Top 15 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: August 5 to 11, 2024

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 11, 2024.

This week offers your last chances to catch Shakespearean classics for free, plus the return of a popular horror film convention, a two-day reggae fest, special events at MFAH and Discovery Green, and more.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our picks for the week, but you can always check out the extended calendar for more things to do in Houston.

Top 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Monday, August 5 to Saturday, August 10 | FREE – The final week of Shakespeare performances take place at Miller Outdoor, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Houston festival. Catch Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on alternating nights through Saturday. 8:15pm.
• Joey Z Trip Sitter at The Secret Group | Wednesday, August 7 – The EaDo stage hosts this experimental comedy show that espouses the positive effects that psychedelics and cannabis have had on the comedian, who grew up with bipolar disorder. The show features psychedelic visuals, stand-up, storytelling, songs, a game show and inflatable mushrooms across the stage. $10 and up. 8pm.
• Open House at Glassell School of Art | Thursday, August 8 | FREE – Stop by the MFAH’s Glassell School to see art demonstrations, talk to faculty, learn about lessons for children and adults, do a scavenger hunt, enjoy complimentary refreshments, take in tunes from Ice House Radio, and more. 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• Park After Dark at Discovery Green | Thursday, August 8 | FREE – The Downtown gathering place hosts this evening event where guests can enjoy lawn games from Rocket Dog, the Gateway Fountains, music, food trucks, vendors, and special park lighting. There are also free line dancing classes by Gretchen J “Coachgee” during the first part of the evening. 7pm to 9pm.
• Mixers & Elixirs at Houston Museum of Natural Science | Friday, August 9 – Experience the museum after dark and with a cocktail in hand as HMNS opens its doors for the summertime Mixers & Elixirs event. Guests can hang with the dinos, hit the dance floor, enjoy cash bars, and chow down on food truck eats. $25. 7pm to 10pm.

• Houston Horror Film Fest at Houston Marriott Westchase | Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11 – The annual horror convention returns to Westchase with three days of horror film and pop culture fun, celebrity meet-and-greets, Q&A panels, plus more than 100 local vendors, artists, authors and more. This year’s guests include Dylan McDermott, Mira Sorvino, Edward Furlong, castmembers of the Twilight saga, and many more. $40 and up. Times vary.
• Strand Summer Series: Wonka at Hendley Green | Saturday, August 10 | FREE – Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and come out for this family movie musical, a prequel to 1971’s beloved Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that reveals how the candy man’s curious unlikely enterprise came to be. 6:30pm and 9pm.
• 10th Annual OkraFest at Historic Galveston Water & Electric Light Community Center | Saturday, August 10 – Galveston’s Own Farmers Market hosts an evening of whimsy, seasonal flavors and community goodness. Showcasing the local farmers and ranchers that help make up the market, the night includes dinner from Mosquito Café, open bar with Daiquiri Time out, craft beer from Galveston Island Brewing, plus live music and dancing, auctions, an Okra Hat competition and more. $175 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
• The Artist & the Astronaut Movie Screening at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, August 10 – This is the unlikely love story between the artist Pat Musick, a civil rights activist, and the Apollo astronaut Jerry Carr as they participate in some of the most historic events in human history. The film has never-before-seen footage of the early space pioneers and features interviews with key figures from that era. A Q&A follows the screening. $20 and up. 8pm.
• Doomsday Wrestling’s Hot n’ Sticky Summer Showdown at Bad Astronaut Brewing | Saturday, August 10 – Wrestlers Larry Christmas, Poundcake, Tex Lonestar, Doll Face, and more take to the ring as the popular attraction returns to the Northside brewery. $17. 9pm to 11:30pm.

• Houston Reggae Fest at City Hall | Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11 – The seventh annual fest returns to Downtown Houston for two days of music and chill vibes. Spice, Sister Nancy and Yellowman are among the entertainers taking to multiple stages, plus you can expect food trucks, local vendors, arts and more. $30 per day; $40 for weekend passes. 3pm to 10pm.
• Figure Drawing Marathon at Archway Gallery | Sunday, August 11 – The Montrose gallery hosts three figure drawing sessions throughout Sunday, featuring two nude model and one clothed model session. Art materials are available and light refreshments will be on hand throughout the day. $20. Sessions at 10am, 1pm and 5pm.
• Plants & Prosecco at The Plant Project Houston | Sunday, August 11 | FREE – The plant shop at Montrose Collective hosts an afternoon party with botanicals, beats and burgers. Come out for free plants and free prosecco, along with Boo’s Burgers and DJ Sage. 1pm to 3pm.
• Alex vs. America Viewing Party at Craft Pita | Sunday, August 11 – Come out to watch Chef Raffi compete on the Food Network series, Alex vs. America, in a battle of Mediterranean food against Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. Admission to the viewing party will get you two dishes made by Chef Raffi in the episode, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. $50. 7:30pm to 9pm.
• Sunday Funday Fireworks at the Beach in Galveston | Sunday, August 11 | FREE – Celebrate the last weeks of summer vacation with free 15-minute fireworks shows along the beach in Galveston, to the east and west of 37th Street and the seawall. 9pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!