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    weekend event planner

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

    Craig Lindsey
    Mar 30, 2023 | 6:00 am
    Houston Barbecue festival attendees with tray

    Try samples from more than 20 restaurants at the Houston Barbecue Festival.

    Courtesy of the Houston Barbecue Festival

    We’re in the middle of spring events season, which means every weekend is truly loaded. Over the next few days, Houstonians can tour homes, go to art shows, practice their home run swings, and eat their weight in smoked meat.

    Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

    Thursday, March 30

    Home Run Dugout Grand Opening
    Home Run Dugout, the first-ever sports bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue featuring indoor soft-toss baseball, will open to the public this weekend. A brand-new way to play baseball with friends, Home Run Dugout has reinvented the batting cage, offering an immersive, social gamified playing experience suitable for sluggers of all ages and skill levels. The restaurant’s extensive menu features elevated ballpark-inspired fare, with shareables like crispy chicken sliders, smoked chicken wings, and buttermilk onion rings. 11 am.

    Houston Junior Forum presents The City Market
    Usher in spring at The City Market, where guests will get a chance to explore a curated market featuring a wide variety of merchants. Houston Junior Forum’s event benefits a range of charitable services for children, youth, women, and senior adults in the Greater Houston area. Check out this market with your best pals, or have a day to yourself while finding what’s new for spring. The main market takes place on Friday, with a separately ticketed preview party on Thursday. 5:30 pm (11 am Friday).

    FotoFest presents “Contact: Making Images Using the Cyanotype Process” opening reception and public workshop
    Head over to this celebration and cyanotype-making workshop, held in conjunction with FotoFest’s latest exhibition. See the incredible handmade cyanotypes created at recent workshops. Guests are invited to create cyanotype artworks in a free, artist-led workshop. Images made during the workshop will be displayed at Silver Street Studios. Guests are also encouraged to bring objects to create unique images. Flowers, negatives, and other fun objects with unique silhouettes work best. Through Saturday, May 20. 6 pm.

    Friday, March 31

    NCAA presents Reese's Men's Final Four Friday®
    Filled with interactive activities and entertainment for fans of all ages, this public event includes open team practices for the participating Men’s Final Four teams as well as the Reese’s NABC All-Star Game, Top senior student-athletes from around the country will be playing on the Men’s Final Four court. This event will provide an opportunity to see the teams and players up close, and be in the venue that will host the semifinal and championship games. 10 am.

    Silambam presents Waking Up Free: India’s Journey
    As India celebrates its 75th year of Indian independence, this evening-length performance tells the stories of India’s fight for independence. Based on the traditional Maargam format of Bharatanatyam, this original production weaves together classical Indian music and the expressivity of classical Indian dance to tell the story of struggle and hope in present-day India. The event will also be livestreamed on Miller Outdoor Theatre website, as well as its YouTube and Facebook pages. 8 pm.

    University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance presents Shakespeare in Love
    Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he’s in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse: the feisty, brilliant and beautiful Viola. This crafty young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms, inspiring him to write his greatest romantic masterpiece. Through April 9. 8 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents Graveyard Shift: Silver Bullet
    Where Wolf – a new creator-owned graphic novel from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese and Jack Morelli – is set in the wild world of furry conventions, small-town Texas journalism and werewolf whodunits. Leading up to the book’s wide release, Saucedo will tour movie theaters across the country, screening werewolf films and providing an opportunity to purchase the graphic novel early at signing events. For this screening, he’ll show this 1985 thriller, based on Stephen King’s novel Cycle of the Werewolf. 10 pm.

    Saturday, April 1

    Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation presents Sugar Land Arts Fest
    The Sugar Land Arts Fest will feature two days of art, music, wine, and food. A premier arts festival in the Houston metropolitan region, the festival will showcase over 100 visual artists from around the country, with paintings, sculpture, photography, glassworks, and more. There will also be continuous live music in the center of the festival, a wine and beer garden, food trucks, and an exclusive VIP sponsor area. 10 am.

