Plan Your Mother’s Day Weekend: May 11 to 14, 2023

• Pollinator Festival at Urban Harvest Farmers Market | 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.
• Run Wild 5K Fun Run at Moody Gardens – Before you chow down on bbq at the annual Yaga’s Wild Game & BBQ Cook-Off, pound some pavement with a 5K run at the Moody Gardens campus, with participants getting a model, free beer and an official t-shirt. $45. 9am to 11am.
• 713 Walks: Cultural Walk in Third Ward | FREE – The first in a series of cultural walks through Houston neighborhoods will take attendees through some of the historic architecture, public art, parks and green spaces of Third Ward. 9am to 11am.
• GCVA Beach Volleyball Tournament at Galveston’s East Beach – The first of seven summer tournament days, this annual beach tourney sees men’s, women’s and coed teams taking to the nets along East Beach for a full day of sand volleyball. Free to watch; registration is $70 per team (some requirements apply). Check-in at 7:30am; games from 9am to 5pm.
• 2023 Houston Art Bike Festival at MacGregor Park | 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 – 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.
• Bouquets & Brunch with Mom at Houston Botanic Garden – In South Houston, the scenic gardens of HBG are the site of a fresh-cut bouquet workshop where you’ll craft your own arrangement and enjoy a brunch of mimosas and pastries. $45. 10am to noon.

Pollinator Festival
Urban Harvest Farmers Market
^{Saturday, May 13}

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.

FREE | 9am to 11am

• Mother’s Day Books & Brunch Experience at Book Readers Venue – Head to Humble for this celebration of books and moms. Featuring spoken word artist Zen Ase, who will talk about life after divorce, a “book tasting,” book giveaways, mimosas and more, it’s a great way to honor mom and a love of reading. $75. 10am to noon.
• BIPOC Book Fest at Asia Society Texas – 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 Tea at George Ranch Historical Park – Bring Mom along for a ’40s-style tea party at the Fort Bend historical park. Ms. Mamie George will guide you through fashion, etiquette and flowers while enjoying traditional tea and cakes. Registration required. $25; $15 for ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and under. Seatings at 11am and 2:30pm.
• 9th Spring Author Fair at Copperfield’s Books | FREE – Local and indie authors will be on hand to celebrate the bookstore’s anniversary, along with giveaways, raffles and food. 11am to 4pm.
• The Market at Sawyer Yards | FREE – The monthly market in Arts District offers an opportunity to shop works by local artisans and craftspeople, enjoy specialty foods and take a look at artist studios when they open to the public as part of Second Saturday festivities. 11am to 5pm.
• Mother’s Day Market at Heights Mercantile | 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.

Yaga’s Wild Game & BBQ Cook-Off
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

• H-Town Market at Post Houston | FREE – Shop artists and local businesses selling sneakers, vintage clothing, jewelry, candles, skincare, food and more at the recurring market at Post in Downtown. 11am to 7pm.
• Robert Kuhn In-Store Performance at Cactus Music | FREE – The multicultural poet and musician Robert Kuhn performs at the Montrose record store. 1pm.
• World Collage Day at Galveston Arts Center | FREE – All ages are welcome to this fun afternoon of artistic expression and creative inspiration at a workshop that helps you create a collage masterpiece in honor of the global celebration. 1pm to 3pm.
• Sugar Land Space Cowboys Pub Crawl at Sugar Land Town Square | FREE – Make your way between Town Square businesses, sip on local brews and enjoy live music, giveaways, games and more with Triple-A Affiliate Space Cowboys. 2pm to 5pm.
• Closing Celebration: Narrative Threads at Moody Center for the Arts | FREE – Catch your final chance to see Moody’s spring exhibition, featuring vibrant and immersive works built around fiber arts. Plus, enjoy treats, hands-on activities and a special screening of the film, Yarn. 2pm to 5pm.
• Houston Sabercats vs Seattle Seawolves at Aveva Stadium – The Sabercats meet a rugby rival from the Western Conference when the Seawolves come clinking through Aveva Stadium in South Houston. $15 and up. 5pm.

