Plan Your Weekend: May 4 to 7, 2023

• LULAC Cinco de Mayo Parade in Downtown Houston | FREE – The festive LULAC Cinco de Mayo parade gathers elected officials, members of the community, businesses, schools, and more to walk and dance to the rhythm of Latin music in Downtown. Astros legend José Cruz serves as this year’s grand marshall. 10am.
• Architecture Tour at Asia Society Texas Center – Learn about the design of of the iconic Asia Society Texas Center in the Museum District and its world renowned architect, Yoshio Taniguchi, in a 60-minuted guided tour. $8; $5 for students and ages 65+; free for members 11am
• Trail Mix: Music, Magic & More for All Ages at M-K-T | FREE – This free monthly show in the Heights offers a variety of entertainment for kids, including live music, magic shows, and more. Mendocino Farms will provide free food and you can participate in giveaways from Color Me Mine Houston. 10am to 11am.
• Art & Nature: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – This nature workshop gathers kids ages 7 to 12 for a late morning activity that practices different art techniques incorporating the four natural elements of earth, wind, water and fire. $30. 10am to noon.
• Here Comes the Surf at Galveston Children’s Museum | FREE – Kiddos can take to the coast and learn about rip tides, sea creatures, beach ecology, personal fitness and more at this free, action-packed afternoon at the Children’s Museum in Galveston. 10am to 1pm.
• May Book Sale at Friends of HPL Warehouse | No Cover – For those looking to beef up their bookshelf, the Houston Library Foundation hosts a monthly book sale event with paperbacks available for $2, hardback books for $3, and children’s books for $1. 10am to 2pm.
• Nature Fest at Oak Meadow Park in Cypress | FREE – At the Bridgeland community in Northwest Houston, TV personality and wildlife expert Jeff Musial will showcase various animals, and kiddos can also take advantage of the inflatable zone, outdoor laser tag and more. 10am to 4pm.
• Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions Art Tour at Asia Society Texas Center – Join a 60-minute docent-led tour for insights and explorations of Asia Society Texas’ current exhibition, as part of a monthlong celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. $8; $5 for students and ages 65+; free for members. 11am
• Brown Bodies, Bold Stories: The Power of Representation at Houston Public Library | FREE with RSVP – At the central campus in Downtown, HPL hosts an annual storytelling series where the community shares original stories, poems, songs, spoken-word pieces, and inspirational works to connect us all and uplift the power of representation. 11am to 1pm.

Cinco de Mayo Parade
Downtown Houston
^{Saturday, May 6}

The festive LULAC Cinco de Mayo parade gathers elected officials, members of the community, businesses, schools, and more to walk and dance to the rhythm of Latin music in Downtown. Astros legend José Cruz serves as this year’s grand marshall.

FREE | 10am

• Hands-On Houston: Soap Carving at HCCC | FREE – Resident artist Miles Gracey leads this workshop at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft that teaches how to carve a bar of soap into a reductive sculpture. 11am to 3pm.
• First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights | FREE – Held on 19th Street in the Historic Heights, this monthly market offers free live music, food truck bites, beer and vino, plus a bustling market filled with local and regional artists’ work. 11am to 6pm.
• Juneteenth Storytime with Van Garrett at Kindred Stories | FREE – The Houston-based author reads from his new picture book, Juneteenth, which celebrates the holiday’s history and heritage through the eyes of a little girl experiencing a Juneteenth parade for the first time. Free, but books are $19.99. Noon.
• Spring Festival 2023 at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park – Head to Buffalo Bayou’s green space in the shadow of skyscrapers to enjoy live music, international cuisine, beer and wine, kids activities and more, all in support of Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project’s mission to provide holistic legal services to immigrants in need. $25 and up. Noon to 4pm.
• East End Street Fest at the Esplanade at Navigation | FREE – Held during Cinco de Mayo week, this festival celebrates the art, music and heritage of East End with dance performances, live bands, artwork and plenty of fun for kids at the Plaza de los Niños. Noon to 6pm.
• Derby Day at Julep – The Washington Avenue drinkery invites locals to break out their best hats and bowties for its annual Derby Day Party, featuring house cocktails, Champagne, two main bars, a whiskey bar, tacos from El Topo, a live DJ set from DJ G Funk, cigars and more, along with the live stream of the Kentucky Derby. $20 and up. 1pm to 6pm.

