Houston Highlights: October 26 to October 29 – Food, Music, Arts & More

Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

The best free and fun events in Houston this week include fall festivals, Halloween attractions, family-friendly theater, creative workshops, stand-up comedy, live music, and outdoor fitness classes.

Houston’s October calendar has plenty of ways to enjoy the season, and our top picks for October 26 to October 29, 2026, offer something for every kind of outing. 

You can kick things off with seasonal favorites like Axelrad’s Pumpkin Carving Contest, Color Factory’s Haunted Hues, and the Houston Pumpkin Festival.

Midweek brings performances from Teddy Swims and Dave Chappelle. 

To wrap up the week, sing along to Iconic Broadway, enjoy some spooky fun at Halloween House, or enjoy live Texas music at Discovery Green. 

With fall festivities, Halloween fun, theater, comedy, art, food, live music, and free outdoor activities all on the calendar, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the week in Houston.

---

Editor’s Note: We update this guide each week with verified listings from trusted sources. Still, details can change — please confirm with the event organizer before heading out.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend experiences we truly believe in! Curious how we choose these events? Here’s our process

Check out our recent updates: Things To Do with Teens, 100 Free & Cheap Activities for Kids in Houston, and Kids Eat Free in Houston.

---

Events in Houston this Monday (October 26)

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Get creative with a pumpkin at Axelrad’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. The evening begins with a mystery movie presented with H.C.A.R., starting at 7:00 PM, followed by the chance to carve your own Halloween decoration. 

Pumpkins will be provided while supplies last, so arrive early to claim one or bring your own.

When: Monday, October 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where: Axelrad Beer Garden, 1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004
How Much: Free

---

Kickboxing Class

Enjoy free martial arts cardio at Market Square Park! This total-body workout combines punches, kicks, and athletic drills to improve coordination and stamina. 

Designed for all fitness levels, this class delivers a fun, challenging environment that empowers participants to sweat out the stress and leave feeling strong.

When: Every Monday, October 26, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Market Square Park, 301 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Free

---

Zoo Boo

Embrace the magic of the season by celebrating fall at the Houston Zoo with a whole month of festive family fun. 

Wander through vibrant displays of colorful pumpkins, stunning seasonal décor, and fantastic photo opportunities while enjoying delightful animal-themed surprises. 

If you join on select dates, you can extend your adventure into the evening to experience glowing pumpkin paths, illuminated displays, the Spooky Forest, Ghost Town at John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, and sweet moments roasting s’mores by the fire.

When: Monday, October 26 – 31, 2026
Where: Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
How Much: Starts at $33.90

---

Color Factory’s Haunted Hues Returns This Halloween Season

Step into a wonderfully spooky wonderland where vibrant halls transform with ghostly gradients, interactive installations, and plenty of spine-tingling photo ops just for you. 

You will love exploring the return of the iconic Color Factory Lobby Pumpkin, a Halloween-inspired confetti room, a gaggle of spine-tingling but playful spiders in the signature ball pit, and a Ghostly Gradient.

When: Monday, October 26 – November 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Recurring daily)
Where: Color Factory, 3303 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
How Much: Starts at $29

---

Houston Pumpkin Festival

Get ready to celebrate the magic of fall as Discovery Green transforms into a festive farmland of pumpkins, rides, and photo ops against the downtown Houston skyline. 

You can take in the city views while walking through vibrant displays of pumpkins and gourds of all colors, ride the carousel, explore the lake with boats, race down the 30-foot slide, and bounce around the Jumpkin’ Pumpkin.

When: Monday, October 26 – November 8, 2026 | Recurring daily
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: $18 on Monday – Thursday | $28 on Friday – Sunday | Free for kids 3 and under

---

ARTECHOUSE presents Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean

Dive deep into an enchanting underwater universe where strangeness is a strength and weirdness is wonderful, as stunning visuals and a captivating original score reveal the awe-inspiring nightly animal migration from deep within the ocean to the surface. 

You will experience a 24-minute cinematic digital experience, dozens of interactive installations, and extended reality activations that explore the health of our planet and foster a profound emotional connection to our planet’s most mysterious realm, with the hope of igniting and inspiring protection of our planet for generations to come.

When: Monday, October 26 – November 29, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Recurring daily)
Where: ARTECHOUSE Houston, 600 W 6th St, Houston, TX 77007, United States
How Much: Starts at $30

---

UV Glow-in-the-Dark Painting

Step under blacklights in a music-filled studio to create a vibrant painting using UV-reactive paints. No prior experience is required, and all materials are provided so you can focus entirely on producing a finished artwork.

When: Monday, October 26 – November 30, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Recurring weekly on Monday)
Where: Studio 786, 7636 Harwin Dr., STE 308, Houston, TX 77036
How Much: $48

---

Fashion Fusion X: Inspired by Frida Kahlo

Step into a vibrant celebration of style and legacy with Fashion Fusion X: Inspired by Frida Kahlo, featuring standout garments from the tenth anniversary of the annual competition and runway show presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Houston City College Fashion Design program. 

