Top 22 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: April 29 to May 5, 2024

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, April 29 to Sunday, May 5, 2024.

This weekend sees a ton of festivities across town between Star Wars Day, Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo.

But you can also enjoy live tunes at a Galveston music fest, celebrate BIPOC authors and stories at a book festival, and more.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our picks for the week, but you can always check out the extended calendar for more things to do in Houston.

Top 22 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Kurt Vile & the Violators at the Heights Theater | Monday, April 29 – The psychedelic indie rocker Kurt Vile celebrates “Another Good Year” when he and his Violators come to the Heights with tunes from their latest record, Back to Moon Beach. $34 and up. 8pm.
• Broadway Across America presents The Girl from the North Country at Hobby Center | Tuesday, April 30 to Sunday, May 5 – In Duluth, Minnesota, in 1934, we meet a group of travelers whose lives intersect at a boarding house. Written and directed by acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson, the play reimagines 20 of Bob Dylan’s songs, including “Forever Young,” “Slow Train Coming” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Star Wars Trivia at Houston Toy Museum | Thursday, May 2 – The Force will be with you and your friends as you gather to show off your knowledge about all things Star Wars. From droids to plotlines, characters and more, this is an opportunity to enjoy an evening with fellow Star Wars fans. Tickets include admission to the museum. $10. 7pm.
• UHD Thursday Night Concert at Discovery Green | Thursday, May 2 | FREE – The annual Downtown concert series returns with Grupo Fantasma, a nine-piece collective praised as an important ensemble in Latin music. Grupo Vadenagi opens. 7pm.
• Spring Music Series Country Night: Junior Gordon Band at Chapman & Kirby | Friday, May 3 | No Cover – The buzzy EaDo nightlife spot hosts another night of tunes as part of its new spring music series. Junior Gordon Band will bring their blend of country songs to get you toe-tapping into the night. 6pm to 11pm.
• Cinco de Mayo at Miller: ¡Viva Mexico¡ Viva America! at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, May 3 | FREE – The longstanding annual tradition at Miller Outdoor Theatre is back with another night of Cinco de Mayo celebration, featuring the nationally recognized talents of Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles with Mariachi Garibaldi. 8:15pm.
• La Izquierda Surf & Music Festival at Galveston’s Beach Central | Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5 – Head down to the island for a three-day celebration of beach culture and live music, with more than 30 acts including headliners The Nude Party, Kam Franklin, Tanya Nolan and many more. The festival will also feature surf competitions, vendors, food trucks, art installations, and more. Free on Friday; $25 per day on Saturday and Sunday. Times vary.

• Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park | Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5 – Star Wars Weekend arrives at the ballpark when the Astros take on division rivals from Seattle. All weekend long, you can take advantage of promotional giveaways like a Kyle Tucker Space City jersey, an Alex Bregman bobblehead, and a mesh tote bag, plus the concourse will be roaming with characters from the beloved franchise. $37 and up. Times vary.
• Walk to End Lupus Now at Texas Southern University | Saturday, May 4 – The Third Ward campus hosts a spring walk that celebrates and honors those living with lupus across the Gulf Coast, while raising funds to help support lupus research. Registration is $25; $10 for ages 17 and under. 8am to noon.
• Market Square Park Farmers Market in Downtown | Saturday, May 4 | FREE – Held every Saturday this spring, the historic Market Square Park brings together farm-fresh produce and other goods from local and regional producers alongside live music and other entertainment. 10am to 2pm.
• 3rd Annual BIPOC Book Fest at Asia Society Texas Center | Saturday, May 4 – This third annual, day-long event is a celebration of underrepresented voices through a showcase of literary works featuring Black, Indigenous, people of color and other creatives of marginalized communities. It combines the nostalgia of the book fairs with unique programming, panels, readings, vendors, book-related memorabilia, poetry performances and more. $10. 10am to 6pm.
• Joy Fest at Jubilee | Saturday, May 4 | FREE – This new neighborhood in Hockley welcomes all to a family-friendly afternoon with food trucks and drink vendors, plus plenty of kids activities like a Ferris Wheel, inflatables, tie dye tile making, lawn games, face painting and more. You’ll also have a chance to tour eight wellness-centered homes being built in the community. 11am to 4pm.
• East End Street Fest at the Espalande on Navigation | Saturday, May 4 | 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 7pm.
• 10th Annual Derby Day Party at Julep | Saturday, May 4 – Southern cocktailery Julep will once again host its epic Kentucky Derby Day Party, inviting guests to dress up and enjoy a classy lawn party, fully tented with more than 5,000 fresh cut flowers throughout. Expect main bars, a whiskey bar and hydration station, eats from Top Chef contestant Chef Michelle Wallace, Kentucky Derby viewing, live DJs, and more. $20 and up. 1pm to 6pm.

• Cinco de Mayo Wrestling Showdown at 8th Wonder Brewery | Saturday, May 4 – Celebrate Cinco with a night of lucha libre wrestling in the backyard of the EaDo brewery. $30. 6pm to 10pm.
• Thorn & Moon’s Good Vibes Mystical Market: Star Wars Edition at Bad Astronaut Brewing | Saturday, May 4 | FREE – In Northside, this recurring all-ages market hosts a special Star Wars edition with all the familiar mystical and magickal vendors, along with a space-themed costume contest for prizes. 6pm to 11pm.
• Galveston Historic Homes Tour | Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5 – Galveston Historical Foundation will once again crack open the doors of some of the island’s historic architecture with two weekends of tours through private homes and renown buildings. Tickets are $45 and up. 10am to 6pm.
• Rūng Film Fest at MATCH | Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5 – This inaugural film fest features stories told through the lens of Pakistani filmmakers, writers and actors from across the world. Films are presented in three-hour blocks, with panel discussion, and a grand feature film will cap off each night. Tickets are available by the block for $15; panels are free with registration. Feature presentations and receptions are $50. 11am to 10pm.
• Maíz Mania at Equal Parts Brewing | Sunday, May 5 – The Second Ward brewery hosts an elote showdown alongside the return of their corn lager known as Dadpils. Come by for all the corn you can eat (and judge), stay for live music, craft brew and a lucha libre finale. $50 and up. Noon to 6pm.
• Cinco De Mayo with Pride Houston at Axelrad | Sunday, May 5 | FREE – The Third Ward backyard hosts a Cinco celebration by teaming up with Pride Houston for a lively afternoon filled with delicious tamales, crawfish, music and the announcement of this year’s Pride Parade Grand Marshals. 1pm to 6pm.
• Houston Youth Symphony Spring Concerts at Stude Concert Hall | Sunday, May 5 – The award-winning youth orchestra closes out its season with two spring concerts on Sunday, each with a unique program featuring assemblies of string orchestras, and the Philharmonia and Symphony for a stunning showcase of teenage talent. $15; $10 for ages 11 and under. 2:30pm and 7pm.
• Lone Star Cup: Cinco de Mayo Edition at Houston Polo Club | Sunday, May 5 – After Derby Day celebrations on Saturday, fill your weekend with more ponies when the polo club continues their spring season celebrations, featuring a pregame mariachi performance to kick things off. David Cordúa’s The Lymbar will serve up Argentine and Brazilian–inspired fare, and there’s plenty more festivities to enjoy on game day. $18 and up. 5pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!