Leave the wallet at home

The free days of summer: Where to have fun from Houston to Galveston when youdon't want to pay

Sand castle-building time at the AIA Sandcastle Competition
Kemah Boardwalk "Rock the Dock" is a great event for the whole family
Live (and free) performances at Discovery Green
Photo by Jeff Fitlow
The soulful Yvonne Washington performs at Sugar Land Town Square

Memorial Day weekend is here and summer is kicking into high gear as people evaluate how they’re going to fill their vacation time — in town and out.Whether planning a trip abroad or a relaxing staycation it’s helpful to know what can be done around town that’s FREE. That helps with anyone's budget — whether you live in a River Oaks mansion or a EaDo studio.

To help guide you on this mission of gratis fun, here’s the definitive guide to the top free events around Houston for the summer:

Kemah Boardwalk “Rock the Dock” — Every Thursday night through August 26

Far enough from Houston to find the ocean, but close enough to make it an easy day trip, Kemah Boardwalk hosts live bands on Thursday nights throughout the summer. The bands come from around Texas and include Vertigo, Ezra Charles and the Texas Blues Band and Rat Ranch.

A complete schedule can be found here.

Steel Lounge at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston — Today, June 25, July 30 and August 27

Musical artists from a variety of genres perform at The CAMH while guests peruse exhibits on display. While there is no charge for entrance, there is a cash bar and the Fusion Taco Truck to add some relatively low-cost kick. The series kicks off today.

Discovery Green — June 1 through August 31

Discovery Green offers regular programs throughout the week from Pilates to Recycling Saturdays. They have a number of special events as well this summer as including:

June 17 — Sara Hickman concert

June 18 — Supers screening

July 2-4 — Dock Dogs (Big Air Dog Competition, think David Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks with a lake)

Sugar Land Town Square — June 3-25

For the month of June, Sugar Land’s Town Square hosts a variety of concerts, performances and even dance lessons free to the public. The highlights include:

June 3 — 7-9 p.m.: Jazz singer Yvonne Washington

June 11 — 7:30-9 p.m: Free tango and rumba lessons

June 25 — 7-9 p.m.: The nine-piece band Fried Ice Cream

A complete schedule can be found here.

Miller Outdoor Theatre — June 4 – August 19

Miller is the king of free events in the city with the glorious hillside seating, perfect for summer nights. A complete listing of Miller events can be found on CultureMap's extensive Events Calendar but highlights include:

June 17, 18, 25, 26, 30 — Summer Symphony Nights

July 4 — Summer Symphony Nights: Independence Day (includes firework presentation)

July 20 — Colombian Bicentennial Celebration Concert

July 30-August 8 — Shakespeare Festival (Alternates between A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing)

July 17-19 — Screening of the original Indiana Jones movies (you know before they got ridiculous with Shia LeBeouf)

AIA Sandcastle Competition — June 5, Galveston

Considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions, over 80 teams compete to win the Golden Bucket Award. Teams begin months in advance generating ideas and developing designs.The event takes place on Galveston East Beach and starts at 10 a.m. with the Awards Ceremony at 4:30.

If you’re ever curious about free events around town in any season, search for "free" in our Events Calendar. Having fun on budget can be difficult, but in Houston, all it usually takes is a little research. There are plenty of places willing to give away fun.

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taking it to the streets

Houston charity's gifts 66 wheelchair-accessible vans to needy families

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Houston Children’s Charity President and CEO Laura S. Ward, and Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott in front of a gifted wheelchair accessible vans.

Photo provided by Houston Children's Charity

A fleet of wheelchair accessible vans were handed out Tuesday at the Post Oak Hotel

More than 60 underprivileged children will now have wheelchair-accessible vans thanks to a nearly $4 million giveaway by the Houston Children's Charity on Tuesday.

“Our mission is to provide life-altering programs and support to underserved children across Houston,” said Laura S. Ward, Houston Children’s Charity President and CEO, “We are honored to be able to empower these families facing daunting challenges by providing them the transportation necessary to not only attend medical and physical therapy appointments but go on road trips, the parks, or on other adventures with their entire family.”

The 66 vans (known as Chariots), allow users to easily enter and exit the vehicles, making transportation much easier. Many families struggle to afford such vans, which can cost up to $80,000. Often, families resort to crowdfunding to acquire one. The vans can vastly improve the quality of life for wheelchair users, thanks to increased travel options.

The gift is the largest the Houston Children's Charity has ever coordinated. To date, they have handed out 438 Chariots. The Fant Foundation, a Houston-based organization founded in 1994 to improve living conditions for disadvantaged people, provided 30 of the vehicles.

The Gift of Mobility event featured a who's who of Texas political powerhouses, including Mayor John Whitmire, Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, and Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, whose husband, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, is a wheelchair user himself.

Houston Children's Charity is one of the city's largest non-profits, serving 3.5 million children since it was founded in 1996. Its programs include A Better Night’s Sleep, which provides new beds and mattresses to children whose families cannot afford them; Back2School, a partnership with the Rod Ryan Show that distributes school supplies; and Family Emergency Fund at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. In 2023, they spent $5.1 million on their various outreach programs and charity work for children in Houston.

Families in need of a van are placed on a waiting list by the Houston Children's Charity until they become available. The next giveaway in 2026 will be funded at HCC’s 28th Annual Gala on October 18. Tickets can be purchased here.

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