Houston

Houston's Insta-worthy FOMO Factory makes surprise limited-run return

The FOMO Factory has been through so much in such a short amount of time.

The wildly popular immersive, Instagrammable pop-up exhibit opened last June at the Galleria for six-month run. But then, a month later, Rachel Youens, FOMO’s native Texan owner and founder, passed away at the age of 35. An announcement was made on Instagram that the Factory would close its doors permanently.

However, the Youens Family, in conjunction with Up Pop, LLC, has decided to bring the Factory back to H-Town. It will reopen its Houston location on Friday, October 18, for a limited three-month run inside The Galleria. “We are thrilled to invite Houstonians to return to The FOMO Factory as a continuation of my daughter’s legacy and whimsical imagination,” said Robert Youens in a press release. “With new additions and reconfigurations, the team has once again created the opportunity for guests to embrace their inner child.”

FOMO, which previously launched a five-month run in Austin last year, will continue to entice visitors and have them shed their identity and cares at the door before entering a magical world featuring 16 rooms. New to the Factory is a redesigned, intergalactic Space Room, complete with spinning galaxy chairs. Basically a salute to its home in Space City, the Space Room will compliment the exhibit’s now-iconic Birthday Room, with its giant cake, and the Playground Room, outfitted with an adult-sized seesaw.

“The FOMO Factory offers an innovative experience and we are extremely excited that it is returning,” said Chris Lane, director of marketing and business development at The Galleria, in a press release. “We strive to redefine the conventional shopping center environment and The FOMO Factory adds a dynamic concept for new visitors and loyal fans to enjoy.”

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Hours of operations are 10 am-9 pm (Mondays) and 11 am-7 pm (Wednesday-Sunday). A limited number of early-bird discount tickets are now available. Guests can use the discount code EARLYFOMO. The Factory also offers adults-only nights, group and private events, and VIP packages. Tickets and other information are available here.

It is being billed as a pop-up space for all ages.

Photo courtesy of FOMO Factory

It is being billed as a pop-up space for all ages.

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$150 million, 12,500-seat entertainment venue coming to Houston in 2027

Sunset Amphitheater Houston at Webster rendering

Sunset Amphitheater Houston at Webster/Facebook

A rendering previews the Sunset Amphitheater.

A massive new entertainment venue is coming to Houston in 2027. The Sunset Amphitheater will be an all-season venue with a 12,500 person capacity and a $150 million price tag.

Located near Great Wolf Lodge in the Flyway Entertainment District, the Sunset Amphitheater is a public-private partnership that unites entertainment venue company VENU with the City of Webster and the Webster Economic Development Corporation. The Colorado-based company operates the Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has plans to open other Sunset Amphitheaters in McKinney, El Paso, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“This is an announcement we’ve been thrilled to make, and it represents a major step forward,” said J.W. Roth, founder, chairman, and CEO of VENU. “With Webster’s deep roots in innovation and exploration, Flyway is elevating the region’s entertainment scene to new heights.”

With a canopy roof, wind walls, and a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, Sunset Amphitheater is designed to operate year-round. It is predicted to generate more than $3.7 billion in economic impact and over 400 new jobs in its first 20 years, according to a study commissioned by the venue.

Among Sunset’s amenities will be the Aikman Club, named for NFL Hall-of-Famer and Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman. The members-only, 350-seat space will offer prime views of the stage and a luxurious experience. An additional 217 “Firesuites” will offer seating for groups of 4-10 people along with in-seat service.

“This announcement marks a defining moment for Webster and for Flyway,” Webster Mayor Donna Jasso said. “This amphitheater advances Webster’s super-regional draw and builds on strengths that continue to fuel Flyway’s momentum, further establishing the district as a premier entertainment hub for the Southeast Texas region. It brings long-term economic growth, new jobs, and increased visitor traffic that supports our businesses. We are proud to partner with VENU on a project that reflects the scale, ambition, and energy of our vision for Webster’s future.”

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