Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The annual celebration of strawberries returns this weekend to Pasadena, plus you can raise a toast to Greek culture in West Houston, bring your pup to the Dash game, peel some pounds of crawfish, and much 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 22 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Kamasi Washington in Concert at House of Blues | Tuesday, May 14 – The Grammy-nominated powerhouse jazz artist returns to Houston with a night of new music from his early May release, Fearless Movement. $35 and up. 8pm.
• Theaster Gates: The Gift and The Renege Opening Reception at CAMH | Thursday, May 16 | FREE – The latest CAMH exhibition featuring celebrated contemporary artist Theaster Gates is unveiled at a reception for his series of large-scale paintings, sculptures and installations. Together, they reckon with histories of labor, material legacies, and the sociopolitical architecture of the built environment. Drinks and food will be available for purchase, and DJ Flash Gordon Parks will provide the vibes. 7pm to 9pm.
• 25th Houston Greek Fest at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church | Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18 – This annual Greek fest on the west side of Houston returns for a 25th anniversary celebration, where guests can dig into Greek foods and pastries, shop local vendors, try their feet at traditional dancing and have plenty of family-friendly fun. $10; free for ages 10 and under. Adult admission is free with a donation of three canned goods. Times vary.
• A Friendly Game of Basketball at Lawndale Art Center | Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18 | FREE – It’s closing weekend for this solo exhibition of multimedia works by Tay Butler, which explore racial history and contemporary anti-Black issues. Through various media—including installation, painting, drawing, photography, collage, music, and performance—Butler creates a multi-sensory environment which mirrors basketball’s pre-, post-, and in-game play. 11am to 5pm.
• 51st Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival at Pasadena Fairgrounds | Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19 – The annual strawberry fest returns to Pasadena, featuring a weekend of barbecue, carnival rides, a car show, mutton bustin’, a kids zone, and more. $15; $5 for ages 6 to 10; free for ages 5 and under. Times vary.

• Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday, May 17 – Come out to EaDo and cheer on Houston’s major league women’s soccer team as they welcome visitors from Oregon. It’s also Pups on the Pitch night, where you can bring your furry friends to the match, and enjoy pregame entertainment like pet caricatures, foster opportunies, photo shoots and more. $12 and up; special ticket purchases required to bring your pet. 5pm.
• Brooks & Dunn in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Friday, May 17 – The legendary boot scootin’ duo head to the Woodlands for a night of beloved fan favorites and tried-and-true country tunes. $45 and up. 7pm.
• Homegrown Houston: All Asian, No Fusion at Asia Society Texas Center | Friday, May 17 – Chef G and Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen lead a tasting tour of Houston cuisine at this special curated night featuring stand-out chefs from across the city. Tickets include one dish from each chef, plus drinks. Featured restaurants include Burmalicious, Koffeteria, Musaafer, Xin Chào, and more. $120; $210 for two. 7pm to 10pm.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Madame Butterfly at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18 | FREE – HGO adapts its stunning production of the classic Puccini opera for the Hermann Hill stage. Hear the story of Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese woman called Butterfly who enters an arranged marriage with the American naval lieutenant Pinkerton, and the heartbreaking tragedy that ensues. 8pm.
• Houston Symphony presents The Music of Star Wars at Jones Hall | Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19 – Conductor Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in a concert of favorites from the Star Wars universe. Audiences will be transported to a galaxy far, far away with pieces from all nine films, including selections like “Rey’s Theme,” “The Imperial March” and more, presented in chronological order. $54.88 and up. Times vary.
• Houston Astros vs Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park | Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19 – Come downtown to cheer on the ‘Stros as they welcome visitors from Wisconsin for a three-game series. Early arrivers can take advantage of giveaways through the weekend like an Orbit bobblehead, a Justin Verlander jersey, and the Bayou Bash Street Fest before Saturday’s game. $29 and up. Times vary.

