Everything Fun to Do in Houston This Weekend
Barbecue at the rodeo! A night market in Montrose! Seafood aplenty at the Crawfish Festival! All this and more marks time well spent in Houston.
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (February 28–March 19) is so close we can taste it. Actually, you pretty much can taste it, as the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest kicks off rodeo season this weekend. Pregame with brisket, then spend the rest of your days recovering with things like beer and hot boiled crawfish, a dazzling night at the theater, and an epic bike tour of the city. Here’s everything you need to do to make this weekend a worthy one.
Kick off Rodeo season with smoked meat
Thursday, February 23–Saturday, February 25
NRG Park
Before the Rodeo, there is barbecue—the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, to be exact. It’s a glorious pregame that sees more than 250 barbecue teams faceoff in a weekend-long competition. While the barbecue tents are invite only, the festival grounds and carnival—live music stage The Garden, the Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon, and the Chuckwagon—are open to the public.
Cost: Tickets are $20 ($10 for kids), including access and complimentary sliced brisket, beans, and chips.
Saturday, February 25
Shady Acres
Many would say Eureka Heights Brew’s seasonal Crawfish Picnics don’t happen often enough, so when they do, you get yourself there. Simply Boiled will join the brewery for a relaxed day of mudbug-eating, offering crawfish by the pound with choice of Cajun or Viet-Cajun style. Pair ‘em with a pitch of Somethin’ Light, which will be on special all damn day.
Cost: Free to attend.
Discover local goodies at the Blacksmith's 10th Anniversary Night Market
Saturday, February 25
Montrose
After getting rained out at its first try last month, Blacksmith is celebrating its first decade of business by inviting friends for a pop-up night market (here, “night” means 3 to 7 pm). The parking lot party features cult favorite vendors including 6PM Candle Co., Boo’s Burgers, Dirt Bag, Dumpling Haus, Little Dreamer Coffee, and more.
Cost: Free to attend.
Eat all the crawfish you can comfortably handle
Saturday, February 25
East End
This time of year, Saturdays are for suckin’ down mudbugs. Folks who agree can head on over to Guadalupe Plaza Park for the all-you-can-eat 2023 Houston Crawfish Kickoff Festival. The fun runs from 3 to 10 pm, featuring crawfish boils, live music and DJs, and a variety of food and beverage vendors.
Cost: $35 for All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish admission passes ($8 for admission only).
Conquer the Tour de Houston
Sunday, February 26
Downtown
The annual Tour de Houston invites cyclists to embark on an epic bike ride throughout the city in an effort to raise funds for Houston's Reforestation Program. Routes wind through historic neighborhoods, scenic districts, and parks, with three ride length options; each beginning and ending at City Hall. Riders will earn a post-ride party that includes music, free food, and bevies.
Cost: Registration is $45 ($50 day of).
Unleash your inner Mad Hatter at totally wild, totally tipsy tea party
All weekend long
Clear Lake
“Eat me” cookies, flamingo croquet, and topsy-turvy cocktails are all up for grabs as you climb down the rabbit hole at new pop-up adventure The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience. The alternative reality bar is open at a hush-hush location on Egret Bay Boulevard for a wondrous 12-week run, with 90 minute sessions Thursday through Sunday.
Cost: Tickets are $47 per person and include a welcome drink, two bespoke cocktails and a cookie.
Experience the glitz and grandeur of 1900s Paris with a night at the theatre
All weekend long
Downtown
It's the opening weekend of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, which brings its sexy splendor to the Hobby Center now through March 12. Get enchanted by the electrifying cast Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm.
Cost: Tickets start at $40.