Top 15 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: February 12 to 18, 2024

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, February 12 to Sunday, February 18, 2024.

This week offers plenty of Fat Tuesday bashes, Valentine’s festivities, celebrations of Black history, and the kick off to this year’s Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

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 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Helado Negro in Concert at White Oak Music Hall | Monday, February 12 – The celebrated synth folk artist takes over White Oak with new tunes from his brand new release, Phasor. $25. 7pm.
• Before Sunset Movie Screening & Concert at MATCH | Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14 – The Friends of River Oaks Theatre bring their Mobile Movie Palace to MATCH for a Valentine’s Day special event. Come by when doors open to grab a drink and a poem from Inprint poetry buskers, then catch Sara Van Buskirk performing live at 7pm, followed by a screening of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunset, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. $17. 6pm.
• Valentine’s Day at Axelrad | Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14 | No Cover – The neon beer garden in Midtown hosts an evening marketplace where you can shop gifts for your boo, enjoy jazz with a steak night provided by Amexicun, flex your creative side with Houston Paint Sesh, and more. 6pm to midnight.
• Artist JooYoung Choi & Frank Oz at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | Thursday, February 15 | FREE – The Houston artist is joined virtually by Frank Oz, the puppeteer and filmmaker who has performed as beloved characters like Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Cookie Monster, Bert and Yoda. The two will discuss creativity, legacy, resilience and the process of making work accessible. Limited space available; free with RSVP. 6:30pm.
• HC Theatreworks presents Les Misérables at the Dunham Theater | Thursday, February 15 to Sunday, February 18 – The Southwest Houston theater hosts a live production of the beloved adaptation featuring students of Houston Christian Theatreworks. Jean Valjean’s journey from a paroled ex-convict to a transformed man seeking redemption sets the stage for a narrative rich in societal critique, personal struggle, and the enduring power of love. $15 and up. Showtimes vary.

• Rhythms & Reflections: Echoes of Black Legacy at Discovery Green | Friday, February 17 | FREE – Join DJ Flash Gordon Parks and artist Phillip Pyle II for a night of music and historical images of Houston’s wards in this celebration of Black History Month in Downtown. 7pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Adam Ray at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday, February 16 & Saturday, February 17 – The upstairs Montrose stage welcomes the comedian and actor who’s notched roles as Jay Leno in Hulu’s Pam & Tommy and Vince McMahon on Young Rock on NBC. $25 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
• HBA Law Week 8K Fun Run at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, February 17 – Lace up those running shoes and join the legal eagles for this annual fundraising event, culminating in an outdoor celebration in Downtown. Registration starts at $45 for the 8K; $20 for the 1K kids run and the one-mile family walk. 7am to 11am. 
• Black History Now Celebration at Bagby Park | Saturday, February 17 | FREE – Highlights of this free, family-friendly festival include performances from the Ensemble Theatre, poetry readings, TSU Jazz Ensemble, a history presentation from Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, African dance and drums, a local market, food trucks and nonprofit vendors. 10am to 5pm.
• College Basketball: Houston Cougars vs. Texas Longhorns at Fertitta Center | Saturday, February 17 – One of the top teams in the nation, the Coogs host the Longhorns from Austin in one of the last home games before March Madness get into full swing. $30 and up. Noon.

• Afrobeats in America Festival at Discovery Green | Saturday, February 17 – This full-day festival celebrates the sounds and impact of Afrobeats in the United States. Head to the Downtown park space to enjoy performances by artists like DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kelly Hansome, Omawumi, Ajaeze and many more, plus a fashion show, food trucks, DJs and a screening of a Netflix documentary. $50 and up. 2pm to 10pm.
• Black Violin: The Experience Tour at 713 Music Hall | Saturday, February 17 – The classically trained string instrumentalists and Grammy Award–nominated hip-hop duo Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste celebrate 20 years on the 713 Music Hall stage. $37 and up. 8pm.
• Black Art Houston at Multiple Locations | Saturday, February 17 & Sunday, February 18 | Many FREE – This citywide celebration of contemporary Black art is a weekend full of exhibition tours, interactive workshops, artist open studios and much more. The three-day event is held at many major institutions like Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston; Community Artists’ Collective; Houston Museum of African American Culture, and many others. Most experiences are free, and you can view the schedule of events at the MFAH website or through partner institutions. Times vary.
• 10 Year Anniversary Celebration at Blood Bros. BBQ | Sunday, February 18 – It’s a milestone celebration with swag, spirits, music, and well-known local food establishments all joining in on the fun. $85. Noon to 4pm.
• Houston Rodeo Roundup & Best Bites Competition at NRG Center | Sunday, February 18 – A favorite event for food and wine lovers, this annual kickoff to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo offers more than 450 award-winning wines and over 100 signature dishes from the city’s top restaurants and culinary institutions. $165. 6:30pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!