weekend event planner

Here are the 16 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Houstonians will be doing a lot of celebrating this weekend – and a lot of celebrating with a few libations. Messina Hof will have its Wine & Roses Festival. Karbach Brewing will serve up buckets of beer for its Astros watch party. Kindred Stories will allow folks to sip and flip on International Bookstore Day. And Wooster’s Garden will shake and stir the cocktails during its 11th anniversary party.

We also have an art bike festival/parade, a ladies’ professional golf championship, a Tex-Asian tasting tour, a San Jacinto Day celebration, and a night of comedy featuring two of the funniest women out there.

Thursday, April 24

LPGA Tour presents The Chevron Championship
The Chevron Championship is one of five major championships on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. Held at The Woodlands’ Club at Carlton Woods, the four-day event features the world’s most talented female golfers competing in the Tour’s first major of the season, including defending champion Nelly Korda and more. Chevron and the LPGA Foundation are supporting local organizations to empower women and girls in sports; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; and professional development. 8 am. (8 am Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry
More than 40 of the city’s best chefs and restaurants are gathering in support No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America by the non-profit organization Share Our Strength. Along with delicious bites, guests can expect sips from celebrated winemakers, brewers, and bartenders, as well as raffles, interactive games, and cooking demos. This year’s co-chairs include Evelyn Garcia of Jūn, Leonardo Botello IV of Truth BBQ, Alba Huerta of Julep, Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare — all of whom will be serving alongside restaurants such as Uchi, The Original Ninfa’s, Perseid, Musaafer, Little Rey, ChópnBlock, BCN, Eunice, The Blind Goat, Phat Eatery, and many more. 6 pm.
[Editor’s note: This entry was adapted from Robin Barr Sussman’s article previewing upcoming food and wine events.]

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency presents 10th Annual Wine Dinner
Houston nonprofit The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency presents their 10th Annual Wine Dinner. Chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames will welcome guests while honoring the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class, whose leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication reflect the heart of the organization’s mission. Proceeds will support The Women’s Fund programs that educate girls and women through classes, workshops, lectures, and publications focused on physical, mental, financial, emotional health, and wellness. 6:30 pm.

WorldFest-Houston
Even though founder Hunter Todd is no longer with us, WorldFest-Houston still lives on. The 2025 edition will include 34 feature films and 59 short films, spanning every genre, voice, and vision, from world premieres to rising stars of international cinema. Film highlights include documentaries on climate, culture, and courage; global perspectives from over 40 countries; Texas-made gems & regional premieres; and late-night thrillers and family-friendly matinees. Through Sunday, May 4. 7:30 pm (6:30 pm Friday; 1 pm Saturday and Sunday).

Friday, April 25

The Council on Recovery Spring Luncheon with Hank Azaria
For over 40 years, The Council on Recovery’s Speaker Series has raised funds for those in the community affected by substance use, and has broken down the shame and stigma behind addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders that prevent people from seeking recovery.

This year's keynote speaker is six-time Emmy winner Hank Azaria. Azaria has voiced over 100 characters on The Simpsons, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, and Comic Book Guy. Noon.

Messina Hof presents Wine & Roses Festival
This two-day annual event invites locals and tourists to experience the winery’s award-winning products while enjoying live music, delightful food pairings, exclusive wine tastings, and local vendors, all while exploring the Estate Winery grounds in Bryan, Texas. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a fun weekend getaway, there’s plenty of options for those visiting the winery this spring. 6:30 pm (1 pm Saturday).

Karbach Brewing presents Official Astros Watch Party
Karbach Brewing is teaming up with the Astros for an official watch party at the Karbach Biergarten, where fans can catch them playing the Kansas City Royals. Former Astros outfielder Michael Bourn will be signing autographs and mingling with attendees. There will also be $5 Crawford Bock and Crawford Pale Ale specials, championship trophies on display, Astros vendors and giveaways, some exuberant cheerleading from the Astros Shooting Stars, and a visit from beloved Astros mascot Orbit. 6:30 pm.

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey: Restless Leg Tour
Steve Martin and Martin Short aren’t the only Saturday Night Live vets teaming up for live comedy. Comedians/SNL alumnae/former Golden Globes hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are coming to Sugar Land as part of their Restless Leg Tour. Both Poehler and Fey got their big breaks on SNL (where they memorably manned the Weekend Update desk for a couple seasons), and have gone on to acclaimed comedy careers. Poehler is best known for her starring role on Parks and Recreation, while Fey created and starred in 30 Rock. 7 pm.

