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.
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.