown is full of laid-back patios, sports bars with impressive tap lists, and the nerdiest bar in town.
• 75+ Fall Festivals in Houston | Ongoing – Explore our guide to a supersized festival season coming to Houston, showcasing the city’s culture, music, arts, food scenes, and more.
• Fall Markets in Greater Houston | Ongoing – From spooky evenings on the bayou to annual nutcracker extravaganzas, we’ve gathered 25 fall markets to put on your radar.
• 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.
• 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.

• Football: UH Cougars vs. West Virginia at TDECU Stadium – Watch the Coogs host fellow Big 12 college West Virginia on Hispanic Heritage day at the stadium. $40 and up. 6pm.
• Don Broco in Concert at House of Blues – The chart-topping four-piece from the UK makes the trip stateside, touring their 2021 release, Amazing Things. $23. 6:30pm.
• The All-American Rejects in Concert at 713 Music Hall – The emo pop rock band is celebrating nearly 25 years together with their first headlining tour in ten years when Wet Hot All-American tour comes through the 713. New Found Glory, Motion City Soundtrack, and the Get Up Kids are in support. $69.50 and up. 7pm.
• ROCO Connections: Sight & Sound at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston | FREE – Held on a free admission day at MFAH, ROCO brings a night of chamber music to the galleries, featuring violinist Eva Burmeister and pianist Audrey Andrist. 7pm.
• John Waters Trash-A-Thon at Numbers Nightclub – Hosted by the Friends of River Oaks Theatre, this night of John Waters classics features three of his films, each representing the three decades of his career. Head to the iconic Montrose nightclub to catch screenings of Serial Mom, Polyester, and Pink Flamingos, with drag artist Sauvignon Blanca performing and leading activities between films. $20. 7pm.

Avenged Sevenfold
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
^{Thursday, October 12}

The American heavy metal band is storming through the Woodlands, bringing music from their most existential, introspective, and eclectic record yet, Life is But a Dream.

$35 and up | 7:30pm

Learn More

• Man on Man in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The boyfriend duo of Roddy Bottum and Joey Holman stop by White Oak for a night of their songs brimming with indie rock influences and gay pop confidence. $20. 7pm.
• Artist Talk: Nestor Topchy in Conversation with Timothy Morton at the Menil Collection | FREE – Houston artist Nestor Topchy talks about his work on display in the current Menil exhibition, The Iconic Portrait Strand, which features more than 100 of the artist’s contemporary portraits. 7pm to 8pm.
• Avenged Sevenfold in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The American heavy metal band is storming through the Woodlands, bringing music from their most existential, introspective, and eclectic record yet, Life is But a Dream. $35 and up. 7:30pm.
• Friday the 13th Movie Screening at Daiquiri Time Out | FREE – The Galveston hot spot for frozens continues their Halloween movie series with a screening of Friday the 13th, held on the eve of the spooky calendar date. Expect trivia, prizes and themed cocktails that go with the film. 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
• El Alfa in Concert at Smart Financial Centre – The Dominican rapper takes over the Sugar Land arena for a night of songs from his recent summer release, Dembow Worldwide Hits Teteo 42. $54 and up. 8pm.
• Frenship in Concert at the Secret Group – The LA-based electrpop duo stop by the EaDo venue on the eve of the their EP release, Base Camp. $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.