Saturday, April 26

San Jacinto Museum presents San Jacinto Day Celebration
The San Jacinto Battleground will come alive with cannon fire, musket shots, and cries of “Remember the Alamo!” during the 189th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto. The family-friendly celebration features battle reenactments, living history demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Guests can explore interactive experiences like cartridge box making, battlefield medicine, flag making, quill writing, and more. Kids’ activities, food trucks, market vendors, and nonprofits will also be on site. 10 am.

Kindred Stories presents Independent Bookstore Day Sip & Flip
Before Black-owned, Third Ward bookstore Kindred Stories makes its permanent move across the street to the Eldorado Ballroom, it will celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with a Sip & Flip gathering. Come through for cocktails, giveaways, and a chance to say goodbye to the bookstore’s original location and to wish them well for what’s to come. (You should also swing by CLASS Bookstore, another Black-owned spot near Texas Southern University.) 11 am.

Houston Art Bike Parade & Festival
The fourth annual Art Bike Parade & Festival – the Art Car Parade’s kid and bicycle enthusiast- friendly version – will go down at Fonde Park this year. The festival kicks off with the parade, which features hundreds of student-led art bike projects from local schools across the region. Featured activations include a fruit tree giveaway by Trees for Houston, a breakdancing course by BGirl City, and offerings from the Houston Humane Society, METRO, and GoodPop, among others. Noon.

Wooster’s Garden presents Woo-Fest: 11th Anniversary Celebration
Midtown cocktail bar Wooster’s Garden will celebrate 11 years of business with what they like to call Woo-Fest. Step back in time for a vintage-inspired party like no other. Woo-Fest features a lively vendor market, food trucks, live music, burlesque performances, cigar offerings, themed cocktails, and a “Best Dressed” contest for guests in their best 1900s/Peaky Blinders/Pre-Prohibition era attire. 3 pm.

Asia Society Texas presents Homegrown Houston: A Tex-Asian Tasting Tour With Blood Bros. BBQ
Asia Society Texas will celebrate the cuisines of Houston at a special barbecue edition of their annual tasting tour, presented with Blood Bros. BBQ. Terry Wong, Robin Wong, and Quy Hoang have curated a selection of stand-out, innovative chefs who are each presenting a dish that showcases their stories as chefs and, in turn, reflects the diversity and ingenuity of the Houston food scene. The evening also includes a DJ, drinks, and games. 4 pm.

Sunday, April 27

Cottonwood Bar presents 7th Annual Crawfish Cook-Off
Cottonwood’s 7th Annual Crawfish Cook-Off invites guests to come hungry and ready to throw down with some of the best boil teams in the city. More than a dozen teams — including EZ Money, ResQue Cookers, Grate Expectations, Fear the Fish, West End Anglers, Saint Arnold, and Muddy Butts — will be vying for cash prizes and serious crawfish clout. Wristband holders will get unlimited crawfish tastings from each team, with the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award, while a panel of local judges selects the Judge’s Pick. 11 am.

Laura Rathe Fine Art presents Meredith Pardue: "The Spirit of Savage Spaces" opening reception
Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "The Spirit of Savage Spaces," a solo exhibition featuring new works by Austin-based artist Meredith Pardue. Pardue shares with the audience a glimpse into her infinite dimensions of expression in her latest body of work, a reflection on the untamed spaces of existence and being. Tied to a style that has become renown, Pardue challenges herself to work from a different source of creative energy - a savage space. Through Sunday, May 18. Noon.

HPMA Jazz Fest
The Houston Professional Musicians’ Association will celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with its 4th Annual HPMA Jazz Fest. Guests can experience a lineup of Houston’s top jazz musicians (Magnolia City Brass Band, Kashmere Stage Reunion Band, etc.) performing a mix of styles — from big band and swing to modern jazz, funk, and everything in between. The performances will take place at two different spaces at POST Houston: inside of Z Atrium at Eden Plant Co., and also at the Outpost, their rooftop event venue. 12:30 pm.

Courtesy photo

Amy Poehler & Tina Fey.

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Awards Season

CultureMap critic's guide to the 2026 Oscar Best Picture nominees

Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in Sinners

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Sinners leads all films at the 2026 Academy Awards with a stunning 16 nominations.

The nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards have been announced, with 10 films vying for Best Picture. Leading the way is Sinners with an astonishing 16 nominations, the most in Oscars history.

The other top films include One Battle After Another, which earned 13 nominations, and Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, and Sentimental Value, which each got 9 nominations.

As a refresher, below are links to the full reviews for each of the nominees covered by CultureMap in the past year, as well as brief thoughts on the films and their various nominations.

