Plan Your Labor Day Weekend: August 31 to September 4, 2023

Things to Do
All Weekend Long

• The Flow: Fade to Black Monologue Series at MATCH | Daily – Immerse yourself within four days of music, poetry and dance along with captivating monologues written by African American playwrights. $35 and up. Times vary.
• Grand Opening Weekend at Rhythm Bar | Thursday to Sunday | No Cover – Houston’s newest hotspot is opening its doors in the heart of Midtown, with a weekend packed with DJs Red Soda, Mav, Mike Mogul, T Will and J Branch spinning old school, new school and more hip hop and R&B into the late hours. Ages 25+ Only. Hours vary.
• Comedian Akaash Singh Live Special Taping at White Oak Music Hall | Friday & Saturday – The Flagrant 2 podcast host and comedian brings his latest material to the White Oak downstairs stage on back-to-back nights for a live taping of his new comedy special. $31. Times vary.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Dustin Nickerson at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – Coming off the release of his 2021 full-length special, Overwhelmed on Amazon Prime, the comedian and author of How to be Married to Melissa performs back-to-back nights at the Montrose British Pub. $20 and up. Times vary.

Houston Astros vs. NY Yankees
Minute Maid Park
^{Friday to Sunday}

Entering the final month of the regular season, the Astros face a struggling Yankees squad in a Labor Day Weekend home series that kicks off with post-game fireworks on Friday.

$41 and up | Times Vary

Learn More

• Comedian Cristela Alonzo at Houston Improv | Friday & Saturday – The Rio Grande Valley–native dropped her acclaimed stand-up special Middle Classy on Netflix last summer, and has since been touring the country with new material touching on the funny side of topics like politics, therapy and life as a Latina. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Galveston Island Wine Festival at Moody Gardens | Friday to Sunday – Food and wine lovers can take to Galveston for this three-day fest featuring seafood offerings from acclaimed Houston chefs Christine Ha (Xin Chào, Stuffed Belly) and David Cordúa (The Lymbar), a wine and spirit tasting with penguin encounters, a bourbon storytelling series with military veterans, and an opportunity to explore the Moody Gardens pyramids. Prices vary by package. Times vary.
• Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Sunday – Entering the final month of the regular season, the Astros face a struggling Yankees squad in a Labor Day Weekend home series that kicks off with post-game fireworks on Friday. $41 and up. Times vary.
• Houston Restaurant Weeks at Multiple Locations | Daily | Final Days – The Houston Food Bank’s biggest fundraiser closes out another year of tasty and charitable food and drink. Ending on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, the month-long celebration features more than 200 local restaurants with special offerings for brunch, lunch and dinner (and even to-go). Prices are $25 for brunch and lunch, $39 or $55 for dinner. Times vary by location.

Ongoing Live Theater & Performing Arts in Houston

• TUTS presents Jagged Little Pill at Hobby Center | Thursday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – Backed by the songs of Alanis Morrisette, this story of a perfectly imperfect American family explores the themes of love, heartache and strength, even as it tackles deeper issues of drug use and sexual violence. The New York Times called the show one that “stands alongside the original musicals that have sustained the best hopes of Broadway.” Houston native Liesie Kelly joins the ensemble. This production runs through Sunday, September 10. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
• POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive at the Gordy | Friday to Sunday | Opening Weekend – This feminist farce explores power, misogyny and how women both support and undermine each other. When the president makes an off-color statement including a certain four-letter word, all hell breaks loose. The women on his staff and in his family roll into action to contain the fallout, even as events spool out of their control. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Stages presents Always…Patsy Cline at the Gordy | Thursday to Sunday | Ongoing – Celebrating its 35th anniversary, this musical biography features 27 of the iconic country singer’s hits, while showcasing her rise to stardom in the 1960s. It’s also the story of the friendship between Cline and Houston native Louise Seger, who met the singer in a Bayou City honky tonk. $48 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Music Box Theater presents Back to the ‘80s at Queensbury Theater | Friday & Saturday | Ongoing – The cabaret group performs a concert of hits from the era of legwarmers, Members Only jackets and big hair. Expect your ‘80s favorites along with hilarity and hijinks. $38 and up. 7:30pm.
• The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Art Factory | Friday to Sunday | Ongoing – Come down to Stark, Florida and the mobile home community of Armadillo Acres where new resident and local stripper Pippi is about to seriously shake things up. $30. Showtimes vary.