East End Street Fest
Navigation Esplanade
^{Saturday, May 6}

Held during Cinco de Mayo week, this festival celebrates the art, music and heritage of East End with dance performances, live bands, artwork and plenty of fun for kids at the Plaza de los Niños.

FREE | Noon to 6pm

• Crazy Rich Asians Movie Screening at First Colony Mall | FREE – The award-winning 2018 comedy starring Constance Wu, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and a star-studded cast screens at the Sugar Land shopping destination. 2pm.
• Kentucky Derby Day on 19th Street | FREE – This annual Derby Day bash in the Heights returns with a Mint Julep Throw Down, plus local shops and local eats along 19th Street. The Kentucky Derby stream can be found at Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room. 2pm to 7pm.
• Black Queer AF Music Festival at Stampede Houston – Celebrate the Black LGBTQ+ community at this outdoor festival that includes immersive games and a lineup of local and national entertainment, headlined by Kentheman and Kidd Kenn. $30 and up. 2pm to 7pm.
• Derby Down the Bayou Wine Fest at Brenner’s on the Bayou – Featuring eclectic wines, chef-crafted bites, live music, and more along the picturesque Buffalo Bayou, the annual Wine Fest gets a Derby twist this year at Brenner’s on the Bayou. $150; $250 for VIP. 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
• Gaia’s Oracle Opening Reception at Archway Gallery | FREE – Artist Becky Soria is showcased in this exhibition at the Montrose gallery, exploring her work in painting that focuses on reconstructions of the human and animal figures. Light bites and wine will be available. 5pm to 8pm.
• Eugene Chadbourne Live at the Orange Show – The guitarist, banjoist and singer known for his satirical lyrics and fleet-fingered licks heads to the Orange Show for a special performance, including some of his visual artwork on display. $20. 6pm to 9pm.
• Slab Karaoke Party at the Secret Group – Head to the EaDo club for a night of Houston music and culture where you can show your H-Town pride by stepping to the mic and performing your favorite Houston rap classics. $20 and up. 7pm.
• Steve Miller Band in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The space cowboy and his band have landed in the Woodlands and they are sure to shake some trees as the classic rock band celebrates more than 60 years of music making, with Cheap Trick in tow. $26 and up. 7pm.

Derby Down the Bayou
Brenner’s on the Bayou
^{Saturday, May 6}

Featuring eclectic wines, chef-crafted bites, live music, and more along the picturesque Buffalo Bayou, the annual Wine Fest gets a Derby twist this year at Brenner’s on the Bayou.

$150 and up | 2:30pm to 5:30pm

• Houston Dynamo FC vs Real Salt Lake at Shell Energy Stadium – The Dynamo aim to keep their goal-scoring start to the season going when they host the squad from Salt Lake City. $15 and up. 7:30pm.
• Iron & Wine with the Houston Chamber Choir at South Main Baptist Church – This evening of music features Iron & Wine performing, for the very first time, with a chorale ensemble in what is sure to be a memorable night of beautiful music. Sold out but a waitlist is available. 7:30pm.
• Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim in Concert at Alta Arts – Winner of the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz Competition, Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim heads to the Gulfton arts gallery for a transcendent performance. $50. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
• 30footFall: 30th Anniversary Concert at the Heights Theater – Houston Hall of Famers 30footFall are celebrating their 30th anniversary with the city in the Heights, with Action Frank and Valhalla Cinema supporting. $16 and up. 8pm.
• Legends of the Chinese New Year at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE – Travel into Chinese legends as Dance of Asian America presents “The Legend of the Lunar Festival” and “The Legend of the Lantern Festival” on the Miller stage in the heart of Hermann Park. 8:15pm
• Pesado in Concert at Arena Theatre – The Latin Grammy–winning Norteño group headlines this night at the Southwest Houston venue. $85 and up. 8:30pm.
• BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer) at the Menil Collection | FREE – This annual event invites the community to bring their own projections to cast on the side of the museum’s facade. All are invited to contribute their own video, film, projector or slide imagery for this experience. Participants must register in advance for a space and time slot. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
• Rodeo Rave at White Oak Music Hall – Two-step into the night when White Oak hosts a special night of modern country hits to move to. $15. 9pm.

