weekend event planner

These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

A lot of good music will be played this weekend, ranging from the electronic rock of Courting to the celebratory jazz of Camille Thurman and Darrell Green to the sexy soul of Maxwell to the kooky alt-country of Houston’s own Lyle Lovett. And, if you want it in musical form, there will also be a double shot of Rocky Horror.

Also going on these next few days: a Japanese sake and food festival; a very gymnastic show starring hometown girl Simone Biles; an Energy Day fest for the kiddies; and a Day of the Dead celebration for those who can’t wait until next month to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Thursday, October 17

H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street
At the 20th annual H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street, foodies, wine enthusiasts, and Wine & Food Week fans can sip and stroll their way down Market Street all while supporting worthwhile charity organizations like New Danville, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council, and Montgomery County Food Bank. The event will cover three blocks of Market Street and will be packed with a cornucopia of culinary creations, wine displays with industry experts, craft beers, live music, and wine experiences. 6 pm.

Courting and Vundabar in concert
It looks like we have another foursome from Liverpool coming to America, ready to make a big splash. This will be electronic rock band Courting's first ever U.S. tour, as they open for Boston indie rockers Vundabar. Named a Band to Watch by Stereogum, their latest album New Last Name received critical acclaim from NME, Paste, and more. The record really dials up the guitar-pop element of the band's sound, firing them into a world also occupied by the likes of Sports Team, English Teacher, FEET, etc. 7 pm.

Live at the Founders Club: Celebrating Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln with Camille Thurman and Darrell Green
Camille Thurman has cemented herself as not only one of today’s most important saxophonists, but also one of our most skilled vocalists. Drummer Darryl Green has been called for years to perform with today’s most iconic musicians. Together, they’ll be celebrating jazz drummer Max Roach and vocalist/actress Abbey Lincoln with an evening of soulful sounds which spotlights both the centennial year of Roach and the music that he and Lincoln (his wife) made together. 7:30 pm.

Friday, October 18

Rice University Moody Center For The Arts presents Monuments Symposium With Paul M. Farber
Rice University Moody Center For The Arts will explore the history and future of monuments at this special symposium. Speakers include Paul Farber, Director of Monument Lab; art historian Kirk Savage, University of Pittsburgh; Houston-based artists Jamal Cyrus and Tiffany Chung; and Rice members of the Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice W. Caleb McDaniel, Alexander Byrd, and Fabiola Lopez-Duran. Lunch is included with registration. 9 am.

Art Factory presents The Rocky Horror Show
If you’re a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the River Oaks Theatre will finally have a midnight screening with burlesque revue The Sisterhood of Lil St Cyr overseeing the madness. But, if you remember when the show started out as a legit stage musical, Art Factory will be doing a fabulously freaky production. Costumes and call-outs will be encouraged, making this production a fully immersive and high-octane night of zany, sexy fun. Intended for mature audiences only. Through Thursday, October 31. 8 pm.

Lyle Lovett in concert
We’ve been down with Houston-born Lyle Lovett for a long time. Way before the marriage to Julia Roberts. Way before he became a repertory player in Robert Altmen films. We’ve loved his goofy pompadour and quirky country-blues stylings ever since we saw him perform “Here I Am” on Carson. (There’s another live version where he performed the song with comedian Steven Wright, but that’s been taken off YouTube.) He'll perform with His Large Band as part of The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Free Concert. They'll be joined by Hayes Carll. 7:30 pm.

Maxwell in concert
Neo-soulster Maxwell is finally out of hiding and touring the country, as part of The Serenade Tour. Even though he hasn’t dropped a new album since blackSUMMERS'night in 2016, he’s ready to perform smooth R&B ditties for all the fans who’ve been with him since his 1996 debut Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, as well as the grown children those fans most likely created while listening to his music. He'll be joined by Jazmine Sullivan and October London. 7:30 pm.

Saturday, October 19

The Toasted Coconut 5th Anniversary Celebration
Montrose restaurant The Toasted Coconut is turning five this weekend, and the spot will be celebrating with a wild-and-weird, all-day celebration. First up, drink specials that might have you feeling bewitched will be served. Then, they’re roasting a pig. Other details include a mechanical shark, face painting, a dunk tank (chef Martin Stayer will be in it!), snow cones, and a live DJ. ⁠And don’t forget about the limited, spooky ceramics created by local talent Lorita Makes. 10 am.

Houston Energy Day Festival
Energy Day is like a giant science fair mixed with a festival, and it’s all designed to show kids how fun and exciting STEM can be. Visitors can explore, create, and discover new things while playing outside. Plus, they’ll be able to meet lots of other kids who love science and technology just as much as they do. The event will be full of experiments, hands-on activities, and exhibits where kids can explore and learn about the energy that powers the world around us. 11 am.

Monster Jam
Monster Jam will be an adrenaline-charged weekend featuring heated rivalries, high-flying stunts, and fierce head-to-head battles. It will feature the Texas debut of four new Marvel Monster Jam trucks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Thor face off for the first time against fan favorites like the legendary Grave Digger. We’ll also get the Houston premiere of the all-new Sparkle Smash and more in freestyle, skills, and racing competitions. 7 pm.

