weekend event planner

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

Outdoor activities are plentiful this weekend. From a Midtown block party and a kite festival to a 60 mile bike ride and a 5k, those who want to enjoy Houston's spring weather have plenty of options.

Those looking for indoor activities will find a new stage show that stars Baby Shark, film screenings, and comedy performances. Food and drink lovers may opt for a brewery’s anniversary party or a grand opening celebration for the city’s newest food hall.

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, April 4

Baby Shark's Big Broadwave Tour!
Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour!, a brand-new interactive live stage show featuring characters from the globally beloved, preschool property, follows Baby and his “fincredible” fishy friends on an undersea adventure filled with oceans of fun and “finship.” After Bentley Barracuda plans to tear down the beloved Party Puddle Theatre, Baby and his squiddo friends must dive into action. To save the theater, they will need the audience to help fill the Party Puddle Applause Meter and put on the biggest Broadwave show ever. 6 pm.

Mid Main Houston First Thursday Block Party
It’s time once again to #EATSHOPROCK, as Mid Main Houston throws its monthly First Thursday Block Party. This month’s street shindig is a benefit for the Galveston Bay Foundation. If you check in and make a $10 donation, you’ll get an all-access wristband to the biggest block party in the Bayou City. Enjoy delicious beer sponsored by Saint Arnold Brewing Company, plus live music, art shows, special activations, and street art. Find wares and goodies rom local vendors at the Winbern Street Market. 6 pm.

The Riot Comedy Festival
The Riot Comedy Festival & Block Party is back for its second year in Montrose. This annual community event puts on over thirty comedy shows including standup, podcasts, music, a national comedy contest, and more. Famous, national touring comedians such as Robert Kelly, Rocky Dale Davis, Kim Congdon, Tom Thakkar, Jourdain Fisher, and over fifty other performers from across the country will perform on three indoor stages throughout the weekend. 6 pm (4 pm Friday-Sunday).

Friday, April 5

Houston Junior Forum presents The City Market
The third annual The City Market will feature over 60 handpicked vendors showcasing their one-of-a-kind creations. Attendees looking for some guilt-free retail therapy will find favorites such as A Unique Boutique by Jeanette, Hide and Chic, Getaway Sticks, Boutique By Mariam, Brenham Kitchens, Yumsmith, Donna Wright Designs, Harlan & Ava, La Goulue Chocolatier, Margarita Mercantile, Peran & Scannell, Say Cheese, and Urban Rocks. 10 am.

The Big Bounce America
The Big Bounce America 2024 tour is hitting Houston for a three-day stop. This tour includes eight massive inflatable attractions: the newly expanded 24,000-square-foot World’s Largest Bounce House; the brand-new deep sea foam party inflatable OctoBlast; the 900-foot long obstacle course The Giant; the customized sports arena Sport Slam; and the unique, three-piece, space-themed wonderland airSPACE. 11 am.

Urban South Brewery HTX presents Fourth Anniversary Party
Urban South Brewery Houston will host its Fourth Anniversary Party, featuring live music, food, activities, and a vendor market. Beer enthusiasts are also in for a treat with the release of four exclusive, anniversary specialty beers: Press Start (Czech Pale Lager), Level Up (Old Fashioned Cocktail Sour Ale), High Score (Double IPA), and Game Over (Neapolitan Ice Cream Stout). 11 am (1 pm Saturday and Sunday).

Conservatory Galleria Grand Opening Celebration
Innovative, three-story dining hall Conservatory Galleria, situated in the iconic space formerly known as the Roxy Houston, is celebrating its grand opening with a three-day, action-packed weekend. Attendees can enjoy food, music, diverse entertainment, and much more. There will be a “713 Night Market,” featuring over 35 vendors, on Friday, a “Roxy Reunion,” featuring past Roxy DJs and current DJs, on Saturday; and “Supercars,” featuring incredible cars and Conservatory food vendors, on Sunday. 6 pm (8 pm Saturday; 11 am Sunday).

Saturday, April 6

Sienna Race for the Rosé
Runners and “funners” can take part in a new chip-timed race in Fort Bend County — the Race for the Rosé, 5K. After the race, runners and members of the No Way 5K Party Patrol can enjoy a finish line celebration, a grape stomping contest, corn hole, fitness vendor booths, hula hooping, and a Bubbly Bar for those age 21 and up. A ticket includes a T-shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, a glass of rosé, and brunch bites at the finish line. The event benefits Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, a local non-profit now in its 50th year. 8 am.

