Top 17 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: September 30 to October 6, 2024

Make the most of your week with our top 17 festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, September 30 to Sunday, October 6, 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.

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

• Houston Pumpkin Festival at Discovery Green | Daily – Experience a day filled with family-friendly activities, photo opportunities and the world’s largest bouncy pumpkin. Other activities include a corn pit and, of course, pumpkin picking. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. $18 and up. Attendance windows vary. 
• Broadway Across America: Peter Pan at the Hobby Center | Tuesday to Sunday – This brand new production of the classic musical features a book by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, who wrote The Thanksgiving Play. When Peter Pan and Tinkerbell visit the Darling children one evening, it sets off a magical adventure the whole family will love. Audiences will instantly recognize songs like “I’m Flying” and “I Won’t Grow Up.” $40 and up. Times vary.
• 58th Annual Original Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church | Thursday to Saturday – The beloved annual celebration returns to Montrose with traditional Greek dancing, music, food, wine, tours of the Orthodox church, a marketplace, and more. $8; free ages 12 and under. Times vary.
• Drunk Dracula at the Emerald Theatre | Thursday to Saturday – This limited-time-only, 21+ show in Downtown offers a unique spin on the classic horror tale. One actor takes five shots of whiskey, then attempts to tell the story of Count Dracula and his exploits. Performances continue until Saturday, November 5, 2024. $75 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
• 45th Annual Festival Chicano at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Thursday to Saturday | FREE – One of the oldest, ongoing events of its type in the world returns to the Hermann Park stage, celebrating Chicano music—from Tejano and conjunto, to mariachi and orchestra—with Jay Perez and David Marez on Thursday, Little Joe y La Familia and Los Desperadoz on Friday, and Elida Reyna y Avante and Avizo on Saturday. 7pm nightly.
• Sunset Sip, Spa & Shop at the San Luis Resort | Friday – The seaside Galveston resort hosts an evening of express spa treatments, live music, and access to a pop-up trunk show and Zen space. The first five attendees and renewing spa members receive a Kendra Scott rose quartz gift. $25. 4pm to 7pm.
• Houston Dash vs the Chicago Red Stars at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday – Cheer on Houston’s National Women’s Soccer League team as they defend their EaDo home pitch against the women of the Windy City. $12 and up. 7pm.
• DaCamera: the Spanish Harlem Orchestra at Wortham Center | Friday – The 3-time Grammy Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band comes to Houston for an unparalleled musical experience, with high energy precision playing and mesmerizing vocals. $51 and up. 8pm.
• Oktoberfest Party at St. Arnold Brewing Company | Friday & Saturday | No Cover – The two week celebration of German beer and food concludes with two days of live music by Das Ist Lustig and Valina Polka, a dirndl and lederhosen costume contest, stein hoisting and pretzel eating, and more. 4pm to 9pm both days.
• Market Square Park Farmers Market in Downtown | FREE – The Downtown park comes alive on Saturday mornings this fall, with farmers and vendors selling  seasonally fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables, meat proteins, prepared foods, and other household goods. Plus, live music performances by Bulbo keeps the midday market lively. 10am to 2pm.
• 16th Annual Halloween Classic Car Show at the National Museum of Funeral History | Saturday – Check out an array of classic cars dressed up for the occasion, shop a fall vendor market for unique items, grab a bite from food trucks, and visit the museum to learn about science, culture, and history. Costumes optional; trick or treat bags encouraged. Museum admission is an additional charge. $10 and up. 11am to 4pm.
• Water Lantern Festival at City Place Park | Saturday – Coinciding with the official opening of immersive art installation As Water Falls by Montreal-based arts collective Irregular, this beautiful evening culminates in the sunset sendoff of thousands of handmade lanterns into the main pond of City Place Park. $28.99 and up. 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Southern Smoke Festival at Discovery Green | Saturday – More than 70 incredible food and beverage pros from across the country will join the best wine, spirit, and beer producers and outstanding live music at Discovery Green. Proceeds benefit Southern Smoke Foundation, which has distributed more than $11.7 million to food and beverage workers nationwide. $225; $500 VIP. 5pm to 8pm.
• Apollo Chamber Players presents Liberty at the Hobby Center | Saturday – The ensemble opens its season with this reflection on freedom, love and the triumph of the human spirit. Legendary actor and activist George Takei tells the story of his family’s forced internment during World War II. The evening also features the world premiere of a newly adapted commissioned work by John Corigliano, one of America’s most celebrated living composers, and Afghan-born composer Homayoun Sakhi offers a global perspective on the promises and perils of self-government and the eternal quest for liberty. $39.50 and up. 7pm.
• Malevo at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday – The Argentinian all-male group elevates Malambo traditions with urban percussion and dance. Elements of flamenco, tango and Irish step dance meet to create a performance that has wowed audiences around the world. $25 and up. 8pm.
• Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 at Houston Amtrak Station | Sunday | FREE – The massive steam locomotive, 132 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, comes to Houston as part of UP’s Heartland of America Tour. Originally delivered to the rail company in December 1941, Big Boy No. 4014 traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years in service. Note: there is no onsite parking and times are subject to change due to train schedules. 9am to 3pm
• Family Day at Rienzi: Celebrating Hispanic Culture | Sunday | FREE with RSVP – Experience the vibrant spirit of Hispanic culture in captivating art, live music, and engaging activities. Explore the galleries and discover the rich historical and artistic influences of Spanish culture. Space is limited and RSVP is required. 1pm to 5pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!