The original outfits were designed by talented students and alumni who drew inspiration from the recent exhibition Frida: The Making of an Icon. Join this community tour to see incredible emerging design work firsthand.

When: Monday, October 26 – 29, 2026
Where: 500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Free

---

Houston Events this Tuesday (27th of October)

Riddles and Customs of Mzansi Presented by Young Audiences of Houston

Meet Mama Lindi, a village elder and keeper of customs, as she introduces audiences to the traditions and wisdom of Mzansi (South Africa). 

Through African dance, music, storytelling, and traditional riddles, she shares lessons about growing up, the importance of community, and the knowledge passed from one generation to the next.

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
How Much: Free

---

Spooky Movie Night Under the Stars

Trade your usual movie night for a Halloween screening beneath the Houston skyline at Rooftop Cinema Club. 

The seasonal lineup features horror favorites and cult classics, with screenings of Resident Evil on October 28, Halloween on October 25 and 31, Se7en on October 27, and Scream on October 30. 

Arrive early to settle into the rooftop seating, grab drinks and snacks, or play games before the movie starts.

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Where: Rooftop Cinema Club, 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056
How Much: Free

---

Teddy Swims

Teddy Swims brings his blend of soulful vocals, rock energy, and pop hooks to Toyota Center as part of The Ugly Tour. 

Born Jaten Dimsdale, the Atlanta singer first drew a huge online audience through his covers before shifting toward original music with his 2020 EP Unlearning.

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Where: Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much:

---

Toddler Tuesdays

Treat your little ones to four delightful mornings of interactive storytelling, hands-on crafts, and engaging activities hosted by wonderful community partners. 

Each week will feature creative themes culminating in a festive Halloween costume celebration filled with seasonal fun and joyful surprises.

When: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: Free

---

DIY Candle Making Workshop

Treat yourself to a fragrant, hands-on experience where you blend premium fragrances, choose a vessel, and pour a custom luxury candle in a guided, beginner-friendly workshop.

All materials are provided.

When: Tuesday, October 27 – December 31, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Recurring daily)
Where: Studio 786, 7636 Harwin Dr. STE 308, Houston, TX 77036
How Much: $48

---

Drunk Dracula

Prepare for a hilariously unpredictable evening as Transylvania’s thirstiest bachelor seeks fresh blood after centuries in his creepy old castle.

One ensemble member consumes five shots of their preferred liquor before leading the sober cast through a boozy, pop culture-infused retelling where the performance shifts wildly with the actor’s level of intoxication.

When: Tuesday, October 27 – November 8, 2026
Where: Emerald Theatre, 412 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Starts at $65

---

Gentle Yoga and Sound Bowl Healing

Strengthen your body, relax your mind, and find your center with a dynamic flow yoga and sound experience led by instructor Farida Meguid alongside crystal sound bowls played by Saumil Manek.

When: Tuesdays, October 27 – November 24, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: Free

---

Wednesday Events in Houston – October 28th (Houston picks October 26 to 29, 2026)

Czech National Day Concert

Celebrate Czech National Day with a program exploring music, memory, and the meaning of home. 

Part of the Bold Serenity season, this concert pairs Antonín Dvo?ák’s string quartet DOMOV with his Gypsy Songs, a collection shaped by longing for a home left behind. 

The program also includes Song to the Moon from his opera Rusalka and Songs My Mother Taught Me. 

Soprano Alicia Gianni, an alumna of the Houston Grand Opera Butler Studio, joins the performance, which traces Dvo?ák’s musical journey between the Czech-speaking communities of Iowa and his homeland of Bohemia.

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 7:00–8:30 PM
Where: Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004
How Much: Starts at $25

---

Essence of Mexico Presented by Young Audiences of Houston

Mixteco Ballet Folklorico brings Mexican dance traditions to Miller Outdoor Theatre in a performance spanning several regions of the country. 

The program opens in Nuevo León with dances influenced by European traditions, including the polka, schottische, and huapangos norteños, before moving to Veracruz for the intricate footwork of zapateado. 

In Zapateado Jarocho, dancers take turns displaying their skills before joining in La Bamba, complete with its signature red-sash knot. 

The finale heads to Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi music, where colorful dresses, ribbon details, traditional charro attire, trumpets, violins, and guitars set the stage for Jarabe Tapatío, better known as the Mexican Hat Dance.

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
How Much: Free

---

Dave Chappelle: Karmageddon

Dave Chappelle brings his Karmageddon tour to Toyota Center for an evening of stand-up from one of comedy’s most decorated performers. 

Chappelle is known for Chappelle’s Show, his Netflix comedy specials, and multiple appearances hosting Saturday Night Live. 