• 2nd Annual Salsa de Mayo in Second Ward | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – This neighborhood celebration near Finca Tres Robles invites the community to come sample the taste of salsa and vote your favorite alongside a panel of celebrity judges. Kicking off the event is a bike ride through points of interest in the East End, celebrating the flavors of the neighborhood. 10am to 3pm.
• Heads & Tails Festival at 8th Wonder Brewery | Saturday, May 18 | No Cover – The annual all-ages crawfish festival hits the spacious back patio of 8th Wonder in East Downtown, offering mudbugs from Clutch City Crawfish and live music. Noon to 5pm.
• 5th Annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade & Pub Crawl in Downtown Galveston | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – Head to the Island for this fun display of decorated golf carts, scooters, and bicycles. The parade begins at noon at 24th and Post Office streets. A pub crawl follows, allowing you to check out some of Galveston’s unique venues. Noon to 6pm.
• Stefanie Eskander at Houston Toy Museum | Saturday, May 18 – The renowned toy designer comes to Houston for a meet and greet, and to share stories about her nearly four decades in the industry. Eskander has worked on many beloved toy lines including Rainbow Brite, Popples, Jem, Cabbage Patch Kids, Sky Dancers, WWF Wrestling Buddies, and more. $14; includes admission to the museum. 3pm.
• iFest USA 2024 at Discovery Green | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – The Downtown park space hosts another year of iFest, celebrating cultures from around the world with live entertainment, international cuisine and cultural booths that promote learning and exchange in support of peace, love and friendship. 3:30pm to 9pm.
• Bazaar Food & Wine Festival at Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday, May 18 – This new festival celebrates Houston’s diverse culture and culinary tapestry, created in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Expect an all-star lineup of Houston’s most prominent chefs, dynamic performances, music and Lee’s Golden Dragon performing a lion and dragon dance. $150 and up. 5pm to 8pm.

• Houston SaberCats vs. Chicago Hounds at SaberCats Stadium | Saturday, May 18 – Houston’s rugby team has had its best start in franchise history, currently hovering near the top of the league standings with only a handful of matches remaining. They’ll invite a tough opponent from Chicago in a bid to keep their place among the league’s best. $15 and up. 6pm.
• Strand Summer Series presents Mamma Mia! at Hendley Green | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – Grab your blanket, lawn chairs and friends and family and come out for this screening of the 2008 hit movie musical featuring the songs of ABBA. On-site beer and wine and select vendors will offer refreshments for purchase. Boas optional. 6:30pm to 9pm.
• Houston Dynamo FC vs. FC Dallas at Shell Energy Stadium | Saturday, May 18 – The classic MLS rivalry renews when Dallas heads to town to face off on the Dynamo’s home pitch, where the club will also celebrate AAPI Night. $25 and up. 7:30pm.
• Mariachi Herencia De Mexico in Concert at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, May 18 – The Galveston venue welcomes this energetic, virtuosic Latin Grammy–nominated group that has issued chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent. Get ready for an evening of music performed in their incomparable style. $25 and up. 8pm.
• Vaqueros Cup at Houston Polo Club | Sunday, May 19 – Experience a world class polo match, player parade, live music, expert announcing, Champagne divot stomp at halftime and special trophy presentation. The Lymbar is the onsite concession serving delicious Argentine- and Brazilian-inspired menu choices and a premium bar menu. $18 and up. 5pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, April 15 to Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Houston is buzzing this week with plenty to fill your free time in the city.

Check out early week delights like a big Astros series and Amy Sedaris, then celebrate anything from Earth Day to 4/20, plus the 100th anniversary of MFAH.

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 20 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park | Monday to Wednesday – The ‘Stros search for some stability in the early goings of the season, facing the top team from Atlanta in a cross-league clash at Minute Maid. The series kicks off on Monday with Jackie Robinson Day at the ballpark. $24 and up. Times vary.
• TUTS presents The Cher Show at Hobby Center | Tuesday to Sunday | Ongoing – Called “slyly fabulous” by the Hollywood Reporter, this show examines the life of the incomparable Cher, who’s dominated music, movies and more across her six-decade career. Bonus: every one of those iconic Bob Mackie outfits are recreated for the stage. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
• An Evening with Amy Sedaris at Wortham Center | Wednesday, April 17 – The prolific actress, author and comedian from shows like Strangers with Candy comes to Downtown for a night of conversation and audience Q&A. $39 and up. 7:30pm.
• The Tortured Poets Department Listening Party at McIntyre’s Downtown | Thursday, April 18 – DJs will play the entirety of Taylor Swift’s new record alongside the rest of her discography and some other pop bangers. Expect tasty Taylor-inspired cocktails and performances from favorite local drag queens. Dressing up and sharing friendship bracelets are highly encouraged. $17. 9pm.
• Tomar & the FCs’ Backyard Bash in Concert at the Continental Club | Friday, April 19 – The high energy group brings deep soul and funk grooves to the backyard stage at the Mid-Main spot. $10 and up. 7pm to 10pm.