    ROCO presents The Nightingale Book Launch
    Guests can experience Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale in a new musical setting commissioned by ROCO. Along with illustrations by Amy Scheidegger Ducos, music and story combine for the release of The Nightingale as an interactive children’s book, to be given free to the first 50 children in attendance. ROCO concertmaster Scott St. John, principal clarinet Nathan Williams, and composer/pianist Kevin Lau will perform, with Alecia Lawyer as narrator. 10:30 am.

    Houston Edible Book Festival
    Edible book festivals around the world celebrate books, humor, and imagination through the creation of dishes inspired by books and puns. Always celebrated on or around April Fools’ Day, it’s an event that features food shaped like, or referring to, books. It is a fun and engaging community activity which involves both children’s and adults’ books. This year, The Printing Museum is partnering with the Houston Book Arts Guild and hosting the festival at its new location in Midtown! This event brings delight to both entrants and onlookers. 4 pm.

    Tradesmen X Gil Mindiola “Die A Hero” Art Show
    Tradesmen Barber is hosting local artist Gil Mindiola for his exhibition. Mindiola’s art will be showcased in the shop, providing an experience to the Houston community unlike any other. Mindiola pours his heart into his creative body of work and allows a palpable vulnerability that jumps out at the viewer. Craft Pita will serve complimentary food, and Equal Parts Brewing and Todos Santos will offer complimentary drinks. 9th Stage will deliver sounds. Admission is free. 6 pm.

    Sunday, April 2

    West U Home Tour
    West University Elementary PTO will present the annual West U Home Tour. The event will feature eight unique homes in West University Place, highlighting the work of local builders, architects, designers, and realtors. Featured properties range in style from modern masterpieces to transitional family abodes to carefully restored vintage homes. Check-in for the event is at Tiny's No. 5; home addresses will be given to paid ticketholders. Proceeds from the tour benefit the West University Elementary School PTO. Noon.

    10th Annual Houston Barbecue Festival
    The Houston Barbecue Festival will celebrate its tenth anniversary this weekend. The lineup includes longtime favorites like CorkScrew BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, and Truth BBQ, as well as new talents like Khoi Barbecue and Bar-A-BBQ. This year’s charitable partner is Recovery Houston Foundation. All tickets include entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each barbecue joint. VIP tickets include one drink ticket, a T-shirt and entry into the festival one hour early. A bar with craft and national beers will be available. 1 pm.

    Couture Gawds presents Couture with Cause
    Couture with Cause serves as the second annual charity event supporting the human trafficking awareness initiative. The event will feature comedy, vocalists, dancers, and couture fashion worn by models for Evida Agency. The show will display creative work from three designers and allow guests to network, shop with vendors and enjoy cocktails and live music. The show will have menswear, resort wear, swimwear, etc. 5 pm.

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    instead of dinner

    7 off-beat Valentine’s Day date ideas for couples in Houston

    Brianna McClane
    Feb 6, 2026 | 12:00 pm
    Great Wolf lodge Valentine's Day
    Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge
    Great Wolf Lodge in Webster is hosting an adults-only Valentine's Day event that includes a 30-minute lazy river float with champagne and dessert.

    From the weight of expectations to dashed engagement dreams, Valentine’s Day can lose its luster long after the flush of receiving folded, cartoon-covered Valentines from our Kindergarten classmates. If you’re considering calling it quits instead of braving one of Houston’s fine dining establishments this Valentine’s Day, don’t give up just yet. From floating in salt-saturated pools to belting out tunes under the stars, here are seven unique ways to celebrate love in Houston.

    Great Wolf lodge Valentine's Day

    Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

    Great Wolf Lodge in Webster is hosting an adults-only Valentine's Day event that includes a 30-minute lazy river float with champagne and dessert.