BIPOC Book Fest
Asia Society Texas Center
^{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

• Houston Dynamo FC vs Seattle Sounders FC at Shell Energy Stadium – The squad from the Pacific Northwest comes to Houston for a Western Conference showdown on the pitch. $28 and up. 5:30pm.
• Ed Sheeran in Concert at NRG Stadium – 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 – 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.
• Clash of the Titans: VJ Rob & VJ E-Nertia at Etro Nightclub | No Cover – The Downtown nightclub spins the best alternative ’80s dance mixes when VJ Rob and VJ E-Nertia duke it out on the dancefloor. 9pm to 2am.
• Charlotte de Witte DJ Set at Stereo Live – The Belgian DJ and producer brings her brand of dark techno tunes to the EDM stage in West Houston. $60. 10pm to 2am.
• Kulture Klub feat. Seduza at Rise Rooftop – Dance it out in Midtown when Seduza spins the best of hip-hop, soul, bounce and R&B. $20 and up. 10pm to 2am.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum and brewery passes, tours, and more.

• Mother’s Day Brunches in Greater Houston – Treat mom to the brunch that best suits her, with options at Hugo’s, Brennan’s, Rosalie Italian Soul, Bludhorn, Post Oak Hotel, and more.
• Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at the 1880 Garten Verein – The gorgeous, historic Galveston structure hosts an annual Mother’s Day brunch—a delicious meal, a Mother’s Day corsage, live music, and gift. $85 and up. 10am to noon.
• Mother’s Day Soul Food Sunday Brunch at Grooves of Houston – The Third Ward hotspot serves up a Sunday brunch for Mother’s Day with live entertainment and a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet. $39.99; $29.99 for ages 56+; $19.99 for ages 11 and under. 11am to 4pm.
• Mother’s Day: Yo Momma Joke Contest at Eureka Heights Brewing Co. – Have a little light-hearted fun at your mother’s expense at this open-to-all competition where contestants offer their best oneliner “Yo Momma” jokes. Plus, moms can compete in the Chancla Chunking Contest, win Mother’s Day prizes, and enjoy drink specials and discounted beers for mom in the taproom. 2pm.
• DIY Pollinator Container Garden at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Learn how to create a spring-themed native plant container for pollinators at this Arboretum workshop. $65. 2pm to 4pm.
• Ali Siddiq & Marcus D. Wiley: Dear Mom at Houston Improv – Two comedians team up for the annual Mother’s Day show at the Improv, delivering laughs for moms and those who love them. $90 for 2, and up. 2:30pm.
• Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers in Concert at Houston Botanic Garden – Blues artists Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers headline the Garden’s Sunday Concert Series for a special Mother’s Day performance. Tickets for the show include access to the grounds, plus you can purchase beer and wine. $15; $100 for VIP, including multiple tickets, seating, a charcuterie box and more. 4pm to 6pm.

Mother’s Day Brunch
1880 Garten Verein
^{Sunday, May 14}

The gorgeous, historic Galveston structure hosts an annual Mother’s Day brunch as part of the final day of the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. Those attending can enjoy a delicious meal, a Mother’s Day corsage, live music, and will take home a special gift at the end of the event.

$85 and up | 10am to noon

• USPA Regional Classic: Mother’s Day at Houston Polo Club – Houston Polo Club hosts a special Mother’s Day match, complete with Best Ladies Hat Contest, with door prizes, expert announcing, a Champagne divot stomp at halftime, and live flamenco guitar music. Individual courtyard tickets are $32.50; $15.50 for ages 12 and under. Boxes for 2 to 20 guests range from $89 to $895. 5pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Liz Miele at Rudyard’s Pub – With appearances on Comedy Central, Hulu, and NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Liz Miele grabs the mic for a one-night headlining set of new material at the upstairs stage at Rudz. $15 and up. 5pm.
• Jazzy Sundays: James Francies, with Cliff Gordon at the Water Works | FREE – Blue Note recording artist James Francies headlines a Jazzy Sundays night at the Buffalo Bayou stage, joined by Cliff Gordon. 5pm to 7pm.
• The Killers in Concert at Toyota Center – 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.
• Band-Maid 10th Anniversary Tour at Bayou Music Center – The Japanese rock band celebrates a decade of music-making with a stop in Downtown. $35 and up. 8pm.
• Sarah Shook & The Disarmers in Concert at the Heights Theater – Out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this outlaw country band led by Sarah Shook takes to the Heights stage. $20. 8pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.

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