Last updated 10.17.2024.
Congratulations! We have made it through the Houston summer and are now enjoying Houston's version of fall. I enjoyed the not-as-humid evening on the Miller Hill tonight with neighbors, and I am looking forward to continually-improving weather.
The best thing about "fall" in Houston is all of the fun festivals and outdoor shows. There are some awesome options all over town, but here is a quick rundown of those in or very close to the walkable Museum District zones. (In my mind, this means they are a close walk or 5-minute drive away.)
As always, double check the links before you head over. There is always a possibility for last-minute changes. Plus, let's face it. I'm typically districted by my kid or half asleep when I'm writing these, so it doesn't hurt to double check me!
Every Wednesday This Month: FREE Carousel Rides at The Commons at Hermann Park: Wednesdays, 10 am - 6 pm; Halloween-themed music included!
Throughout the Month: Hermann Park Individual and Family Volunteer Days--Sign up to register for a shift!
Every Day This Month: Zoo Boo (Daytime; There are specific dates for evenings. Word to the wise: The earlier in the month you go, the better! It gets pretty crowded. Be sure to arrive for entry at least one hour before closing.)
Sat., 10/12 - Thu., 10/31: Halloween at the BOO!seum (A series of fun events and trick-or-treating each day, culminating in a large "Monster Mash Bash" on Halloween night). Tuesday - Friday, 3-5 pm. Thursdays, 3-8 pm (with free admission on Thursdays, 5-8 pm). All day Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to arrive for entry at least one hour before closing.) There is also a members' Halloween party. Check your membership email, and be sure to RSVP before the deadline to reserve.
Thurs., 10/3 - Sat., 10/5: Greek Festival: Cheating a bit as this is technically in Montrose, but it is very close. SO much amazing food! Dance performances and tours. Play areas for the kids. This is an awesome event! It gets crowded, but it is lots of fun.
Tues., 10/1, 4-8 pm: Night at the Museum (Houston Museum of African-American Culture)
Fri., 10/4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm: MFAH Playdate (Museum of Fine Arts Houston)
Sat., 10/5, 1-3 pm: Super Saturday--Korean Culture Celebration (Asia Society Texas)--FREE with registration
Fri., 10/4, Heads-up--The Houston Museum of Natural Science is Closed for a Private Event
Fri., 10/4, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Sat., 10/5, 11 am - 3 pm: Hands-On Houston: Wooden Toy Cars (Houston Center for Contemporary Craft)--FREE
Tues., 10/8 at 11 am: Slopera! A Bite-Sized Opera (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Wed., 10/9 at 11 am: Slopera! A Bite-Sized Opera (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Fri., 10/11, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Sat., 10/12, 2-4 pm: All Hallows Read Festival (Houston Public Library)--FREE & Not-Too-Far (and parking in the library's garage is also free on Saturdays); Includes a lion dance, shadow puppet theater, spooky games, and crafts--costumes encouraged!
Sun., 10/13, 3-6 pm: Sounds to Live By (The Menil)--FREE
Tues., 10/15 at 11 am: Jack and the Beanstalk Hip Hop (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Wed., 10/16 at 11 am: Jack and the Beanstalk Hip Hop (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Fri., 10/18, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Sat., 10/19, 1-4 pm: Scavenger Hunt for Shapes and Patterns (Drop-in experience at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston)
Sat., 10/19, 10 am - 2 pm: International Archaeology Day (Houston Museum of Natural Science)
Sat., 10/19, 4-6 pm: Trunk or Treat (First Presbyterian Church Houston)--FREE
Sat., 10/19, 5-7 pm: Trunk or Treat (Covenant Church Houston)--FREE
Sun., 10/20, 11 am - 5 pm: Fall Farmers Market (Houston Museum of Natural Science)
Tues., 10/22 at 11 am: Frida's Fiesta (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Wed., 10/23, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Thu., 10/24, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Fri., 10/25, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Fri., 10/25 at 7:30 pm: Movies At Miller: The Addams Family (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Sat., 10/26 at 8 am: Park to Port Bike Ride (Hermann Park Conservancy)--Open to all skill levels. Kids 10 and up ride. Younger kids can ride along with parent. Post-ride party and trick-or-treat candy included!
Sat., 10/26, 3-4 pm: Stop, Look, and Listen! Outdoor Jazz (The Menil)
Sat., 10/26, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Thu., 10/24 6-8 pm: Jazz on the Plaza (St. Paul's United Methodist Church)--FREE
Sat., 10/26, 4-6 pm: Trunk or Treat (St. Matthew Lutheran)--FREE
Sat., 10/26, 7 pm: Halloween Movie Night--Casper (The Commons at Hermann Park)--FREE and the carousel will also offer BOGO tickets
Sat., 10/26 at 7:30 pm: Asia to The World (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Sun., 10/27, 4-6 pm: Fall Family Fiesta (St. Paul's United Methodist Church)
Sun., 10/27, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Mon., 10/28, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Tues., 10/29 at 11 am: Panto U.S.A. Presents Rumpelstiltskin (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Tues., 10/29, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Wed., 10/30 at 11 am: Panto U.S.A. Presents Rumpelstiltskin (Miller Outdoor Theater)*--FREE
Wed., 10/30, 5-9:30 pm: Zoo Boo After Hours (Houston Zoo, Last entry at 8 pm)
Thur., 10/31, 5-8 pm: Trunk or Treat (Health Museum)--FREE
Thur., 10/31, 5-8 pm: Monster Mash Bash (Children's Museum of Houston)
Fri., 11/1 at 7:30 pm: Calavera con Calavera (Skulls) (Miller Outdoor Theater)* (Cheating on this one, but it is right at the beginning of November)--FREE
Fri., 11/1, 6-10 pm: Night Market 2024 (Asia Society Texas)--FREE for outdoor market; Reasonable charge for ticketed indoor events; Lots of fun each year
Sat., 11/2, 11 am - 3 pm: Hands-On Houston Fall Festival (Houston Center for Contemporary Craft) (Again, cheating here.)--FREE and lots of fun each year
*For the full list of Miller Outdoor Theater events, check out their website! I have only included a few that I think will be particularly interesting to kids, but they are all open to families and FREE!
I should also mention that Baby Yoga, Baby Sign Language, Mommy Mingles, Parent-Infant Playgroups, and many other events are ongoing this fall at the Children's Museum of Houston. There are too many to list, but just a heads up if you are looking for recurring groups to get out with your littles.
Parent-Break October Picks
First of all, I met a friend for Happy Hour at Granger's last week. If you eat beef, you MUST try the Cowboy Slider and the Pan-Seared Prime Filet Tips! They have both given my beloved Crispy Redfish Sandwich on their regular menu a run for its money.
MFAH has reignited Happy Hour Fridays, staying open late from 5-8 pm on most Fridays this fall. The museum is open until 9 pm. Last entry is at 8 pm. Cafe Leonelli specials end at 8 pm. I also love the MFAH Art Bites tours on various Thursday and Friday evenings.
I don't know much about it, but this just looks cool: "Butterfly Effect": An Evening With Houston Contemporary Dance Company and Open Dance Project. Plus, I love the shows I have seen by Open Dance Project, and Asia Society Texas is an awesome venue.
I haven't been to one yet, but the Spirits and Skeletons party at HMNS each year always looks like a lot of fun.
That's all for now, but I will update this list if other events cross my feed! Feel free to share others that you know in the district in the comments. Happy Fall, Y'all!
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