Weekend events planner

Here are the top 7 things to do in Houston this weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? CultureMap has got you covered. We've rounded up seven can’t-miss events — from Rodeo barbecue to a Tony Award-winning musical. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Thursday, February 22-Saturday, February 24

Cue up for ’cue
Your ticket to the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest at Rodeo Houston gets you access to several public venues including the carnival, Garden Stage with live music, and Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon where you can enjoy a free sliced brisket plate. (various times; tickets: $15 per person).
1 NRG Park

Thursday, February 22-Sunday, March 4

A night in Memphis
Theatre Under The Stars presents Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, a tale of fame and forbidden love inspired by actual events centered around the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee. The winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, it’s based on a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and features a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. (various times; tickets: $30-$108 per person)
800 Bagby St.; 713-558-2600

Friday, February 23

Outdoor film fun
Catch a showing of Secret Life of Pets on the grass at Levy Park. Bring your own blanket, and get some surprising insight on what's going on when you leave your cats and dogs at home. (6:30 pm; tickets: admission is free).
3801 Eastside St.

Saturday, February 24

A blast with bowls
Help fight hunger by participating in annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls. Held at The John Cooper School, the cost of admission includes a meal of soup and water and a handmade bowl to take home. Bid on art and bowls in a silent auction. Empty Bowls has raised more than $85,000 for hunger relief in the Houston community over the past 12 years. (10:30 am; tickets: $10 per person).
One John Cooper Dr., The Woodlands; 281-367-0900

Art with a heart
Internationally exhibited, multidisciplinary Houston artist Patrick Medrano has battled life-threatening complications from the flu, and nearly a month of subsequent hospitalization. With Medrano facing a lengthy recovery and financial burden, his friends are hosting the “Patrick Medrano Relief Auction,” in which more than 50 artists have donated unique pieces of art for the event. Consider this a chance to add to your collection for a good cause. (5 pm to 8 pm; live auction begins at 6:30 pm.)
Mother Dog Studios, 720 Walnut St.; 713-229-9760

Let's dance!
The “Dancing with the Stars: Live! – Light Up the Night” tour makes a stop at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Stars from the hit ABC show set to dance the night away include Jenna Johnson, Sasha Farber, Witney Carson, Keo Motsepe, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Hayley Erbert, and Brandon Armstrong. (7:30 pm; tickets: $55-$75 per person)
18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Pasta party
Sunday, February 25
Don’t skip Riel restaurant's Red Sauce pop-up dinner, featuring the talents of guest chefs Richie Nakano (San Francisco’s IDK Concepts) and Jill Bartolome (Houston’s Aqui). The menu includes classics like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, pasta bolognese, lasagna, "Jill's bread stixxx," and desserts (panna cotta, tiramisu, and zeppole). Reservations highly recommended. (5 to 10 pm; dishes priced per item)
1927 Fairview St.; 832-831-9109

The "Dancing with the Stars: Live! – Light Up the Night" tour makes a stop at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land.

Photo courtesy of Dancing with the Stars Live

The "Dancing with the Stars: Live! – Light Up the Night" tour makes a stop at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land.

event-planner

sustainability minded

World Cup's 14-mile Green Corridor will leave a lasting impact on Houston

Photo by Cindy Torres

Volunteers are making improvments to the Columbia Tap Trail in Third Ward.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee announced new details about the massive Green Corridor project this week, including the many improvements that will outlast the iconic sporting event taking place in Houston later this summer.

The Green Corridor will be a 14-mile long verdant artery connecting multiple major landmarks in Houston through safe, walkable paths that include shade trees and other improvements. First conceived in 2024 by the Sustainability Subcommittee led by Elizabeth Carlson, it will unite East Downtown, Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, and Third Ward through hike and bike trail as well as METRO Rail stops. Though the Green Corridor is beginning its life as a showcase for the city to visitors attending the FIFA World Cup June 14 - July 4, it will remain a permanent installation for Houstonians to travel the city without cars.

Management of the project is being handled by Impact Houston 26, a portion of the Host Committee empowered by the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s Sports Authority Foundation to promote long-term benefits to the city after the World Cup. Funding partners include private corporations as well as civic organizations such as the City of Sugar Land and Rice University.

“The Green Corridor reflects what Impact Houston 26 is all about, using the FIFA World Cup as a catalyst to deliver lasting environmental benefits for our city,” Carlson said in a statement. “Through Impact Houston’s pillar on sustainability, we’re able to collaborate with local stakeholders to create not just demonstrations of resilience and innovation but education and engagement in the community, a meaningful legacy long after 2026.”

The corridor will provide access to both Houston Stadium (also known as NRG Stadium) and the FIFA Fan Festival, as well as improve existing paths like the Columbia Tap Trail in Third Ward. These improvements include the installation of shade structures, native plantings, expanding the tree canopy, air quality monitoring devices, and water and bike repair stations.

Impact Houston 26 is also working with local institutions like the Houston Zoo, Greentown Labs, and Discovery Green to install various educational materials along the Green Corridor. More information about this will be published later in the Spring.

Below is a breakdown of other improvements planned or completed as part of the Green Corridor.

Downtown Houston Main Street Promenade: Four permanent shade structures, native plants, and expanding the tree canopy by 154% to be implemented by May 2026. Further shade structures and plantings planned for Texas Avenue.
East Downtown Management District: Native tree plantings and landscaping in and around the FIFA Fan Festival site to improve first/last mile connectivity around the Green Corridor.
Columbia Tap Trail: Installation of 325 solar lights.
Stadium Park/Astrodome and TMC/Dryden plus Fannin South Transit Center: Various landscaping and safety enhancements.
Midtown Houston: $1.5 million in landscaping and beautification along the Red Line, including over 80 trees, native plantings, water stations, waste receptacles, crosswalk improvements, and public art installations.

The Green Corridor is only one of the World Cup Host Committee's sustainability initiatives. In January, it announced the "New Year, New Hou" program that certifies hospitality businesses such as restaurants and hotels with one of three certifications.

Houston will host seven matches from June 14 - July 4, including teams from Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

sustainability parks transportation world cup