Find the perfect things to do in Houston this Memorial Day weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, May 21 to Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2015. [quote_box_right]
Weekend Shortcuts
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25[/quote_box_right]
Memorial Day Weekend unofficially marks the beginning of summer, and with temperatures rising and the sun out, Houston is heating up with great activities for everyone. School’s out of session and it’s high time to get out and enjoy all the city has to offer.
It’s another packed weekend with fun and things to do across the greater Houston metro in celebration of Memorial Day, from season to-do’s like the Summer Kick-Off party at Howl at the Moon and Carnival Houston around town, to live music like Drake in concert, there’s something to keep everyone busy.
Check below to find great things happening around Houston this Memorial Day weekend, from Thursday, May 21 through Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 25, 2015.
Click here search these same events on an interactive map.
For more to look forward to in May, see our list of top 15 things to do in Houston May 2015.
Things to Do All Weekend
- Summer Tribute at CityCentre | Daily | FREE – Hear from five tribute bands in five days during the Summer Tribute Series at CityCentre. The Lineup includes Legendary Rhythm Bandits, Rubber Biscuits, Already Gone and The Spicolis and concludes with a concert from The Fab 5 on Monday. 6pm to 9pm Thursday; 7pm to 10pm Friday to Sunday; 4pm to 7pm Monday.
- The Miracle Worker at the Grace Theater | Thursday and Friday – The A.D. Players present the true story of Helen Keller and her young teacher, Annie Sullivan, who went to heroic lengths to give the blind, deaf and mute girl the gift of language. $40; limited discounted $20 tickets available. 7:30pm Thursday; 8pm Friday.
- Comedian Tommy Ryman at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase | Thursday to Saturday – A semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, the Twin Cities jokester bring absurd and witty stories about growing up in the Midwest to Houston. $16; limited comped and discounted $8 tickets available.
- Newsies at the Hobby Center | Thursday to Sunday – The theatrical Broadway hit Newsies is coming to a stage near you. Performed at the Hobby Center, this musical is inspired by the Newsboys Strike of 1899 and has won two Tony Awards. Tickets start at $30, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork or Ticket Monster’s resale sites. 7:30pm Thursday; 8pm Friday; 2pm and 8 pm Saturday; 2pm and 7:30pm Sunday.
- Carnival Houston at Various Locations | Thursday to Sunday – Carnival Houston kicks off with a Masquerade Bash at The De Gaulle, and continues through the weekend with events like the Neon Paint Party, Street Parade and Festival downtown, and Picnic + Games on Sunday. Times, locations and prices vary.
- Heartbreak U.S.A. at Obsidian Art Space | Thursday to Sunday – Three guys and three girls, all recently single, struggle with modern love and relationships in this musical set in a small, rural town. Written and developed by Houstonians Michael Weems and Timothy Boaz. $37.50; limited discounted $17.75 tickets available. 8pm Thursday to Saturday; 2pm Sunday.
- Mack and Mabel at Stages Repertory Theatre | Thursday to Sunday – This musical about the golden age of movies and stormy love focuses on legendary slapstick director Mack Sennett and his less-than-stable love affair with one of his biggest stars, the lovely Mabel Normand. $31 to $41; limited discounted $15.50 to $20.50 tickets available. Times vary.
- Houston Palestine Film Festival at Rice University Cinema | Friday and Saturday – View films 1913 Seeds of A Conflict, On the Bride’s Side and Eyes of a Thief during the second weekend of the Houston Palestine Film Festival. 7:30pm Friday; 5:30pm Saturday.
- The Magic Flute at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday and Saturday | FREE – Bring the whole family to Houston Grand Opera’s performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at Miller Outdoor Theatre. 8pm both nights.
- Saloon Songs at The Music Box Theater | Friday and Saturday – Pull on your boots for this cabaret performance featuring the music of Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Patsy Cline and more. $27; limited discounted $13.50 tickets available. 7:30pm.
- Rope at The Company OnStage Theater | Friday and Saturday – Two young Harvard students decide to murder a classmate and then invite his friends and family to a dinner party in this suspenseful play that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation. $18; limited discounted $9 tickets available. 8pm.
- ComicPalooza at George R. Brown Convention Center | Friday to Sunday – Dive into four days of panels, cosplay, gaming and programming during Comicpalooza. Get autographs from and snap photos with guests like Avengers actors Jeremy Renner and Coby Smulders, and Gotham stars Cory Michael Smith and Camren Bicondova, and more. $25 Friday; $35 Saturday and Sunday; $60 weekend pass; $10 child day pass; $12 child weekend pass.10am to 2am daily.
- Houston Tour de B-Cycle | Saturday, May 23 to Saturday, May 30 – Challenge yourself on two wheels. Rent a bike and hit all 29 Houston locations in a 24-hour period during this street challenge.
