Houston summer is hot, y’all, and not because we are all collectively swampassing our way through the thick of it as we speak -- instead, it’s because there are so many blazingly excellent things to do these next few months. Reggae Fest and Houston PRIDE were just a couple of the events that heated things up in the first half of the summer, while a margarita festival, poolside movies, and Houston Restaurant Weeks will help cool things down.
Here’s everything you need to have your girl Alexa add to the calendar this summer:
Check in to Hotel Thrillist this September!
Stargaze in Discovery Green
August 10, September 7
Downtown
Also at Discovery Green, you can head over to the park’s Lindsey Waterside Landing to stargaze with the Houston Astronomical Society, who will have telescopes setup from 8pm to 10pm.
Cost: Free
Get a #BroadwayBod
August 13, August 27, September 10
Downtown
On select Tuesdays this summer, Market Square Park will host a free Body by Broadway exercise class in partnership with Theatre Under the Stars and Define Body + Mind. The hour-long sweat sesh begins at 6:30pm, and you’re invited to squat, plank and show off your perfect pitch to the sound of Broadway tunes.
Cost: Free
Win Blanket Bingo
August 15, September 19
Downtown
Bring a blanket or lawn chair (or show up early to snag one of the tables) and prepare to yell “BINGO” way too excitedly in front of a bunch of strangers. Market Square Park’s Blanket Bingo event runs from 6pm to 9pm, with Bingo starting at 7pm.
Cost: $10 admission includes one bingo packet (approx 9 games); additional games and daubers can be purchased for $1 each
Party with the dinosaurs
August 24
Museum District
Spend a night with T-Rex & co. at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Mixers & Elixirs summer series. The museum will open its halls for an evening of drinks, dancing, food trucks and fun from 7pm to 10pm.
Cost: Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for non-members
Watch movies in the water
August 29, September 26
Galleria
Hotel Derek’s Float & Flick Summer movie series returns with a new lineup of poolside movies. Splash, dive and watch films including Goonies (August) and Mean Girls (September). The floating starts at 7:30pm, and the flicks begin when the sun goes down.
Cost: $25 includes the price of admission, complimentary gourmet popcorn, one complimentary Revolve Kitchen + Bar signature drink, complimentary self-parking and access to SPLASH
Dine out for a good cause
August 1 - September 2
Houston
The annual Houston Restaurant Weeks returns, raising funds for the Houston Food Bank all of August through Labor Day. Check here for the full list of participants once they’re released -- you can expect over 250 options, including restaurants serving multi-course prix fixe menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Cost: $20 to $45
Rock your coolest white suit in the Heights
August 3
Heights
Hit the 200 and 300 blocks of 19th Street to sip, shop, peruse art and mingle from 6pm to 10pm.
Those looking for the after-party will find celebrations continuing throughout the hood, particularly along White Oak.
Cost: Free to walk around
Experience the 20th anniversary tour of Rent
August 6 - August 11
Downtown
Follow the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams in Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning musical. It’s returning to the stage for a 20th anniversary touring production, with shows nightly.
Cost: Tickets start at $30
Catch an alfresco screening of Forgetting Sarah Marshall
August 7
Downtown
Head to Market Square Park for a screening of the 2008 rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall under the stars. The film starts at 8:30pm, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Eats and boozy beverages can be purchased from the in-park Niko Niko’s stand.
Cost: Free
Sip bubbly at the Zoo
August 15
Museum District
For its last Zoo After Dark event of the summer, the Houston Zoo is All About That Bubbly. Sip champagne or prosecco while relaxing at the Houston Zoo’s beautiful Reflection Pool, check out a live ice carving show, snap a shot at the photo booth, and hangout with the animals from 6pm to 10pm.
Cost: Tickets are $35 and include 1 free drink per guest
Crown the Best Margarita in Houston
August 17
Upper Kirby
Hit up Kirby Ice House to sip margs and crown a winner at the Texas Margarita Festival. Tequila enthusiasts can sample over 15 margaritas and enjoy tacos, frozen drinks, food trucks, DJs, and Kirby’s adult playground from noon to 6pm.
Cost: Tickets start at $25 for early bird general admission, with VIP and raffle tickets available
See 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' -- live in concert
August 29
Woodlands
Relive the magic of Raiders of the Lost Ark, with John Williams’s epic score performed live by the full Houston Symphony orchestra. The event will take place at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands.
Cost: Tickets are $20
Get hoppy at the Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival
August 30 - September 1
Galveston
One of the country’s most elite beer festivals returns to Galveston’s Moody Gardens, offering events including the BrewHaha Grand Tasting (Saturday), Brew-B-Que (Sunday) and Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting (Friday).
Cost: Tickets run from $30 to $165
Relive the magic of The Little Mermaid with a live orchestra
August 31 - September 1
Downtown
Disney’s animated classic The Little Mermaid will be even more magical when its Oscar-winning score is performed live by the Houston Symphony. Head to Jones Hall for the performances beginning at 7:30pm on Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday.
Cost: Tickets are $35-$110
Get a Taste of the Caribbean
September 1
Houston
This annual Labor Day weekend festival celebrates the culture of the Caribbean via food, music, dance, poetry, and art. Stay tuned for details.
Cost: Early bird tickets are $10
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