Top 20 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: July 3 to 9, 2023

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, July 3 to Sunday, July 9, 2023.

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.

Looking for 4th of July Fireworks and other events? Check out our extensive guide to more than 30 fireworks shows and 4th of July events across Greater Houston.

Scroll below to find great things happening in Houston from Monday, July 3 to Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Top 20 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Movie Night: Howl’s Moving Castle at Axelrad | Monday, July 3 | FREE – The weekly movie night returns to Axelrad’s beer garden, with Umbrella Fellas providing the eats. Come out to catch the Miyazaki animated classic, Howl’s Moving Castle. 8:30pm.
• Freedom Over Texas & Fireworks at Eleanor Tinsley Park | Independence Day, July 4 – The annual Freedom Over Texas will feature local, regional, and national entertainment and will be 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 Chris Young, plus award-winning artist Yola, soul band TMF, Cupid, Keesha Pratt Band, Step Rideau and more. Fireworks are slated to start around 9:30pm. Tickets are $10; free ages 5 and under. 4pm to 10pm.
• Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Independence Day, July 4 | FREE – The Symphony’s Independence Day tradition returns to the Miller stage, featuring a rousing program of patriotic songs to celebrate the country’s birthday. Fireworks will cap it all off, beginning around 10pm. 8:30pm to 10pm.
• 4th of July Fireworks Over the Gulf in Galveston | Independence Day, July 4 | FREE – Stake out your spot on the Seawall for a stunning display of fireworks over the Gulf of Mexico. The show will get started near 37th Street and Seawall, lasting about 20 minutes. 9:15pm to 9:45pm.
• Midsummer Sip & Shop at Georgia James | Thursday, July 6 – Astros fans can mix and mingle with Reagan Bregman and Julia Morales at a Thursday afternoon event where you can head to the rooftop for a pop-up market event with bites and cocktails. Shop women-owned businesses, including skincare, clothing, accessories and more, with an optional Champagne welcome for VIP ticketholders at noon. $5 and up. 1pm to 3pm.
• Summer Literary Fest at University of St. Thomas | Thursday, July 6 & Friday, July 7 | FREE – Authors and scholars discuss their work across a wide variety of subject matter—from the importance of children’s literature to works of mercy—with each evening offering an opportunity to hear from a different writer. Registration is requested. 7:15pm to 8:45pm.
• Brick Rodeo at Houston Marriott Sugar Land | Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9 – Put your creative caps on and explore the world of LEGO creations at the annual Brick Rodeo event with hundreds of block-built masterpieces on display to marvel at across four days. Creators from all around the country will be present and excited to share their creations with you. $15 and up. Times vary.
• BLCK Market Pop Up: 6th Anniversary at Greenstreet | Friday, July 7 | No Cover – Celebrating its sixth year of pop-up vendor markets that highlight Black-owned small businesses and local vendors, this party features all the shopping you’ve come to know and love from the markets, plus live music, food and drinks. 6pm to 10pm.
• Near Dark: A Black Light Art Show at Hardy & Nance Studios | Friday, July 7 | FREE – The near-Downtown artist studios hosts their annual exhibition of work that is black light–sensitive, promising a bright and neon-filled show. 7pm to 11pm.
• Comedian James Austin Johnson at the Secret Group | Friday, July 7 – The Saturday Night Live comedian known for his Donald Trump impressions comes to the East Downtown comedy club for a one-night only show. $25. 8pm.
• An Evening with Booker T. Jones at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, July 7 | FREE – The legendary Stax Records musician and frontman for Booker T. & the MG’s, Booker T. Jones headlines a free concert at Miller, showing why the prodigal talent has been showered with awards like a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 8:30pm.
• Comedian Donnell Rawlings at Houston Improv | Friday, July 7 to Sunday, July 9 – Featured on a long list of celebrated television programs like Chappelle’s Show, The Last OG, and Twenties, the comedian and actor Donnell Rawlings comes to Houston for a weekend of laughs at the Improv. $60 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Art Park Players present The Music Man at Deer Park Municipal Court | Friday, July 7 to Sunday, July 9 | Opening Weekend – Meredith Wilson’s classic musical comes alive at this dinner theatre in Deer Park, offering the tale of salesman Harold Hill who cons the people of River City into organizing a boys’ band—despite not knowing a trombone from a treble clef. This production runs through Saturday, July 22. $20; $40 with dinner. 8pm.
• In True Form with Sheila Hopkins at the DeLuxe Theater | Saturday, July 8 | FREE – In collaboration with CAMH, artist Sheila Hopkins leads a community dance and movement workshop intended to explore movement and interpret contemporary material through circular breathing and qualities of jazz music. 10am to 11am.
• Craft Pita Cookout at Craft Pita West University | Saturday, July 8 – Craft Pita’s owner and chef Rafael Nasr teams up with Burger Bodega’s Abba Dhanani, Josh Deleon of Underground Creamery, and Pastry Chef Christina Au of Blacksmith for a cookout celebration, featuring menu items like cheeseburger pitas, burger arayes, shish taouk sandwich, and labneh ice cream with olive oil cake. 11am to 2pm.
• The Big Slide Show at Lawndale Art Center | Saturday, July 8 | FREE – Artists featured in Lawndale’s annual The Big Show gather to give short presentations about their work on display. 2pm to 4pm.
• Sonido! A Live Music Event at Equal Parts Brewing | Saturday, July 8 | FREE – The Harrisburg brewery hosts a live music event with musicians Karina Nistal & the Cosmic Cats, DJ Daro and DJ Purplpitch. Folding chairs and blankets are encouraged. 4pm to 8pm.
• Texas Restaurant Awards & Lone Star Bash at 713 Music Hall | Sunday, July 9 – Foodies can enjoy the ultimate celebration of the Texas Restaurant industry, featuring tasty bites from 20 local restaurants, specialty cocktails from Houston mixologists, live music, and more. $150 and up. 5pm to 11pm.
• Brisket & Bourbon: Tina Turner Tribute Edition at Raven Tower | Sunday, July 9 | FREE – In Northside, take in a tribute concert to Tina Turner alongside smoked brisket, specialty drinks and a local vendor pop-up. 6pm to 10pm.
• Beats on Screen: Wild Style at Emancipation Park | Sunday, July 9 | FREE – Pull up for a DJ battle between renowned mixmasters DJ Aggravated and DJ Def Jam Blaster, where they’ll take you through a sonic tour of hip-hop. This event is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the Houston Museum of African American Culture’s Beats on Screen: A Celebration of Hip-Hop Cinema, a film series featuring classic films significant to the culture. 7:30pm.

Many More Things to Do in Houston

• Top Concerts & Live Shows This Week – Check out our top picks for local and touring musicians, stars, and personalities hitting the stage in H-Town this week.
• Top Games & Sports Events This Week – Scope out professional and select college sports games, touring athletic competitions, local fitness and participatory events, and more.
• Top Things to Do For Kids & Families This Week – Zero in on the best option for families and the junior set around Greater Houston.
• Current Temporary Museum Exhibits & Art Installations in Greater Houston – Explore the newest installations and exhibits on short term display at museums and locations around Houston, with a focus on art, history, and science.
• More Options on Our Calendar – Explore more live entertainment, events, pop-ups, markets, and other options around Houston.