weekend event planner

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

The world’s best female golfers are in The Woodlands this weekend, competing for the LPGA’s Chevron Championship. On the concert front, New Wave legend Adam Ant performs Saturday night at Bayou Music Center.

Photo courtesy of Adam Ant

Adam Ant in concert

Those who aren’t watching golf will find a number of other entertainment options. They include art exhibitions, film screenings, and a Houston chef paying homage to Prince. One of the Daily Show’s most popular correspondents comes to town to explain why he’s Happy to be Here.

Speaking of Saturday, April 20, we’ll have a full roundup of 4/20 events in a separate article.

Here are our picks for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, April 18

Texas Hill Country Wineries Houston Road Show
Texas Hill Country Wineries is bringing over 20 wineries and 60 wines from the Hill Country to the Houston area for an evening tasting experience. Participants will get a chance to meet winery personalities including owners, winemakers, vineyard managers, and more. Guests will experience Texas Hill Country wines at a walk-around tasting, featuring hand-picked wines from each participating winery. 5:30 pm.

Zaza’s Cocktail Showdown: Botanical Edition
Houston’s top bartenders go head-to-head to claim the title for the best floral spring cocktail creation at this year’s Cocktail Showdown-Botanical Edition. Sample a variety of delicious cocktails that will tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses. Enjoy live music, light bites and mingle with other cocktail enthusiasts in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Bring your friends for a memorable evening of drinks and good company at Hotel ZaZa Memorial City poolside, Tickets are $40 and this event will directly support Houston Food Bank. 6 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles
The Classical Mystery Tour plays The Beatles’ greatest hits, transcribed note-for-note and performed as originally recorded, with four musicians who look and sound just like the original Fab Four. Audiences will hear “Penny Lane” with a live trumpet section, experience the beauty of “Yesterday” with acoustic guitar and string quartet, enjoy the classical/rock blend on “I Am the Walrus,” relish the cascading orchestral crescendo on “A Day in the Life,” and more. It’s the best of The Beatles, from the early years on through the solo years. 7:30 pm.

Friday, April 19

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents Olivia Erlanger: If Today Were Tomorrow opening reception
Visit the Museum for a public celebration of Olivia Erlanger: If Today Were Tomorrow, the artist's first solo museum presentation in the United States. Across an installation, video, and series of commissioned sculptures, the artist continues her decade-long investigation into what it means to call a planet home. Sounds provided by DJ Sun and Malcolm Bravo. Complimentary signature cocktails will be provided by LALO Tequila and complimentary wine will be provided by Light Years. Through Sunday, October 27. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Movies Houstonians Love: Caravaggio
A profound reflection on art, sexuality, and identity, Caravaggio recounts the life of the celebrated 17th-century painter through his brilliant, nearly blasphemous paintings and flirtations with the underworld. The 1986 film (shown in glorious 35mm!) incorporates the artist’s precise aesthetic into the visuals, while touching on all of director Derek Jarman’s major concerns: history, homosexuality, violence, and the relationship between painting and film. Nigel Terry stars with Sean Bean and Tilda Swinton. Introduced by Houston artist David McGee. 7 pm.

DACAMERA presents Etienne Charles: “Earth Tones”
For DACAMERA’s Unsilent Spring, Etienne Charles unveils his newest multimedia creation, “Earth Tones.” Employing sounds, stories, images & film and incorporating musical idioms from at-risk coastal communities, Charles invites the audience into a sensory journey among mangrove swamps, coral reefs, oyster beds, seagrass, sand dunes and mud volcanoes. With contributions from musicians from the very communities most at risk from the effects of climate change, “Earth Tones” promises to be a powerful and unique one-night-only event. 8 pm.

The Garden Theatre presents Reefer Madness
In the hilarious, over-the-top satire Reefer Madness, the high school drama club, led by the gravely stern Lecturer, illustrates the perils of the “leafy green assassin.” They tell the story of Jimmy, a good kid with a bright future ahead of him. But when Jimmy is tricked into taking his first puff of reefer, his life quickly spirals downward. Reefer Madness is an irreverent parody of the classic 1930s instructional film full of camp, hilarity, mayhem, and madness. Through Saturday, April 27. 8 pm (1, 6 & 10:30 pm Saturday; 2 & 7:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, April 20

Easter Seals Greater Houston presents Walk With Me Houston
This non-competitive family fun walk through the Houston Zoo benefits programs of Easter Seals Greater Houston, which serve veterans, service members, children and adults with all types of disabilities and their families. With over 4,000 participants expected to attend, this is a great event for individuals, families and companies that makes a huge impact in the community. Following the walk, there will be an after-party with animal shows, music, food, children’s activities and more hosted by The Kinkaid School at the Masihara Pavilion inside the zoo. 8 am.

JuiceLand’s Earth Day Celebration
JuiceLand is hosting a special community event at its Uptown Park location, designed to help provide educational awareness around ways to better conserve Mother Earth in advance of Earth Day. The celebration will include 50% off smoothies, bowls, juices and lattes, support from non-profit partners Trees for Houston and Memorial Park Conservancy, giveaways from a host of fitness and wellness boutiques, the chance to win 50% off JuiceLand for the rest of 2024, and plenty of Earth Day fun and education for kids. 10 am.

Midtown Houston presents Art in the Park
The Midtown Art in the Park festival is an urban-style fine art festival that celebrates National Jazz Appreciation Month and pays homage to the legendary Maestro Duke Ellington. With a diverse lineup of local artists, art classes, selfie stations, and culinary arts, this one-day event is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy. This event offers visitors the opportunity to purchase art, participate in free ArtJams (art classes), see public art installations, listen to music, and gather with family and friends in a welcoming environment. 10 am.

Houston Symphony presents Encanto In Concert Live to Film
The Academy Award-winning film Encanto comes to life, with the Houston Symphony performing the score live. Encanto tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family living in a magical house in Colombia. When Mirabel, the only ordinary Madrigal, discovers the magic surrounding their home is in danger, she may be her family’s last hope. The soundtrack features original songs by Tony and Grammy-winning songwriter/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, with an original score by Oscar-nominated composer Germaine Franco. 6:30 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Sunday, April 21

Houston Area Parkinson Society presents Blues, Brews and BBQ
Blues, Brews & BBQ is an annual event where visitors can hear local blues bands and have some barbecue while doing something for the greater good. Proceeds from the event support therapeutic exercise groups, support groups, social services, and educational programs that the Houston Area Parkinson Society provides free of charge to individuals and their families affected by Parkinson’s disease in eight Houston-area counties. Noon.

8th Annual Prince Week Market + Tribute Concert
Lucille’s Hospitality Group will pay tribute to His Royal Badness with its 8th Annual Prince Week at the historic Eldorado Ballroom. Begin the day with the day market, where patrons can shop from local vendors, grab some amazing Prince-themed drinks and food from the Rado Market. Then, head over inside to the Eldorado Ballroom for the Prince tribute concert, headlined by Antonio Eyez and special guests from 4 pm. Tickets come with a shared table seat and a buffet dinner. Noon.

Roy Wood, Jr.: Happy To Be Here
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. was one of the longest-serving correspondents in the history of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, appearing from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure, Wood used The Daily Show’s brand of satire to shed light on serious issues like Chicago gun violence, police reform, LGBTQ+ discrimination, ICE deportations and PTSD in the Black community. His recent credits include guest starring roles in Netflix’s comedy series Space Force, AMC’s Better Call Saul, and The Last O.G. on TBS. 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.”

hot-headlines