Spring just may be Houston’s favorite season, with mudbugs, boozy festivals, and plenty of tasty events.
Also in April 2018
Top 12 Plays & Arts Performances
Happening This Week
Nightlife in Houston This Week
In April, some big name festivals return, including the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair, Mac & Cheese Festival, and Menu of Menus.
The month also welcomes new culinary happenings, like the inaugural Great Texas BBQ Festival and a special pop-in chef’s dinner at Fluff Bake Bar. Hope you’re hungry.
Top 11 Food & Drink Events in Houston: April 2018
- Underbelly Closing/Hay Merchant Anniversary Party at The Hay Merchant | Sunday, April 1 – Underbelly will close its doors at the end of March, with the opening of UB Preserv expected two weeks later. Say one last goodbye to the restaurant that told “the story of Houston food” and celebrate the sixth anniversary of sister establishment, The Hay Merchant, at a fun closing/anniversary party. In addition to food stations, wine, cocktails from Maker’s Mark and beer from Sierra Nevada, guests can enjoy a special Hay Merchant anniversary bar featuring rare, large format bottles sold by the glass. Tickets are $40 per person (plus tax) and include all you can eat and two drink tickets (rare beers not included). Additional drink tickets will be available for purchase. Kids 15 and under are free. 3pm to 7pm.
- Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair | Wednesday, April 4 through Sunday, April 8 – The 2018 Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair’s lineup of events includes the One if By Land, Two if By Sea Dinner, Bar Fight!, Grand Tasting, Sip & Stroll, and Bistro Brunch. Sip, eat, and enjoy five days of foodie bliss. Ticket prices and times vary by event.
- CultureMap Tastemaker Awards at Silver Street Studios | Wednesday, April 4 – This annual soiree celebrates talent in Houston’s restaurant and bar community, as selected by their peers, with a swanky tasting event and awards ceremony to crown the winners. Tickets are $55, with prices increasing as the event nears. 6pm to 9pm.
- Mac & Cheese Festival at Silver Street Studios | Saturday, April 7 – Cheese enthusiasts will love this Mac & Cheese Festival, where 40 of Houston’s hottest restaurants will serve samples of wild takes on mac’ and cheese, paired with libations, live music, local vendors, art and engaging activities. General admission tickets are $55 and include unlimited food samples, plus drink tickets and a vote for People’s Choice Best Mac+Cheese; VIP tickets are $85 and include one hour early entry (noon), access to a VIP lounge, unlimited food and drink samples, and a vote for People’s Choice Best Mac+Cheese. 1pm to 4pm.
- Tacos over Texas at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation | Sunday, April 8 – The Ninfa Laurenzo Scholarship Fund will hold its first fundraising event, Tacos Over Texas, in collaboration with El Tiempo Cantina and The Original Ninfa’s On Navigation, bringing together chefs from around the country to share their cooking skills in a friendly competition that celebrates the history and transformation of Houston’s passion for multicultural food. Guests can enjoy a specialty taco from each chef, beer and margaritas, live music, and more. Tickets are $40 for general admission; $200 for VIP. 1pm to 4pm.
- Houston Press Menu of Menus at Silver Street Station | Tuesday, April 10 – The annual Houston Press Menu of Menus is the tasting session of the season, with unlimited food samples from over 40 restaurants, plus beer, wine, and cocktail samplings. This year’s lineup of restaurants includes local favorites like Boheme, Cowboys & Indians Tex-In Kitchen, Frenchy’s, Harold’s Restaurant, Bar and Terrace, and Pepper Twins. Tickets start at $55 for general admission ($65 day of), with VIP tickets available for $85 ($100 day of the event). 7pm to 10pm.
- Thursday Night Take Over at Fluff Bake Bar | Thursday, April 12 – Fluff Bake Bar owner Rebecca Masson has switched up her popular “Dinner with My Friends” series, making it a “Thursday Night Take Over.” The events will showcase a new guest chef each month, with this month featuring chef Justin Brunson of Denver’s Old Major. Each guest chef will create a menu of three to four items available a la carte and Masson will create a special dessert to compliment the menu, with optional wine pairings and specialty beer from Saint Arnold. No tickets or reservations are required, but four “chef’s table” seats will be available for purchase each month. Ten percent of all proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program. 6pm to 9pm.
- Houston Barbecue Festival at Humble Civic Center Arena | Sunday, April 15 – The sixth annual Houston Barbecue Festival brings your favorite bbq joints to one place. Get smoked meats and goodies from top smokehouses like Blood Bros. BBQ, The Brisket House, CorkScrew BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Killen’s Barbecue, Pinkerton’s BBQ, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, Truth BBQ and more. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $120 for VIP (limited). 1pm to 4pm.
- Galveston Island Wine Festival | Friday, April 20 through Saturday, April 21 –The ninth annual Galveston Island Wine Festival returns, with events including a Chaine des Rôtisseurs Dinner on Friday, a 5K Champagne Run on Saturday morning, and the Premium and Grand Wine Tastings, both held on Saturday at Saengerfest Park. Tickets range from $72 to $156, varying by event and package.
- Dining Out For Life 2018 | Thursday, April 26 – Participating restaurants around Houston will join in on this annual nationwide fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds supporting AIDS Foundation Houston (AFH) programs and services that help thousands of Houstonians living with HIV/AIDS. Guests are invited to dine out and simply pick up their own tab at spots like B&B Butchers, Niko Nikos, FM Kitchen & Bar, and Lucille’s.
- Texas Crawfish & Music Festival at Preservation Park | Saturday, April 28 through Sunday, April 29 – Country music and crawfish unite for a weekend of family-friendly fun, with eats including mudbug boils, Cajun bites, and festival staples like bbq, burgers, and ice cream. Headliners for the weekend include Kyle Park and Sundance Head –and festival-goers can also expect alligator theme park Gator Country and a petting zoo. Tickets are $12 at the gate (ages 13 and up); $5 for children (ages 6 to 12). Saturday noon to 11pm; Sunday noon to 6pm.
Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
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