Movie fans will have plenty of time to catch up with each of the nominees, as this year's Oscars ceremony will not take place until Sunday, March 15.

Here's the list of Best Picture nominees, in alphabetical order:

Bugonia
Yet another off-the-wall film from director Yorgos Lanthimos features two great performances by Emma Stone (nominated for Best Actress) and Jesse Plemons at its center. Written by Will Tracy (nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay), the conspiracy theory film is alternately brutal and funny as the characters played by Stone and Plemons use their form of power to try to manipulate the other. With a fair amount of intrigue and two great actors going head-to-head for much of its running time, it gives even more Oscar pedigree to its filmmakers and stars.

F1
The biggest surprise among the Best Picture nominees has to be the racing movie F1. It was a technical marvel, to be sure, as its nominations in Film Editing, Sound, and Visual Affects attest. But the fact that it has no other nominations in any of the above the fold categories indicates that its other qualities are lacking. As a showcase (aka advertisement) for the sport it depicts, the film works relatively well. As a complete movie, though, there’s not much to recommend, to the point that it almost negates any of the positives that come from the racing scenes.

Frankenstein (not reviewed)
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro (nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay) loves himself a monster movie, and he takes on one of the classics with his new version of Frankenstein (now streaming on Netflix). Oscar Isaac plays Victor Frankenstein, who brings to life The Creature, played by Jacob Elordi (nominated for Best Supporting Actor). With a slew of nominations in technical categories, there's a chance this film goes home with a lot of awards at this year's ceremony.

Hamnet (not reviewed)
Writer/director Chloé Zhao (nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay alongside co-writer Maggie O'Farrell) gets back to her Oscar-worthy skills for the first time since 2020's Nomadland (after the unfortunate detour into the MCU with Eternals). A story about love, loss, and grief involving William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, the film is most notable for the performances of its two leads, Jessie Buckley (nominated for Best Actress) and Paul Mescal.

Marty Supreme
There was no other movie this year, or maybe even this century, like Marty Supreme. Directed and co-written by Josh Safdie (nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay alongside co-writer Ronald Bronstein), the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives. At its center is the fast-talking, powerhouse performance by star Timothée Chalamet (nominated for Best Actor), who cements his status as his generation’s movie star one year after playing the polar opposite role of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Look for the film to be a strong contender in the inaugural Best Casting category, as Safdie fills the film with non-actors who are crucial to the film's success.

One Battle After Another
Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson (nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay) has an acclaimed career going back 30 years, but has yet to actually win an Oscar. That will change this year, as One Battle After Another is one of the favorites to win Best Picture thanks to Anderson's stellar filmmaking, as well as multiple great performances that earned the film four acting nominations (Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor, Teyana Taylor for Best Supporting Actress, and Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn for Best Supporting Actor). Add in a story with a very timely political critique (that's getting more relevant by the day) and you have the recipe for a big winner on Oscar night.

The Secret Agent (not reviewed)
No foreign country has quite the influence on the Oscars as Brazil, which for the second straight year has gotten one of its films nominated for both Best International Feature Film and Best Picture. Written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, the film is anchored by the performance of Wagner Moura (nominated for Best Actor) as a technology expert in the late 1970s who flees from a mysterious past to try to find peace in his hometown.

Sentimental Value (not reviewed)
For the third year in a row, two international films made the cut in the Best Picture race (but whither It Was Just an Accident?). Directed and co-written by Joachim Trier (nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay alongside co-writer Eskil Vogt), the film is tied for the most acting nominations this year, earning nods for Renate Reinsve for Best Actress, Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Best Supporting Actress, and Stellan Skarsgård for Best Supporting Actor.

Sinners
It takes a special kind of filmmaker to make movies that are both popular and Oscar-worthy, and writer/director Ryan Coogler (nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay) has done it again, seven years after helming the Oscar-winning Black Panther. Both a tribute to Black music history and a gnarly vampire movie, the film is led by Michael B. Jordan (nominated for Best Actor) in dual roles as twins Smoke and Stack. With a story infused with all manner of subtext and a bunch of great supporting performances, including Best Supporting Actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku, the film demonstrates Coogler's great filmmaking abilities that should keep him in demand for years to come. Amazingly, there was only one category for which it was eligible in which it did not receive a nomination.

Train Dreams (not reviewed)
The second Netflix movie this year to be nominated, Train Dreams is a contemplative film about a logger (played by Joel Edgerton) in early 20th century America who tries to adapt to a rapidly-changing world. Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for the script by director Clint Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar, the film is most notable for the work done by Adolpho Veloso (nominated for Best Cinematography), who showcases the Pacific Northwest in all its glory.

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