- Activities inside the Loop from BigKidSmallCity | Daily – Find events, recommendations and family-friendly activities from our favorite Houston mom-in-the-know Jill Jarvis of BigKidSmallCity.
- Houston Astros Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Save on Astros home games with cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
- Wild Wheels at the Houston Zoo – Stroll around the zoo with your child(ren) and learn about animals with hard coverings during this monthly program aimed at children from newborn to 3 years old. This event is part of the Wild Wheels series. $25 for first child includes 1 adult admission; zoo members: $10 children and $2 adults. 9:15am to 10:15am.
- The San Jacinto Memorial Building Lecture at The Heritage Society Tea Room – Learn the rich history behind the 100 year-old San Jacinto Memorial Building during this lecture from Grace Cynkar. This event is part of the Jerry and Marvy Finger Lecture Series presented by The Heritage Society. $5; free for members. Noon to 1pm.
- The Fab 5 in Concert at Discovery Green | FREE – Hear a concert from Beatles tribute band The Fab 5 at Discovery Green. This event is part of the Sounds Like Houston! Thursday concert series at Discovery Green. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
- BCO Meet & Greet at The Deck House Bar & Grill | FREE to Attend – Mingle with members of Bayou City Outdoors and friends while enjoying cocktails and bites during this meet and greet at The Deck House Bar & Grill. 6:30pm to 9pm.
- Replays from the Menil Archives at the Menil Collection | FREE – Check out two conversations from the Menil archives – one from Robert Rauschenberg in 2007 and the other from Dario Robleto and Ann Druyan in 2014. 7pm.
- Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 Concert at Rothko Chapel – Hear the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 at Rothko Chapel. Stick around for a reception following the performance. $45; $35 for members. 7pm.
- Mae in Concert at Warehouse Live – Join alt-rock band Mae (an acronym for Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience) at concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album The Everglow. They’ll be joined on stage by All Get Out and Mike Mains and the Branches. $20; limited comped and $10 tickets available. 8pm.
- Queensryche in Concert at House of Blues – Rock out with heavy metal band Queensryche during a concert at the House of Blues. $25 to $35; limited comped and discounted $12.50 tickets available. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Friday, May 22, 2015
- Little Art Adventures at MFAH – Bring your child to discover the MFAH, create an art project and enjoy storytime during this program designed for 3 to 5 year olds. Free with museum admission. 10:30am to 11:30am.
- Student Performance at Hermann Park | FREE – See 6th graders from Bobby Shaw Middle School perform on Lake Plaza at Hermann Park. This event is part of the Student Performances in the Park Series. 11am.
- Friday Focus Tour at Rienzi – Enjoy an in-depth discussion and small group tour of the Rienzi as part of the Friday Focus Tours. This event is limited to just ten people and included with admission to the Rienzi; $8; $4 for members. 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
- Kenny Chesney in Concert at BBVA Compass Stadium – Kick off your shoes and summer with a country music concert from Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen and Chase Rice. Start the day off by sipping on drink specials and playing in the sand during the Big Revival Beach Party at Lucky’s Pub and then BYOB to tailgate at BBVA Compass Stadium before the show. Tailgating passes start at $22; concert tickets start at $37.50, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork or Ticket Monster’s resale sites. Beach party starts at 10am; tailgate starts at 3pm; show starts at 7pm.
- Emma Kate Tsai Book Signing at Brazos Bookstore – Hear a reading of BLENDED from Houston writer Emma Kate Tsai at Brazos Bookstore. BLENDED is based on the lives of stepfamilies and features writing from 30 contributors, including Tsai, who have experienced being a part of a stepfamily first hand. A Q&A and book signing will follow the reading. $16 for a paperback copy of the book. 7pm.
- Shobana’s KRISHNA at Wortham Theater Center – See South Indian film star in this English-language musical dance drama telling the tale of Krishna through classic and Bollywood dancing, rousing music and spirited performances. $31 to $121. Use Discount Code SPARC10 to save 10% on tickets. 8pm.
- Farruko in Concert at Arena Theatre – Dance to music from Puerto Rican singer Farruko during a concert at Arena Theatre. Tickets start at $35. 8pm.
- The Spiritualist at Stages Repertory Theatre – When a crusading American newspaperman tries to unmask a self-proclaimed psychic as a fraud, he’s in for a rockin’ surprise. $36.00 to $45.00; limited discounted $18.00 to $22.50 tickets available. 8pm.
- Friday Flicks on The Lawn: Jurassic Park at GreenStreet | FREE – Sit back, relax and enjoy a screening of Jurassic Park on a 32 foot screen while enjoying free popcorn, snacks and beverages. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.