weekend event planner

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

Greek Festival, dancing men in traditional dress

Opa! The 53rd annual Original Greek Festival is here.

Photo courtesy of Houston Greek Festival

Once again, it's time for Houstonians to get their opa (!) on.

The 53rd annual Original Greek Festival is going down all weekend long, promising nothing but good food, good wine, and a good time. This is one of the best yearly festivals in town, and we're not saying that just because the fest sent us food. The fun runs from Thursday, October 3, through Sunday, October 6, in Montrose. Tickets are available at the door.

Now, here are the other things happening this weekend.

Thursday, October 3

The Apollo World Team at Life HTX
DEFINE: River Oaks is hosting a free event open to the public — actually, this event consists of two experiences: a morning workout at DEFINE and an evening show at Life HTX by South Korea's Apollo World Team. The international performing group of Jackie Cycle, it's made up of cycle masters who demonstrate Jackie Cycle's techniques through dance gymnastics and choreography. The team's athleticism makes for jaw-dropping, high intensity performances, which continue to wow global audiences at numerous sports events. 9:45 am and 6 pm.

Wolfman's Got Nards with Andre Gower at Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra
Remember The Monster Squad, the 1987, Shane Black-scripted horror-comedy about a bunch of foul-mouthed kids going toe-to-toe with Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, etc.? Well, there is a 2018 documentary (named after the iconic line said by a kid after kicking the Wolfman in the junk) about the movie and its legion of cult fans, directed by Andre Gower, who played squad leader Sean in the movie. Gower will be at the Alamo Drafthouse this weekend, to both screen the film and take questions afterwards. 7:30 pm.

Friday, October 4

"Adjacent To The Flashing Thunderbolts" art exhibit opening at Magpies & Peacocks
"Adjacent To The Flashing Thunderbolts" is an interactive sculptural installation inspired in part by quantum entanglement, the holistic nature of the universe, and the application of those to human actions by artist Sanjay Sharma. Sharma, an Artist In Nesting with Magpies & Peacocks and 2019 Houston Arts Alliance Individual Artist grantee, is a multi-disciplinary artist working from a sculpture and drawing background. This project is funded in part by the Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs and the Houston Arts Alliance. 6-9 pm.

John Scofield Quartet at Wortham Theater Center
Da Camera's 2019–20 season begins its jazz series with the long-awaited debut of the John Scofield Quartet. Scofield’s stint with Miles Davis from 1982 to 1985 made him a major player in the jazz-guitar world. Since then, he has led his own groups, recorded more than 30 albums as a leader and collaborated with greats, including Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Eddie Harris, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Jack DeJohnette, and others. Joining him will be Bill Stewart on drums, Vicente Archer on bass and George Colligan on piano and organ. 8 pm.

Saturday, October 5

The Bonfire Texas Music Festival at Stevens and Pruett Ranch
Here's a chance to listen to good music, eat some good food, and give some love to rescue animals. The third annual Bonfire Texas Music Festival features all-day live music from Texas singer-songwriters; barbecue; beer from Shiner, Karbach, and others; a silent auction; bonfire; games for kids of all ages; and animal rescue and vendor tents. Jesse Raub Jr. and Holly Tucker will take the main stage, while the acoustic chapel stage will feature Scott Sean White, Ken Gaines, Alex Coba, Charles Bryant, and Rona Williams, among others. 1-9:30 pm.

Bert Kreischer at Cullen Performance Hall
We're worried about the students of University of Houston this weekend. This is mostly because Bert Kreischer is coming to town. Known in many circles as "The Machine," this stand-up comic is notorious for being a party animal. Despite having a family, the man has never been known to refuse a shot — or an entire bottle of whiskey. He's also known for being blunt and honest in his stand-up; the minute he says "secret time" on-stage, you know he's gonna hit you with some outrageous stuff. And he's most likely gonna be shirtless. 7 pm.

Sunday, October 6

“Southern and Sophisticated” Brunch at Decorative Center Houston
Kicking off Homecoming week at Texas Southern University will be this neo-soul/jazz scholarship brunch, crafted to celebrate Southern sophistication through music, fashion, décor, and the culture of the university. This event will feature three-time Grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn, as well as multi-nominated RC & The Gritz, multi-Grammy award winner Shaun Martin (Kirk Franklin & Snarky Puppy), the TSU Jazz Ensemble, and DJ Mav. The brunch will also serve complimentary beverages curated by Hennessy. 12:30 pm.

Call Your Girlfriend: Stay Hydrated Tour at Warehouse Live
So, there are these two long-distance besties, digital strategist Aminatou Sow and journalist Ann Friedman, who are the hosts of this podcast called Call Your Girlfriend — and, no, it's not a show devoted to the Robyn song of the same name. Since launching in 2014, Aminatou and Ann call each other to discuss the intricacies of pop culture and the latest in politics. They're now taking their act on the road, where they bemoan the news and shout out feminist sheroes, in front of a live audience. Expect them to do the same when they're here this weekend. 8 pm.

event-planner

Concert News

Jack Johnson rides into Houston on surf-themed 2026 tour

Photo by Tahnei Roy

Jack Johnson will play at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas on August 30, 2026.

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, known his for laidback surf-rock music, will embark on the SURFILMUSIC Tour in 2026, which will include a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, August 28.

The expansive 43-date North American tour, which starts on June 19 in Gilford, New Hampshire, will have three separate legs.

The three Texas dates — The Woodlands on August 28, Austin on August 29, and Dallas on August 30 — will be part of the second leg, where Johnson will be joined by Lake Street Dive.

The tour is Johnson’s first since 2022 and will celebrate a new era of music, film, and environmental connection rooted in his 20+ year career.

Johnson is touring in support of a forthcoming soundtrack, scored by Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez for a new documentary, SURFILMUSIC, that chronicles Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to musician.

The film, which will be released in 2026, weaves through the making of his iconic surf films Thicker Than Water (1999) and The September Sessions (2000), which paved the way for his music career.

It celebrates the lifelong friendships and ocean-driven community that shaped Johnson’s path, and features many of the surfers who appeared in the original films, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, and the Malloy Brothers.

Johnson released his first album, Brushfire Fairytales, in 2001, and he has gone on to put out eight other albums, most recently Meet the Moonlight in 2022.

Fans can register for the Jack Johnson presale at jackjohnsonmusic.com, now through Sunday, November 9. The presale begins Monday, November 10, 2025 at 10 am local time and runs through general on-sale date of Friday, November 14.

Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC 2026 Tour Dates

June 19 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
June 20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
June 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
June 24 – Saratoga, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 26 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 27 – Philadelphia, PA – Highmark Mann Center
June 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
June 30 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
July 1 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
July 3 – Burgettstown, PA – Pavilion at Star Lake
July 4 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
July 5 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
July 7 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
July 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
July 10 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
July 11 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
July 12 – Shakopee, MN – Minnesota Quarry Amphitheater
August 18 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
August 19 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 21 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
August 22 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
August 23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
August 25 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
August 26 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
August 28 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 29 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
August 30 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
September 1 – Riverside, MO – MORTON Amphitheater
September 2 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
September 3 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
September 4 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
September 6 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic
September 26 – George, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre
September 27 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
September 28 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
September 30–October 1 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre
October 3 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
October 6 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 9 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
October 10– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
October 11– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

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