weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Lagoonfest hosts a triathlon and aquathon this weekend.

This weekend brings a chance of rain and with that, a chance of cooler temps. That may affect an athletic, multi-sport showdown at Texas' largest Crystal lagoon. Those who choose to stay indoors can opt for a staged version of Tina Fey's hilarious examination of mean girls. Also downtown, a beloved draught house celebrates 22 years with an epic blowout.

Art lovers can take in a summer show opening, a showcase of Texas parks imagery, a cutting-edge dance show, and a visit by a jazz superstar.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, August 18

Amazon’s Adopt-A-Shop 2022 at Independence Heights Park
Amazon has teamed up with HISD to host its annual back-to-school event to support thousands of HISD students in need. Amazon is donating backpacks, school supplies, hair-cut vouchers, mani/pedi vouchers, career guidance and more. This two-day, family-friendly event will 6,500 pre-filled backpacks, 800 haircut vouchers and 500 mani/pedi vouchers to Houston’s underprivileged youth. There will also be a live DJ, snow cones, games, food trucks and more. Noon.

Foltz Fine Art presents The Art of Texas Parks reception
Foltz Fine Art is currently hosting an exhibition and benefit sale benefitting Texas state parks, through a partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The exhibition and sale will present a preview of thirty selected works from the upcoming and long-anticipated Art of Texas Parks publication. Many of the artists and authors involved with the project will be in attendance. Through Saturday, August 27. Reception today at 5:30 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center: Mean Girls
The hilarious hit musical (based on the 2004 hit comedy) has an award-winning creative team, including writer Tina Fey (who wrote the movie), composer Jeff Richmond, lyricist Nell Benjamin, and director Casey Nicholaw. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies. 7:30 pm (2 pm and 8 pm Friday and Saturday; 2 pm and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, August 19

Stardust Entertainment, LLC presents Delta H Con
Assembling fans near and far, this three-day, anime and gaming convention will inspire con-goers to embrace their inner hero, among a community of fellow pop-culture aficionados, for a weekend of anime, gaming, literature, cosplay, and more. Fans will have plenty to do with cultivated programming covering an array of fandoms and topics; unique local and national exhibitors sharing their diverse collection of handmade goods, art and collectibles; and panels featuring some of the stars in the industry. 9 am.

Summer Science Shakedown at Children's Museum Houston
Kids are going back to school, but Children’s Museum Houston is not done with summer just yet. Join them as they celebrate one last summer hurrah with interactive activities that will shake things up as kids and parents both wind down for school. There will be a live demonstration where you can float a beach ball, blast cereal across the room and launch toilet paper 20 feet into the air. You can also explore sound vibrations and learn how earthquakes make our planet jiggle. 11 am.

Summertime Art Show & Sale at Spring Street Studios
Come out for a hot summer night of art, live jazz music, food, and drinks. Meet new artists and shop an array of paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, jewelry, and more. Make your way through the building playing the Passport Game, and get a chance to win door prizes donated by the artists. Ronnie Davis & Friends will provide the music, while Treebeard's will provide the red beans and rice, chicken gumbo, and butter cake. 5 pm.

The Riot Comedy Show presents Kelsey Cook
Kelsey Cook is the daughter of an international yo-yo champion and a professional foosball player, which made for a humor-filled life at a young age. She made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, followed by other television appearances, including Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening. She has spent the last six years touring in over 60 cities across the country, splitting her time between Los Angeles and New York. 7 pm (7 pm and 9 pm Saturday).

NobleMotion Dance presents An Intimate Act
This heartfelt performance features the return of Photo Box D, the company’s seminal collaboration with light artist Jeremy Choate. Other collaborations include a climbing sculpture made by Jared Doster, an original music composition by Travis Lake, and an innovative film made in collaboration with Jeremy Stewart and A.I. technology. NobleMotion’s trademark physicality and innovation are palpable as the audience sits right on top of the action in a black box setting. 8 pm (4 and 8 pm Saturday).

Saturday, August 20

Lagoonfest Texas presents Lago Mar Multisport Festival
At this two-day, multi-sport estival, racers of all ages can participate in a 5K or 10K road race along the streets of Lago Mar on Saturday. Also happening Saturday is a youth triathlon. Those ages 6 to 10 will compete in a 75-yard swim, 2-mile bike ride and three quarter-mile run. On Sunday, youth and adults can compete in an aquathon. The full course consists of a 200-yard swim and 5K run and is for adults and youth age 11 or older. 6 am.

DACAMERA presents Houston SUMMERJAZZ: Joshua Redman 3×3
Jazz superstar Joshua Redman’s latest project is a celebration of the power of three – the music of three iconic jazz composers interpreted in the classic trio format of saxophone, bass, and drums. The music is drawn from the works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Wayne Shorter, each of whom Redman considers “not just relevant but foundational” for today’s musicians; and the setting returns to a format that he has excelled in throughout his career. 7:30 pm.

Viva Mexico at Wortham Center
Fill your heart with pure feeling and sing along to your most beloved songs at the greatest concert of Mexican music, for the first time in the U.S. Enjoy the most beloved, Mexican music with two of the greatest Mexican singers, Fernando de la Mora (tenor) and Olivia Gorra (mezzosoprano), along with the PanAmerican Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariachi Champaña Nevin, a grand choir and the Anita Martinez folkloric ballet, under the baton of Héctor Guzmán. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Sunday, August 21

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 22-Year Celebration
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will celebrate 22 years in downtown Houston with an epic blowout. They will tap 30 local, national, and internationally renowned beers, many of which have never been tapped before. Bingo begins at 2 pm with prizes from Eureka Heights, Duvel, Saint Arnold, Great Heights, and more. Swag giveaways will be given throughout the day, while food specials and commemorative cups and apparel will be available for purchase. Dine-in and patio dining is available. 11 am.

