Plan Your Weekend: August 27 to 30, 2026

The Houston Mariachi Festival 2026 takes over Wortham Center for 3 days this weekend, with 3 different shows. | Photo courtesy of Houston Mariachi Festival

Updated Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 6:05pm

Find the perfect things to do in Houston over the weekend with events and more to do in our 365 Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, 2026.

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Plan Your Weekend: August 27 to 30, 2026

Events listed in chronological order, by start date and time and then by end date and time. The are not ranked. Festivals, shows and events that span multiple days are listed first in our All Weekend Long section.

All Weekend Long

2026 Houston Theater Week | Daily | Ends Sunday – The wildly popular buy-one-get-one ticket event returns, giving you the chance to grab seats for a host of performing arts shows just in time for the 2026-27 arts season. Prices vary. Learn more.

Night Court: Dial L for Lawyer at The Hobby Center | Thursday to Saturday – Murder is on the menu in this thriller featuring a theater troupe of attorneys, judges and city officials, onstage raising funds to support a host of legal initiatives to help those in need in Houston. $66+. Times vary. Get tickets.

Bearing Witness: August Wilson in Houston at Smith Neighborhood Library | Thursday to Saturday | FREE – It’s closing weekend for this exhibit that traces the relationship between the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and the city of Houston. Times vary. Learn more. 

Thirsty’s Fan HQ Pop-Up at Hermann Park | Friday & Saturday | FREE – Celebrate Texans football over ice-cold Coca-Cola, photo-worthy moments, live entertainment and special guests—including Brian Cushing on Friday—exclusive merch, and more. Noon to 8pm both days. Learn more.

Pepe Aguilar in Concert with Houston Symphony at Jones Hall | Friday & Saturday – The voice of a generation of Mexican music performs with the orchestra in a concert that blends mariachi, ranchera and more. $49+ 7:30pm. Get tickets.

Solar Flare Music Festival at Axelrad | Friday & Saturday – Step up to weekend of live music from 40+ local acts across 3 stages, an artists market with great vendors, special surprises after midnight, and more. $20+. Times vary. Get tickets.

Cor Mundi: Arvo Pärt at 90 at St. Philip Presbyterian Church | Friday & Saturday – The choir teams up with Kinetic Ensemble for this concert of iconic works for choir and string orchestra.  $45. Times vary. Get tickets.

Performing Arts Houston: Houston Mariachi Festival at Wortham Center | Friday to Sunday – Be immersed in the beauty and heritage of mariachi music with international and local talents performing 3 different concerts in Downtown. $35+. Times vary. Get tickets.

Comedian Jay Pharoah at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – Best known for his spot-on impressions, the former Saturday Night Live cast member lands on the Spring Branch stage for 5 shows over 3 nights. $37+. Times vary.

Sundance Short Film Festival at MFAH | Friday to Sunday – Catch an eclectic mix of storytelling that highlights bold voices and fresh perspectives in six short films from the prestigious festival. $9; $7 members. Times vary. Get tickets.

NobleMotion Dance: Chant at MATCH | Saturday & Sunday – The ensemble’s season opener features sound, movement and sensory-driven technology in a future where society yearns for ancient traditions. $30. 8pm. Get tickets.

Bumper Boats & Cruiser Boats on Kinder Lake at Discovery Green | Daily | Ongoing – Head out on the water in round, 2-person bumpers or 5-person cruisers. $12 bumper; $25 cruiser; $30 combo. 10am to 11pm daily. Get tickets.

23rd Annual Houston Restaurant Weeks in Greater Houston | Daily | Ongoing – Benefiting Houston Food Bank, Houston’s signature dining continues with multi-course, prix-fixe meals for brunch, lunch and dinner—dine-in and to-go—at 350+ restaurants across the metro area. $25 brunch and lunch; $39 or $55 dinner. Times vary. Learn more.

Drunk Pirates at Emerald Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – Five actors take on Captain Flint’s hunt for lost treasure, after 1 of them tosses back 5 shots of rum. High seas hi-jinks ensue. $49+. Times vary. Get tickets.

