Standing Ovation

Nearly 400 shows headline Houston Theater Week's fourth year of BOGO tickets

The Broadway cast of Spamalot.

Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Get ready to raise the curtain, Houston: The city’s biggest celebration of live performance is back and more spectacular than ever.

Houston Theater Week returns for its fourth year from August 18–24, offering Buy One, Get One FREE tickets to nearly 400 performances across the 2025–2026 season. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or just curious about the scene, this is your chance to explore the city’s thriving performing arts for a fraction of the price.

Designed to support the city's creative professionals and open new doors for audiences, this annual initiative, powered by Houston First Corporation, has already generated nearly $4 million in ticket sales in just three years. Now, it's leveling up again.

As Hillary Hart of Theater District Houston puts it, “This campaign keeps artists working, audiences engaged, and the city’s creative heartbeat strong.”

The Houston Mariachi Festival returns August 22-24, 2025 at the Wortham Theater.Photo courtesy of Houston Mariachi Festival

What's new in 2025
More shows. More venues. And more ways to curate your perfect night out. This year debuts Ask V, an AI-powered personal assistant that helps you find the right show based on your interests, plus nearby restaurants, hotels, and hangouts to round out the experience. Think of it as your theater-loving best friend, but smarter.

Also new: an all-star celebrity lecture series. Snag tickets to see cultural icons like Jane Fonda, David Sedaris, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Chef Samin Nosrat live on stage.

From Broadway hits to bold premieres
Participating organizations include Theatre Under the Stars, Alley Theatre, Houston Symphony, ROCO, Stages, Tee Zee Productions, The Ensemble Theatre, Performing Arts Houston, and many more. Venues span downtown stages and neighborhood theaters, so you're never far from the action.

Seattle Opera Porgy and Bess Houston Grand Opera will stage 'Porgy and Bess.' Photo by Philip Newton

And the list of performances is nothing short of epic. You’ll find Tony Award winners, world premieres, holiday classics, cutting-edge concerts, and genre-defying dance, all included in the special offer.

Highlights include:

The Da Vinci Code and Real Women Have Curves at Alley Theatre
Monty Python's Spamalot and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical from Theatre Under the Stars
Giselle and Onegin by Houston Ballet
Porgy and Bess, The Barber of Seville, and Silent Night at Houston Grand Opera
Holiday favorites like Elf In Concert, Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, and A Christmas Carol
The return of the Houston Mariachi Festival, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
National tours of Life of Pi, Kimberly Akimbo, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants, and The Great Gatsby

And that’s just scratching the surface. There’s something for every age, taste, and cultural background — whether you’re craving Shakespeare or salsa, Bach or Broadway, mariachi or Mozart.

All the info
View the full list of shows and book your tickets starting August 18 at HoustonTheaterWeek.com. Use promo code HTW25 at checkout to unlock the BOGO deal for tickets purchased through August 24.

So don’t miss your cue. Whether you’re planning a date night, a family outing, or just need a good excuse to try something new, Houston Theater Week is your ticket to the best shows in town — times two.

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art for a song

Affordable Art Fair heads to Houston this fall with works starting at $100

A man staring at a selection of paintings at the Affordable Art Fair

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

After making a splash last year in Austin, the Affordable Art Fair will host its second Texas show in Houston this October.

Nothing helps define a personal space like an art collection, but for many people the idea of owning original works seems far outside of a normal budget. The Affordable Art Fair is a traveling show dedicated to living artists aimed at the average consumer.

Photo courtesy of Affordable Art Fair

Original art on your walls doesn't have to break the bank.

“Bringing Affordable Art Fair to Houston is about becoming part of a creative community that’s already thriving,” fair director Cori Teague said in a statement. “Houston’s art scene is shaped by its diversity, its artists, and the local galleries that champion them every day. We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with Houston and Texas galleries to uplift local voices, support working artists, and create an inviting space where the community can come together to discover and collect art.”

The show will run at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, October 18. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 13 and will be available at AffordableArtFair.com. Prices of works in the fair range from $100 to $12,000.

Some of the local galleries that will be a part of the fair include Off the Wall, who showcases contemporary art from their location in the Galleria; Gallery A.M.P.S., who specializes in figurative art; and Koelsch Gallery, whose collection of outsider, self-taught, and folk art always has something unique to display. In total, 55 galleries from across the world are participating, with a full list expected to be released soon. Curators and gallery owners will be on hand to explain the history and context of pieces, adding further value to attending.

Events like Affordable Art Fair expand access to establishing an art collection, opening up the world of contemporary art to more buyers and allowing artists to expand their audiences. There's no reason a person should have to make due with Live Laugh Love signs from Target for their walls.

“Affordable Art Fair is designed to remove the barriers often associated with collecting art,” said Cristina Salmastrelli, U.S. regional managing director. “By bringing knowledgeable galleries and a wide range of price points together under one roof, we empower visitors to explore confidently and connect with work that truly resonates with them — no matter where they are in their collecting journey.”

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