Get ready for a new week in Houston and plan to have a great time! There are still plenty of ways to enjoy the best of what Houston has to offer and support your local businesses and artists. We keep up to date with freebies, deals, and discounts, so you can enjoy your free time year-round.
Free and cheap activities in Houston this week include Beat the Summer Slide with 30 Days of ABCMouse, Relax and Enjoy Yourself with Besa mi vino Organic, Canned Wine, Pamper Your Pet with CBD Bites & Oils, Soak Up the Summer Sun in Galveston, free yoga, live music, art shows, a car meet, and much more.
Here is your weekly guide to Free and Cheap Things to Do in Houston:
TOP PICKS
Beat the Summer Slide with 30 Days of ABCMouse for Free!
The summer slide is pretty serious and right about now, it’s grabbing hold! Keep your kids up to date, engaged, and learning with fun games and activities online! They have games in multiple subjects for every grade and even kids as young as two years old! Right now, you can sign up for 3 children for the price of one and play on any device. Or, grab your free trial for 30 days!
Watch Your Favorite Hit Shows and Movies with a Free One-Month Hulu Trial
Stop sweating about scheduling your TV time! Hulu has thousands of awesome titles to stream online and television episodes are often uploaded just one day after they air on TV! They offer a huge library of the latest hit shows, classics, Blockbuster movies, original series, kids shows, and more. Watch on all your favorite devices. The best part? You can try Hulu free for one full month!
MONDAY
Bao Bao Boba
What: Houston’s best and newest Boba shop is opening up on Memorial this week! Monday and Tuesday, you can get Buy One, Get One boba drinks!
When: Monday, July 6, 11 am – 9 pm
Where: 14771 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079
How Much: Free Entry
Jonah Miles Live
What: Jonah Miles is a young, local musician looking to keep busy and keep you entertained, from the comfort of your own home. Tune in for free via Twitch, donations and tips are much appreciated. He’s also taking song requests!
When: Monday, July 6, 5 – 8 pm
Where: Twitch
How Much: Free
Online Hip Hop Yoga
What: Alicia Dugar Stephenson from Apprentice Yoga School is hosting this fun class! You will unwind and relax with a fun and playful yoga session. Admission is free, you’ll tune in through Discovery Green’s Facebook Page.
When: Monday, July 6, 6:30 pm
Where: Facebook
How Much: Free
TUESDAY
Nutty Scientists Present: Castaway
What: The Harris County Public Library is hosting this fun and educational class online! How can you use science to survive in nature? These funny ladies {excuse us, Scientists!} will show you how. Tune in on Facebook for an adventure as a castaway.
When: Tuesday, July 7, 2 pm
Where: Facebook Live
How Much: Free
Summer Music Series: Jaume Plensa’s “Mirror”
What: The Moody Center is still hosting their annual music series- but now you can tune in from home! Stay home, stay safe, and let The Shepherd School of Music entertain you. Jaume Plensa will be performing his own work, in front of the art which inspired it! Find them on Facebook so you can tune in live on Youtube.
When: Tuesday, July 7, 12 noon
Where: Youtube
How Much: Free
Katy Tuesdays Farmers Market
What: Find fresh, organic produce, local seafood, pasture-raised eggs, farm-fresh honey, salsa, jams, and much more. There’s no entrance fee, just wear a mask and bring your reusable bags.
When: Tuesday, July 7, 3 – 7 pm
Where: 1703 N Fry Rd, Katy, TX 77449
How Much: Free
WEDNESDAY
Camp Zoofari
What: The Houston Zoo knows you can’t get out to see them right now but they’re still hosting little campers online! Tune in on My20-Houston to learn about their animals each week. If you can’t tune in live, join them at HoustonZoo.org to see the recorded live video play each week.
