Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! There are tons of fun events happening around town this weekend, including: 

Dress in costume and head to the Zoo for fall fun during their annual Zoo Boo event. (Photo courtesy of the Houston Zoo)

Zoo Boo
Fri., Sept. 27-Thurs., Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 pm. with last entry at 4 p.m.; on select dates, hours will be extended to 9:30 p.m. with last entry at 8 p.m. 
Houston Zoo
Included with general admission; free for Zoo members 
Enjoy fall festivities at the Houston Zoo during the annual Zoo Boo. Costumes are encouraged. Highlights include Carved Pumpkins, Pumpkin Tree, animal-themed Peek-a-Boo Pumpkins, the Pumpkin Lantern Tunnel, the spooktacular Scary-Go-Round, and more. New this year: a Ghost Town, Glowing Pumpkins, and Talking Pumpkins. 

Experience the extraordinary as ROCO’s milestone 20th season opens with Remarkable, featuring the full 40-piece chamber orchestra in three world premieres plus a new twist on an out-of-this-world classic.

ROCO In Concert: Remarkable (at Miller Outdoor Theatre and at The Church of St. John the Divine)
Fri., Sept. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Miller Outdoor Theatre) and Sat., Sept. 28, 5-7 p.m. (The Church of St. John the Divine)
Miller Outdoor Theatre (Fri.) and The Church of St. John the Divine 
Free for both performances 
ROCO’s milestone 20th season opens with Remarkable, featuring the full 40-piece chamber orchestra in three world premieres plus a new twist on an out-of-this-world classic, presented at Miller Outdoor Theatre on Sept. 27, hosted by guest emcee Fred Child of American Public Media’s Performance Today.

Texas Parks and Wildlife hosts the 12th annual Take Me Outdoors Houston at Discovery Green, a free, family-oriented outdoor festival. (Photo: J. Vince Photography)

12th Annual Take Me Outdoors Houston 
Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free
Discovery Green
Texas Parks and Wildlife hosts the 12th annual Take Me Outdoors Houston at Discovery Green, a free, family-oriented outdoor festival. Exhibitors will provide hands-on activities, booths and opportunities to engage audiences and inspire curiosity. A live predator bird demonstration by Birds of Prey will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Houston Arboretum presents Bat Fest, a fun and educational event for the entire family. (Photo courtesy of Houston Arboretum)

Bat Fest 
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Free
From pollinating to pest control, bats play an important role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Learn more about local bat species and current conservation efforts at this family-friendly event. There will be fun bat-themed activities and crafts for the kids, story time, food trucks, and a blood drive with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. 

Pick a pumpkin and get in the spirit of fall at Houston Farmers Market's Pumpkin Patch. (Photo: Philip E Photography)

Pumpkin Patch at the Houston Farmers Market 
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday and Sundays through Oct. 27)
Houston Farmers Market
Admission is free; pumpkins are available for purchase 
Browse through a picturesque pumpkin patch at Houston Farmers Market, complete with a festive photo station. 

Bellaire Foodie Festival 
Sat., Sept. 28, 5-8 p.m.
Adult: $40; Child: $20. Tickets include unlimited bites, samples, and drinks for the evening. 
Bellaire Town Square
The 2024 Bellaire Foodie Festival, hosted by the Bellaire Business Association, will take place Saturday evening at Bellaire Town Square. Benefiting the Bellaire Police & Fire Foundation, this delicious festival provides the perfect opportunity to discover new culinary delights while supporting local businesses. Tickets give festivalgoers access to unlimited food samplings, drinks, live entertainment, cooking demos, and more. 

Enjoy a screening of the classic West Side Story at Discovery Green ahead of Houston Grand Opera’s upcoming presentation of the stage version. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Green)

West Side Story with Houston Grand Opera 
Sat., Sept. 28, 7-10 p.m.
Discovery Green
Free
Enjoy a screening of the classic West Side Story (1961, 151 min., PG) ahead of Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) upcoming presentation of the stage version. The evening will feature an introductory discussion that will place the classic movie in the context of its era, as well as a performance from HGO’s Butler Studio artists. The iconic 1960s film tells the story of star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. 

Salsa y Salud features an exciting new production of salsa arrangements of music from artists such as Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, and more. 

Salsa y Salud  
Sat., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Free
Salsa y Salud, produced by Foundation for Modern Music, features an exciting new production of salsa arrangements of music from artists such as Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, and others. Salsa y Salud promises to be a fun and high-energy evening celebrating legendary artists through the beat and rhythm of salsa.

Bellaire Open Air Fall Market 
Sun., Sept. 29, 12-4 p.m.
Evelyn's Park
Free
Browse goods from local artisans and small businesses outdoors at Evelyn's Park.

Houston Restaurant Weeks 
Through Mon., Sept. 30
Participating Houston restaurants
Lunch/Brunch: $25/dinner, $39 or $55
It’s the last weekend to dine out for a good cause through foodie fundraiser Houston Restaurant Weeks. HRW benefits the Houston Food Bank. 

More Events
Find more upcoming events on our event calendar.