• Up In Smoke Psychedelic Art Show at Bad Astronaut Brewing | Friday, April 19 | No Cover – Celebrate 4/20 Day with a psychedelic art showcase, a black light graffiti battle, a vendor market, live DJs and more. Bring along friends to sample the brewery’s offerings and chill out as you kick off the weekend. 7pm to 11pm.
• Chinese Folk Tales: Wit & Wisdom of the Ancestors at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, April 19 | FREE – Forty dancers, 10 actors, film, music and eye-popping costumes bring to life classic Chinese stories about people, animals and mythical creatures in this unique performance. It’s family-friendly and presents timeless lessons about family, life and the humanity we all share. 8:15pm.
• 13th Annual Walk With Me at Houston Zoo | Saturday, April 20 – Participants can walk, roll, or stroll through the zoo while raising crucial funds for programs that serve veterans, service members, children and adults with all types of disabilities and their families. Following the walk, there will be an after-party at the Masihara Pavilion inside the zoo with children’s activities, music, food, drinks and more. $50. 8am to 10:30am.
• Midtown Art in the Park at Midtown Park | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – Stop by Midtown Houston for back-to-back days of art celebration at this family-friendly event with local vendors, performers, and limited ArtJam activities where you’ll craft some take-home keepsakes. This year’s theme celebrates National Jazz Month and the 125th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth. 10am to 4pm.
• The Grand Kids Festival in Downtown Galveston | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – Hosted in the Cultural Arts District of Downtown Galveston, this family festival from the Grand 1894 Opera House features a full day of fine arts for kids, along with hands-on projects, dance performances, shows, inflatables, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. 10am to 5pm.

• Final Boss: Buds & Brews at Eureka Heights Brewery | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – The Heights brewery celebrates 4/20 with an all-day bash, kicking off with vinyl and free donuts, plus a kolache pop-up with Deckle and Hide. Later in the day, shop local goods at a marketplace, enjoy free pinball, and catch an evening screening of Pineapple Express. 10am to 10pm.
• Picnic in the Park: Earth Day Celebration at Evelyn’s Park | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – The Bellaire park space celebrates Earth Day and its 7th anniversary with a free seedling giveaway to the first 5,000 visitors, crafts, bubble demonstrations, food trucks, face painting, educational vendors, and more. Noon to 4pm.
• Earth Day Celebration & Water Works Festival at Discovery Green | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – One of Discovery Green’s signature events, the annual family-friendly festival returns with a full afternoon of interactive exhibits and educational experiences, plus live music, art installations, face painting, crafts and activities. Noon to 5pm.
• Karbach Reggae Fest at Karbach Brewing Company | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – The Spring Branch brewery hosts a family-friendly Reggae Fest with a day of good vibes, local vendors, and music by artists like Mellow Mood, Dem Roots, the Katastrophics, Soulfiya, and more. 2pm to 11pm.
• Third Eyeland Party ’24 at Galveston Island Brewing | Saturday, April 20 – This popular event returns to Galveston Island Brewing for the fifth year, with two stages of live music, light show visuals, art installations, a vendor market, food pop-ups, and other fun. $30. 4pm to 10pm.

