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    weekend event planner

    14 best things to do in Houston this weekend: illusions, silent disco, and more

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Aug 31, 2023 | 5:55 am
    Museum of Illusions

    Your partner will loom large at the new Museum of Illusions.

    Photo via Museum of Illusions

    Plenty of fun events await this Labor Day weekend (check out our Labor Day events list here). A mind-bending museum is all an illusion, while a gripping art exhibit on the sad reality Black Americans used to face while traveling.

    Things get loud — and quiet — with silent disco in River Oaks, bird watching soars at Houston Audubon, and a smooth, soulful singer comes to town on Sunday.

    Enjoy; here are your best bets for Labor Day weekend.

    `Thursday, August 31

    Black Restaurant Week presents Nosh: Houston Culinary Showcase

    Black Restaurant Week presents their sixth annual culinary showcase, featuring Houston's premier Black chefs, caterers, and bartenders. Guests can dive into the African diaspora and tantalize taste buds with flavors of African, African-American, and Caribbean cuisine. From spicy and savory, to sweet and subtle, there will be an array of options suited for every taste. 6 pm.

    Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino presents Carlos Cruz-Diez: "A Legacy in Color" opening reception

    Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino will present its seventh solo exhibition of the master artist, featuring three large-scale Physichromies, each from different periods, representing Carlos Cruz-Diez’s ever-expanding investigation of color. Cruz-Diez set out to challenge viewers’ traditional understanding of fine art. He searched for what he called “a new starting point” and to create work that had never been seen before. Through Thursday, October 12. 6 pm.

    Houston Museum of African American Culture presents The First Rainbow Coalition

    Chicago, 1969: Activists from the Black Panthers, Young Lords, and Young Patriots united African Americans, Latinos, and poor whites to confront police brutality and unfair housing practices. A timely story of collective action, this documentary tells this little-known chronicle of political struggle with insight and urgency, using archival footage and interviews with those who lived it. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Black Panther Party member Henry "Poison" Gaddis, director Ray Santisteban, and artist El Franco Lee. 6:30 pm.

    Friday, September 1

    Museum of Illusions Grand Opening

    Museum of Illusions will celebrate its grand opening this weekend. This is a unique and exciting museum dedicated to providing visitors with a fun, interactive and educational experience that challenges perception and inspires creativity. The museum features 60 interactive exhibits that combine entertainment and education into an “edutainment” amalgamation, using optical illusions, visual tricks, and hands-on interactive displays to create a playful environment that engages visitors of all ages. 10 am.

    The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service presents "The Negro Motorist Green Book"

    The Green Book provided life-saving information on restaurants, gas stations, department stores and other businesses that welcomed African American travelers during an era of segregation and Jim Crow laws. The exhibition will offer an immersive look at the reality of safe travel for African Americans during the mid-century, including artifacts like business signs and postcards to historic footage, images, and firsthand accounts to convey the apprehension felt by Black travelers. Through Sunday, November 26. 10 am (Noon Sunday).

    Stages presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive

    One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he most relies upon risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. This uproarious, all-female farce took Broadway by storm in 2022. After all, behind every great man is a great woman — or seven of them. Through Sunday, October 8. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Home Run Dugout presents Legends

    Starting this weekend, Home Run Dugout is launching a concert series, with the inaugural concert featuring some of Houston's favorite home-grown talent. The venue's Biergarten Baseball Field will be transformed into a concert venue, giving concert-goers a unique “field of dreams” live music experience. The series kicks off with a concert featuring H-Town rap icons Lil' Keke, Slim Thug and Paul Wall. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit Spring Spirit Foundation. 9 pm.

    Saturday, September 2

    Conroe Sports Cards & Collectibles Show

    The two-day Conroe Sports Cards & Collectibles Show will include cards, toys, memorabilia, art, comics, board games, video games, Funko pops and more. Guests can expect chances to win prizes through giveaways and raffles. There will be 200+ tables of collectibles set up and admission is free for all ages. Houston Astros legend Larry Dierker will also be making an autograph appearance on Saturday at 11 am. FCG card grading will be available onsite. 9 am (10 am Sunday).

    Agora Haus presents Grapes & Grooves Festival

    There will be a fusion of wine, music, and sophistication at the Grapes & Grooves Festival. General admission tickets let guests savor wine tastings and indulge in lite bites at the Haus Patio. VIP admission guests will gain exclusive access to Agora Haus and discover a selection of wines during a private tasting session, as well as a dinner reception at B&B Butchers, curated by chefs. VIP+ guests will also enjoy all the benefits of VIP admission, including exclusive wine tastings and lite bites. 11 am.