    Altered States Wellness: Ultimate Date Night
    For a more relaxing Valentine’s Day that focuses on health rather than chocolate, consider Altered States Wellness’ Ultimate Date Night. The date begins with a private float therapy session, where couples relax side-by-side in salt-saturated water, said to help reduce stress and anxiety. After, couples can enjoy charcuterie and champagne with other romantic notes in a private themed lounge. The Ultimate Date Night starts at $370, with add-ons available, including a Galentine’s package for four people at $600. Altered States Wellness is located in Vintage Park, and is open daily from 10 am-8 pm.

    Botonica: L’amour Noir Pop-Up
    An ode to Paris’ famed Moulin Rouge, L’amour Noir is a more intimate experience than Botonica’s other seasonal pop-ups such as the Cursed Cauldron, limited to only the 35-seat upstairs bar. Alas, Ewan McGregor will not be serenading Nicole Kidman in this version of Moulin Rouge, but attendees will be treated to a variety performance on Valentine’s Day featuring cabaret, drag, and boylesque. Tickets are $45 each and include a welcome cocktail. Doors open at 9 pm for the V-Day performance, with the show beginning at 9:30 pm. L’Amour Noir is February 6-21 at Botonica.

    Great Wolf Lodge: Romance on the River
    The kids may sulk, but only the parents can soak at the Great Wolf Lodge’s Romance on the River on February 14. This is the indoor water park resort’s first foray into an adults-only luxury dining experience, with the one-night only offer of a five-course lobster dinner and wine pairing in a private cabana. Dessert and champagne is enjoyed while floating in a double-tube around the resort’s lazy river filled with rose petals and floating candles and at a balmy 84 degrees. Romance on the River is $300 per couple, $400 with wine pairings.

    Houston Museum of Natural Science: Atoms and Attractions
    It’s easy to find a fellow nerd to fall in love with at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Atoms and Attractions party. Slip on a red, yellow, or green bracelet to indicate your relationship status before exploring all there is to offer, including a dance floor with DJs, karaoke in the planetarium, and “Pride and Prejudice" on a loop in the theatre. Nothing says “I love you” like strolling amidst dinosaur bones with a themed cocktail in hand. The Atoms and Attractions event is Friday, February 13, from 7-11 pm. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for the public.

    POST: Valentine’s Market for Makers
    Get crafty with your crush at POST during the Valentine’s Market for Makers. The two-day event brings together more than 100 vendors to peruse, with free photo ops and food and drink for purchase. Patrons can stretch their imagination at the DIY station by creating a handmade keepsake. This is a Valentine's activity for the whole family, with free entry for kids under 12. After all that shopping, why not make a true commitment to everlasting love and stop by the BARC adoption event also held that Saturday at POST. The Valentine’s Market for Makers is February 14-15 from 11 am-5 pm, with tickets ranging from $6-$20.

    Velocity Sim Lounge
    Make your beloved passenger princess’ heart flutter with a stint at Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge. Velocity’s new two-person simulator lets one lover in the driver’s seat while the other rides shotgun, with the choice to switch spots. The Sawyer Yards racing spot has two deals for lovebirds: Speed Date ($99) consists of a 30-minute simulator race, two drink tickets, and two entrees, while the Double Date ($135) extends the exhilaration to a full hour in the driver’s seat. The specials run February 13-16, and Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge is open Friday from 12 pm - 12 am, Saturday-Sunday from 11 am-12 am, and Monday from 2-11 pm.

    Meow Wolf Radio Tave: GRAFFITI with GONZO
    Couples that learn together, stay together — especially if that something is as cool as the art of graffiti. On Valentine’s Day weekend, Meow Wolf guests can participate in a 90-minute, hands-on graffiti session with Houston artist Mario Enrique Figueroa, Jr., aka GONZO247. Tickets are available for couples ($222) and singles ($114), and include Meow Wolf admission, the workshop, materials, two drinks per person, and light bites. GRAFFITI with GONZO is Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14, from 3- 6 pm.

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