• Houston Dynamo FC vs. Austin FC at Shell Energy Stadium | Saturday, April 20 – The 290 rivalry gets another installment when Austin takes to the Dynamo pitch for a spring clash in the evening. $16 and up. 7:30pm.
• 23rd Annual Noche Caliente with David Sánchez at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday, April 20 | FREE – Come out to Hermann Park for an incredible evening of music celebrating the different cultures of the Hispanic community. David Sánchez is recognized around the world as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. His mastery of the instrument is undeniable, and his sound is unmistakable. 8:15pm.
• Lucille’s presents Prince Day Market & Concert at the Historic Eldorado Ballroom | Sunday, April 21 – Celebrating the iconic musician, this day of activities includes a market with local vendors offering a variety of goods, along with a Prince tribute concert in the afternoon. The market is free to attend; concert tickets are $35 and up. Noon to 7pm.
• 2024 Spring Festival at Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Sunday, April 21 | FREE – This annual festival helps celebrate MFAH’s centenary with free admission to the museum and its galleries, plus festivities held outdoors in the Cullen Sculpture Garden and around the Glassell School of Art. Enjoy live performances, art-making projects led by local artists, and activity tables form community organizations. 1pm to 5pm.
• Douglas Elliman Classic at Houston Polo Club | Sunday, April 21 – With prizes from Douglas Elliman real estate, a costume contest and more, this is a great time to come out to the polo grounds. Enjoy a player parade, live music, expert announcing, champagne divot stomp at halftime and special trophy presentation. The Lymbar is the onsite concession, serving delicious menu choices and a premium bar menu. $18 and up. 5pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, April 1 to Sunday, April 7, 2024.

April kicks off with a packed week of exciting fun taking place across the city of Houston.

Watch as the Warriors come to town with the NBA season on the line, laugh along to more than 50 comedians at a Montrose comedy festival, take flight with the return of the Hermann Park kite fest, and find much more below to fill your week.

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 20 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Table to Stage with Chris Shepherd: Aaron Franklin at Stages | Monday, April 1 – This intimate one-on-one conversation series featuring Chris Shepherd returns with special guest Aaron Franklin of the celebrated Austin-based barbecue legacy. Together, they’ll discuss Aaron’s work and the industry, followed by an audience Q&A. $150. 7:30pm.
• Queen of the Night: A Tribute to Whitney Houston at Bayou Music Center | Wednesday, April 3 – A dazzling vocalist and full band celebrate the life, legacy, and countless hits of the legendary vocalist Whitney Houston when Queen of the Night takes over the Downtown arena. $35 and up. 8pm.
• Urban Harvest Secret Supper Club: Harvest of Her at Secret Location | Thursday, April 4 – This sixth annual dinner held at a surprise location features a five-course dinner with wine pairings, created by featured women chefs, including Ana Garcia of Cuchara, Emily Trusler of Culinary Khancepts, Jane Wild of Jane Wild Studios, and Jessica Madamba of Nancy’s Hustle. Tickets include welcome cocktails by Carly Baitz of Riel. $300. 6pm to 8:30pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center | Thursday, April 4 – One of the Rockets’ final home games of the season is also one of the most important matchups of the year. The Warriors and Rockets will take center court with both teams vying for a ticket to the postseason, but just one final play-in spot remaining—and a narrow window to make the cut. $48 and up. 7pm.

• The Riot Comedy Festival at Rudyard’s Pub | Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7 – More than 50 comedians descend on the Montrose pub for a weekend of comedy across three stages, plus a street carnival, beer and cocktails and tasty eats. Headlining talent includes Rocky Dale Davis, Robert Kelly and Kim Congdon—not to mention a slate of Houston’s funniest comics, podcasters and more. Individual shows start at $25; $159 for all-access, early bird discounts available. Times vary.
• Comedian Gary Owen at Houston Improv | Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7 – The beloved comic was proclaimed as “Black America’s Favorite White Comedian” by Ebony magazine, and now returns to the Spring Branch laugh house for the first of two weekends of laughs. $90 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Open Dance Project presents Alice at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, April 5 | FREE – The dance company brings its unique stamp to the story of the little girl who falls down the rabbit hole and winds up in Wonderland, navigating a host of unusual events with a cast of unusual characters. The performance features aerial silks, acrobatics, and clever choreography that is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. 8pm.
• Galveston Steampunk Festival at Galveston Railroad Museum | Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7 – Fans of the steampunk aesthetic will assemble for this three-day fest celebrating the sci-fi subgenre that crosses Victorian-era tech with retrofuturism. Throughout Saturday, fans can take in live music and special performances, participate in a costume contest and enjoy games like archery, axe throwing and more. Then, on Sunday, festival goers can stroll through home and history tours of the Galveston area, plus an evening walking ghost tour. $25 and up; $15 for kids. Saturday festival is 11am to 11pm; other activities vary by time.
• Catastrophic Theatre presents Cleansed at MATCH | Friday, April 5 | Ongoing – Sarah Kane’s play is a fever-dream fable of unimaginable brutality and miraculous beauty. An exploration of the threat to the bodies and lives of those of us who look, live, or love beyond the confines of conservative ‘norms,’ it feels as contemporary now as it did when it was written 26 years ago. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• Pearland Holi Extravaganza at Pearland Town Center | Saturday, April 6 – A huge Holi celebration descends on Pearland to kick off April, complete with plenty of color play, DJs, games, kids activities, and a market featuring food, shopping and local vendors. No ticket required for festivities; $7 for admission to color play zone. 11am to 5pm.