Houston Underwater Film Festival
The Houston Underwater Film Festival aims to promote underwater filmmaking and appreciation of the beauty and diversity of all things underwater, as well as encouraging the art of underwater videography. Underwater videographers from around the world are invited to submit entries for consideration for screening. The top three films in each category, as selected by audience real-time voting, will be announced at the awards reception on Sunday. The judges' top 10 picks will also be announced. 3 pm.

Tony Hinchcliffe: Fully Groan Tour
Former Angeleno-turned-Austin-based stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe gained popularity with his 2016 Netflix comedy special, One Shot, which follows Tony in one continuous take. He has worked as a staff writer on several Comedy Central Roasts, and appeared on HBO’s Crashing, Comedy Central’s Unsend, and Fusion’s All Def Roast: Snoop Dog Smoke Out. Hinchcliffe also hosts Kill Tony, his own weekly show and podcast. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Moonlight Movies: The Wizard of Oz
The MFAH debuts an outdoor movie viewing experience: Moonlight Movies, under the stars on the sloping roof of the Glassell School of Art in the Amphitheater on The Brown Foundation, Inc. Plaza. Relish the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her friends follow the yellow brick road. Each guest receives a complimentary bag of popcorn, and movie-themed cocktails are available for purchase. 8 pm.

Sunday, April 7

Photo courtesy of IMAX.com

Watch The Wizard of Oz at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

City of Houston presents Tour de Houston
Now in its 17th year, the bike ride offers Houstonians and visitors a way to view the city with routes winding through Houston’s historic neighborhoods, scenic districts, and parks while raising funds for the city’s Re-Plant Houston program. This year, riders may choose from 20, 40, and 60 mile routs that run from downtown to Clear Lake. 7:30 am.

Hermann Park Conservancy Kite Festival
Hermann Park Conservancy's Kite Festival will bring a day full of fun and, of course, kite-flying to Hermann Park. Going down over at Miller Hill and along the Jones Reflection Pool, activities will include live music, a DJ, interactive games and activities, face painting and more. This community-favorite event is made possible through contributions from host committee members and sponsors. 10 am.

Artists in Arms presents Crawfish and Colors Anti-Gala
In 2021, Artists in Arms was founded to provide community and opportunity to veterans with an interest in the arts. The Artists in Arms "Anti-Gala" is like a gala, but laid back. At "Crawfish & Colors," people won't be expected to wear a tux, arrive in a limo, or eat cold chicken. Participants will learn about some programs supporting veteran artists and enjoy fresh crawfish, drinks, live music, and camaraderie with the veteran creative community. 11 am.

event-planner

Weekend Event Planner

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

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Now that the arctic blast has finished with us, several events that were cancelled last weekend – Gallery Sonja Roesch’s 35th anniversary show, a dual opening at Foltz Fine Art, Asia Society Texas’s Kawaii Market – have been rescheduled for this weekend.

As for the scheduled events this weekend, there’s an “autoboative” show, a screening of a sci-fi classic with live musical accompaniment, an all-star show for autograph collectors, a fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the return of Houston's noisiest music festival.

Thursday, January 29

Houston Autoboative Show
It’s the 42nd Houston Auto Show at NRG Park this weekend, which is also combined (for its third year) with the Houston Boat Show. The event showcases a diverse array of vehicles, from electric cars to trucks and sedans. It also offers a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the hottest models on the market and learn from brand experts about each vehicle/vessel without the pressure of being sold to. 11 am (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

Asia Society Texas presents Offside
Asia Society Texas will kick off the World Cup with Offside, a 2006 dramedy from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. (It’s also part of this year’s Festival of Films from Iran.) Set during a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Bahrain, the film follows a group of young women who attempt to circumvent a ban on women attending sporting events by disguising themselves as men to enter the stadium and watch the game, leading to a series of increasingly absurd situations. 7 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents Blade Runner Live
Ridley Scott’s stylish, 1982 noir classic Blade Runner (aka the 2007 Final Cut) will screen while Vangelis’ synthesizer-led cult score is performed live by The Avex Ensemble. In this futuristic hriller, detective Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) must continue as Replicant Hunter following the escape of four Replicants (including main baddie Rutger Hauer – RIP) from colonies who’ve returned to earth. His mission, however, is complicated when he falls for Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant based at the Tyrell Corporation. 7:30 pm.

Friday, January 30

TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show
For three days, a lot of stars will be flocking to the NRG Arena in order to give Houstonians their signature. Along with lots of sports memorabilia for sale, the 40th Annual TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show will have tons of celebs signing autographs. Just on Saturday alone, we’ll get Karate Kid/Cobra Kai castmates Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove; the cast of The Sandlot, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Dennis Rodman, former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, former Rockets player Elvin Hayes, and Houston’s own Randy Quaid. 2 pm (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

The Hobby Center presents Houston Is Inspired - [Jk]creativ: Our Road Home
Multidisciplinary company [Jk]creativ gives us Our Road Home, an interactive rhythmic production created and directed by native Houston artist Jakari Sherman. Through layered rhythmic storytelling - spoken, rapped, preached, and sung - the work honors the communal labor and ingenuity that built spaces of freedom across time. Inspired by the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town, the work asks: Once freedom is gained, how do we live in it, preserve it, and pass it on when the pull of bondage lingers near?

