Check out our Free and Cheap Things to Do in Houston This Week with picks that include: Using Lemonade for affordable renters and home insurance, Free Museum Thursdays, Jumanji at Rooftop Cinema Club and more!
TOP PICK
EVERY DAY FUN
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Have a Family Movie Night with Disney+
Winter is here and Disney+ offers some great movies and shows for the family. In addition to some holiday classics, Disney+ has some of the top film franchises from Disney Princesses to Marvel Superheroes to Pixar’s best flicks and plenty of other fun things in between. So, have a family movie night this holiday season by trying Disney+!
MONDAY
Discounted Admission at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
What: The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers a discounted exhibit hall admission. While the discounted tickets are offered Monday through Thursday, the museum is free every Thursday from 2 PM – 5 PM.
Where: Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive Houston
When: Monday – Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM
How Much: Discounted tickets are $11.50 and are available on most dates
TUESDAY
Levy Park On-Demand: Family Storytime & Craft
What: Join Levy Park from home each Tuesday for their Family Storytime & Craft event. It’s a great event for kids and their parents to participate in where the host will read a story and guide everyone through creating a craft. Check out their calendar for details about this week’s event, including materials you’ll need to make the craft.
Where: Levy Park Facebook Page or YouTube Channel
When: Tuesdays at 10 am
How Much: Free
Check out Children’s Museum of Houston Online
What: While the Children’s Museum of Houston remains closed to in-person visitors, they have a ton of great online resources and events going on during this time. From 3D Virtual Field Trips to live online courses and chats with experts and more, there’s a ton of fun and education for kids to enjoy from the comfort of home.
Where: CMHouston.org
When: 24/7
How Much: Free
WEDNESDAY
InSIDEs Wednesdays
What: DJ Wes Wallace is exploring his lesser-used vinyl collection, live each Wednesday night. Tune in on Twitch for two hours of live music from a Houston-based DJ!
When: Wednesdays at 8 PM
Where: Twitch
How Much: Free
What: The Braeswood Farmers Market meets every Wednesday night to bring you fresh produce, mid-week! There is no entrance fee but you’ll be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
When: Wednesdays 4 PM – 8 PM
Where: 5401 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX
How Much: Free
THURSDAY
Stages Repertory Theatre presents Thursdays at The Gordy
What: Come to The Gordy for one of the most culturally immersive happy hours you’ll have all year. Live performances will be featured in public spaces including the Edmundson Gallery, Albert and Ethel Herzstein Lobby, and Radoff Family Patio. Due to limited availability be sure to make your reservations ahead of time.
When: Thursdays at 5 PM
Where: Stages Repertory Theatre, 800 Rosine St. Houston, TX 77019
How Much: $25
What: Thursdays are the best day to go check out the great museums around Houston on a budget. Each Thursday, several museums around town offer free admission times, including Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Health Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and more. Times for free admission may vary, so check out our guide for more info.
When: Thursdays
Where: Various museums around Houston
How Much: Free
FRIDAY
Rooftop Cinema Club Presents: Jumanji
What: Watch Jumanji under the stars at the Rooftop Cinema Club in Houston, boasting stunning skyline views, this venue is a perfect spot to watch movies for your family or a date night.
Where: Rooftop Cinema Club: The Drive-In at Eado, 2300 Runnels St., Houston
When: Friday, January 29th at 7:30 PM
How Much: Tickets are $22-$27 per vehicle
Children’s Story Hour at Hermann Park
What: Each Friday morning, children get together in the Family Garden at Hermann Park for a can’t miss storytelling event. The stories are always different each week, and your kids are sure to love them.
Where: Hermann Park, McGovern Centennial Gardens, 1500 Hermann Drive
When: January 29th from 10 AM – 11 AM
How Much: Free
SATURDAY
What: Get ready for an exciting Saturday night! Monster Jam will be a night of action and four-wheel excitement. Monster Jam has instated enhanced health measures, meaning seating capacity will be reduced at stadiums to a “pod seating” structure.
