The weekend is almost here! What are your plans? Here is a snapshot of a few free events and activities in Houston to enjoy with your family and friends:

Learn about sharks: It’s Shark Weekend at the Downtown Aquarium, July 28-29. Families can attend several free events and activities including the interactive animal shows at 1 pm and 3 pm outdoors at Sharkey’s Lagoon plus make a Shark Tooth Necklace at the Education Conservation Booth. (The Aquarium exhibit requires a ticket: $9.25 for adults and $6.25 for children.) Located downtown at 410 Bagby.

Watch The Wiz — Don’t miss Discovery Green’s Julydoscope this Saturday, July 28, from 6 pm – 10 pm. It features summer fun, live entertainment, art, dance performances, and an outdoor screening of The Wiz beginning at 8:30 pm. The Astros street team will be giving away prizes. Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney.

Meet the Cirque du Soleil folks –The KOOZA street team will be at IKEA Saturday, July 28, to host a juggling workshop for kids, a hula hoop challenge plus face painting and special prizes for kids. The event is 1 pm – 4 pm at 7810 Katy Freeway.

Dance under the stars — Take advantage of free dance lessons at Sugar Land Town Square’s Dancing Under the Stars July 28 by Fred Astaire Dance Studio teachers. The event is from 7:30 pm – 9 pm. City Centre hosts its own Dancing Under the Stars the last Saturday of each month. This month’s event, July 28, 7 pm – 10 pm features Motown/R&B with The Jimmie Hunter Band.

Swap, recycle, and reuse — Houston Re-Market returns July 28, 9 am – 2 pm, as an opportunity for Houstonians to practice responsible consumerism. Participate in the swap (bring a gently used item) and take something else for free — swap theme is Summer! Learn to craft t-shirt shopping bags, browse vendors, and drop off your recycling items… New location this month at 4302 Harrisburg at Eastwood.

Build a Kung Fu Panda craft — Thanks to a partnership with Dreamworks, kids can build a Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack during the free Build and Grow workshop at Lowe’s. Attend either Saturday at 10 am or Sunday at 2 pm. Register online here.