weekend event planner

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

This weekend is all about food — or at least, mostly about food.

It kicks off with the grand opening celebration for a food hall that began serving customers last year and continues with a party on Friday night headlined by the city’s newest James Beard Award winner. On Saturday night, food fanatics can head to Sugar Land for a new festival that features more than 30 of the city’s best chefs.

Beyond that, comedy fans will find a few opportunities to tickle their funny bones, and film buffs can celebrate the music of Star Wars. Elsewhere, Houstonians can take a trip to Taiwan without leaving the Beltway.

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

Thursday, May 16

Conservatory Midtown Grand Opening Weekend
Pallet Jax, Stesti Beer Garden, TerraRium Bar, and all of the other vendors at Conservatory Midtown are set to celebrate their opening in the vibrant heart of Houston. The grand opening weekend promises a collaboration of cultural experiences, mouth watering flavors, and various live music performers. It kicks off with an exclusive "soft opening.” The TerraRium Bar VIP Event invites guests to indulge in a night of candlelight cocktails, featuring complimentary light bites, sponsored cocktails, and a champagne toast. More events continue throughout the weekend, including both day and night markets on Saturday. 6 pm.

Covenant House Texas presents Night of Broadway Stars
Covenant House Texas, a shelter providing housing and support services, will host the third annual Night of Broadway Stars to raise funds and awareness for the safety and support services Covenant House provides to young people who are seeking freedom from homelessness and trafficking. Hosted by Broadway actress/performer Rita Harvey, the show also includes a performance by Covenant House Texas youth, as they share personal stories of the life-changing experiences they have had as a result of the help they received. 6 pm.

Chocolate And Art Inc. presents Chocolate and Art Show
With this two-day extravaganza of creative and confectionary delights, immerse yourself in the vibrant talents of Houston's emerging artists, photographers, and creators. The Chocolate and Art show offers something for everyone, from live body painting and dynamic musical performances to intricate face-painting, live portraits, and complimentary chocolates for all attendees. The show is strictly 21+. 7 pm.

Last Concert Amphitheater presents Lewberger
Lewberger, composed of Keith Habersberger (of The Try Guys), Alex Lewis, and Hughie Stone Fish, is a three-man comedy band based in Los Angeles, which got a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent and were finalists on NBC’s Bring The Funny. Their viral songs have been heard by millions online and on TV. They’ve also been described as the illegitimate love child of Lonely Island and Flight of the Conchords. 8 pm.

Friday, May 17

Asia Society Texas presents Homegrown Houston: All Asian, No Fusion With Street to Kitchen
Asia Society Texas presents the cuisines of Houston at this special tasting tour with James Beard Award winner Chef G (Benchawan Jabthong Painter) and her husband Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen. G and Graham have curated a selection of stand-out, innovative chefs, including CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners such as Manabu Horiuchi (Kata Robata and Katami), Gabe Medina, Tony Nguyen (Xin Chao), and Vanarin Kuch (Koffeteria). Each will present a dish that showcases their stories as chefs and, in turn, reflects the diversity and ingenuity of the Houston food scene. Tickets are inclusive of one dish from each chef/vendor, drinks, and entry to the exhibition. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Five Funny French Films
The 12th edition of the Five Funny French Films series brings a fresh lineup of new comedies. Get ready for the latest round of hijinks, hilarity, and memorable characters. The quintet of films include The (Ex)perience of Love (Le syndrome des amours passées), Our Tiny Little Wedding (Notre tout petit petit mariage), Mr. Putifar’s Wacky Plan (Les Vengeances de Maître Poutifard), The Madness Express (Veuillez nous excuser pour la gêne occasionnée), and The Crime Is Mine (Mon crime). 7 & 9:15 pm (5 pm Sunday).

The Hobby Center and Jazz Houston present Live at the Founders Club: Sophisticated Lady - The Songs of Natalie Cole starring Belinda Munro
Sophisticated Lady is a night of musical magic, glamor, and sophistication with the talented Belinda Munro and the Jazz Houston Ambassadors. Munro’s powerful yet soulful vocals and stage presence will take the audience on a journey honoring each era of Natalie Cole’s career. The tribute evening features some of the most beloved hits from Cole’s 40-year career, including "Unforgettable," "Orange Colored Sky," "Our Love," "This Will Be," and more favorites. 7:30 pm (7 pm Saturday).

Houston Symphony presents "The Music of Star Wars"
Audiences will travel to galaxies far, far away as the Houston Symphony performs favorite music from across the Star Wars universe, from “Rey’s Theme” to “Yoda’s Theme” and “The Imperial March.” The concert will feature music from all nine films in the Skywalker saga, performed in chronological order, plus selections from Rogue One and Solo. The concert will be conducted by Steven Reineke. 8 pm (2:30 & 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, May 18

Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston presents Taiwan Festival Houston
Guests can embark on a journey through the world of Taiwanese heritage through experiences, activities, and culture. Attendees will get to indulge in a Taiwanese Puppet Show, boba milk tea DIY, sky lantern making, mochi display and DIY, Taiwanese honeycomb toffee crafting, daikon lantern DIY, temple culture booth, creative face painting, calligraphy sessions, Taiwan fun facts, a folding balloon show, and more. 10 am.

