Go put your records on at HiFi at the Finn.
August is hot, mostly devoid of US holidays, and typically the slowest month for restaurants in the city, but Houston knows how to throw a celebration for no reason at all. This month, the city is thriving with end-of-summer celebrations, Houston Restaurant Weeks, and a rescheduled Pride Parade. Get out your calendar. Here’s a roundup of some of the best things to do in Houston in August.
Know of an event that should be on our list? Email me at [email protected].
Don your best whites at White Linen Night
$20 admission to official event | saturday, august 1 | heights
Houston starts the month off clean with the twentieth anniversary of White Linen Night. From 6 to 9pm on Saturday, August 1, 19th Street (between Yale and Ashland) will close to traffic for music, shopping, and people-watching in your best whites. The tradition dates back to a 1994 New Orleans festival and arrived in the Heights in 2006; it’s since grown into one of the neighborhood’s signature summer nights, with regular admission priced at $20. This is also the first White Linen Night without longtime favorite Casa Ramirez, and the last chance to catch the Houston Toy Museum before it closes for good on August 30. Pitstops include Agnes and Sherman, M-K-T, Moon Rabbit, and more.
West 19th Street from Ashland Street to Yale Street
Show your love at Houston’s Pride Parade
free | Saturday, august 15 | downtown
Severe weather and World Cup-overload forced organizers to postpone Houston’s Pride Parade from its original June 6 date. The rescheduled parade now steps off Saturday, August 15, at 7pm, running a two-mile route from Montrose Boulevard and Allen Parkway to Milam and Pease streets Downtown—so expect floats, marching groups, and the city’s LGBTQ+ organizations taking over the streets for the celebration.
Tostadas de pulpo from Zaranda.
Dine out during Houston Restaurant Weeks
All month long, the city can dine on a great deal. Houston Restaurant Weeks, the Houston Food Bank’s largest fundraiser, marks its 23rd year with prix-fixe menus at more than 350 restaurants from August 1 through September 7. Every meal sold benefits the Houston Food Bank—$1 per $25 lunch, $3 per $39 dinner, or $5 per $55 dinner, funding three, nine, or 15 meals, respectively. Last year’s event raised more than $22.5 million, funding 68 million meals.
There’s no better time to dine on a budget while giving back, whether it’s an old favorite, a newer opening, or the most expensive new spot on your list. New participating restaurants include Chardon, Bar Xolo, Toca Madera, Kirkwood, and Zaranda.
various locations
Catch free Shakespeare under the stars at Miller Outdoor Theater
Free | Through Aug 8 | Hermann Park, museum district
Now in its 52nd year, the Houston Shakespeare Festival returns to Miller Outdoor Theatre with free performances running through August 8. This season alternates between The Tempest—which reimagines the lead role as the sorceress Prospera, played by HSF veteran Laura Frye—and A Comedy of Errors, with each play performed on alternating nights. Bring a blanket for the free lawn, or arrive early for first-come, first-served covered seating.
6000 Hermann Park Dr
Get outside and mingle at East River
free
This cool mixed-use development along Buffalo Bayou will host a slew of free events throughout the month, including weekly yoga, a free concert, and a marketplace that celebrates Black creativity and entrepreneurship. Here’s what’s in store:
Yoga on the Yard: Free weekly outdoor yoga for all levels; bring a mat. Saturdays, Saturdays, 10:30–11:15am
Beats on the Bayou Back to School Edition: Concert with DJ PEACH, spoken word, dance performances, and face painting. Friday, August 7, 6–9pm
Jiggerobics: Music-driven movement and dance class. Saturday, August 9, 10–11am
BLCK Market: Black-owned business market with food trucks and live music entertainment. Saturday, August 15, 3 PM to 9 PM
65 Hirsch Rd
Celebrate the summer’s end in the Heights
free to attend + drinks and food available for purchase | saturday, august 8 | Heights
Summer has mostly been good to us. That’s something worth celebrating! Bayou Heights Bier Garten is getting festive for the season wind-down with its tropical Annual Luau on the Bayou, starting at 11am with themed cocktails and food, a fire and hula dancer performance at 7pm, and a live band, from 8–11pm. 3905 Washington Ave, 77007
If partying like it’s 1999 is more your speed, attend Heights Bier Garten’s Y2K annual farewell summer celebration on August 8. The bar will kickstart the party at 11am with music, l brunch until 3pm, and shopping at local vendors, including Beauty By Adri, Lala Links, Wicked Garden, Other Side of the Luna, Beaded Bliss and More, and Vintage by Laura. Expect live music 5–7pm, then a DJ set from 8–11pm. 1433 N Shepherd Dr, 77008.
