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. Latin Restaurant Weeks, Reggae Fest, and Houston PRIDE are just a few of the happenings heating things up, while a margarita festival, poolside movies, and the 25th anniversary of the Lone Star’s oldest brewery will help cool things down.
Here’s everything you need to have your girl Alexa add to the calendar this summer:
Experience Latin flavors at the inaugural Latin Restaurant Weeks
June 2 - June 16
Various locations
Houston has the third largest Hispanic population in the United States, and Latin Restaurant Weeks is all about championing the community’s diverse flavors. The two-week menu showcase will kick-off with over 25 participating restaurants offering prix fixe, casual lunch or upscale dinner menu options. The restaurant lineup includes Alicia’s Mexican Grille, Gauchos Do Sul, Gusto Gourmet, Los Cucos, and more, with special events including a La Sorpresa en Blanco pop-up dinner.
Cost: Menu options range from $15-$50
Head to The Woodlands for Wine & Food Week
June 3 - June 9
The Woodlands
The H-E-B Wine Walk, Platinum Wine Vault and The Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase are just some of the sweet events going down at the annual Woodlands Wine & Food Week. And don’t miss Sips, Suds & Tacos, for three very obvious reasons.
Cost: Tickets range from $25 to $200, depending on the event
Get tatted
June 7 - June 9
NRG Park
Houston’s biggest body art event is back -- the second annual Houston Tattoo Arts Convention gives you the chance to get tattooed by some of the best local, national, and international tattoo artists. Tattoo enthusiasts can also expect celebrities, contests and entertainment throughout the event, which runs from 2pm to 8pm.
Cost: Tickets are $20 or $40 for a 3-day pass
Let loose at Houston Reggae Fest
June 8
South Central
Peggy Park will host the 2019 Houston Reggae Fest from 1pm to 10pm. Celebrate culture, music and good times, with three stages of reggae, dancehall and soca from international and local artists.
Cost: Tickets are $10 for general admission, with drink and VIP packages available
Eat tacos, drink tequila, and jam to live music
June 8
Spring
The 2019 Texas Taco, Tequila & Music Fest goes down in Old Town Spring from noon to 11:30pm. The all-day fest will feature a live music lineup that includes Houston’s own The Suffers, plus 30 of the best taco vendors around, tequila tastings, live art and more. Frozen or not, the margaritas are sure to flow.
Cost: Tickets start at $15 presale
Listen to Old School Hip-Hop and R&B
June 8
Downtown
Head to Discovery Green for a free outdoor concert, featuring the soulful sounds of the ‘80s and ‘90s hip hop and R&B, from 6pm to 9:30pm. The Texas Black Expo event features performances by Grammy award-winner Elle Varner and Houston’s own Lil’ Keke.
Cost: Free
Stargaze in Discovery Green
June 8
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
Celebrate 25 years of beers with Saint Arnold
June 8 - June 9
Warehouse District
Texas’ oldest craft brewery is turning 25! Party with Saint Arnold at a free 25th Anniversary Party from 3pm to 10pm on Saturday, featuring live music from Texas and Louisiana artists, Art Cars, special glassware, local vendors, artists, dancers, mariachis, face painting, food tents, and other super fun stuff in its Beer Garden & Restaurant and indoor Beer Hall. On Sunday, guests are invited to a 25th Anniversary Special Rare Cellar Tasting, offered in two sessions: noon to 2:30pm and 3:30 to 6pm.
Cost: Saturday’s birthday party is free to attend, with Super Saint VIP packages available for $100; Tickets for Sunday’s Special Rare Cellar Tasting are $60 plus tax and include 2-ounce samples of each beer, Houston Dairymaids cheese tasting table, and a special souvenir 25th Anniversary taster glass
Get a #BroadwayBod
June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 13, August 27
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
Embrace your inner Bridezilla
July 13 - July 14
Downtown
Planning (or dreaming of planning) a wedding? The George R. Brown Convention Center will host the Bridal Extravaganza Show, America’s biggest bridal planning event from 10am to 5pm, both days. Eat your weight in wedding cake, see fashion shows, meet face-to-face with vendors, and enter to win honeymoons and shopping sprees that you are totally going to win because this is YOUR YEAR.
Cost: Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door
Watch Crazy Rich Asians under the stars
June 14
Museum District
Bring your lawn chairs, and picnics (i.e. boxes o’ wine) to Miller Outdoor Theatre for a free outdoor screening of blockbuster hit Crazy Rich Asians. As always, seating on the hill is open, with ticketed (but still free) seating available by reservation at the box office. 8:30pm.