Where: NRG Stadium, 2 NRG Park, Houston
When: Saturday, January 30th at 7 PM
How Much: Tickets begin at $20
What: It’s not every day that you get to skate under the lights of downtown Houston! Bring your friends and family to skate at Discovery Green. Safety protocols are in full effect, including increased sanitation and contactless purchases.
Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX
When: Daily at 11 AM
How Much: $15, skates included
What: Stock up on fresh produce and handcrafted goods in this open-air farmers market. If you’re heading there at lunchtime, no need to worry – food is also there for purchase and on-site consumption.
Where: 234 S Arcola Street, Angleton
When: Rain or Shine on Saturdays from 9 AM – 1 PM
How Much: Free entry, pay as you go
What: This free outdoor market on Ella is open to the public! Enjoy fine crafted goods, handmade art, delicious prepared foods, and more.
When: Saturdays from 9 AM – 12 PM
Where: 2120 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77008
How Much: Free Admission
SUNDAY
What: Enjoy a free virtual family fun day, Including dance performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, puzzles, activities, dance lessons, and more.
Where: Virtual Event
When: Online materials will be available from January 17th till January 24th
How Much: Free
Heights Morning Market
What: Each weekend, these local shops in the Heights open up their streets and walkways to local vendors and artisans. Shop local jewelry, handmade art, locally sourced honey, and much more. Bring your own shopping bags and wear a mask!
When: Sundays from 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 3106 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
How Much: Free
What: This local farmer’s market is free to attend and easy to shop! Find local produce, ethically-sourced honey, homemade candles, freshly prepared foods, and much more. Admission is always free, bring your mask and shopping bags.
When: Sundays at 11 AM
Where: 500 Baybrook Mall Dr, Friendswood, TX 7754
How Much: Free entry
What are some other things to do in Houston this week? Leave a comment and let us know!
Tomball Farmers Market in Old Town Tomball is also a great choice that features all local farmers, local producers and local artisans with over 60+ diverse vendors to choose from every Saturday from 9 to 1. Masks and social distancing are required to shop. Established in 2009 it’s a rain or shine market with many cute and interesting places to shop for antiques, art and wonderful restaurants to visit after shopping the outdoor Farmers Market.
Where: Old Town Tomball, 205 W Main St, Tomball, TX 77375
Time & Date: Every Saturday from 9 to 1
Dogs welcome, park, Train Depot and splash pad nearby
Walkable shops and restaurants nearby
This event is on Sundays, I drove out last Friday and no market. Looked at the website and it says Sunday. ???
FRIDAY
Montrose Morning Market
What: This indoor and outdoor market is hosted in a beautiful venue space wtih local vendors! Admission is always free and there is often live music, wine sampling, kids activities, and more. No cover, just wear a mask and bring your shopping bags.
When: Friday, October 2, 11 am – 3 pm
Where: 501 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
How Much: Free
Hi Sabine,
Thanks for the heads up. Their Facebook page shows it as also happening on Fridays (see here: https://www.facebook.com/events/553325165397811/). I wonder if they forgot to update it.
Tips on free parking at Discovery Green?
Mon-Sat will be pretty difficult to find free parking. However, on Sunday, street parking is free (you shouldn’t have to pay at the meters). https://www.downtownhouston.org/parking/-street-parking/
This is very much appreciated!
Good write-up. I definitely appreciate this site. Keep
writing!
for the “Sundays in the Park at Discover Green”, it mentions the Unplugged event afterwards from 5 to 9. if you have a dog from the event from 2 to 5, will they be allowed for the show as well?
Thanks for all the great information. I liked it better when it was arranged by date and not by event type, it was so much easier to find things to do. Hopefully, you’ll go back to that format.
Me too. I like knowing events by dates
No problem! Try clicking on “Calendar” at the top of the page and you can search by date or keyword or scroll through to find something which interests you. Thanks for reading!
same here
i heard Brad Meldau(sp?) will be here on the ivories this Friday (on KTSU)…allegedly it’s free, but i don’t know the venue-
(helluva nationally-known jazz pianist if you never heard of him)
facts appreciated if you find out before me
Would love to have the info on the Easter Eggstravaganza. Thanks!
Hi, check out our Easter guide here: https://www.houstononthecheap.com/easter-egg-hunts-in-houston