Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday and happy Go Texan Day! Grab your Rodeo gear and buckle up – there is so much going on this weekend. Here are some highlights: 

Howdy, Trail Riders!
Fri., Feb. 28
Today is the day the thousands of trail riders reach Houston. See the map here for where to welcome the trail riders. Read more about the Salt Grass Trail ride, and some Buzz residents who have made it an annual tradition here. RodeoHouston takes place March 4-23. See the schedule here.  

Astros Foundation College Classic
Fri., Feb. 28-Sun., March 2, starting at 11:05 a.m. each day 
Daikin Park 
Tickets vary 
The 25th annual three-day, six-team, nine-game tournament will feature the reigning National Champions, the Tennessee Volunteers, and the runner up Texas A&M Aggies, as well as the University of Arizona, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State and Rice. This marks the second consecutive year for the College Classic to host the reigning National Champions and the fourth time in tournament history.  See the schedule here. 

World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Fri., Feb. 28, 12-11 p.m.; Sat., March 1, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Adult (13+): $26; Child (3-12): $10; age two & under: Free
It’s Cook-Off time! More than 250 teams compete in the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the Carnival, presented by First Community, is open for wild rides and fun games. The Garden Stage features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. The Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music, and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy. Inside the saloon is the Chuckwagon, where visitors can pick up their complimentary BBQ plate.

Skate around The Rink at Discovery Green, Feb. 23-April 13. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Green)

Opening Weekend for The Rink at Discovery Green
Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday and HISD school holidays: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. ; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.  
Open through April 13
The Rink at Discovery Green
Tickets $14 plus tax. Proceeds support the Discovery Green Conservancy. Tickets must be purchased online and in advance.
Celebrate the opening of Houston’s only outdoor roller rink at Discovery Green (opening weekend festivities were postponed to weather). This weekend, special events include: Fri., Feb. 28, 5-11 p.m.: Music by Soul Control featuring DJ Elevated and Mookie Copeland; The Daisies & Pancakes skate community and skate instructors showcasing their epic talents. The first 50 skaters in line will skate for free. Sat., March 1, 7-8:30 p.m.: Screening at the Rink: In celebration of Black History Month, Discovery Green will screen the documentary United Skates, a 2018 documentary about African-American roller-skating culture. 

Bellaire Little League invites all BLL families, friends, neighbors, and supporters to come out and celebrate Opening Day. The festivities are free and open to the public. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)

Party at the Pavilion with Bellaire Little League
Friday, Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m. 
Great Lawn at Bellaire Town Square
Free; tickets required
In honor of Bellaire Little League’s Opening Weekend, throw it back to the ‘90s with Bellaire neighbors. In partnership with the Bellaire Little League and the City of Bellaire, PATRONS for Bellaire Parks is throwing a retro party featuring the best of ’90s dance music from Saved By The 90’s! Glow sticks, neon, and rave attire encouraged. This is a free community event, but tickets are still required for entry.

Mardi Gras! Galveston, Weekend Two
Feb. 28-March 2
Downtown Galveston's Entertainment District
General admission starts at $17
This weekend includes multiple parades on Friday and Saturday, including the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade. Sunday is Family Gras! which includes free admission to the public. Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade takes place on Sunday, March 2, at 12 p.m. and the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade at 1:30 p.m. See the schedule here. Parade Schedule | Mardi Gras! Galveston 

The Houston Downtown Rodeo Parade takes place this Saturday after the annual Rodeo Run. (Photo courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)

2025 Rodeo Run + Rodeo Parade
Sat., March 1. The Rodeo Run begins at 9 a.m. and Rodeo Parade begins at 10 a.m. 
Downtown Houston
Free for spectators 
The Rodeo Run presented by ConocoPhillips benefits the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The run kicks off with the wheelchair race (9 a.m.), followed by the 5K and 10K Corral A, 10K timed (9:10 a.m.) and 5K timed (9:35 a.m.) events. The race starts at the corner of Walker and Bagby and ends on Allen Parkway near Eleanor Tinsley Park for the post-race party.  The parade route begins at 10 a.m. at Bagby and Walker Streets, travels from Travis to Bell Street, and from Bell Street to Louisiana Street, before turning on Lamar Street and ends at Lamar and Bagby. Top leaders from three U.S. military branches will serve as grand marshals:  U.S. Army Commanding General James E. Rainey, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral James P. Waters, and U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General James A. Ryans II.  

Houston Pets Alive!: Hustle for Health Fest
Sat., March 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Powder Keg
Free
Houston Pets Alive!'s Hustle for Health Fest celebrates the benefits of pet ownership and provides an opportunity to be active, have fun, and help save at-risk cats and dogs in need. Activities include sand volleyball, pickleball, and cornhole tournaments; puppy yoga sessions with adorable adoptable puppies; free wellness sessions; adoptable dogs; vendors and food trucks.

Bellaire Little League Opening Day
Sat., March 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Weston Field
Free and open to the public 
Bellaire Little League (BLL) invites all BLL families, friends, neighbors, and supporters to come out and celebrate Opening Day. There will be carnival games, face painting, balloon twisting, caricatures, touch a truck, a rock wall, touch a truck and first responder zone, dodgeball and wiffle ball games, a mom’s softball game, homerun derby, and more. 

Stroll Bayou Bend’s historic estate at twilight while you enjoy refreshments and a light seasonal program. 

Bayou Bend Sip & Stroll: Spring Fling
Sat., March 1, 4-6 p.m.
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
$40 Adults; $35 MFAH Members. Tickets include 1 drink.
Stroll Bayou Bend’s historic estate at twilight while you enjoy refreshments and a light seasonal program. The spring gardens and flowers make a thematic connection to natural splendor in early America, with a focus on craft and nature. Highlights include papercraft flower-making, music, history-inspired performances, and a candy-making demonstration. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is the MFAH house museum for American decorative arts. Sip & Stroll is for ages 21+.

Sample chili and enjoy family-friendly activities at The Houston Kosher Chili Cook-off. Proceeds benefit local charities. Pictured is the Aishel House team, cook-off winners from 2024 and 2023.

The Houston Kosher Chili Cook-Off
Sun., March 2, 12-4 p.m.
Beth Yeshurun 
$20 adults; $5 children (4-12)
Sample chili, enjoy children’s activities, music, and more at the annual Houston Kosher Chili Cook-Off, benefiting local charities. The event will conclude with the selection of the winning chili by celebrity judges. The Houston Kosher Chili Cook-off is the largest kosher food event in Houston. 

Families, including furry BFFs, will enjoy the annual Saint Arnold Pup Crawl & Pet Expo at the Houston Arboretum.

Houston Arboretum presents St. Arnold Pup Crawl & Pet Expo
Sun., March 2, 3-6 p.m. 
Houston Arboretum 
$35 for 21 and up; under 20 are free
Bring your favorite furry friend to the annual Saint Arnold Pup Crawl & Pet Expo at the Houston Arboretum. There will be four special beer stops along the Arboretum trails. While on the trails, participate in a doggy scavenger hunt and meet adoptable dogs from BARC. Meet them all for a chance to win fun prizes. There will also be a raffle for exciting pet-related offerings. The Pet Expo will include vendors offering handmade pet clothing and accessories, dog treats, grooming services, local art, and more. Proceeds support the conservation and education programs of the Houston Arboretum and BARC, the City of Houston’s animal shelter and adoption center. Pet adoptions will also be available onsite. Leashed dogs are welcome at the event.  

More Events
See more upcoming events on our calendar. And send us your best Texan pics at [email protected].