Top 20 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: May 1 to 7, 2023

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 7, 2023.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our 20 picks for the week, but you can always check out the extended calendar for more things to do in Houston.

Scroll below to find great things happening in Houston from Monday, May 1 to Sunday, May 7, 2023.

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

• Lil Wayne in Concert at House of Blues | Tuesday, May 2 – Lil Tunechi himself is coming through H-Town on his Welcome to tha Carter tour. $79.95 and up. 7pm.
• Grand Finale: Broadway Showstoppers at Post Houston | Tuesday, May 2 – Held at the Downtown hub for dining and great skyline views, this hit revue from Houston Musical Theater Company features some of the most beloved showstopping songs from Broadway, including productions like West Side Story, Cabaret, Guys & Dolls, Wicked, Les Miz, Into the Woods, CATS, Phantom of the Opera, and more. $28. 7:30pm.
• Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars at Shell Energy Stadium | Wednesday, May 3 – The Dash embark on their next group stage game of the NWSL Challenge Cup, facing familiar foes in the Chicago Red Stars. $7 and up. 7pm.
• Change the Pattern at Multiple Locations | Wednesday, May 3 to Sunday, May 7 | FREE – On display over five days in Downtown Houston and near the Intercontinental Airport, newly-made panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt offer visitors the chance to help remember the lives and stories of those lost to HIV/AIDS. Daily quilt-making workshops, educational forums and movie screenings help round out this week-long event. 11am to 3pm.
• Star Wars Day at Ingenious Brewing Company | Thursday, May 4 | FREE – The Humble brewery celebrates the day with special themed can and small batch releases, songs of the trilogy from Homebrewed Brass Ensemble, a best dressed contest, and a sip-and-paint workshop where you can put together a Star Wars-themed canvas to take home. Free to attend; $35 for the painting workshop. 4pm to 10pm.

• Urban Harvest’s Cultivated Cocktails at Southside Place Community Garden | Thursday, May 4 – The latest installment in Urban Harvest’s Cultivated Cocktails series sees a gathering in the garden where attendees will learn how to craft the perfect margarita with Acasa Margarita mix, herbs, jalapeños and other items grown from the Urban Harvest garden. Free for Urban Harvest Cultivator members; $125 to join. 6pm to 8pm.
• In Conversation: Art Spiegelman on Si Lewen & Graphic Novels at the Menil Collection | Thursday, May 4 | FREE – The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of the 1992 Holocaust narrative, Maus, Ari Spiegelman comes to the Menil to discuss the art of Si Lewen and the history of graphic novels. 6pm to 8pm.
• Cinco de Mayo at Monkey’s Tail | Friday, May 5 | No Cover – The Mexican American dive bar and cantina is getting the Cinco de Mayo fiesta started early by opening its doors at 11am. In addition to its weekend brunch menu, party goers can expect festive decor including a swag wheel to spin at the door, crawfish and an outdoor burrito and taco stand, specialty drinks, a special $5 holiday menu, and DJ beats and mariachi music throughout the day. 21+ all day. 11am to 2am.
• Cinco de Mayo Party at Social Beer Garden | Friday, May 5 | No Cover – This Cinco blowout celebrates Mexican American culture with a backyard celebration featuring an outdoor market curated by Los Jefes, a late night Latin X-Burlesque show, a grito contest with cash prizes, giveaways, mariachi, a VIP smoke lounge, and more. Free Jell-o shots for those arriving by Uber. 5pm to 2am.
• Performing Arts Houston presents Metamorphosis: Third Coast Percussion at Wortham Center | Friday, May 5 – This Grammy-winning ensemble lights up the stage in the style of street dance, choreographed by Lil Buck and Jon Boogz of Movement Art. $34 and up. 7:30pm.

• Comedian Michael Rapaport at Houston Improv | Friday, May 5 & Saturday, May 6 – Acting in more than 60 films since the early 1990s, with appearances in Boston Public, Friends, Prison Break and other shows, the podcast host and comedian takes to Spring Branch for back-to-back nights of hilarity. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Houston Polish Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church | Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 7 | FREE – Held in spring and the fall, the Houston Polish Festival combines traditional and modern elements featuring food, drink, and entertainment, plus a Children’s Corner that offers an area full of exciting games, face painting, bounce houses and more. Though free to attend, food and drinks are on you. Times vary.
• La Izquierda Surf & Music Festival at Galveston’s Beach Central | Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 7 – Head down to the island for a three-day celebration of beach culture and live music, with 20 acts including headliner Bun B on Saturday, along with sets from other local favorites Swimwear Department, Los Skarnales, Young Mammals, India Tigers in Texas, and more. The festival will also feature surf competitions on Saturday, yoga, vendors, food trucks, art installations, and more. Free on Friday; $20 per day on Saturday and Sunday. Times vary.
• East End Street Fest at the Esplanade at Navigation | Saturday, May 6 | 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 6pm.
• Derby Day Party at Julep | Saturday, May 6 – The Washington Avenue drinkery invites locals to break out their best hats and bowties for its annual Derby Day Party, featuring house cocktails, Champagne, two main bars, a whiskey bar, tacos from El Topo, a live DJ set from DJ G Funk, cigars and more, along with the live stream of the Kentucky Derby. $20 and up. 1pm to 6pm.

• 27th Annual Keels & Wheels: Concours D’Elegance at Lakewood Country Club | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 – This gathering combines displays of vintage and contemporary automobiles—including antiques, Ferraris, hot rods, super cars, classic American and European models, and more—along with boats that range from historic crafts built before 1919 through classic and contemporary classes. $30 and up. Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 9am to 4pm.
• 49th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 – In the first of two weekends, Galveston Historical Foundation opens up the doors to some of the Island’s significant architectural history, along with numerous special events that offer unique experiences at historic sites across Galveston. $45 and up. 10am to 6pm.
• Japan Festival Houston 2023 at Hermann Park | Saturday, May 6 & Sunday, May 7 | FREE – Following a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the popular Japan Festival returns to Hermann Park, offering two days of cultural celebration through music, dance and martial arts, food, hands-on activities and more. 11am to 6pm.
• I’ll Have What She’s Having Rock & Roll Picnic at Last Concert Cafe | Sunday, May 7 – Shifting to a new venue near Downtown, this concert fundraiser helps support the essential healthcare needs of those in the restaurant and bar industry. In addition to live music, visitors can also snack on food offerings from Dawn Burrell, Houston Dairymaids, and Andrea De Gortari of the Bake Happening, plus VIP holders will score a special picnic tiffin by Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Justin Yu of Theodore Rex, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare. $85; $15 for children. Noon to 4pm.
• Jazzy Sundays: The Suffers, with Maryum Echo at the Water Works | Sunday, May 7 | FREE – Kicking off the first of four Jazzy Sundays concerts at Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s own Gulf Coast soul group the Suffers will headline the Water Works stage, along with Maryum Echo. 5pm to 7pm.

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.