Cost: Free
Raise a glass to Galveston Island Brewing
June 15
Galveston
Galveston Island Brewing is turning 5, and its throwing a birthday bash to celebrate. The rain-or-shine fun goes down from noon to 8pm -- including specialty beer releases like the Mint Chocolate Chip Hefen and Dublé IPA, plus food from Bayou City Eats and Naldissimo Italian Food Truck, free brewery tours, and live music.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Enjoy local brews and local grooves
June 15
Downtown
House of Blues Houston is bringing back its Local Brews, Local Grooves event, beginning at 3pm. The day-long event celebrates craft beer and music with 40+ beer selections from local Houston breweries, pub fare pairings, and a highly curated, diverse music lineup of local bands and DJs.
Cost: Tickets and packages to event start at $15
Get a taste of Houston at the Houston Food Fest
June 15
Downtown
The 2019 Houston Food Fest will bring over 70 local vendors, trucks, restaurants and pop-ups to Midtown Park, offering crazy good eats from tacos and gumbo to vegan burgers and BBQ alongside live music and interactive games. The all-day event runs from noon to 10pm.
Cost: Early bird admission is $5, with food and drink available for purchase at the event
Match BBQ with beer
June 15
Southwest Houston
The Taste of Houston Barbecue and Beer Fest will go down at Taylor’s Multipurpose Event Center from 2pm to 10pm, rocking 20+ restaurants, chefs, breweries, and winemakers, plus fun stuff like live music, a culinary market, VIP lounge, and chef demos.
Cost: General admission tickets are free, with $10 tasting sessions and VIP tickets available
Say 'Hennything'
June 15
Southwest Houston
Get Henny soaked at Hennything HTX, a celebration of Hennessy cognac taking place at Bayou City Event Center from 3pm to 11:30pm. Enthusiasts can expect Henny concoctions, local bands, DJs, and vendors, karaoke, photo booths, and interactive games.
Cost: Early bird general admission starts at $10, with VIP packages available
Watch 'Big Daddy' from the comfort of a hammock
June 17
Midtown
Adam Sandler’s Big Daddy is turning 20 and we officially feel old as hell. If you feel the same, prove you still got it by drinking beers and eating pizza on a Monday night. The film begins at 7:30pm, in the hammock-filled beer garden.
Cost: Free
Jam to New Orleans brass in the park
June 19
Museum District
Knock a trip to Miller Outdoor Theatre off your summer bucket list at this Gulf Coast Juneteenth celebration. The blues and creole music festival features the sounds of The Soul Rebels, a blend of New Orleans brass tradition and hip hop, rock, and jazz. The show goes on at 7:30pm.
Cost: Free, with open seating on the hill and zero-dollar seated tickets available at the box office
Hit the Zoo after dark
June 20
Museum District
Explore the Houston Zoo’s newest exhibit -- the Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands -- with adult beverages and no kids at the Lone Star Soirée. Guests can get an up-close look at few Texas natives (like the American alligator, screech owl, and whooping cranes) while noshing on tacos and margaritas. Explore from 6pm to 8pm; the party begins at 8pm.
Cost: Tickets are $35 and include one free drink
Win Blanket Bingo
June 20, July 18, August 15
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
Say 'namaste' to the International Day of Yoga
June 21
Downtown
Show off your crow skillz at a free International Day of Yoga class, held at Market Square Park from 6pm to 8:30pm. All levels are welcome, so you can show up even if you only have the corpse pose down so far.
Cost: Free
Go Rainbow on the Green
June 21
Downtown
The 10th annual Rainbow on the Green starts at 7pm, with electrifying entertainment by Chad Michaels of RuPaul's Drag Race and OneUp, along with DJ beats and some of Houston’s best drag performers.
Cost: Free, with VIP tickets available for $25
Enjoy an alfresco Summer Symphony
June 21 - June 22 and June 28 - June 29
Museum District
The Houston Symphony takes its show on the road, with four nights of classical music on the lawn at Miller Outdoor Theatre. The Summer Symphony Nights begin at 8:30pm, featuring pieces by SIbelius and Rachmaninov.
Cost: Free, with open seating on the hill and zero-dollar seated tickets available at the box office
Party with the dinosaurs
June 21, July 19, August 16
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
Show your PRIDE
June 22
Downtown
Pride Houston will be celebrating the LGBTQIA community all month long, culminating in the festival (starting at noon) and the parade, starting at 8pm. Afterward, head to Rich's Houston for the official Pride Houston afterparty.