Athleta presents Gold Over America Tour
Gold Over America Tour is a pop concert-style spectacle that will showcase the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Spring-born-and-based gymnast Simone Biles and cast members Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Katelyn Ohashi, Peng-Peng Lee, Shilese Jones, Fred Richard, Mélanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Kayla Dicello, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, and more. The event will showcase tumbles, twists, and gravity-defying tricks. 7:30 pm. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the show with one of the cast members in this story.

Sunday, October 20

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery" opening day
"Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery" will foreground Pueblo voices and aesthetics and will offer a visionary understanding of Pueblo pots as vessels of community-based knowledge and personal experience. The exhibition is the first Native-curated exhibition at the Museum and features more than 100 historical, modern, and contemporary items in clay. Through Sunday, January 12. 12:30 pm.

Japanese Sake & Food Festival
The Japanese Sake & Food Festival, initially established in Tokyo in 2015, will make its way to America for the first time, offering an opportunity to explore the pairing of Japanese sake and culinary delights. The festival will feature over 30 exhibitors, including sake brewers, distributors, and local food vendors offering various products ranging from sake to shochu and local cuisines. Other highlights include a sake seminar by special guests, Japanese stage performances, a Japanese activity and photo area, and more. 2 pm (Noon on Saturday).

Intempo Dance Ensemble presents Day of the Dead Celebration
Intempo Dance Ensemble presents an evening of dance and music inspired in the whimsical world of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The event is a Mexican celebration of pre-Hispanic origin that honors the deceased on Saturday, November 2. The festivities begin on Friday, November 1 and coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Souls and All Saints. In Mexico, it is a celebration of life remembering loved ones who came before us, dedicating an altar to welcome them back for their visit to the world of the living, once a year. 6 pm.

Korn in concert
Credited as one of the pioneers of alt-metal — the radio-friendly genre that counts Limp Bizkit and P.O.D. among its members — the band is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a 25-city tour that stops in The Woodlands on Sunday. Known for hits such as “Got the Life (Follow the Leader)” and “Falling Away From Me,” expect a high energy show that makes attendees feel like they’re back in 1994. Gojira and Spiritbox open. 6:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Monster Jam returns to Houston this weekend.

event-planner weekend events

weekend event planner

These are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of T.I.

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With 713 Day on the horizon (more on that soon), Houstonians might want to enjoy some music-related fare this weekend.

T.I. – the Rubber Band Man himself – will be coming down for a show. Jazz legends Kahil El’Zabar and David Murray will be at HMAAC. Local DJ duo Soul Control will celebrate its 11th anniversary with a night of spins. Some local musicians will convene for intimate live sets. This weekend even has a couple of Disney-related events that’ll have audiences singing – but, of course, don’t talk about Bruno.

Thursday, July 9

Group Acorde presents Representation of Form
For its 10th-year anniversary, Group Acorde recreates Representation of Form, an immersive experience combining art forms that invites audiences to rethink shapes, image, and sounds. Dancer/photographer Christopher Peddecord takes photographs of Acorde dance artists and layers the images with one another, initiating a series of sequences that will not only be displayed throughout the space, but used as inspiration for live contemporary choreography and music scores. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 5 & 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday).

Improv Houston presents Gary Owen
Gary Owen, aka Black America’s “favorite White comedian” (per Ebony) closes out his three-night stint at Improv Houston, the same town where he recently got married for the second time. The former ComicView host and “Happily Married Man” from the Think Like a Man movies has been entertaining American audiences for more than a decade, having performed to sold-out audiences in all the major comedy clubs and theatres across the country. 7:30 pm.

Movie & Dance: Encanto with Live Ballet Folkloric
This vibrant evening of music, culture, and family fun begins with a performance by local Ballet Folklórico group Mixteco Ballet Folkorico!, bringing the traditions, rhythms, and storytelling of Mexican dance to life on the main stage. It will be followed by a screening of Disney’s Encanto, a story full of heart, family, and unforgettable songs. Before it all begins, attendees can participate in pre-show activities in the plazas such as games, crafts, and other family-friendly fun. 7:30 pm.

Friday, July 10

Dream Con
Dream Con unites enthusiasts globally to celebrate gaming, anime, sports, film, music, and pop culture while fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging. The three-day convention seeks to showcase diverse talents, amplify underrepresented voices in mainstream spaces, and redefine the landscape of fandom events. This year’s lineup of special guests include Insecure star/creator Issa Rae, Grammy-winning R&B star Leon Thomas, hip-hop veteran Wale, and Texas-born comedian KevOnStage. 10 am (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

Cactus Music presents Sparta In-Store Performance and Signing
Born from the ashes of At the Drive-In, El Paso band Sparta has more or less been the proficient vehicle for vocalist/guitarist Jim Ward to share his views on Americana – and they’ve been quite a delight. Now, the band is back with its sixth LP, 𝘊𝘶𝘵 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦, where Ward and co come out swinging with a charming array of songs that are both cerebral and emotionally charged. Expect them to keep on swinging when they appear at Cactus Music for an in-store performance and signing this weekend. 5:30 pm.