In Conversation | Theaster Gates with Charonda Johnson and Hesse McGraw
Join artist Theaster Gates, alongside Ryan N. Dennis, Charonda Johnson, and Hesse McGraw, for a lively conversation about the exhibition, Theaster Gates: The Gift and The Renege. They will also discuss the impacts of the Rebirth in Action initiative. Gates’s exhibition features large-scale tar paintings, sculptures, and installations that highlight the seen and unseen dynamics of Freedmen’s Town in Houston’s Fourth Ward. This free talk is expected to fill up fast, so make sure to register. 3:30 pm.

Bazaar Food and Wine
Bazaar Food and Wine is an immersive, multicultural celebration of Houston’s diverse culture and culinary scene. Through food, drink, dance, music, fashion, and design, Bazaar Food and Wine will transport guests to six unique neighborhood destinations and immersive culinary and live entertainment activations (featuring an all-star lineup of 40 of Houston’s most prominent chefs) throughout Sugar Land Town Square, highlighting Latin America, India and Pakistan, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, and Texas. See our article with more details here. 5 pm.

Michelle Wolf: It’s Great to Be Here Tour
Michelle Wolf comes to Houston as part of her It’s Great to Be Here Tour. A former writer/performer for The Daily Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Wolf has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape. Her most recent Netflix special, Michelle Wolf: Joke Show received high praise, and her first hour-long stand-up special, Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady, which premiered on HBO in 2017, earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special.

Sunday, May 19

Archaeology Now presents “In Baba’s Kitchen”
As part of the Ukraine Project, Archaeology Now presents “In Baba’s Kitchen,” a unique cooking class and tasting event led by the Ukrainian team of husband-and-wife chefs Bek Mamat and Irina Mamataliyev and noted Houston and Czechoslovakian-born chef Monica Pope, who will teach participants how to make borscht and pierogi and the proper way to drink vodka. Guests will be welcomed by the Ukrainian Consul General, the Honorable Vitalii Tarasiuk. 3 pm.

Love Street Music Fest ‘24
[UPDATE: This event has been postponed due to Thursday night's storms.]

Musica Tra Amici presents The Return of Ayke Agus
Musica Tra Amici's special guest artist for this concert, Ayke Agus, is originally from Indonesia with Chinese, Dutch, and Javanese ancestry. Dr. Agus will share anecdotes from her life among the legendary musicians, discuss the nuance of the interpretation in the Romantic style they embodied, and perform music with Musica Tra Amici co-artistic directors Eric Halen and Brinton Averil Smith, including the Brahms B major piano trio, works of Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and many of the transcriptions on which she collaborated with Mr. Heifetz. 7 pm.

Benchawan Graham Painter Street to Kitchen

Photo by Eric Sandler

Join Chef G and Graham Painter from Street to Kitchen at Asia Society Texas.

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weekend event planner

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

Photo by Alan Gastelum

See Jim Gaffigan in The Woodlands this weekend.

Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, which means fanboys all around the city will be hitting all the comics stores, scooping up free titles. Over at the “Feed the Force” Community Food Drive, held by the Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston at the Regal Edwards Houston Marq*E, attendees will find a food drive, free comic books, cosplay and photo ops, raffle prizes, giveaways, activities, and more.

Elsewhere in H-Town, this weekend offers a lot of cinema, a lot of comedy, and a couple Disney-related happenings (including one that’s tied to AAPI Heritage Month). Read on for this weekend's best bets.

Thursday, April 30

Family Houston presents 2nd Annual Laughing Matters Gala
Family Houston presents the second annual Laughing Matters Gala, featuring comedian/SNL alumnus/former co-host of the MTV game show Remote Control (that’s where we first saw him) Colin Quinn. It's an evening where laughter meets purpose — raising critical funds for mental health counseling, financial stability coaching, and community support services, while breaking down the stigma around mental health in a way that only comedy can. 6 pm.

Laura Rathe Fine Art Houston presents "Beneath the Surface" opening reception
Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "Beneath the Surface," a group exhibition featuring KX2, Audra Weaser, and Sydney Yeager. The show brings together women artists at pivotal stages in their careers, each navigating a challenging art world while pushing the boundaries of visual language and artistic practice. The exhibition explores what unites them: curiosity, experimentation, and the perseverance required to sustain meaningful creative work. Through Sunday, May 31. 6 pm.

Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents Joe Alterman: “The Sounds of Jewish America”
The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents acclaimed jazz pianist Joe Alterman in “The Sounds of Jewish America” at the Merfish Teen Center. Throughout the 20th century, Jewish people have always contributed to American popular music, from Irving Berlin to Carole King. Part performance, part storytelling, Alterman shares timeless American music with fascinating Jewish stories, woven into exploring the vibrant intersection of Jewish heritage and American music that defines a cultural legacy. 7:30 pm.

