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

Watch movies under the moon — (1) The Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow returns to Market Square Park Friday, October 19, 7:30 pm, with The Talented Mr. Ripley. This movie is a 1999 psychological thriller featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Cate Blanchett (rated R). (2) Watch a silent movie: Discovery Green shares its Silent Film Concert series October 19, 7:30 pm, sponsored by Houston Public Radio. The film features Shadow of the Bat-Man, with a fresh score performed by Two Star Symphony. Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKinney downtown. (3) Green Film Series continues October 20, 7 pm, with American Meat, at Discovery Green, which explores the American meat industry. Houston’s Revival Market co-owners will share their passion for pristine meat. This new series hopes to educate the community on where our food comes from and how what we eat affects the world.

Sing along with Sound of Music — This sounds like a blast for fans of the Sound of Music! Don’t miss the next Sing-A-Long Movies at Miller featuring Sound of Music, Saturday, October 20, 6:30 pm. Come early for the costume contest and pre-show with goody bags and props for the movie! Audience participation is strongly encouraged! Miller Outdoor Theatre is located at 6000 Hermann Park.

Play at Kid’s Day — Join KBR Kid’s Day at Buffalo Bayou Saturday, October 20, 11 am – 3 pm.  The festivities include boat rides on the Bayou, musical performers, kid-friendly activity stations, costume parade, photo booth, kayak demos, and more. Participate in the Halloween Costume Parade at 12:30 pm for all kids in costume. Other performers feature Leah White, DJ Bill and his Bag of Tricks, and a variety of dance companies. Check out the schedule online. KBR Kid’s Day is held at Sabine Street at the Sabine Promenade, 150 Sabine between Allen Parkway and Memorial.

Feast your eyes on the dragon — Celebrate the 9th annual Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta this weekend, October 20-21, from 8 am – 4 pm. This free event features more than 50 teams racing in dragon boats (a.k.a. fancy decorated 40-ft. canoes) including many Breast Cancer Survivor teams. Don’t miss the festivities for spectators including arts and crafts, cultural performances including a Chinese lion dance, music, dance groups, and martial arts demonstrations. The festival is held at the Fluor Daniel campus in Sugar Land (1 Fluor Daniel Dr.).

Enjoy a pet-filled weekend — It’s all about pets this weekend at Pet Fest 2012, a two-day event in Spring, October 20-21. This annual event includes a pet costume contest, seminars, demonstrations, pet adoption information, Blessing of the Animals, rescue parade, Yappy Hour, and more. New this year is the Dock Dogs’ competition and Weiner Dog races. Take advantage of low-cost vaccinations, microchipping, pet massage, and Lisa Greene the pet psychic!  Get the complete schedule of events here. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm Sunday.

Engage in tons of kid fun — Don’t miss Imagine Kids Magazine’s 3rd annual Children’s Festival Saturday, October 20, 11 am – 5 pm, at CityCentre. Kids can get photos with Rosita from Sesame Street, learn snake safety and myths from Mr. Clint’s Snake Show, watch dance demonstrations, engage in science demonstrations, and participate in a Zumba kids’ class. CityCentre is located at 800 Town & Country Blvd.

Learn about fire safety — Houston Fire Fest returns October 20, 10 am – 5 pm, as an annual event sponsored by the Houston Fire Museum. Families will enjoy live fire demonstrations and rescues, antique fire trucks, kids’ zone, Firefighter’s BBQ Cookoff, plus a Wine Garden for the adults! Houston Fire Fest is located at HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff.

Celebrate the outdoors at Family Day — The two house museums of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Rienzi and Bayou Bend, are joining together for “The Great Outdoors,” a free Family Day, Sunday, October 21, 1 pm – 5 pm. Lots of fun family activities including art projects, garden scavenger hunt, outdoor cooking with a chuck wagon chef, live music, plus Texas creatures and critters from the Houston Mobile Zoo. Free shuttles will be available between the two homes. Rienzi is located at 1406 Kirby and Bayou Bend is located at 6003 Memorial.

Honor and celebrate folks with cancer — Light the Night Walk is a national fundraising effort to pay tribute and provide hope for those battling cancer. The Woodlands is hosting this event Sunday, October 21, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, with a 4:30 pm Remembrance Ceremony. The three-mile walk will begin and end in Market Street. The event also features live entertainment, activities for the kids including mascots, face painting and refreshments. (Any walker that does not raise $100 is welcome to attend the walk but will not receive the night walk benefits).