Houston Museum of African American Culture presents the We Be Free Tour: Kahil El’Zabar and David Murray
Two giants of creative music — percussionist Kahil El'Zabar and saxophonist David Murray — will share one stage in an intimate 150-seat setting, for the final stop of their We Be Free Tour. The concert serves as the musical centerpiece of Bayou City Stewards: Celebrating America From Our Perspective, an exhibition exploring 250 years of African American art at HMAAC. Ice House Radio will film and archive the performance live for Houston's permanent musical record. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Miroirs No. 3
After surviving a car crash that kills her boyfriend, Laura is taken in by a local woman who witnesses the accident. As she recuperates, Laura begins to integrate herself into the lives of the woman and her initially reluctant husband and son. However, they cannot outrun the ghosts of the past, which begin to stir, as acclaimed director Christian Petzold (Afire) spins a modern gothic fairytale about the lies people tell themselves, and the strange ways that grief, connection, and compassion bind and sustain humankind. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

Saturday, July 11

Sugar Land Space Cowboys x Tokyo X Anime Night
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys and Tokyo X, the largest indoor Japanese festival in Texas, are teaming up for an Anime Night celebration. Fans can enjoy an evening that blends baseball and Japanese pop culture, as the Space Cowboys take on the Albuquerque Isotopes. The event will feature cosplay, anime-themed vendors, interactive fan activities, cosplay meetups, themed photo opportunities, and a preview of this year's Tokyo X festival. The first 2,000 fans receive an exclusive My Hero Academia x Sugar Land Space Cowboys jersey. 5:30 pm.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifier
Red Bull Dance Your Style brings the best dancers together in freestyle battles where the crowd votes who advances to the National Finals. From hip-hop to house, to locking and popping, dancers participating in Red Bull Dance Your Style will need to wow the crowd and ultimately win their vote. Testing freestyle and musicality skills through unpredictable mainstream tracks ranging from recent global hits to classic beats, Red Bull Dance Your Style will have the crowd deciding who will rule the dance floor. 6 pm.

Archway Gallery presents 18th Annual Juried Exhibition opening reception
Archway Gallery will present its 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, benefiting nonprofit organization Friends for Life. The annual event is an opportunity for 2D and 3D artists who are not members of the gallery to participate in a group exhibition in Houston’s longest-running, artist-owned-and-operated art space, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Donna Tennant, this year’s invited juror, will select works from among those submitted by local artists, and 50 percent of all sales will be donated to Friends for Life. Through Thursday, July 30. 6:30 pm

Photo courtesy of T.I.

T.I. will play 713 Music Hall on Saturday.

T.I. in concert
ATL’s very own Tip “T.I.” Harris takes a break from his burgeoning stand-up career to return to what originally made him a superstar: rapping on the mic. He comes to Houston as part of his “The King Succession Tour,” a celebration of both legacy and lineage. The tour features direct support from T.I.’s sons Domani and King, marking a rare multi-generational moment on stage and inspiring the tour’s title. In the past quarter-century, T.I. has released 11 albums – most recently The L.I.B.R.A. in 2020. 8 pm.

Soul Control 11th Year Anniversary
DJ duo Soul Control has been a driving force in Houston’s music and nightlife culture, creating unforgettable experiences rooted in community, connection, and an undeniable love for great music. Now, the dynamic DJ duo returns to celebrate over a decade of memories, dance floors, and timeless sounds at the historic Eldorado Ballroom. Expect a carefully curated soundtrack spanning soulful house, classics, rare grooves, R&B, disco, hip-hop, and the eclectic selections that have made Soul Control a beloved staple in Houston’s creative community. 10 pm.

Sunday, July 12

Art Factory presents Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo
After his son Nemo is taken far from home, the overly cautious Marlin sets out across the ocean in a heartfelt and hilarious journey to bring him back. Along the way, he encounters unforgettable sea creatures, faces his deepest fears, and learns that love sometimes means finding the courage to let go. Based on the beloved Disney and Pixar film, this 60-minute musical adaptation features imaginative staging, a vibrant score, and a heartfelt message for viewers of all ages. Through Sunday, July 19. 3 pm.

Hotel Saint Augustine presents House of Sound
Hotel Saint Augustine is presenting the third volume of House of Sound, its live performance series that celebrates music, film, and creative connection. Featuring intimate, back-to-back sets from local artists, House of Sound offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Volume 3 features an incredible, entirely local lineup of 30-minute sets from Kam Franklin of The Suffers, singer-songwriter Sara van Buskirk, and four-piece ensemble Sorry Sarah. 4 pm.

Stages presents Broadway and Beyond: From Opening Nights to Encores
Stages fan favorite Holland Vavra will present an intimate cabaret celebration marking her 30th production with the company. The theater will transform into a cozy setting — complete with special table seating, bar, and live accompaniment — for a unique evening that invites audiences to relive the magic, the memories, and the music that have made Holland a beloved presence. The show will feature Broadway showstoppers and hits from her past Stages performances. Through Sunday, July 26. 4 pm.

things to do houston