MFAH and HCC present Fashion Fusion X
Frida Kahlo meets contemporary couture in Fashion Fusion, the 10th edition of the annual fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Open to aspiring designers in the Fashion Design program at Houston City College, Fusion challenges students to create original garments in response to art on display in the museum’s galleries. This year, the aspiring designers will showcase garments addressing the exhibition, "Frida: The Making of an Icon." 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train, unsure of where the road will take him. He finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life - and love - beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 and 7 pm Sunday).

Saturday, January 31

The List One Year Anniversary
East End creative space The List will be celebrating its first anniversary with a bevy of weekend events, with two going down on Saturday. The day starts off with the return of the Vinyl & Furniture Garden Market, curated by local DJ vet Malcolm Bravo, over at the List Cafe. Bravo and other DJs will be spinning tunes as stores and vendors will be open for business. Later that evening, DJ/TikToker Sheri Koko will be working the turntables, along with some special-guest pals, at Room808. 11 am and 9 pm.

Burger Bodega present For the Culture
Chef and restaurateur Abbas Dhanani is taking a break from burgers to pay homage to his Pakistani heritage by partnering with the PX Project for a one-day only pop-up. Working with his mother and his aunt, the four-item menu showcases some favorite childhood dishes, including Nihari, slow-braised, spiced beef stew with naan; Hina Khala's Chicken Biryani, fragrant basmati rice layered with boneless chicken; the Chicken Sixty-Five Po' Boy; and a mango lassi sundae with a cardamom snickerdoodle cookie.

$\u200bBroadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants$

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Seven Sisters presents Ping Zheng: Soft Interference opening reception
Soft Interference presents a new series of oil-stick works on paper by Ping Zheng, following her 2024 exhibition Nature’s Canopy at Seven Sisters. In these works, Zheng continues her investigation of landscape as a site of perception and interiority. Through repeated mark-making and shifting chromatic fields, she constructs images that hover between observed nature and remembered experience. Through Saturday, February 28. 2 pm.

MGEntertainment presents The 5th Annual Harsh Noise Houston
Believe it or not, there’s a heavy experimental-music scene here in H-Town. This weekend, you have the opportunity to see a lot of the scene’s most valuable players over at Super Happy Fun Land, where the fifth annual Harsh Noise Houston fest will be going down. 13 acts, representing some of the best experimental music, performance art, and noise that Texas has to offer, will be performing, including HauntedPixel, Ether Research, Astrogenic Hallucinating, and Psychosomatica’s sister project Del Norte. 7 pm.

Rice Cinema presents American Sons
Film producer and Rice alum Elizabeth Avellán presents American Sons, a documentary using first-hand footage captured by fallen Marine Cpl. Jorge “JV” Villarreal, a native of San Antonio. The film focuses on a brotherhood of U.S. Marines a decade after their Afghanistan deployment, focusing on their struggle with combat trauma, PTSD, and reintegration, especially after losing their friend Villarreal. Avellan and director Andrew James Gonzales will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

Sunday, February 1

ReelAbilities Houston presents ReelArt For All
The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival’s ReelArt For All program will feature art and interactive activities, brunchy bites, and more. Guests can see the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and explore the works of featured artist Emmett Kyoshi Wilson. A Chicago-based artist living with Down syndrome, Wilson has created over 150 works, exhibited in five galleries, and even painted the American Flag for the U.S. Embassy in Croatia. 10:30 am.

Shepherd School of Music presents Inside Look: Modern American Operas
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University will present a deconstructed look at two full-length American comic operas: Karim Al-Zand’s 50th anniversary commission A Joint Interest and William Bolcom’s Lucrezia. Aleko Endowed Artist Paul Curran guides audiences through these mischievous and delightfully theatrical worlds. Shepherd School Chamber Players will accompany both contemporary operas from the pit, led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Bolcom's Lucrezia contains adult content and is not suitable for all audiences. 2 pm.

Cultural Center Our Texas presents Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the talents of his furry costars. There are more than 30 pets (dogs, cats, horses, birds, etc.) in the show, and each one has been rescued from animal shelters and given a new leash on life. Bad pun aside, this show will be a joy for viewers of all ages. 4 pm.

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