Weekend events planner

Here are the top 8 things to do in Houston this weekend

There's plenty to do in Houston over the next four days. From a wild snow day to a performance by a Latin heartthrob, here's a rundown of some of the most fun-filled options at your disposal. Read on for the top eight things to do in Houston this weekend.

For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Gone fishing
Thursday, June 15-Sunday, June 18
The Houston Summer Boat Show at NRG Center boasts the latest models for fishing and water sports, plus gear and accessories, electronics for boating, outdoor furniture, and more. Kids can cast a reel for rainbow trout in the Kids Zone, which also offers bungee jumping, an inflatable slide, and a coloring station. (Various times; tickets: $12 per person)
8400 Kirby Dr.; 713-526-6361

Prince tribute
Thursday, June 15
Prince's original band, The Revolution, currently touring in honor of the legendary singer, performs at downtown’s House of Blues. Hit songs from the Purple Rain-era include “Take Me With U,” “Raspberry Beret,” “Erotic City,” “Kiss, and ” When Doves Cry.” (7 pm; tickets: $30 per person for general admission)
1204 Caroline St.; 888-402-5837

Let it snow
Friday, June 16
Make a snowman with machine-made powder while you chill out during extended hours at the Houston Zoo. Doors will stay open until the conclusion of kiddie flick SING, which starts at 8:30 pm. (Last entry is at 7:30 pm; tickets: zoo entry is $18 per adult, $14 per child 2-11 years, free for children one year and under)
6200 Hermann Park Dr.; 713-533-6500

Friday flick
Friday, June 16
Catch superhero film, Spider-Man, on the lawn at downtown's GreenStreet. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. (9 pm; tickets: free)
1201 Fannin St.; 713-524-0661

Park it
Saturday, June 17
Celebrate the reopening of Emancipation Park, recently revamped via a $33.6 million renovation. The 10-acre facility boasts a recreation center, health center, basketball court, and swimming pool. (10 am-5 pm with the rededication program at 11 am; tickets: free)
3018 Emancipation Ave.; 713-284-1911

Beer up
Saturday, June 17
The Energy Corridor and the Energy Corridor Farmers Market present Watson's Pub Brew Fest at Watson's House of Ales. Shop it up at the market at this dog-friendly event, which also features brews from more than 20 local breweries, live music, and patio games. (12 pm; tickets: $15 per person, including 10 beer sample tickets,)
14656 Grisby Rd.; 281-920-2929

The Suffers x The Houston Symphony
Saturday, June 17
Houston-based band, The Suffers, whose sound is an eclectic spin of blues, soul, country, Caribbean, Cajun, and hip-hop, teams up with the Houston Symphony for a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. (7:30 pm; tickets: $25 per person)
2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands; 281-363-3300

Don’t stop the party
Sunday, June 18
Sexy crooner Enrique Iglesias, along with co-headliner Pitbull, hit the stage at Toyota Center. (7:30 pm; tickets: $79.95-$189.95 per person)
1510 Polk St.; 713-758-7200

The Suffers team up the Houston Symphony for a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Kam Franklin The Suffers at Super Bowl Live

Photo by Emily Jaschke

The Suffers team up the Houston Symphony for a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

event-planner

In the spotlight

Houston reels in new rank among 10 best cities for filmmakers in 2026

Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

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Houston has just snapped up new recognition as the No. 10 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America, according to MovieMaker Magazine's annual report, "The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026."

The Bayou City has made improvements after ranking 12th in the magazine's 2025 list.

The annual list ranks the best cities in the U.S. and Canada for individuals to live while working in the film industry, based on production spending, tax incentives, cost of living, the prevalence of "local film scenes," and additional factors. The list is divided into two categories: 25 big cities and 10 smaller cities or towns.

The spotlighted cities are the places where the publication believes filmmakers "have the best chance of both succeeding in the famously difficult entertainment industry, and making [their] own art."

For up-and-coming filmmakers that want to live in Texas, MovieMaker says doing it in Houston is "more sustainable than ever" thanks to incentives like the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which increased its production grant rebate from 22.5 percent to up to 31 percent for qualified in-state spending. The report also said Houston has an "arms-wide-open" approach for filmmakers.

"As the biggest city in Texas, and fourth biggest city in America, Houston has nearly every type of location, from cityscapes to piney woods to rolling hills to nearby farmland," the report said. "It’s close to Galveston Island and the Gulf of Mexico, and car commercials love the absence of billboard advertising."

MovieMaker also highlighted Houston's diversity, its low cost of living compared to the national average, and its local festivals like the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and Houston Latino Film Festival.

"The city has enough film crew for two to three sizable features, and recent shoots have included the thrillers Eleven Days, with Taylor Kitsch, and A Love, from director Courtney Glaude, Tyler Perry Studios’ executive creator of Scripted and Unscripted," the report said. "Houston is also notable for a strong contingent of films with budgets under $1 million."

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin ranked as the No. 5 best place to live and work as a filmmaker in North America. Dallas ranked seventh, while neighboring Fort Worth ranked 12th. San Antonio appeared as No. 14, and El Paso landed 25th on the list.

filmmaking moviemaker magazine rankings city life entertainment houston