Top 17 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: September 16 to 22, 2024

Make the most of your week with our top 16 festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, September 16 to Sunday, September 22, 2024.

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

Note: Eagle-eyed readers will spot that, starting this week, all of our new event round ups will link directly to the official event organizer’s page, speeding up the time it takes to learn more and get out and explore Houston.

Top 17 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• 7th Annual Oyster Shucking Contest at Julep | Monday – Delight in freshly shucked oysters, cheer on your favorite chef, and enjoy all of the tasty Gulf Coast goodness at Julep’s annual tradition, now part of Julep’s monthlong Bourbon Fest. $10. 5pm to 7pm.
• Australian Wine Tasting with Mark Davidson at Asia Society Texas Center | Monday – Sommelier and the head of Education for Americas for Wine Australia, Mark Davidson will guide guests through a deliciously informative tasting of wines from Australia’s different regions. $85; $65 for members. 5:30pm to 7pm.
• Moores School of Music: Celebrating a Century – Rhapsody in Blue at Hobby Center | Tuesday – Mark the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s legendary work “Rhapsody in Blue” at a concert of the composer’s works featuring Israeli-American piano soloist Dr. Tali Morgulis, along with Moores School of Music faculty, alumni and students. $35; $20 for students. 7pm.
• Friends of River Oaks Theatre: Being There Movie Screening at The Water Works | Thursday – The stunning destination overlooking Downtown in Buffalo Bayou Park hosts a free, outdoor screening of the satirical 1979 film about a gardener who finds himself offering advice about world affairs. 6pm to 9:30pm.
• Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park | Thursday to Sunday – Cheer on the home team as we face off against the boy from California in a four-game series in Downtown. $18 and up, but you may find cheaper or better seats in the online ticket resale marketplace. Times vary.
• México en el Corazón at Discovery Green | Friday | FREE – Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Mexico with this group of 50 mariachis and ballet folklorico dancers, featuring gorgeous costumes, music and culture. The cast is made up of the Guadalajara Folkloric Ballet, the Mariachi Juvenil Colotlán, Pepe and its Pepillos, and the charro flourish champion, Jesús Ortiz. 7pm to 10pm.
• Peter Cat Recording Co. in Concert at House of Blues | Friday – Celebrating their new album Good Luck Beta ’24 with a North American tour, the five-man Indian alternative rock outfit originally from New Delhi brings their entrancingly eclectic mix of gypsy jazz, psychedelic, jazz, alt-rock, and ballroom to Houston. $25 and up. 7:30pm.
• Ficheras, A Latin Live Band & Burlesque Show at Social Beer Garden | Friday | No Cover – Get ready for a festive evening with this Latin live band and burlesque show, featuring Latin beats, dancing, and showgirls. Doors at 9pm; show at 11pm.
• Oktoberfest Weekend Parties & Celebrations Around Greater Houston | Friday to Sunday | Most FREE or No Cover – Don your Dirndl or Lederhosen for the biggest Oktoberfest weekend of the season, with celebrations dotting the map from the Inner Loop to Conroe, Old Town Spring, and Missouri City. Locations & times vary.
• Go Bananas Festival at Houston Botanic Garden | Saturday – Dedicated to the curved yellow fruit, the day  features live music and activities that include sampling a variety of bananas, judging a banana bread baking competition, learning how to grow them at home, and more. $15. 9am to 2pm.
• Mid-Autumn Festival at Children’s Museum Houston | Saturday – Houston’s unofficial kids HQ and the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association celebrate mid-autumn—admittedly a bit early at the end of summer—with hands-on activities, storytelling, lion dance, contests, and more. $19.95. 9am to 5pm.
• Sugar Land Fall Fest at Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday | FREE – Bring the whole family and come out for this day of fun activities, games, and more, hosted by the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department. 10am to 3pm.
• Shop Local Market 1 Year Anniversary at Houston Farmers Market | Saturday | FREE – The Greater Heights retail shop, HQ for the Shop Local Markets you see all over the city, hosts a day-long anniversary celebration featuring  tasty bites and sips from local vendors, music spun by live DJs, raffles for prizes throughout the day, and more activities. 10am to 6pm.
• Buffalo Bayou East: Japhet Creek Park Opening Celebration | Saturday | FREE – Check out the newest entry in Buffalo Bayou East’s expansion at a family friendly introductory party along the historic Fifth Ward tributary, with live music by Step Rideau and The Zydeco Outlaws, food and drink, face-painting, community organizations and vendors, and more. 11am to 2pm.
• Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra: The Latin Side of Houston at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday | FREE – Experience a concert honoring Houston’s legendary musicians, reimagining their music in a Latin jazz setting. Experience a distinct, Latin take on songs by The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Beyoncé, and more. 8pm.
• Galveston Sandcastle Festival at East Beach | Saturday & Sunday – Expanding the island’s popular, decades long sandcastle building competition, the new two-day festival features live music from local and regional bands, local vendors, family-friendly activities and foodie events, surrounding the popular sandcastle competition, where 40 teams vie to be the best. $10; free for ages 12 and under. Times vary.
• Houston BBQ Throwdown Fall ’24 at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Sunday – Local pitmaster stalwarts—including Bar-A-BBQ, Brett’s BBQ Shop, Fire Craft BBQ, J-Bar-M Barbecue, and Reveille BBQ—compete to deliver their takes on the “next great barbecue dish that represents Houston-style barbecue.” Guests can taste and judge for themselves in the air-conditioned beer hall, while enjoying complimentary beer. $75 and up. 1pm to 4pm. 

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!