Cost: Free
Shop a Flea by Night
June 22
Downtown
Hunt for treasure at a one-of-a-kind market set in the southeast end of Discovery Green. From 6pm to 10pm, the Downtown park will feature kitsch, vintage, mid-century modern items, furniture and crafts from local artisans and vendors.
Cost: Free
See Michelle Wolf live
June 26
Northside
Head to White Oak Music Hall’s Downstairs for a live performance from comedian, writer, and producer Michelle Wolf, with opener Anthony DeVito. Doors open at 7pm, and this is a seated performance.
Cost: Tickets are $25
Catch hit Broadway musical 'Aladdin'
June 26 - July 14
Downtown
With the live-action movie’s ungodly CGI version of Will Smith’s Genie launching a bajillion memes, Aladdin is so hot right now. Get in on the fun by catching a run of its Broadway musical performance at the Hobby Center.
Cost: Tickets start at $50
Watch movies in the water
June 27, July 26, 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 Footloose (June), Apollo 13 (July), 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
Take yourself to Margaritaville
June 29
Woodlands
The 2019 Woodlands Margarita Festival will offer 15+ margarita flavors, a Best Margarita Competition, and Tour de Tequilas along with live bands, tasty eats, and local vendors. You’ll find it all at Town Green Park from 2 to 8pm.
Cost: Tickets start at $23
Eat your way through Asia
June 29
Museum District
This was originally scheduled for May, but was postponed due to the lovely Houston weather… Anyway, Asia Society Texas Center’s annual AsiaFest celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with an international bazaar and festival, live performances, arts and crafts, and lots of Asian cuisine. The fest runs from 11am to 5pm.
Cost: Free
Love on some whiskey
June 29
Downtown
Also postponed due to Houston weather, the 6th Annual Houston Whiskey Festival will go down in June at the Ballroom at Bayou Place from 7pm to 10pm (6pm for VIP). Whiskey enthusiasts can enjoy expert seminars and talks with master distillers, as well as tastings, live bands and a cigar lounge.
Cost: Tickets are $45 to $100
Wear pink for 'Mean Girls' at the park
June 29
Downtown
Enjoy the #LiLo classic Mean Girls with a view of the Downtown skyline at Discovery Green. Blankets, leashed pets, and picnics are encouraged; and lawn chairs are welcome on the north side of the hill. Food, beer, and wine are available for purchase at The Lake House. The screening begins at 9pm, but you can show up early for contests and activities.
Cost: Free
Relive the magic of 'Spaceballs' under the stars
July 3
Downtown
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for a screening of the Mel Brooks classic, Spaceballs, at Market Square Park. The film starts at 8:30pm, with eats and boozy beverages available at the in-park Niko Niko’s stand.
Cost: Free
Celebrate America with country music and FIREWORKS!
July 4
Buffalo Bayou Park
This year’s Freedom over Texas features country music stars Jake Owen and Kelly Pickler -- but the evening’s magnum opus is the dazzling firework display set over the Downtown skyline. The festival takes place in Eleanor Tinsley Park and Sam Houston Park along Buffalo Bayou from 4 to 10pm.
Cost: Tickets are $8 online and $10 day of
Catch the classiest firework show in town
July 4
Museum District
Celebrate the Fourth with the Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute to America, on the lawn at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Patriotic sounds will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display, with the orchestra beginning at 8:30pm.
Cost: Free, with open seating on the hill and zero-dollar seated tickets available at the box office
#RoséAllDay
July 5
Midtown
Celebrate rosé season at Brennan’s third annual “FriYAY Rosé” event. The walk-around tasting will take place from 4pm to 7pm, with several rosé selections from the Wine Guys and light bites to accompany the sips.
Cost: Tickets are $25+ per person
Break free with the music of Queen
July 5 - July 6
Downtown
Jones Hall will host its Houston Symphony as the talented orchestra add on a vocalist and full rock band for an unforgettable rendition of Queen classics. The performances begin at 7:30pm.
Cost: Tickets are $34-$119
Head to the beach for Movie Nite on the Strand
July 6
Galveston
Saengerfest Park will be showing a free screening of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle under the stars. Chairs, blankets, pillows, and picnics are welcome. The film starts at 7:45pm.
