Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Welcome to the first weekend of August – normally the hottest month of the year, but it’s already 101 degrees. Weekend highlights include: the Heights’ White Linen Night, Houston Restaurant Weeks, the finale of the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and more. 

Houston Restaurant Weeks 2023
Houston Restaurant Weeks kicked off its 20th year this week, with a record-breaking 375 restaurants participating. See which H-town restaurants are offering a delish discount meal benefiting the Houston Food Bank here. HRW will continue through Labor Day, Sept. 4. 

Jurassic World Live Tour
Jurassic World comes to life in an action-packed, live arena show at NRG Stadium. Experience some of Jurassic World's most iconic dinosaurs including Blue the Raptor, the mighty T. rex and more. There are multiple showtimes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets start at $20.

Party at the Pavilion
Patrons for Bellaire Parks, in partnership with Bellaire Parks and the City of Bellaire, invite you to an evening of music and fun at Party at the Pavilion, featuring live music from Groove Knight. This free event is happening tonight at 7 p.m. in Bellaire Town Square. Feel free to bring your own coolers and settle in for a great time to catch up with friends and neighbors.

The Houston Shakespeare Festival returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre with performances of King Lear and Cymbeline from July 28 through Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy of Miller Outdoor Theatre)

Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor
The annual Houston Shakespeare Festival has returned to Miller Outdoor Theatre. This year, the festival’s company is performing Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing, produced by the University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts. Tonight is a performance of Macbeth, followed by a performance on Saturday of Much Ado About Nothing. Each performance is preceded by a Bard Talk at 7:45 p.m.with Houston Shakespeare Festivals’ artistic & dramaturgy staff where you can learn tidbits about the playwright, characters, plots and themes before the show. Performances began at 8:15 p.m., and shows are free to the public.

Watermelon Dash 
On Saturday, join Houston Running Co. at Karbach Brewing Co. for the Watermelon Dash. The 5K and 10K races start at 7:30 a.m., and the Kids K starts at 9:30 a.m. All participants receive a chip-timed race, Watermelon Dash finisher medal, and unisex t-shirt. Kids K participants receive a t-shirt and finisher medal. Join in the fun after the race with food and drink, music, and great fun for the whole family! Parking is free and available all around Karbach.

Chalk on the Block 
This Saturday, visitors can step into interactive 3D sidewalk chalk art and watch artists create chalk art in real time at Midtown’s “Chalk on the Block.” This free event at Bagby Park is held on the first Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month’s theme is space! 

Meet Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, at Children's Museum Houston. 

Ninja Turtles Turmoil at Children's Museum
On Saturday, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, will take a break from outsmarting villains to visit Children’s Museum Houston during a themed celebration from10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Prepare for mutant mania! Costumes encouraged. Special events include a Ninja Turtles Meet-and-Greet and making turtle-inspired backpack art in Alexander Art Academy. Admission to the Museum is $17 per person.

White Linen Night 
This Saturday is White Linen Night, the free annual neighborhood festival taking place on the first Saturday night in August that features artists of all types: music, jewelry, painters, crafts, food and drink. Eventgoers wear white linen and take to the Heights to celebrate art, culture and community while taking in the entertainment, boutiques and shops, art galleries, restaurants and eclectic bars in Houston. Participating bars/restaurants on White Oak Drive include: Christian's Tailgate Bar & Grill, Little Woodrow's in the Heights, Permission Whiskey Bar, EZ’s Liquor Lounge, and more.

On Sunday, the 180th birthday of George Hermann, Hermann Park will offer $1.80 train rides for kids under 12 and $1.80 food specials. 

George Hermann’s 180th Birthday at Hermann Park 
Come join the celebration on Sunday honoring the 180th birthday of Hermann Park's namesake, George Hermann! Born on August 6, 1843, it was George Hermann's original gift of land to the City of Houston that eventually became Hermann Park. This free event, featuring arts and crafts, face painting, and birthday cake, will go from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Kinder Station in Hermann Park. Kids under 12 can ride the train for $1.80, and all visitors can cool down with $1.80 food specials. 

Pickle-Making: It's A Big Dill 
Join affinity groups NEXTGen and YAD this Sunday for bagels and lox at the Holocaust Museum Houston, followed by a pickle making class demonstrated by Houston Catering Concepts. The class will be followed by self-guided tours of “I’ll Have What She’s Having:” The Jewish Deli exhibition. This exhibition helps visitors get a glimpse of how Jewish immigrants, mostly from Central and Eastern Europe, imported and adapted traditions to create a uniquely American restaurant. The event lasts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is $25 for adults ages 21-45. Register here. 

More Events
Find more local happenings on our event calendar.