Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! It’s Cinco de Mayo, Derby Weekend, and there are lots of fun ways to celebrate and enjoy the weekend. Highlights include: 

“I’ll Have What She’s Having”: The Jewish Deli is on view at Holocaust Museum Houston May 5 through Aug. 13, 2023. 

Holocaust Museum Houston Presents: 'I'll Have What She's Having': The Jewish Deli  
Holocaust Museum Houston’s new exhibit, “’I’ll have What She’s Having’: The Jewish Deli”, opens today. The exhibit explores how American Jews imported traditions, adapted culture, and built community through the experience of food. Get a taste of the exhibit here. 

Cinco de Mayo festivities will take place outside in the Picos parking lot underneath an expansive, 50-foot tent on May 5, noon to 11 p.m. Free to attend with a cash bar, food station, DJs throughout the day, and a mariachi band, 6-7 p.m. 

Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at Picos  
Picos' highly anticipated Cinco de Mayo festivities will take place outside in the parking lot underneath an expansive tent today, noon to 11 p.m., with no cost to attend. A cash bar will be available on-site offering a special Cinco de Mayo drink menu and leading tequila vendors will be onsite offering tastings and handing out swag plus other goodies. A food station will also be onsite. Two DJs are set to play throughout the day plus a traditional mariachi band from 6-7 p.m.

Los Tios is hosting a Cinco de Mayo parking lot party featuring a DJ, mariachi, live donkey selfies, merch giveaways, street tacos, and cocktails at its flagship location.  The party is free to attend; food and alcohol for purchase. (Photo courtesy of Los Tios)

Los Tios' Cinco de Mayo Parking Lot Party  
Neighborhood Tex-Mex hotspot, Los Tios, is raising a glass to Cinco de Mayo with a spirited parking lot party featuring a DJ, mariachi, live donkey selfies, merch giveaways, street tacos and cocktails at the flagship location on San Felipe (prices will vary). The party is free to attend; food and alcohol for purchase. 

El Big Bad's 13th Annual Cinco de Mayo Weekend
El Big Bad, a Mexican bar downtown, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo Weekend with DJs, liquid nitrogen margaritas, tequila sampling, giveaways, and more. This is the biggest event of the year at El Big Bad; expect crowds and a festival atmosphere. The party takes place today, 4-11:30 p.m., with festivities throughout the weekend. 

HCP4 Summer Movie Nights Presents Coco  
Harris County Precinct 4 presents a family-friendly movie night under the stars tonight, 6:30 p.m., Nottingham Park. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, enjoy Coco, along with crafts, mariachi music, and dancing. 

Bellaire’s Party at the Pavilion Featuring Adam Grant 
PATRONS for Bellaire Parks and the City of Bellaire hosts Party at the Pavilion featuring Adam Grant (Garth Brooks Tribute Band) tonight at Bellaire Town Square, 7 p.m. Lankford’s will be onsite for purchase.  

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Pasatono Orquesta at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Pasatono Orquesta is an eight-member group dedicated to rescuing and performing traditional Oaxacan music, especially that of the Mixtec region with a contemporary flair. 

Cinco de Mayo at Miller: Pasatono Orquesta   
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Miller Outdoor Theatre this evening, starting at 8 p.m., for a free performance from Pasatono Orquesta, in partnership with Consulate General Of Mexico in Houston. This unique group has dedicated itself to preserving and reinterpreting the sounds of the Mixtec people of Oaxaca with new arrangements of traditional works. 

Cinco de Mayo Parade 
LULAC District VIII hosts the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade downtown on Saturday, kicking off at Texas at Hamilton Street. 2023 Grand Marshals are Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Astros legend Jose Cruz. 

2023 Japan Festival Houston 
After a four-year-long hiatus due to the pandemic, Japanese Festival of Houston will be returning to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Hermann Park on Saturday and Sunday. In addition, the event will mark the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 50th anniversary of the Houston-Chiba Sister City relationship - important milestones that will be celebrated with topflight entertainment, food and other cultural offerings. Enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Japan with traditional and contemporary performances of Japanese music, dance and martial arts, Japanese/Japanese-inspired food, as well as demonstrations and displays of Ikebana flower arrangement, tea ceremony, origami, bonsai and more. The event is free to attend; participation in certain activities will require a fee. The festival takes place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. 

49th Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour  
Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour, which takes place May 6-7 and May 13-14, with tours from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in addition to special events. Tickets are $50. 

2023 East End Street Fest  
The East End Street Fest takes place Saturday, 12-6 p.m., and includes dance performances from different areas of Mexico at the Plaza de Pinata and Plaza de Luchas. Kids will enjoy fun activities at the Plaza de los Niños and car and art fanatics will be delighted with the Show & Shine show at the Chicano Boulevard. Free to attend. 

Permission Whiskey will host its third annual Kentucky Derby party on Saturday, May 6, 12-7 p.m., including a broadcast of the race, live music, trumpet player, Derby-themed roses, a festive hat contest and more. (Photo: Sheldon Richardson)

Permission Whiskey's Third Annual Kentucky Derby Party 
Permission Whiskey will host its third annual Kentucky Derby party on Saturday, 12-7 p.m. Get a Churchill Downs experience at Permission Whiskey while enjoying the biggest race of the year. Look forward to a    broadcast of the race, live music, trumpet player, Derby-themed roses, a festive hat contest, and other surprises to truly capture the experience of the Kentucky Derby. Fresh mint julep cocktails will be flowing, and Maker’s Mark will be on site giving away branded swag to encourage guests to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with the iconic brand. General admission tickets are $20. 

Derby Day at Julep 
Julep is throwing a party to celebrate Kentucky Derby Day starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The day will include ice cold Mint Juleps, bottles of Champagne, craft cocktails, El Topo tacos, bistro-style food and drink options in The Parlor, sweets from Fluff Bake Bar, a live DJ set from DJ G Funk, live music from Bulbo Houston, 1502 & Sterne Fine Cigar Company onsite selling cigars, a live stream of the Kentucky Derby race, and more. Julep will be fully tented with more than 5,000 beautiful fresh cut flowers throughout. There will be main bars, a whiskey bar, a water station, and the Julep ToGo truck for all your beverage needs. Dress suggestion: Spring Lawn Party; Cocktail Casual; Derby Hats and Bowties. Valet available, responsible rideshare encouraged. Tickets are $25 at the door. 

The 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Event at Heights Bier Garten on Sat., May 6 will include live music, cocktail and food specials, games, and a Best Dressed contest. (Photo: Travis Poston)

7th Annual Let’s Get Down & Derby at Heights Bier Garten  
Heights Bier Garten hosts the 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Event on Saturday, 1-10 p.m., with cocktail and food specials, games, a Best Dressed Individual contest (Dog and Couple), and a 360 Photo Booth. Live music by DJ Troy as well as a live band. Grand prize for Best Dressed is four tickets to the Houston Polo Club.

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