The Girl on the Train at Alley Theatre | Daily | Final Weekend – The Alley’s Summer Chills mystery series returns for 2026 with a modern psychological thriller. A woman struggling with dependency must put together her fragmented memories to help find a missing girl in this play based on Paula Hawkins’ international bestselling novel and film. $32+. Times vary. Get tickets.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Freedom Train at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE – Express Children’s Theatre presents a kid-focused 1-hour play about a brave mother and daughter who escaped a Texas plantation in 1845 and fled to Mexico–based on real events. 11am. Learn more.

Explore Asia Family Fun Nights: Sushi Night at Asia Society Texas Center | FREE with RSVP – Learn about sushi’s heritage through AST’s Sushi King web comic, and join a scavenger hunt, chopstick challenge, sushi crafts, and more. 4pm to 6:30pm. RSVP.

Grand Opening Night at The New Riot Comedy Club on Washington Ave – The beloved comedy destination in the heart of Houston—officially debuts its brand new HQ in Arts District Houston with a big grand opening party, with ticket giveaways, headliners Andy Huggins and 8 of The Riot’s popular comics. $21+. 6pm pre-party; 7pm show. Get tickets.

West Texas Exiles in Concert at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – The Austin-based Americana group brings their harmony-driven Texas sound to Houston. $43+. 6pm. Get tickets.

Remembering Dolly Parton: Loteria & Karaoke at Las Perras Cafe | No Cover – The East End cafe hosts an evening fundraiser to help Big Bend, followed by an evening of Dolly-inspired covers. Dolly attire is encouraged. 6pm loteria; 9pm to 11pm karaoke. Learn more.

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Foreigner in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The southern rock legends team up with classic rockers for a night of epic music under the stars. Six Gun Sally opens. $56+. 6:30pm. Get tickets.

Author Pamela Toler at Holocaust Museum Houston | FREE with RSVP – The writer and historian discusses her book, The Dragon from Chicago: The Untold Story of an American Reporter in Nazi Germany. $5 suggested donation. 6:30pm. RSVP.

Author Jules Woods at Robinson Neighborhood Library | FREE with RSVP – The writer known for her Enchanted Rock Romance Series discusses her work with fans as part of the library’s Read-A-Romance Month celebrations. 6pm. RSVP.

Corkscrew U: Italian Wines at Caffvino – Taste a mix of hidden gems from Italy, learning about regions and grapes in a fun and lively class. $37. 6:30pm. Get tickets.

Rosé & Roses at Central Market Cooking School – Sample a flight of delightful rosé wines, nibble on light bites and discover how to create a beautiful arrangement of roses that comes home with you after class. $95. 6:30pm. Get tickets.

The 4411 in Concert at The Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues – The Austin folk quartet plays the upstairs stage. $48+. 7pm. Get tickets.

Soledad & Socorro: An Agave Affair at Bar Moon – Savor a specialty cocktail menu featuring Socorro tequila or opt for the tasting flight of 3 different expressions. Prices vary. 7pm to midnight. Get tickets.

Omar Courtz in Concert at Toyota Center – The rising Puerto Rican R&B singer and songwriter brings his Por Si Mañana No Estoy USA Tour to Downtown HTX. $52+. 8pm. Get tickets.

ABBA Under the Stars Concert at Marriott Marquis Houston – Take in a night of iconic ABBA hits by the Texas-shaped lazy river atop the Downtown hotel. Stick around and enjoy the rooftop views after the show. $45+. 8pm. Get tickets.

Save Ferris at Warehouse Live Midtown – The ska punk band out of Orange County, California marks 29 years with their It Means Everything tour. $36+. 8pm. Get tickets.

Jaws Movie Screening at Trebly Park | FREE – Rest easy at an inland screening of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thriller (PG) about a massive shark. 8:30pm. Get tickets.

Dolly All Nite at Lil’ Danny Speedo’s Go Fly a Kite Lounge | No Cover – The colorful East End dive hosts DJ Tino, who’ll be spinning nothing but Dolly Parton classics and deep cuts into the morning. 10pm to 1:30am. Learn more.

More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out local attractions and destinations and more.