• 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.

• Brunch in the Conservatory at the Bryan Museum – Enjoy an eclectic array of culinary delights prepared by Texas Chef Lisa Hedrick, make your own adult libation at a Bloody Mary Bar, or sip on bottomless mimosas at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. $60. 10am to noon.
• The Faint DJ Set at El Segundo Swim Club – Start your Sunday off right with a DJ set by the absolute stalwarts of indie rock in preparation for their supporting spot at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show later in the evening. $30. 11am.
• I’ll Have What She’s Having Rock & Roll Picnic at Last Concert Cafe – Shifting to a new venue near Downtown, this concert fundraiser helps support the essential healthcare needs of those in the restaurant and bar industry. In addition to live music, visitors can also snack on food offerings from Dawn Burrell, Houston Dairymaids, and Andrea De Gortari of the Bake Happening, plus VIP holders will score a special picnic tiffin by Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Justin Yu of Theodore Rex, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare. $85; $15 for ages 12 and under. Noon to 4pm.
• Blues, Brews & BBQ at Wicklow Heights – Jam out to blues music, have a cold beer, and enjoy some tasty barbeque as Houston Area Parkinson Society hosts Blues, Brews and BBQ at Wicklow Heights. $40 and up. Noon to 4pm.
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Traders Village | FREE – The Northwest Houston marketplace celebrates Cinco with an afternoon of music, dance, traditional food and festive fun. Free to attend; $5 parking. Noon to 5pm.
• Jewish Legends of Broadway at Brith Shalom – Hazzan David Krohn appears in concert with Mark Nadler, in a show featuring some of Broadway’s best-loved tunes and selections from the Great American Songbook. The performance is a fundraiser for Congregation Brith Shalom. Pay-what-you-can; suggested price of $18. 3pm.

Blues, Brews & BBQ
Wicklow Heights
^{Sunday, May 7}

Jam out to blues music, have a cold beer, and enjoy some tasty barbeque as Houston Area Parkinson Society hosts Blues, Brews and BBQ at Wicklow Heights.

$40 and up | Noon to 4pm

• Celebrating Incredible India at Asia Society Texas – Hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist Rekha Muddaraj, this event will feature a fashion show, performances by Anjali Center for Performing Arts and Rhythm India, mixing from DJ Rocky of South Asian and Bollywood hits from the ‘70s to today, and a reception catered by Daawat Catering. $15. 4pm to 6pm.
• Lone Star Cup presented by Dos Hombres at Houston Polo Club – The spring polo season keeps rolling on, with this pony-versus-pony event, complete with a best dressed gent contest, prizes by Dos Hombres, player parade, Champagne divot stomp at halftime, and more. $35; $15.50 for ages 12 and under. Boxes for 2 to 20 guests range from $89 to $895. 5pm.
• Jazzy Sundays: The Suffers, with Maryum Echo at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park | FREE – Kicking off the first of four Jazzy Sundays concerts at Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s own Gulf Coast soul group, The Suffers, headline the Water Works stage, along with Maryum Echo. 5pm to 7pm.
• 100 Gecs in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The hyper pop electro rock duo is bringing a rave to the White Oak lawn when they mosey through with tunes from their second studio album, 10,000 Gecs. $92 and up. 6pm.
• The Psychedelic Furs in Concert at House of Blues – The English post punk band with a career spanning decades is taking over the Downtown venue on a Sunday evening. $39.50 and up. 7pm.
• Santana in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and living legend, Mexican-born Carlos Santana is bringing his band to the Woodlands where they will be wrapping up their Blessings and Miracles tour. $49.50 and up. 7pm.
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs & the Faint in Concert at 713 Music Hall – It’s about to be 2003 at 713 when the art pop of Yeah Yeah Yeahs blazes into the H on their Cool it Down tour, with none other than the Faint tagging along. $49.95 and up. 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.

Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long

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