• Houston Oyster & Seafest at Buffalo Bayou Park | Saturday, April 6 – The Galveston Bay Foundation hosts this annual event, featuring more than 15 Houston restaurants, each offering up dishes where the oyster is the star. There’s also music, cocktails, exhibits and more. $35 and up. 11:30am to 2:30pm.
• 5th Annual Crawfish Cook-Off at Cactus Cove | Saturday, April 6 – The Heights bar and grill hosts its 5th edition of the crawfish cook-off, featuring a day of cold beer, games and live music. Tickets include tastings of all crawfish teams, plus a drink ticket and special drink prices the rest of the day. $40. 1pm to 6pm.
• Empty Bowls Exhibit Opening reception at Archway Gallery | Saturday, April 6 | No Cover – Be among the first to see these exquisite creations. More than 30 finely crafted bowls of all shapes and sizes will be on display and available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Houston Food Banks. This is a chance to support local artists and a good cause. Artists will be at the event for you to meet and chat with them. 5pm to 8pm.
• 360 Allstars at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday, April 6 | FREE – Helping to usher in the new Miller Outdoor season, 360 Allstars brings a cast of World Champion and World Record–holding artists and athletes for a spectacle that features BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more in a production seen around the world. 8pm.
• Night Light 2024 at Tony Marron Park | Saturday, April 6 | FREE – Check out a night of video art along the Buffalo Bayou East waterfront in this annual evening of site-specific projections and artwork made possible by a collaboration between Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Aurora Picture Show. This year’s featured artists include Violette Bule, Ronald Llewellyn Jones, Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. 8pm to 10pm.

• Spring Local & Indie Author Fair at Copperfield’s Books | Saturday, April 6 & Sunday, April 7 | FREE – Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Spring book shop with a two-day author fair, featuring more than 50 local and indie authors catering to all age groups and genre. Plus, enjoy free refreshments, giveaways and raffle prizes. 10am to 5pm.
• BalletForte presents Don Quixote at Stafford Centre | Saturday, April 6 & Sunday, April 7 – The Fort Bend ballet company brings to the stage the classic Spanish tale by Miguel de Cervantes. The family-friendly performance includes all the love, illusion, daring and adventure from the novel in an exciting production teeming with humor and fun. $17.50 and up. Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm.
• Annual Kite Festival at Hermann Park | Sunday, April 7 | FREE – One of Hermann Park’s signature events of the year, the Kite Festival at the Hermann hill offers a day of kite flying and fun, with other activities like live music, DJs, interactive games, face painting and more. 10am to 3pm.
• Spring Cup at Houston Polo Club | Sunday, April 7 – The Houston polo season returns with a Spring Cup opener and plenty of ponies hitting the pitch. Held near Memorial Park, this is your chance to take in exciting polo action along with tasty concessions from David Cordúa’s The Lymbar, live music, Champagne divot stomps at halftime, and more. $18 and up. 5pm.
• Jazzy Sundays at Buffalo Bayou Park | Sunday, April 7 | FREE – The annual Jazzy Sunday series moves to Buffalo Bayou Park with four Sunday outdoor concerts open to the public. Catch Ghost Note with Monterey Jazz and the TSU All-Stars (April 7); Free Radicals with Hot Box (April 14); R&D Lab with Lolade (April 21); and cap it off with Chief Adjuah and Sal Capone (April 28), before the series moves to Discovery Green for the month of May. 5pm to 7pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!