Top 20 Festivals & Events in Houston This Month: July 2024

Make the most of your month with our list of the 20 biggest and most notable festivals and events in Houston in July 2024.

Summer is in full swing in Houston, and July returns with a slate of annual festivals and celebrations, including fireworks above Downtown, Summer Symphony Nights at Miller, a summer art celebration at Rice, and a mouth-watering Tex-Mex BBQ bash.

Plus, the Astros welcome rivals, the Sabercats open up the playoffs, and Houston rap legends get their spotlight with 713 Day, a DJ Screw celebration and the annual TraeDay Weekend.

Check out Houston’s top festivals and notable events coming to the city in July 2024:

Top 20 Festivals & Events in Houston This Month: July 2024

• Freedom Over Texas at Eleanor Tinsley Park | Thursday, July 4 – The annual Freedom Over Texas will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale at Eleanor Tinsley Park. The concert stage will host a headlining set from country star Russell Dickerson, plus award-winning artists Jo Dee Messina, Chapel Hart, blues guitarist Mathias Lattin, and more. Fireworks start around 9:30pm. Tickets are $10; free ages 5 and under. 4pm to 10pm.
• Copa America 2024: Quarterfinal at NRG Stadium | Thursday, July 4 – An explosive quarterfinal in the North and South American continental cup arrives in Houston, with Lionel Messi leading Argentina to face Ecuador in Houston’s final match of the Copa America tournament. $167 and up. 8pm.
• The Lion King at Hobby Center | Thursday, July 11 | Ongoing – Disney’s beloved 1994 animated film arrives on stage in this powerful, spirit-lifting smash-hit Broadway musical. The characters of Pride Rock are brought to life with an incredible mash-up of puppetry and live action, and the musical retains all the songs you love, from “Circle of Life” to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Mixers & Elixirs at Houston Museum of Natural Science | Friday, July 12 – Party amid prehistory when HMNS returns with another edition of its popular Mixers & Elixirs series, which offers a dance floor to groove on, along with cash bars and local food trucks on hand. $25. 7pm to 10pm.
• Noche de Cumbia: Grupo Pegasso in Concert at Axelrad | Friday, July 12 | FREE – The Third Ward watering hole hosts its monthly evening of cumbia music on the outdoor stage, inviting Grupo Pegasso to bring their pioneering style of cumbia pegassera, along with El Tigeron, DJ Pedacito, Chido Machine, and more. Ages 21 and up. 7pm to 2am.

• Summer Slashers: Horror Art Show & Night Market at Hardy & Nance Studios | Friday, July 12 | FREE – Celebrate the slashers of the horror genre in this expansive art show featuring work by local artists paying tribute to film and TV culture. A horror-themed market will also take place on the patio, offering a chance to shop local artists, makers and vendors specializing in all things creepy, scary and spooky. 8pm.
• Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park | Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14 – The Astros notch another installment of the Silver Boot Series at home, hosting a faltering Rangers squad across 713 Weekend, with special giveaways like an Astros 713 jersey, a Yordan “Still Tippin” bobblehead, and a 713 jewelry chain on Sunday. $29 and up. Times vary.
• Summer Symphony Nights with Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 20 | FREE – Across two weekends in July, the Symphony returns to the Hermann hill for free concerts that share in the classical works of composers like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Dvořák, along with contemporary pieces and a slate of rising star soloists and up-and-coming conductors. 8:30pm.
• 713 Day with DJ Michael Watts 5000 at Social Beer Garden | Saturday, July 13 | No Cover – The Midtown beer garden welcomes DJ Michael Watts 5000 for 713 Day, spinning Houston hits all night, alongside food and drink specials, double cup specials with Crown and Hennessy, Frozen Purple Drank, and support by DJ Vic G and DJ SK. 6pm to 1am.
• 24th Anniversary Bash at Continental Club | Saturday, July 13 – Celebrate the long-standing Mid-Main concert venue and backyard dive, Continental Club, when they host a Customer Appreciation Party honoring 24 years of service. The packed concert lineup features sets from Jane Woe, Xanadudes, Lonesome Haunts, and many more. $10 and up. 7pm.

• Tex-Mex BBQ Block Party 2024 at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Sunday, July 14 – This third annual event celebrates the influence of Tejano and Tex-Mex cooking traditions in Central Texas–style craft barbecue. More than a dozen pitmasters will serve up bites like smoked brisket tacos and flautas, crispy prime brisket chimichangas con queso, and smoked pork shoulder pozole, among other inventive flavors and takes. $70 and up. 1pm to 4pm.
• Bastille Day at Rice Stadium | Sunday, July 14 | FREE with RSVP – The French American Chamber of Commerce hosts this celebration of France’s national holiday. There will be food vendors, music performances, and an array of sporting events in a nod to the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Early bird tickets are free; registration required. 5pm to 10pm.
• Houston World Series of Dog Shows at NRG Center | Wednesday, July 17 to Sunday, July 21 – See a field of four-legged friends compete in a series of events, across 150 different breeds, vying for the coveted “Best in Show.” Competitive events include flyball, creative grooming, a frisbee exhibition, and canine musical freestyle. $15; free for ages 12 and under (free on Wednesday; $10 on Thursday). 8am to 5pm.
• Summer Jam 2024 at Moody Center for the Arts | Saturday, July 20 | FREE – The Rice University arts gallery is transformed for the annual Summer Jam, offering an indoor farmers market, hot food vendors, art activities, face painters, grooves from DJ Perez, complimentary drinks by Saint Arnold, gallery tours and more. Free to attend; $6 for parking. Noon to 5pm.
• Colombian Fest International at Houston City Hall | Saturday, July 20 – Celebrate Colombian independence at Texas’ biggest celebration of its kind, boasting authentic art and food, as well as a local market, children’s games and more. Featured artists include Yeison Jimenez, the Lebron Brothers, Legacy of Timbiqui, Miguel Morales, and local talent from right here in Houston. $25 and up. 1pm to 10pm.

• Screwed Up Records & Tapes presents DJ Screw Day at George R. Brown Convention Center | Saturday, July 20 – This first-ever celebration on DJ Screw’s birthday is presented by the iconic Screw shop in South Houston, featuring a day of music with Houston rappers Bun B, K-Rino, Lil Flip and more, plus a custom car show, local vendors, and other fun celebrating a Houston legend. $45. 1pm to 6pm.
• TraeDay Family Funday at Venue TBD | Saturday, July 20 | FREE – Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth celebrates the 16th year of his TraeDay celebration with a free family festival in South Houston. Families can come by to get free school supplies, backpacks and other giveaways, plus everyone can enjoy games, rides, slabs and exotic cars, celebrity appearances, and more. 2pm to 7pm.
• MLR Playoffs: Houston SaberCats vs. Dallas Jackals at Sabercats Stadium | Saturday, July 20 – After a franchise-best record in Major League Rugby, the SaberCats enter the playoffs as the top team to beat. They’ll host the Jackals in a rematch of the regular season finale, which saw Houston edge Dallas by one point. $25 and up. 6:30pm.
• Moon Day at Menil Collection | Saturday, July 20 | FREE – Celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at this free community event at the Menil in Montrose. Take in a night of stargazing with telescopes, NASA footage projections, a soundtrack by Peter Lucas, a special appearance by Dr. Gary H. Kitmacher of Johnson Space Center, and more. 8pm to 10pm.
• Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park | Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 – The ‘Stros host the next chapter of this epic baseball rivalry in a weekend series to close out the month of July. Expect Friday Fireworks, giveaways and other ballpark fun. $30 and up. Times vary.

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