Top 22 things to do this week: May 13 to 19, 2024

Make the most of your week with our best festivals, events and activities this week in Houston from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The annual Strawberry Celebration returns this weekend to Pasadena. You can also toast Greek culture in West Houston, take your pup to the Dash game, peel a few pounds of crawfish, and much more.

We’ve narrowed down all the H-Town events to our picks for the week, but you can always check out the expanded calendar for more things to do in Houston.

High 22 festivals, events and things to do this week in Houston

• Kamasi Washington in concert at House of Blues | Tuesday May 14 – The Grammy-nominated powerhouse jazz artist returns to Houston with an evening of new music from his early May release, Fearless Movement. $35 and up. 8 p.m.
• Theater doors: The gift and the denial Opening Reception at CAMH | Thursday May 16 | FREE – CAMH’s latest exhibition featuring renowned contemporary artist Theaster Gates is unveiled at a reception for his series of large-scale paintings, sculptures and installations. Together, they consider labor history, material legacies, and the sociopolitical architecture of the built environment. Drinks and food will be available for purchase, and DJ Flash Gordon Parks will provide the ambiance. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• 25th Houston Greek Fest at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church | From Thursday May 16 to Saturday May 18 – This annual Greek festival on Houston’s west side returns for a 25th anniversary celebration, where guests can enjoy Greek food and pastries, shop local vendors, try their hand at traditional dancing, and have fun in family. $10; free for ages 10 and under. Adult entry is free with a donation of three cans. Hours vary.
• A friendly basketball match at the Lawndale Art Center | From Thursday May 16 to Saturday May 18 | FREE – It’s the closing weekend for this solo exhibition of multimedia works by Tay Butler, which explore racial history and contemporary anti-Black issues. Through various media, including installation, painting, drawing, photography, collage, music and performance, Butler creates a multi-sensory environment that reflects the game of basketball before, after and during the game. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 51st Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival at the Pasadena Fairgrounds | From Thursday May 16 to Sunday May 19 – The annual Strawberry Festival returns to Pasadena, featuring a barbecue weekend, carnival rides, car show, sheep show, kids zone and more. $15; $5 for ages 6 to 10; free for ages 5 and under. Hours vary.

• Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday May 17 – Come to EaDo and cheer on the Houston women’s major league soccer team as they host visitors Oregon. It’s also Pups on the Pitch Night, where you can bring your four-legged friends to the game and enjoy pre-game entertainment like pet caricatures, meet and greet opportunities, photo ops and even more. $12 and up; special ticket purchase required to bring your pet. 5 p.m.
• Brooks & Dunn in concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Friday May 17 – Legendary boot duo scootin’ heads to The Woodlands for an evening of fan favorites and tried-and-true country tunes. $45 and up. 7 p.m.
• Houston Local: All Asian, No Fusion at Asia Society Texas Center | Friday May 17 – Chef G and Graham Painter of Street to Kitchen lead a tasting tour of Houston cuisine in this special evening featuring notable chefs from across the city. Tickets include a dish from each chef, as well as drinks. Featured restaurants include Burmalicious, Koffeteria, Musaafer, Xin Chào and more. $120; $210 for two. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Madame Papillon at the Miller Outdoor Theater | Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18 | FREE – HGO adapts its superb production of Puccini’s classic opera for the Hermann Hill stage. Hear the story of Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese woman named Butterfly who enters into an arranged marriage with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton, and the heartbreaking tragedy that follows. 8 p.m.
• The Houston Symphony presents Star Wars music at Jones Hall | From Friday May 17 to Sunday May 19 – Conductor Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in a concert of favorites from the Star Wars universe. Audiences will be transported to a galaxy far, far away with pieces from all nine films, including selections like “Rey’s Theme,” “The Imperial March” and more, presented in chronological order. $54.88 and up. Hours vary.
• Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park | From Friday May 17 to Sunday May 19 – Come downtown to cheer on the ‘Stros as they host visiting Wisconsin for a three-game series. Early arrivals can enjoy freebies throughout the weekend, like an Orbit figurine, a Justin Verlander jersey and the Bayou Bash Street Fest before Saturday’s game. $29 and up. Hours vary.

• 2nd Annual Salsa de Mayo in the Second Ward | Saturday May 18 | FREE – This block party near Finca Tres Robles invites the community to come sample the taste of salsa and vote for your favorite alongside a panel of celebrity judges. Kicking off the event is a bike ride through East End landmarks, celebrating the flavors of the neighborhood. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Heads & Tails Festival at 8th Wonder Brewery | Saturday May 18 | No coverage – The annual all-ages Crawfish Festival takes place on the spacious back patio of 8th Wonder in East Downtown, featuring mudbugs from Clutch City Crawfish and live music. From noon to 5 p.m.
• 5th Annual Flamingo Fest Golf Cart Parade and Pub Crawl in Downtown Galveston | Saturday May 18 | FREE – Head to the island for this fun display of decorated golf carts, scooters and bicycles. The parade begins at noon at 24th and Post Office streets. A pub crawl follows, allowing you to discover some of Galveston’s unique venues. From noon to 6 p.m.
• Stefanie Eskander at the Houston Toy Museum | Saturday May 18 – The famous toy designer comes to Houston for a meet and greet and to share stories from her nearly four decades in the industry. Eskander has worked on many beloved toy lines including Rainbow Brite, Popples, Jem, Cabbage Patch Kids, Sky Dancers, WWF Wrestling Buddies, and more. $14; includes entry to the museum. 3 p.m.
• iFest USA 2024 at Discovery Green | Saturday May 18 | FREE – The Downtown Park space hosts another year of iFest, celebrating cultures from around the world with performances, international cuisine and cultural booths that promote learning and exchange in favor of peace, love and friendship. 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Bazaar Food and Wine Festival in Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday May 18 – This new festival celebrates the cultural and culinary diversity of Houston, created in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Expect a star-studded lineup of Houston’s most prominent chefs, dynamic performances, music and Lee’s Golden Dragon performing a lion and dragon dance. $150 and up. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Houston SaberCats vs. Chicago Hounds at SaberCats Stadium | Saturday May 18 – The Houston rugby team is off to its best start in franchise history, currently sitting near the top of the league standings with just a handful of matches remaining. They will invite a tough opponent from Chicago in an effort to maintain their place among the best in the league. $15 and up. 6 p.m.
• The Strand Summer series presents Mama Mia! at Hendley Green | Saturday May 18 | FREE – Grab your blanket, lawn chairs, friends and family and come see this screening of the hit 2008 musical comedy featuring the songs of ABBA. Beer and wine will be available on site and select vendors will offer refreshments for purchase. Boas optional. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Houston Dynamo FC vs. FC Dallas at Shell Energy Stadium | Saturday May 18 – The classic MLS rivalry is renewed when Dallas comes to town to face off on Dynamo’s home field, where the club will also celebrate AAPI Night. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m.
• Mariachi Herencia De Mexico in concert at the Grand Opera in 1894 | Saturday May 18 – The Galveston venue welcomes this energetic, virtuoso Latin Grammy-nominated group who have released chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent. Get ready for an evening of music performed in their incomparable style. $25 and up. 8 p.m.
• Vaqueros Cup at Houston Polo Club | Sunday May 19 – Experience a world-class polo match, parade of players, live music, expert announcements, half-time champagne stomping and a special trophy presentation. Lymbar is the on-site concession offering delicious Argentinian and Brazilian inspired menu choices as well as a premium bar menu. $18 and up. 5 p.m.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s fun!