His accolades include the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, five Emmy Awards, and three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album from 2018 through 2020. He also co-hosts The Midnight Miracle, a podcast created with Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey that blends conversation and variety-show elements.

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where: Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Starts at $103

---

Doormat Painting Experience

Unleash your creativity and design and paint a custom doormat using stencils, vibrant paint, and step-by-step guidance in a relaxed studio setting. No prior art experience is needed. All materials are provided, and you’ll leave with a personalized home decor piece.

When: Wednesday, October 28 – December 31, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Recurring daily)
Where: Studio 786, 7636 Harwin Dr. STE 308, Houston, TX 77036
How Much: $58

---

Hip Hop Yoga

Step into an open-air yoga experience where movement, music, and meaning collide under the evening sky. Instructor Alicia Dugar Stephenson infuses every session with lighthearted humor, cultural rhythm, and a poetic presence that makes everyone feel welcome.

When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: Free

---

Thursday Events in Houston – October 29th (Houston picks October 26 to 29 2026)

Halloween Happy House

Bring the kids to the Children’s Museum of Houston for an evening of Halloween costumes, music, candy, and theatrical fun. 

Radio ONE DJs will keep the party moving alongside monstrous characters, and five candy stations throughout the museum give little trick-or-treaters plenty of stops to make. 

The evening also features a Halloween-themed take on Jack and the Beanstalk, presented by The Ensemble Theatre, in which Jack learns about believing in himself, pursuing his dreams, and asking friends for help. 

Costumes are encouraged, so dress the family for a night of Halloween festivities.

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Where: Children’s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
How Much: Free

---

Music at the Museum | Halloween Edition

Spend Halloween season at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston with live music, hands-on art activities, and opportunities to explore the current exhibitions. 

Come in costume and dance while listening to a curated musical soundscape, then contribute to a large-scale mixed-media installation inspired by Mary Ellen Carroll’s How To Talk Dirty and Influence People. 

You can also create a black-and-white button honoring a friend or family member, drawing inspiration from Divination: Beverly Buchanan & Dionne Lee, or pick up a disposable camera to help document the community’s experiences at the museum.

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Where: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
How Much: Free

---

Houston Musical Theater Company presents Iconic Broadway

Sing along to some of Broadway’s best-known musical numbers at Iconic Broadway, a revue from Houston Musical Theatre Company. 

The program draws songs from a wide range of stage favorites, including The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Wicked, Les Misérables, Hamilton, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Evita, The Producers, Oklahoma!, Gypsy, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, and South Pacific.

When: Thursday, October 29 – 30, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where: MATCH – Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Starts at $34

---

Cullen Performance Hall presents Shane Dawson Live

YouTube personality Shane Dawson brings his independent pilot, Cancelled, to Cullen Performance Hall for a special screening. 

Dawson wrote and directed the project and rose to prominence on YouTube after launching his video career in 2008, when he was 19. Following the screening, he will be joined by special guests Ryland Adams, Spencer, and others for an appearance at the venue.

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where: Cullen Performance Hall, 4300 University Dr, Houston, TX 77004
How Much: Starts at $30

---

Deep in the Heart: A Texas Music Series

Celebrate the sounds of the Lone Star State during Discovery Green’s new Deep in the Heart Concert Series, a free weekly concert series showcasing emerging and regional Texas artists. 

Spanning Americana, country, Tejano, indie rock, blues, folk, and roots music, the series highlights the incredible depth and diversity of Texas musicians while creating a vibrant community gathering in the heart of downtown. 

Catch the October 22 performance featuring 30FootFall with Municipal Bats and DJ Mexican Blackbird.

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: Free

---

Gente de Teatro presents El Test

Would you prefer: $100,000 now or $1,000,000 10 years from now? El Test begins with an apparently simple question and uses humor and intelligence to strip away the masks we all wear. 

What starts as an innocent game ends up questioning everything, including love, success, failure, friendship, ethics, the fear of time’s passage, and the small lies each character has used to construct their identity. 

The play is remarkable because it has no heroes or villains, only human beings confronting their own contradictions. 

Money is merely the catalyst for conflict, the spark that sets it off, while the real explosion takes place within human relationships. 

Please note that all performances are in Spanish.

When: Thursday, October 29 – November 1, 2026 | 3:30 PM / 7:30 PM
Where: MATCH – Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Starts at $34

---

Tai Chi

Slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your body in a welcoming and restorative Tai Chi practice!

Teacher Angel Quesada brings nearly 30 years of experience as a movement specialist to help you move with greater ease, strength, balance, and confidence while naturally reducing pain and increasing flexibility.

When: Thursday, October 29 – November 19, 2026 | 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
How Much: Free

---

Already planning for the weekend? Browse our latest picks for Friday through Sunday in Houston — concerts, food festivals, date ideas, and more await!