Cost: Free
Conquer the Margarita Crawl
July 6
Washington
Details are to be announced, but this Margarita Crawl will feature five venues, take-home swag, an after-party, and margarita drink specials from 2pm to 8pm.
Cost: Tickets start at $20 and go up to $35 as the crawl gets closer
Go vegan at VegFest
July 13
Downtown
The 7th annual VegFest Houston will take place at Minute Maid Park from 11am to 5pm (10am for VIP). Details are TBD, but you can expect plenty of vegan-friendly vendors and eateries.
Cost: Adult VIP passes are $20
Enjoy a Taste of the Town
July 13
Friendswood
Head to The Lawn at Baybrook, where you’ll find local restaurants, wineries, breweries and shopping from 5pm to 8pm. Guests can sample bites and beers from local spots alongside live music.
Cost: Tickets are $25 for adults
Attend a Tex-Mex BBQ Block Party
July 14
Warehouse District
The Houston Barbecue Festival and Saint Arnold Brewing Company will celebrate the growing influence of Tejano and Tex-Mex cooking traditions in modern Texas barbecue at the inaugural Tex-Mex BBQ Block Party. Held at the brewery, ticket holders can load up on unlimited samples of each vendor's barbecue dish alongside Saint Arnold brews, from 1pm to 4pm.
Cost: Tickets are $60 a pop
Indulge your inner foodie at Minute Maid Park
July 14
Downtown
Now in its fifth year, the Lone Star Bash brings together top chefs from around the state for an epic culinary night at Minute Maid Park. Munch on chef-prepared tasting bites alongside live country music, beer, wine and cocktails from 6pm to 9pm (5pm for VIP).
Cost: Tickets are $60 to $150
Explore the flavors of Africa
July 14
West Houston
The Taste of Pan-Africa event brings an afternoon of food, music, philanthropy and networking to the Ayva Center, from 1pm to 7pm. Chefs will arouse the taste buds with cuisines from East Africa, South Africa, West Africa, Brazil, Haiti, and the Caribbean.
Cost: Tickets are $25
Rock out with the animals at a silent disco
July 18
Museum District
The Houston Zoo will stay open late for a special Silent Disco After Dark, held from 6pm to 10pm. Just put on your headphones and choose from three different channels of music -- plus enjoy up-close animal experiences and learn about the local Attwater prairie chicken.
Cost: Tickets are $35, including one free drink
Drink wine to trap music
July 20
Downtown
The 2019 Trap Wine Fest is going down at Jones Plaza, where Houston’s top DJs will be playing Trap music hits from 4pm to 9pm. The fun also includes wine, trendy local chefs, games, and more.
Cost: Tickets start at $15
See 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' -- live in concert
July 18 - July 20
Downtown
Watch the hijinks of Harry, Ron and Hermione on the big screen at Jones Hall, as the Houston Symphony sets the tone with Nicholas Hooper’s iconic score. The orchestra and shows go on at 7:30pm each day, with an additional 2:30pm afternoon performance on the Saturday.
Cost: Tickets are $34-$124
Take “A Giant Leap” at Discovery Green
July 20
Downtown
Houston celebrates the 50th anniversary of the incredible Apollo 11 mission to the moon with a free public event at Discovery Green. Held from 6pm to 10pm, the event will feature a paratrooper landing, exhibitions from the Johnson Space Center and Lone Star Flight Museum, commentary by Douglas Brinkley, author of American Moonshot, a screening of Apollo 11, and an artisan/collectible market.
Cost: Free
Head to the beach for Movie Nite on the Strand
July 20
Galveston
Saengerfest Park will be showing a free screening of First Man under the stars. Chairs, blankets, pillows, and picnics are welcome. The film starts at 8pm.
Cost: Free
Channel Screech at a ‘90s pub crawl
July 27
Downtown
Make your way through Downtown watering holes at this ‘90s-themed pub crawl, set to go on from 3pm to 9pm. Your host? None other than Dustin Diamond, aka Screech from Saved by the Bell. Tickets include a T-shirt, beer stein, slap band, koozie, and access to drink specials.
Cost: Tickets are $10-$19
Buy, sale, and trade rare kicks
July 28
NRG Park
Sneaker addicts will want to hit up the NRG Center for the 2019 H-town Sneaker Summit, where footwear culture will be in full force. Bring your own to trade or just show up to peruse the goods and meet fellow enthusiasts. Doors are open from 3pm to 8pm (2:30pm for VIP).
Cost: Tickets are $35 for general admission and $65 for VIP (limited)
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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