Friday, August 28, 2026

Kam Franklin Priority Wristband Land of the Neon Sun Record Release Party at Cactus Music – Houston’s own Kam Franklin, lead singer of The Suffers, drops her highly anticipated solo album. Place your order with the Upper Kirby music HQ and score your own spot in line to meet the gifted singer. 5:30pm. Pre-order.

Plant Social: Market & Bingo at Stomping Grounds | No Cover – Shop plants and local vendors, connect with plant lovers, and play Plant Bingo for fun prizes. $23 bingo. 6pm to 9pm. Learn more.

Napa After Dark: Red Wine & Vinyl Night at The Laura Hotel | No Cover – Celebrate Red Wine Day at an evening of bold pours, smooth sounds, and laid-back vibes. 6pm to 9pm. Get tickets.

Rooftop Social at Bar9 Rooftop Lounge – Houston Millennials hosts a night built around ninth floor skyline views, cocktails, music, and plenty of options to strike up interesting conversations. $37+. 6pm to 9pm. Get tickets.

Author Renée King-Sonnen at Brazos Bookstore – The rancher and activist discusses and signs copies of her memoir, Rowdy Girl: Confessions of a Vegan Cattle Rancher. 6:30pm. Learn more.

Wade Bowen in Concert at House of Blues – The Texas country and red dirt singer out of Waco plays live on the Downtown stage. $34. 7pm. Get tickets.

Comedian Lisandra Vazquez at the Den Comedy Club – The Puerto Rican actor, comedian, and creator out of ATL brings her sharp wit fused with cultural commentary to HTX. $24. 7pm. Get tickets.

Congress the Band in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The alt-indie roots rock quintet that emerged out of South Carolina plays the downstairs stage. $28+. 7pm. Get tickets. 

The 40th Happening at Orange Show World HQ | FREE – The Orange Show’s all-ages, free spirited, end-of-month performance art party celebrates the big 4-0…in months, not years, that is. 7pm to 10pm. Learn more.

Matute in Concert at Arena Theatre – The ‘80s- and ’90s-inspired retro pop, rock, and synth-pop, electronica band brings their covers of Spanish and international hits to west HTX. $96+. 8:30pm. Get tickets.

Late Fridays: Music in the Galleries: An Evening of Song with Reginald Smith, Jr. at MFAH – The baritone sings songs and arias, amidst European paintings and sculptures from the 13th to the early 20th centuries. Included with $24 admission. 7pm to 8pm. Get tickets.

Jack Johnson in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The pop, rock, acoustic, folk, and surf rock artist arrives on The Woodlands stage on his SurFilMusic tour. Lake Street Dive opens. $66+. 7:30pm.Get tickets.

Vincent Victoria Presents: Just Lena at MATCH – See the world premiere screening of a fictional biopic exploring and inspired by the life of the extraordinary singer and activist Lena Horne. $32. 7:30pm. Get tickets.

Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin IV at Miller Outdoor Theatre | FREE – The annual favorite returns, recreating one of Led Zeppelin’s most beloved and recognizable albums—including “Rock and Roll”, “When the Levee Breaks”, and “Stairway to Heaven”—note for note and cut for cut. 8pm. Learn more.

K-Pop Superstars Concert at Bayou Music Center – The high-energy live concert packed with explosive choreography, live vocals, and anime-inspired visuals blasts its way in the Theater District. $44+. 8pm. Get tickets.

The Wilder Blue in Concert at The Heights Theater – The Texas-bred 5-piece outfit brings their ‘70s-inspired Southern rock and progressive bluegrass blend to the 19th Street stage. Hayden Baker opens the show. $31+. 8pm. Get tickets.

The Short & Sweet Speakeasy: A Sexy Burlesque Show at AvantGarden – Take in a live 90-minute burlesque show featuring local talent with elaborate costumes, high production quality, and more. $35 includes 1 drink. 8pm and 10pm. Get tickets. 

Emo Night Brooklyn at White Oak Music Hall – Sing, scream and dance along to emo and pop-punk favorites when the touring dance party dominates the upstairs stage. $28. 9pm. Get tickets.

More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out local attractions and destinations and more.

Things to Do on Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30, 2026


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