    Redbud Arts Center presents Wayne Goodman: "Storyville" and Daniel Anguilu: "Memories from the Future" opening reception

    71-year-old Wayne Goodman has masterfully harnessed his lifetime of experiences to produce “Storyville,” a body of work that reflects on past and present narratives. (Through Saturday, September 30.) Also, Redbud presents the opening of Daniel Anguilu’s show, “Memories from the Future.” Anguilu is an acclaimed artist renowned for his compelling journey to creating monumental murals that engage with social and political issues, while paying homage to the symbolism of his ancestors. (Through Saturday, October 28.) 6 pm.

    River Oaks District presents Silent Disco in the Park

    As the finale to its summer series of monthly activations, Houston’s River Oaks District presents its first-ever silent disco event. Open to the public and free of charge, this alfresco silent disco welcomes guests of all ages to grab a wireless headset and groove to a selection presented by two live DJ’s. Adding to the festivities, The Traveling Spirit Bar will also be serving complimentary disco-themed cocktails and mocktails, while Wonder Pops will showcase complimentary boozy and kid-friendly popsicles. 8 pm.

    Sunday, September 3

    Wine VIbes Micro Winery and Bistro End of Summer Celebration

    Wine Vibes Micro Winery closes out the summer and frosé season with a family-friendly luau celebration. Slip into your best Hawaiian or vacation outfits (or come as you are), enjoy wine and frosé, a DJ, photo ops, and free popsicles for the kids. Each person who purchases a glass of frosé will be entered into a drawing to win a Wine Vibes t-shirt. As they celebrate with Hawaiian vibes, they will be raising money to support the victims of the Maui wildfires. A QR code will be available to directly donate to the impacted Hawaiian communities. 3 pm.

    Houston Audubon presents Purple Martin Watch Parties

    Houston Audubon will give visitors a chance to experience the spectacle of the migration of thousands of purple martins. There will be an info table for guests to chat with the Houston Audubon staff and volunteers about purple martins and their amazing migration. Guests must bring their own lawn chairs and water. Registration is highly encouraged. The event will take place in the Willowbrook Plaza parking lot near the At Home store. 7:45 pm.

    Anthony Hamilton in concert with The Ton3s and TMF

    R&B singer Anthony Hamilton will be in town this weekend, which means a lot of sistas will be heading up to Smart Financial Centre – probably with a flask of Hennessy on them – ready and willing to sing along with the North Carolina native and his smooth, soulful love songs. The man has released seven albums in his career, most recently 2021's Love is the New Black, which actually includes a song called “White Hennessy.” He'll be joined by The Ton3s and TMF. 7 pm.

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    weekend event planner

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

    Craig Lindsey
    Dec 31, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Steve Aoki
    Steve Aoki/Facebook
    See Steve Aoki in concert at NOHO in EaDo.

    This weekend, it’ll be a brand new year. Although some may be partied out after New Year's Eve, some cool stuff will be happening.

    Welcome 2026 with a festive brunch. Music from Nat King Cole and Steve Aoki will be played on Friday night. Saturday begins with a matcha pop-up and ends with a salute to goth/darkwave at Wonky Power. And, on Sunday, you can get in a fun run/walk and see the Thin White Duke on the big screen.

    Thursday, January 1

    The Union Kitchen presents New Year’s Day Brunch
    The Union Kitchen is kicking off 2026 with a celebratory New Year’s Day brunch at all Houston-area locations. Customers will enjoy festive brunch sips, including $2.50 mimosas, $4 Bloody Marys, and $4 bellinis. Additionally, in true Southern tradition, the restaurant will offer cabbage, black-eyed peas, and cornbread — the classic good-luck trio for prosperity in the year ahead. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. 10 am.

    EZ’s Liquor Lounge presents New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch
    For those who know they’ll be party-hopping this New Year’s Eve, here's a place to go and deal with that gnarly hangover the day after. The annual Hangover Brunch will feature fried chicken, biscuits, champagne specials, and caviar at cost. 11 am.

    MKT Bar presents New Year's Day Brunch
    While some people are known to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day – for good luck and prosperity for the year ahead – head over to MKT Bar (located inside Phoenicia Specialty Foods' location downtown) and get their famous chicken and waffles for half-off. The Danielle Reich and Bruce Saunders Quintet will also be on the premises, performing some eclectic, jazz/pop numbers. Noon.

    Friday, January 2

    Punch Line Houston presents Sam Jay
    Stand-up comic Sam Jay will be doing a two-night stint at Punch Line Houston this weekend. The Emmy-nominated former Saturday Night Live writer has been seen on HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, a weekly late-night series on which she served as host and executive producer, as well as Bust Down, the Peacock sitcom she co-created and co-starred in. Recently, she did her solo show Sam Jay: We the People at the Edinburgh Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center Theater. 7 and 9:15 pm.