Outgoing Arts, Fried Chicken Spots & Other Destinations

• Last Chance: Closing Museum Exhibits in Houston – We’ve spotted 10 museum exhibitions and art installations that are drawing down in the next three weeks to help you plan your summer goodbyes.
• Local Spots for Fried Chicken Wings in Houston – From mouthwatering hot wings to international flavors of Korea, Vietnam and Greece, we’ve gathered ten of H-Town’s best spots for delicious fried chicken to satisfy your next craving.
• Must Do Things at University of Houston | Daily – From exhilarating collegiate sports (go Coogs!) to emerging arts and drama, there are plenty of reasons to check out this campus.
• Things to Do in Houston When It’s Too Hot | Daily – Summer has firmly arrived in Houston, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of it. Check out our guide to more than 150 things to do and places to go when the temps top out in H-Town.
• Things to Do this Summer for Kids & Families in Houston | Daily – Enjoy the latest museum exhibits, head out on an outdoor adventure, make a splash, and savor much more that will make this summer one to remember with our guide to keep families entertained and cool this summer.
• Snow Cone Shops in Greater Houston | Daily – Chill out with a shaved ice treat from our 20+ picks for the coolest snow cone shops in Greater Houston this summer.
• Day Passes for Pools in Greater Houston | Daily – Pool weather is officially here and we have 10+ of the best hotel pools where you can spend a day making a splash.

• Powerful Poets: Free Family Night at Children’s Museum Houston | FREE – Bring the kiddos to see how impressive wordplay and powerful storytelling comes alive through poetry, featuring appearances by Houston Poet Laureate Aris Kian Brown and Houston Youth Poet Laureate, Ariana Lee. 6pm to 7:15pm.
• Nosh: Houston Culinary Showcase 2023 at Shell Energy Stadium – A signature culinary event from the minds behind Black Restaurant Week, the sixth annual Nosh showcase offers a chance to dive into the flavors of African, African American, and Caribbean cuisine through the dishes of Houston’s top Black chefs, caterers and bartenders. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. $50 and up. 6pm to 10pm.
• Houston Texans Season Premiere at NRG Stadium – Ahead of the NFL season kickoff, join members of the Houston Texans front office and team for an exclusive evening on the field that includes dinner, casino games, live music, a silent auction and more. Appearances include Chair and CEO Cal McNair, General Manager Nick Caserio, Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, Texans players, Toro the mascot, cheerleaders and more. $1,000 and up. 6:30pm.
• David Kushner in Concert at House of Blues – The Chicago singer-songwriter emerged most recently with his gold-certified single “Daylight,” and now heads to Downtown for a night of songs from his debut album, Footprints I Found, and more. $27.50 and up. 7pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Shafi Hossain at Rudyard’s Pub – The New York-based comedian, writer and host of Culture Clash Comedy Podcast has been hailed as one of the funniest additions to the recent stand-up scene, and you can find out why when he performs a special set upstairs at Rudz. $15 and up. 7pm.

Jaws Movie Screening
Daiquiri Time Out
^{Thursday, August 31}

The Galveston spot for frozens closes out their summer Creature Feature Movie Series with the 1975 Stephen Spielberg classic, Jaws.

No Cover; 21+ | 8:30pm

Learn More

• Ingenious Lotería at Ingenious Brewing Company | FREE – Play a few rounds of Lotería for prizes like stickers, discounts on draft pours and to-go beer, free 4-packs, and more at the inventive Humble brewery. 7pm to 9pm.
• Author Talk: Latoya Watkins at Kindred Stories | FREE – Latoya Watkins sits down with former Houston Poet Laureate Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton for a conversation about her second novel, Holler, Child. Following up her debut novel Perish, this collection of 11 stories centers on the unique characters of a Black community in Texas, offering tales that are at once heartbreaking and hopeful. Free with RSVP; book available for $28. 7:30pm.
• Chris Travis in Concert at Warehouse Live – The Memphis rapper arrives in EaDo with songs from his new mixtape, WAVS, and other recent work. $20 and up. 8pm.
• Arcángel in Concert at Smart Financial Centre – The Latin trap rapper brings his chart-topping album, Sr. Santos, to Sugar Land, giving fans a chance to hear him perform his red hot collab with Bad Bunny, “La Jumpa.” $54 and up. 8pm.
• Jaws Movie Screening at Daiquiri Time Out | No Cover – The Galveston spot for frozens closes out their summer Creature Feature Movie Series with the 1975 Stephen Spielberg classic, Jaws. 21+ only. 8:30pm.
• Crystallmess DJ Set at Bauhaus – The Downtown club for EDM hosts French DJ Crystallmess as part of their recurring Gulp series. $10 and up. 9pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Scroll up to explore events and shows spanning multiple days, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.