When: Wednesday, July 8, 11:30 am
Where: Online
How Much: Free
Nearing 90: And Other Comedies of Late Life
What: Judith Viorst is the author of this collection of poetry to keep you laughing as you sail through life. She’ll discuss her life, and some of the funniest times she’s had, focusing on her book. You can purchase the book online then attend this Q&A for free! No tickets are necessary but you must RSVP for the link.
When: Wednesday, July 8, 1 pm
Where: Online
How Much: Free
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: Wednesday, July 8, 8 pm
Where: Twitch
How Much: Free
THURSDAY
Tai Chi Thursdays
What: Increase your energy, develop better balance, and improve your health with this free, weekly exercise class. Enjoy all the benefits of a low impact workout for free, via the AARP Texas live video webcast on their site.
When: Thursday, July 9, 10:30 am
Where: Online
How Much: Free
Live: School Life in Japan
What: HCPL is hosting this live event online for you to learn about what life is like in Japan for school-aged children. You’ll learn some Japanese greetings and Radio Taiso.
When: Thursday, July 9, 4 pm
Where: Online
How Much: Free
LoFi Films
What: Media Center Family is hosting this free event to watch a documentary of graphic novelist Jack Jackson. This event happens each Thursday, excluding holidays. The show is free and open to the public on Vimeo.
When: Thursday, July 9, 7 pm
Where: Vimeo
How Much: Free
FRIDAY
Houston Half Challenge
What: This virtual challenge is friendly and great preparation for the Boston marathon or any other! All you do is join a team, log your times and activities, and you could even win a prize!
When: Friday, July 10, any time
Where: 1000 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Free
Earth Science on Wheels
What: Join the library online for a live Q&A and Show & Tell! This popular program happens weekly and explores fossils from dinosaurs and how they hunted, ate, and lived. Tune in live online at the Harris County Public Library Facebook page.
When: Friday, July 10, 2 pm
Where: Online
How Much: Free
Craft & Vendor Days at Rosehill
What: Head to Cypress Rosehill for an afternoon of crafters, local artists, and other entrepreneurs. There will be food trucks on site. No admission fee, just wear a mask, bring your shopping bags, and try to social distance!
When: Friday, July 10, 6 pm
Where: 14540 Cypress Rosehill Rd, Cypress, TX 77429
How Much: Free
SATURDAY
11th Street Market
What: Join A 2nd Cup Cafe for a market on the 11th on 11th street! There’s no admission fee, just wear a mask. Bring your reusable shopping bags!
When: Saturday, July 11, 8:30 am
Where: 1111 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77009
How Much: Free
Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power
What: The Musem of Fine Arts Houston is open right now and they’re hosting all new exhibitions. Admission is $19 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. This particular exhibition is open through August 30.
When: Saturday, July 11, 11 am – 6 pm
Where: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
How Much: Free
Hillerbrand & Magsamen Virtual Home Tour
What: Enjoy this virtual and offbeat programming from the Houston Cinema Arts Society. The home tour is an interactive presentation of their latest short films, plus a live Q&A afterward.
When: Saturday, July 11 am
Where: Online
How Much: Free
SUNDAY
Whole Life Series: Reservations Required
What: John Ross Palmer is hosting a new exhibition at his gallery and studio. Admission is free and all proceeds from art sales will go to support The Women’s Home. You’ll need to wear a mask and make an appointment.
When: Sunday, July 12, 11 am – 3 pm
Where: 1218 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
How Much: Free Admission
Kingwood Sunday Market
What: Take a small drive out to Kingwood for a free, family and pet-friendly market on the square. Parking is also free, just wear a mask and bring your shopping bags!
When: Sunday, July 12, 12 – 4 pm
Where: 8 N Main St, Kingwood, TX 77339
How Much: Free
Sunday Nights at Freddy’s
What: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is hosting this free car meet! See hot rods and classics among great people, music, and more.
When: Sunday, July 12, 5 – 9 pm
Where: 12407 FM1960 W, Houston, TX 77065
How Much: Free
How did we do? If you like any of these event ideas, or have something better, let us know! Leave a comment in the section below:
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