    Houston Symphony presents "A Nat King Cole New Year"
    The Jones Center for the Performing Arts will have an “Unforgettable” start to 2026 as Byron Stripling, Denzal Sinclaire, and the Houston Symphony Big Band perform the timeless hits of Nat King Cole, along with well-known songs by other jazz legends. The program will include songs like “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Just One of Those Things,” and more. (We wonder if we’ll get Cole’s “The Christmas Song” one last time.) 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Theatre Southwest presents Murder on the Orient Express
    Agatha Christie’s legendary, literary masterwork will be brought to the stage at Theatre Southwest. On a train traveling through Europe, a wealthy American tycoon is found dead in his compartment, the door locked from the inside. Enter world-famous detective Hercule Poirot, who must navigate a train full of suspects and solve the murder before the killer strikes again. Through Saturday, January 17. 8 pm (3 pm Sunday).

    NOTO Houston presents Steve Aoki
    Did you know that DJ/producer Steve Aoki invented the trend known as “caking”? That’s when he throws a huge cake out into the crowd while playing Autoerotique’s “Turn Up the Volume,” a song whose video features people getting splattered by exploding cakes. We bring this up because Aoki will be doing a late-night DJ set at NOTO Houston, and there’s a very good chance people in the crowd will get hit with a very delicious dessert. Stay in the back to avoid getting icing on your outfit. 10 pm.

    Saturday, January 3

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar and Tomo Matcha Pop-Up
    Houston’s ramen scene is getting a green tea glow-up. Kazzan Ramen & Bar is teaming up with Tomo Matcha for a one-day pop-up this weekend. For the collaboration, guests who dine in at Kazzan Ramen will receive 20% off Tomo matcha, and customers who purchase a matcha drink will enjoy 20% off their meal. If you can’t make it, Tomo will also do a Sunday-afternoon pop-up at GLO Pilates. 11 am.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Resurrection
    Bi Gan (whose Long Day’s Journey into Night screened at MFAH in 2018) directs this ambitious, 160-minute, sci-fi detective movie starring Chinese superstar Jackson Yee (Better Days) and actress Shu Qi (The Assassin). In a future where humanity has surrendered its ability to dream in exchange for immortality, an outcast finds illusion, nightmarish visions, and beauty in an intoxicating world of his own making. 2 pm.

    Archway Gallery presents June Woest: "Weather Inside Out" opening reception
    Archway Gallery will present an exhibit of new work by June Woest that captures the interplay between photography, sculpture, and AI. "Weather Inside Out" explores Woest’s experiences with the unpredictable nature of the weather by challenging the notion that we are helpless against it. Her works are an invitation to embrace change and find comfort in the unpredictable.Through Thursday, February 5. 5 pm.

    Wonky Power presents Dia de los Darks
    The first Dia de los Darks of the year kicks off this weekend, bringing a night powered by darkwave, goth, rock en español, and cumbia. Scheduled to perform are El Turko Sonidero, DJ Fredster and guitar-playing masked man Orpheus Von Doom. Expect haunting beats, immersive visual installations lighting up the night. A night market will be open late with art, fashion, and local vendors — giving attendees that dark underground vibe. 8 pm.

    Sunday, January 4

    Flying Saucer Draught Emporium presents Saint Arnold Social Fun Walk/Run
    Saint Arnold Fun Runs are back for 2026. Close out the first weekend of 2026 by getting some exercise, taking a social run/walk, and purging yourself of everything 2025-related. Participants get a guided and marked, 3.5(ish)-mile run/walk with beer pacers, three tasty brews from Saint Arnold, a Saint Arnold pint glass, and a Texas tamale breakfast. Rain or shine. 8 am.

    Cousins Maine Lobster at Car Spa
    Get your car shining and your cravings satisfied all in one stop as Cousins Maine Lobster rolls its truck over to Car Spa this weekend. Whether you're cleaning up your ride or just passing through, swing by and sample such delicacies as Maine, Connecticut, and garlic butter lobster rolls, lobster tacos and quesadillas, lobster tots and lobster tails, lobster grilled cheese, creamy lobster bisque, clam chowder, whoopie pies, and more. 11 am.

    Alamo Drafthouse Cinema LaCenterra presents The Man Who Fell to Earth
    Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s “Art Decade: Films of David Bowie 1973-1983” series begins with this 1976 sci-fi curio. The story of an alien (Bowie, of course) on an elaborate rescue mission provides the launching pad for Nicolas Roeg’s examination of alienation in contemporary life. The film’s hallucinatory vision was obscured in the American theatrical release, which deleted nearly 20 minutes of crucial scenes and details. This screening is of Roeg’s full, uncut version. Noon.

    Steve Aoki in concert

    Steve Aoki
    Steve Aoki/Facebook

    See Steve Aoki in concert at NOHO in EaDo.

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