houston astros 2018

Here are 8 parties in Houston to catch the Astros home opener

Crowd at Houston Astros ALCS game against New York Yankees

It's time to scream for your World Series champions.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

As nearly everyone in Houston knows, April 2 is the first home game of the new season for the World Series-winning Houston Astros — and fans are psyched.

Tickets for their home matchup between the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park have been predictably selling like throwback jerseys. However, if you haven’t snagged any seats, you can always head over to these get-togethers, watch the game, and cheer our home team on with fellow proud Houstonians:

Astros Opening Day Street Fest
A Major League Baseball-sanctioned, Budweiser-sponsored street fest will be happening all afternoon. The music headliners for this event are none other than Grammy-winning R&B group The Emotions (“Best of My Love”). There’s also the usual stuff — games, food trucks, and activities for the whole fam. It starts at 1 p.m. Note: A game ticket is required to enter into the fest.

ESPN 97.5 Opening Day live broadcast
While you take part in the official downtown Street Fest, stop by the luxurious new 500 Crawford luxury apartments, directly across from Minute Maid Park. Hosts from ESPN 97.5 will broadcast live all day; you can nosh on kolaches from the Kolache Shoppe in the morning, or some 'cue in the afternoon, courtesy of Rudy's Counry Store and Bar-B-Q. Enjoy the shows, grab some free swag, and register to win free Astros tickets, courtesy of Gulf Coast Chevrolet.

Astros Opening Day happy hour at Conservatory
The multi-faceted, NoDo underground spot is out to bring in fans who will be attending the game by reminding them of their daily, happy-hour special: all of the 60 draft beers are $4. And after some cheap imbibing, people can take a short stroll to the game, since it’s only four blocks away. It starts at 4 pm. No cover.

Astros Opening Day Party at The Barking Pig
Watch the game and have an artery-clogging good time at this eatery/patio bar, located in The Heights. There will be $2 chili cheese hot dogs, $6 wing baskets, and $10 domestic beer buckets. There is also the Monday-night special: a $12 pork chop plate. It starts at 7 pm. No cover.

Astros Opening Day 2018 Block Party at Lucky’s Pub
EaDo hangout Lucky’s Pub is turning opening day into a day-long shindig with this block party. Among the goodies that’ll be offered: free koozies to the first 500 people, live music, food trucks including The Burger Joint & Sticky’s Chicken, autographed memorabilia, and Astros-inspired clothing. And, of course, the game will be shown on the JumboTron. It starts at 11 am. No cover.

Astros Home Opener & NCAA Tournament Final at Lincoln Bar Houston
Opening day coincidentally falls on this bar’s weekly industry night, “Mutha Effen Mondaze.” Not only will this place show the home opener, but the NCAA Finals. Six-dollar “effen” cocktails and other beverages will be served by special guest bartender Wendy, while DJ Playboy will dish out the music. It starts at 8 pm. No cover.

Astros Home Opener at Whatever Sports Bar
This one deserves a shout-out because, hey, the name of the place is Whatever Sports Bar. The bar is offering up Astros Jello shots (we’re assuming they’re orange), along with $4 Astro bombs, $3 you-call-its and $1.25 domestic drafts. Patrons will also get the chance to win four tickets to an Astros game (wear your Astros gear for an extra raffle ticket). It starts at 4 pm. No cover.

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park
Of course, you can just skip all of this and go straight to the game. Tickets start at $175, but you might find cheaper or better seats at TicketNetwork’s online resale market. Good luck, and be ready to scream for your home team. Things kick off at 6:10 pm.

sports

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

rodeohouston houston livestock show and rodeo