The 15 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: May 12 to 14, 2023

Billy Porter performs on stage
Billy Porter brings his Black Mona Lisa Tour to Downtown on the weekend | Courtesy of Billy Porter

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, May 12 to Sunday, May 14, 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: May 12 to 14, 2023

  • Exhibit Connect with Dual: It’s Called Fishin’, Not Catchin’ Workshop at Galveston Arts Center | Friday, May 12 – The Houston artist can be seen splashed across walls all over town, but now you can learn directly from him on how to create paintings that utilize his unique techniques in aerosol paint and collage art. $60. 5:30pm.
  • Celebrate Miller: 100th Birthday Party at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, May 12 | FREE – A signature event of Miller Outdoor’s centennial season, this celebration features a massive birthday cake from Bolillo Bakery, performance artists, face painting, caricature artists and more—plus a live performance from Houston Ballet to follow at 8pm. 6pm to 9pm.
  • Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns FC at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday, May 12 – The reigning NWSL champs come to town for a tough battle on the Dash home pitch. $10 and up. 7:30pm.
  • DaCamera presents Kendrick Scott in Concert at Wortham Center | Friday, May 12 – Memorializing the Sugar Land 95, this production brings together original music, poetry and visuals with composer and drummer Kendrick Scott to unearth the tragic history behind the remains of 95 Black people discovered in unmarked graves in Sugar Land. $37.50 and up. 8pm.
  • Halfway to Halloween at 13th Floor Haunted House | Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13 – If you just can’t wait for spooky season, then 13th Floor in Northwest Houston has you covered with a two-day celebration with their award-winning haunted house experience, Halloween-themed photo ops, special merch, and add-on experiences like mini escape rooms and a zombie shooting gallery. Recommended for ages 13 and up. $24.99 and up. Timed entry available from 8pm to 9:45pm.
Kids ride bikes that have been decorated with colorful panels
The 2nd Houston Art Bike Festival gets rolling this weekend | Courtesy of Houston Art Bike Festival
  • Pollinator Festival at Urban Harvest Farmers Market | Saturday, May 13 | FREE – The weekly farmer’s market hosts a special celebration that focuses on pollinating animals. Visitors can see honeybees on display in an observation hive, enjoy samples of hyperlocal neighborhood honeys from Bee2Bee, check out pollinator plants, and create a paper cup plant starter. 9am to 11am.
  • 2023 Houston Art Bike Festival at MacGregor Park | Saturday, May 13 | FREE – Celebrate personal creativity on two wheels at this second annual festival and bike parade at MacGregor Park in Third Ward, featuring art bikes from HISD schools, live music, art activities, food trucks, and more. Then, enjoy an evening concert at the Orange Show campus highlighted by Grammy-winning bassist and former Prince bandmate MonoNeon. 9am to 6pm. 
  • 27th Annual Yaga’s Children’s Fund Wild Game & BBQ Cook-Off at Moody Gardens | Saturday, May 13 – Head to the Island for a full day of smoked barbeque, wild game offerings, beer tastings and more. Now in its 27th year, the annual cook-off helps raise funds to support more than 25 Galveston County organizations. $40 and up. 9am to 6:30pm.
  • BIPOC Book Fest at Asia Society Texas | Saturday, May 13 – This celebration of underrepresented writers includes a keynote address by Houston poet laureate emeritus Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, as well as moderated panels that feature Houston Chronicle restaurant columnist Bao Ong, Pondicheri chef-owner Anita Jaisinghani, artists Reginald Adams and Matt Manalo, and author Matthew Ramirez, among others. In addition, visitors can participate in writing workshops, hear from authors about big topics, and more. $5. 10am to 6pm.
  • Mother’s Day Market at Heights Mercantile | Saturday, May 13 | FREE – If you’re still searching for a Mother’s Day gift, then Heights Mercantile’s day-before market may have just what you need. Shop handmade gifts and crafts from local artisans along the promenade on Yale Street. 11am to 6pm.
People stroll through a market in the background with blooming flowers in the foreground
The annual Mother’s Day market returns to the Mercantile promenade in the Heights | Courtesy of Heights Mercantile
  • Ed Sheeran in Concert at NRG Stadium | Saturday, May 13 – Straight off the release of his fifth studio album, Subtract, Ed Sheeran takes over the biggest venue in town. $29 and up. 6pm.
  • Billy Porter at Bayou Music Center | Saturday, May 13 – The multi-hyphenate bombshell is embarking on his first headlining tour, telling his life story through song and performance through the Black Mona Lisa Tour. $59 and up. 8pm.
  • Mother’s Day Candle Making & Mimosa Bar at Love & Make DIY Workshop | Saturday, May 13 & Sunday, May 14 – Held at five different sessions over the weekend, this workshop in Rice Village will guide you through creating two custom soy-wax candles while you sip from the mimosa bar. $65 per person. Times vary.
  • Mother’s Day Weekend at Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens | Saturday, May 13 & Sunday, May 14 – This hidden gem in the River Oaks is a no-brainer for Mother’s Day, offering expansive manicured gardens, tours through the Ima Hogg estate, and live guitar and harp music through the weekend. Don’t miss the complimentary cookies and lemonade before you start your stroll. $12.50; free for moms. 1pm to 5pm.
  • The Killers in Concert at Toyota Center | Sunday, May 14 – The Killers will finally be making their eagerly awaited headlining spot in the Clutch City when they land their rescheduled date to celebrate their seventh studio release, Pressure Machine. $25 and up. 7:30pm.

Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long

You can find more fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.

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Justin Jerkins
A longtime Houstonian, Justin Jerkins always keeps an eye out for what's ahead on Houston's horizon while serving as Editor-in-Chief of 365 Things to Do in Houston. When he's not passing along the latest events, destinations and hidden treasures in H-Town, he loves diving into the city's food scene, shopping local and learning about Houston's rich history.