Top 20 Things to Do in Houston: October 2023

Make the most of your month with our list of the 20 biggest and most notable festivals and events in Houston in October 2023.

Events are listed chronologically by week and are not ranked. Events that span multiple weeks are postponed to the following week, if applicable.

Top 20 Festivals and Events in Houston This Month: October 2023

• The original Greek festival at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation | From Thursday October 5 to Saturday October 7 – The annual Greek Festival returns to the heart of Montrose, where you can expect bountiful Greek cuisine, wine tastings, dancing, games and other family fun. $5; free for ages 12 and under. Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• 44th Chicano Festival at Miller Outdoor Theater | From Thursday October 5 to Saturday October 7 | FREE – The Hermann Park Stage once again hosts this annual festival celebrating Chicano culture with shows over three nights, featuring David Lee Garza and Los Musicales on Thursday; Los Palominos Friday; and a Saturday night performance of Little Joe y La Familia. 7 p.m.
• Nigeria Parade and Cultural Festival at Root Memorial Square | Saturday October 7 | FREE – Celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day at the annual parade that begins at Root Memorial Square, just outside the Toyota Center. Make Jollof rice and enjoy Afrobeats and a cultural procession through the streets of downtown. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Korean Festival at Discovery Green | Saturday October 7 | FREE – Enjoy Korean music, food, shows, shopping and more at this family-friendly, all-day downtown event. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Oktoberfest in Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday October 7 – Sugar Land Town Square will host its second annual Oktoberfest, jaw-dropping beers at the Flying Saucer Biergarten, a market hosted by Boho Market, live music and dancing, festival foods ranging from brats and pretzels to entrees German-inspired area restaurants, Oktoberfest games and contests, and more. $5 in advance, $7 at the door; free for ages 11 and under. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• TerrorFest 2 at Southern Star Brewery | Saturday October 7 and Sunday October 8 – Conroe Brewery is hosting a two-day spooky festival this year with a theme of UFOs and the supernatural. Expect immersive experiences, horror movie celebrities, a costume contest, escape rooms, a haunted house, artists and vendors, and much more. $20 for a weekend pass; free for ages 10 and under. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Jonas Brothers in concert at the Toyota Center | Saturday October 7 and Monday October 23 – Fresh off their summer record, The albumthe brothers join forces for a giant concert that performs all five of their albums, from 2007’s self-titled debut to their current one Billboard Top 10 albums. $49 and up. Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Monday 7 p.m.
• Have a great day at the Fahm & Friends Market at Toyota Center | Sunday October 8 | No coverage – Celebrating Filipino American History Month, the team behind Have a Nice Day returns with a market highlighting Filipino culture and Houston’s small business community. Enjoy food, crafts, appearances from Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, and more at the Rockets’ Kickoff Party before the new season, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• King’s Oktoberfest 2023 at King’s Bierhaus Heights | From Friday October 13 to Sunday October 15 – The Bavarian BierHaus on the Heights is hosting an Oktoberfest weekend with a wide selection of German beers and authentic German plates, costume competitions, cup lifting competitions, live music and games carnival. Day passes are $20 and up, $59 including drinks. VIP passes cost $120 and include food and more. Hours vary.
• Southern Smoke Festival 2023 at Discovery Green | Saturday October 14 – The Southern Smoke Foundation’s Big Party returns for 2023, raising funds for the nonprofit’s efforts to help those in the food and beverage industry nationwide. Joined by an exceptional line-up of chefs from Houston and across the country, this year’s events include the multi-course collaborative Respect the Rosé event at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston on Friday (currently sold out), followed by the Throwdown at Discovery powered by the chief. Green Saturday. Tickets are $175; VIP available for $500. from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

• An Evening with Los Lobos at the Miller Outdoor Theater | Saturday October 14 | FREE – The highly decorated Chicano rock band brings songs from its prolific albums to the Hermann Park Stage for a free concert that closes Hispanic Heritage Month. 6:30 p.m.
• Wings Over Houston Airshow 2023 at Ellington Field| Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15 – One of the best aviation shows in the country, Wings Over Houston showcases vintage planes from World War II and modern aviation with soaring displays, re-enactments and high-flying aerobatics. This year, the USAF Thunderbirds will be in attendance, along with simulator rides, a children’s carnival, merchandise and autograph stands. Tickets include entry for one adult and up to 6 children (ages 14 and under). Register for free to become an Airshow Insider and get discounted entry on tickets. Advance tickets are $45, $50 at the door. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pearland Art on the Pavilion in Downtown Pearland | Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15 | No coverage – Head to Pearland’s open-air shopping district for a two-day juried art market featuring regional artists displaying and selling unique artwork, with performances by local bands and musicians, as well as food truck offers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Bayou City Art Festival at Sam Houston Park | Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15 – The Bayou City Art Festival returns to Sam Houston Park in Downtown for two days of art shopping and showcases from more than 220 national and international artists. Plus, you can stroll through the craft beer and wine gardens, participate in a community art project, and attend live performances. Tickets are $18 and up; free for ages 12 and under. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the leisure center | From Wednesday October 18 to Sunday October 29 – The Tony Award-winning musical from Stephen Sondheim returns to Houston just in time for spooky season. Set in the corners of industrial-age London, a vengeful barber meets an all-too-eager patisserie owner and together they embark on a deadly business. $40 and up. Hours vary.

• Houston Filipino Street Festival at Constellation Field | Saturday October 21 – Celebrate the Philippines and local Filipino culture at this family-friendly festival in Sugar Land that features traditions, live performances, and street food in an embrace of cultural diversity. $17 and up; free for ages 7 and under. From noon to 7 p.m.
• Kindred Stories presents Jada Pinkett Smith at We Serv Theater | Saturday October 21 – Actress, business leader and global superstar comes to Houston to discuss her memoir Worthy. The book chronicles his rise to fame and offers lessons for everyone on what it means to be enough. Admission includes a copy of the book. $40. 3 p.m.
• Boo at the Bayou Halloween Festival at Allen’s Landing Park | Saturday October 28 | FREE – Thorn & Moon Magickal Market helps host a market downtown on Halloween weekend. Shop from over 100 artisan vendors while enjoying special performances, tarot readers, live music, food trucks and more. Dress up and compete for first prize in the costume contest, then stick around for a spooky movie screening and boat tours on the Bat Bridge. 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Día de Muertos Festival at MECA Houston | Saturday October 28 and Sunday October 29 | FREE – MECA’s annual two-day Día de los Muertos community festival in the Sixth Ward returns, filled with delicious food, live music and dance performances, arts and crafts, a market of local vendors, artists, ofrendas and much more. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
• 49th Texas Renaissance Festival at Todd Mission | Saturdays and Sundays in October – Starting Saturday, October 7, the 49th annual Texas Renaissance Festival returns to Todd Mission, transforming the grounds into a 16th-century English village with enchanting market vendors, artists and performers, and food and drinks fit for a king. Themed weekends this month include The Queen’s Birthday Celebration (October 7 and 8), 1001 Dreams (October 15 and 16), Pirate Adventure (October 21 and 22) and All Hallow’s Eve (October 28 and October 29). Tickets generally cost $29 and up; $15 for ages 5 to 12. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s fun!