Commemorate 80 years of India’s independence at India House
Free | Saturday, august 15 | bray oaks
In partnership with Consul General of India D.C. Manjunath, India House marks 80 years of India’s independence with a full day of free activities, including yoga, art classes, soccer clinics, chess for kids, karaoke, and cricket. The tricolor flag hoisting starts at 9:45am. Free produce and groceries will also be distributed.
8888 West Bellfort Ave
Perfect your pasta-making skills at Lyric Market this month.
Learn something new at Lyric Market
free to attend | Downtown
This Downtown food hall is hosting a variety of activities this month, including book and plant swaps, and classes on embroidery, candle-making, cake decorating, and pasta-making.
Book & Plant Swap: Trade gently used books and plants while shopping local vendors and treats. Sunday, August 9, 12–3pm. Reserve a spot here.
Y2K Embroidery Class: Beginner-friendly embroidery night with cocktails and bites. Thursday, August 13, 6:30–8pm. Tickets available for $82 per person.
Candles & Cocktails: Hands-on candle-making paired with a specialty cocktail, 21+. Sunday, August 16, 4–6pm. Tickets available for $60 per person.
Cake Decorating: Buttercream Tulip Cake: Learn to decorate a mini cake with buttercream tulips, all materials provided. Wednesday, August 19, 7–8:30pm. Tickets available for $60 per person.
Pasta Making Class: Hand-roll pappardelle and linguini with CocuSocial, 21+. Thursday, August 20, 6:30–8:30pm. Tickets available for $59 per person.
Adiós Summer Fiesta: Mariachi, Lotería, tacos, and tequila specials to close out summer. Saturday, August 29, 2–6pm. Reserve a spot here.
411 Smith St
Celebrate Houston’s first female librarian at the Houston Public Library
free | 12–4pm, Saturday, august 22
Houston Public Library hosts a celebration of its pioneering head librarian, Julia Ideson, and her namesake building, featuring four hours of activities that highlight all things vintage, including fashion displays, letterpress printing, typewriters, and a themed photobooth. In addition to viewing the award-winning documentary The Julia Ideson Building: Celebrating 100 Years, attendees can participate in craft-making, giveaways, and a vintage children’s storytime. The first 200 guests will receive a gift.
Julia Ideson Building, 550 McKinney St
Groove all month long at HiFi at the Finn
DOWNTOWN
Downtown’s listening-room lounge keeps busy all August with themed nights built around music records, cocktails, and DJ sets.
808 Day at HiFi: All-day happy hour with $5 house wine glasses and a DJ set through midnight. Saturday, Aug. 8, all day.
Cocktail Class with Mijenta Tequila: Guided tequila tasting and cocktail-making. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 6pm & 7pm.
Musical Bingo with Vinyl: Song-based bingo followed by a DJ set. Saturday, Aug. 15, 7–9pm.
BYOV Night with DJ Good Grief: Bring your own records to share and spin. Saturday, Aug. 22, 9pm–midnight.
Pressings & Pairings with FireNoodz: Chef-crafted bites paired with Mi Campo Tequila. Saturday, Aug. 29, 7–9pm.
Friday Night DJ Series: Rotating DJs every Friday in August, including DJ Flash Gordon Parks and DJ Mike Bondz. 9pm–midnight, Fridays.
inside finn food hall, 712 Main St