Friday, May 1

East River presents Beats on the Bayou
Beats on the Bayou returns to East River’s Bayou Park with live music, good vibes, and bayou-side views. Enjoy a genre-blending set from Midnight Navy, the Austin-based singer-songwriter, producer and saxophonist whose sound fuses Chicano indie soul, alternative R&B, and jazzy grooves, creating a smooth, laid-back vibe along the water. Houston favorite DJ Ortiz keeps the energy up between sets with his open-format, turntablist style—mixing hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and dance tracks that get all ages moving. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Five Funny Films and Rice Cinema presents Houston Palestine Film Festival
All weekend long, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Rice Cinema will hit local moviegoers with some international cinema. Over at MFAH, the 12th annual Five Funny French Films series returns with a new and fresh lineup of five comedies from France. Not that far away, Rice Cinema will present the 19th annual Houston Palestine Film Festival, showcasing seven features and eight shorts that are all about Palestinian culture. 7 pm and 6:30 pm.

Raye in concert
28-year-old British singer/songwriter Raye is only two albums deep (her second album This Music May Contain Hope dropped last month) and she’s already killing it. Her boisterous 2025 single "Where is My Husband!" went platinum in the U.S. and double-platinum in Australia and the United Kingdom. Now, she’s on her This Tour May Contain New Music world tour, making a stop at the 713 Music Hall. 7 pm.

Houston Grand Opera presents Messiah
These are but a few of the arresting images from Robert Wilson’s vision of the beloved Messiah, composed by Handel and arranged by Mozart. The director’s production will be staged in the U.S.for the first time at Houston Grand Opera. In Wilson’s hands, Messiah — a narrative-free meditation on Jesus’ role as the Christian messiah, originally conceived for concert halls — transforms into a surreal and mesmerizing theatrical spectacle reminiscent of Disney’s Fantasia. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Saturday, May 2

First Saturday Arts Market
The First Saturday Arts Market wraps up the first half of its 2026 season with fine art from three dozen juried artists, Vivre Coffee Collective, and live music by Wendy Elizabeth Jones. Visitors will find artists with paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and more art mediums. A food truck is always on site, and local singer/songwriters can often be found providing entertainment. It’s a fun, welcoming community celebration of Houston creativity that returns in September. 11 am.

Rooftop Cinema Club presents Lilo & Stitch
Gather the family and head to Rooftop Cinema Club for a fun-filled afternoon honoring AAPI culture. Rooftop will be celebrating this by screening the 2002 Disney favorite Lilo & Stitch. Arrive when the doors open at 1:30 pm for island-themed crafts and a mini-hula show. It’s the ultimate family-friendly outing full of sunshine, movie magic and plenty of ohana spirit. Classic movie snacks and beverages are all available for purchase. 3 pm.

A Taste of Cy-Fair
A Taste of Cy-Fair will feature offerings from dozens of local restaurants, celebrating the very best of Cy-Fair and Houston’s culinary scene. Attendees will enjoy samples of dishes and treats from favorites like Alicia's Mexican Grille, Connie's Ice Cream, Dario's Steakhouse and Seafood, Tiff's Treats, The Backyard Grill, Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant, and more. Additionally, guests can sip on a wide variety of wines and sample dozens of craft beers. The event will also feature live music, a market, and a silent auction. 4 pm.

Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful
Saturday is gonna be a stacked night of stand-up comedy around the city. Leading the charge is Jim Gaffigan, that Hot Pockets enthusiast, coming to The Woodlands as part of his Everything is Wonderful! tour, featuring all-new material. The comedian/actor/producer/two-time New York Times best-selling author is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. His 11th special, The Skinny, premiered on Hulu in 2024. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, May 3

J-Bar-M Barbecue presents Cinco de Mayo Celebration
J-Bar-M Barbecue is celebrating Cinco de Mayo early with a high-energy event, featuring a live-fire Carne Asada Throwdown, live music, and a full day of cultural programming in Houston’s East End. The event will feature a Carne Asada competition with talented local chefs, judged by a panel of respected voices in the food community, to spotlight Houston’s growing Chicano barbecue scene and the city’s rich culinary influences. Houston artist The Real LOW-G will host and debut his new michelada mix, offering attendees an exclusive first taste. 11 am.

Photo by Alan Gastelum

See Jim Gaffigan in The Woodlands this weekend.

Asia Society Texas presents “Past, Present, Premiere”: An AAPI Celebration With Trio Menil
Asia Society Texas presents Trio Menil for a concert celebrating music by AAPI composers. Trio Menil is a versatile ensemble performing in both concert halls and classrooms across North America. The family-friendly classical performance will feature works written especially for Trio Menil, beloved classical favorites, and recent hits from Studio Ghibli and K-Pop Demon Hunters. The program will culminate with the world premiere of a new work by Chinese-Australian composer Sam Wu. 2 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Toy Story in Concert
Toy Story will always be the 1995 family classic that introduced the world to Pixar and officially set off the computer-animated feature revolution. The Houston Symphony will present Toy Story in Concert, featuring a screening of the groundbreaking film with Oscar/Grammy-winning composer Randy Newman’s musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be conducted by Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. 2 pm (7:30 pm Saturday).

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