Nerd Market at B-52 Brewing
Over in Conroe, B-52 Brewing has teamed up with The Adventure Begins Comics, Games, and More for a super awesome, super geeky market for all ages to enjoy. Multiple nerdy vendors will be around, including Arcadeology, HTX Nitro Creamery and others. There will also be face painting, themed frozen drinks, a Mario Kart tourney, a costume contest and cosplay characters (word on the street is Doctor Strange & the Scarlet Witch will be roaming around). Noon.

True Crime Obsessed's Patrick Hinds and Friends
True Crime Obsessed is a true-crime/comedy podcast featuring hosts Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds, who recap true crime documentaries with humor, sass, heart, and just the right amount of snark. In this live show, Patrick will be joined by friends Maggie, Lance, and Tim to present their hilarious take on the absurdities of true-crime characters and storylines, tearing into a true-crime documentary using video clips, music, and their signature garbage bell. 8 pm.

event-planner

Hottest Headlines of 2025

Ren Fest drama tops Houston's hottest entertainment headlines of 2025

Texas Renaissance Festival/ Facebook

The Texas Renaissance Festival returns October 11.

Editor's note: This year was a busy one for CultureMap's Entertainment section. A lawsuit brought changes to the Texas Renaissance Festival, country star Post Malone left a life-changing tip, and one of Houston's most respected pitmasters came up a little short on the national stage. Houston’s entertainment news proves the diversity of our city.

Read on for the 10 top Houston entertainment headlines of 2025:

1. Winner of Ren Fest lawsuit plans to keep the event mostly unchanged. The Texas Renaissance Festival got a new owner this year, following a contentious court battle. But what would that mean for the beloved fall festival that generations have come to love? Surprisingly little for attendees. The new owner vowed to keep RenFest mostly the same. “...We're sticking with what works,” said Anthony Laporte, the attorney representing the new owner. “...Both the old owners and the new ones are planning to give visitors a great time.”

Texas Renaissance Festival/ Facebook

The Texas Renaissance Festival has a new owner.

2. Judge rules Texas Renaissance Festival owner must sell his kingdom. For more than half a century, George Coulam reigned as king of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission. In 2023, he agreed to sell the beloved festival, then reneged on the deal. In May, a Grimes County judge ordered the sale to go through in the culmination of a long legal battle. The drama behind the festival was depicted in the HBO docuseries Ren Faire.

3. Star Houston pitmaster flames out on Food Network barbecue competition. On July 20, Houston pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s run on the Food Network show BBQ Brawl came to an end. Judges criticized his preparation of New York strip with grilled broccolini with Calabrian chili. The owner of Gatlin’s BBQ and Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, took the disappointing news in stride. “It hurts, but I think I did my family’s name proud,” he said.

4. Premier Houston nightclub group reopening iconic strip club this month. This summer, the Colorado Club became part of The Clé Group’s portfolio. The strip club was a magnet for A-listers in the 1990s and early ‘00s. Following the death of founder Dallas Fontenot in September 2021, the venue passed to his son Dakota, who ultimately decided to sell the club. The new owners upgraded the food and implemented a host of other improvements like state-of-the-art lighting and sound, an updated design, and multiple stages.

5. Bun B, Ludacris, Keith Sweat, and more throw epic birthday bonanza at RodeoHouston. Houston hip-hop legend Bun B threw himself a birthday party on March 7, in his appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Black Heritage Day. TSU’s Ocean of Soul and Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm bands performed sets, and video greetings from celebs were part of the pre-concert festivities. The concert had strong performances but some unfortunate technical glitches.

6. All the White Linen Night parties happening in the Heights and beyond. From its beginnings in the Heights, White Linen Night has spread across the Bayou City. This list gave readers a guide to 25 of the summer tradition’s parties and specials, from a build-your-own succulent bar to band performances.

7. Post Malone shocks Houston bartender with 'life-changing' $20,000 tip. When the music superstar stopped in to visit The Railyard on Christmas Eve 2024, bar regulars picked up his tab. But that didn’t stop him from leaving a $20,000 tip for bartender Renee Brown. "His generosity … blew me away,” she said. “This definitely wasn't the Christmas Eve I was expecting, but one I'm forever thankful to have had."

8. RodeoHouston taps Post Malone, Bun B, Reba McEntire, and more for 2025 concerts. One of Houston’s most anticipated lineups was announced in January, at a media event at NRG Center. Performers for the March 4-23 event represented a variety of genres, heavily focused on country, but also including pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, regional Mexican, and Christian music.

9. Nine Inch Nails hammers Houston at career-spanning Toyota Center concert. Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees Nine Inch Nails returned to Houston and the Toyota Center on September 12, opening the show with the industrial ballad “Right Where It Belongs.” “NIN has always had a forward propulsion,” wrote our reviewer Craig Hlavaty. “There’s no concept of nostalgia, just raw nerves endlessly being rediscovered by fresh ears.”

10. Post Malone's road show lifts up RodeoHouston with heart and soul. Months after headlining the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Post Malone was back in the Houston spotlight in a show that “was easily the hottest ticket of the season.” He used the evening to share his latest album F-1 Trillion, “a collection of expertly crafted pop-country.”

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