The phrase “I’m bored” should rarely be uttered in Houston. All over the city, festivals, races and cultural events are taking place, so if you’re bored, then it means you’re not looking hard enough.
We at Advantage Pro Services love our great city, and we want you to get the most out of it. If you’re looking for something fun and interesting to do for the week of Sept. 29 – Oct. 5, 2019, here are the top things to do in Houston starting Sunday, Sept. 29.
Things to do in Houston this coming week
With the first weekend of October coming up, it seems as if the whole sitting is getting into the fall mood — but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stay indoors just yet. These events happening just this week will make your list for the top things to do in Houston this week.
2019 Komen Houston Race for the Cure
Address: 1000 Bagby St.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Date: Oct. 5, 2019
Time: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Cost: $40 regular rate
Every October, millions of people across the United States walk, run, job and bike to raise money for breast cancer awareness. NFL players don their pink-lined uniforms, and it seems everyone is wearing the pink ribbon for awareness and tribute to loved ones they’ve lost to breast cancer.
This year, the Komen Foundation will hold their annual race in Houston on the first Saturday in October, and the foundation has big goals for the occasion. In addition to spreading its main message of awareness, early detection and screening, the foundation aims to raise more than $1 million, the majority of which will go to breast health screening, treatment and education. The remaining funds will go to Komen Research, Evaluation and Scientific Program, the research end of the foundation searching for life-saving cures.
Participants can choose to walk in either than 5K or 1K race, and all are invited back to Sam Houston Park for more fun and events. To register, head to www.komen-houston.org.
Korean Festival Houston
Address: 1500 McKinney St.
Neighborhoods: Downton
Dates: Oct. 5-6
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
For the past 10 years, the Korean American Society of Houston has brought Houstonians from all walks of life together to celebrate and learn Korean culture. Now coming up on its 11th year, the Korean Festival Houston promises plenty of family-friendly fun for everyone at absolutely no charge.
KFest, as it’s often called, brings over 40,000 people to downtown Houston where local and global sponsors will be serving up great Korean food and fun, interactive games and activities. On the main stage, great performers will play for the crowds. KFest will be taking place at Discovery Green, so if you’re in the mood for something different for dinner, check out this festival.
$99 Wine and Dine for 2 at Brennan’s of Houston
Address: 3300 Smith St.
Neighborhood: Midtown
Date: Sept. 30, 2019
Time: 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $99 for dinner for two
When was the last time you and your partner enjoyed a completely relaxing night out without the kids — and without breaking the bank? Houston has an amazing culinary scene, but it can get expensive to dine out, especially if you have a few kids to feed as well.
On Sept. 30, call a sitter and put on your favorite pair of nice shoes — you’re dining out at Brennan’s. The restaurant will be serving a three-course meal for two for just $99. Created by the restaurant’s chef Joe Cervantez, the menu is pre-planned so all you have to do is sit back and relax. Enjoy a night on the town with your partner and celebrate the moment.
Sawyer Yards Biannual Art Stroll and Sale
Address: 2101 Winter St.
Neighborhood: Memorial Park/Washington Corridor
Dates: Oct. 5, 2019
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Twice a year, artists and art lovers across Houston gather to view the latest from Houston artists and even make their first — or fiftieth — art purchases. The Sawyer Yards Biannual Art Stroll and Sale invites Houstonians from all over the city to come enjoy a leisurely stroll while sampling some of the newest and hottest artists on the market right now.
The art stroll covers three buildings and includes both live art and open studios. Make your way from one building to the next, and grab a bite to eat as you stroll. Excel Pours will be on hand to serve cocktails, wine and beer, and there will be live musical performances to keep the party going. You can also watch live art demonstrations as well as screen printing, terrarium making and beading.
Visitors can also make a toast to Jeff Forster, whose new exhibit at Art Alley Sculpture will be opening. A reception in his honor will be held to celebrate his new sculptures, part of Sculpture Month Houston.
Original Greek Festival
Address: 3511 Yoakum Blvd,
Neighborhood: Montrose
Dates: Oct. 3-6, 2019
Cost: $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free
KFest one day, Greek Festival the next. Held on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Greek Festival brings people together for Greek food, wine and dancing in what sure is to be one of the biggest parties of the year. Sample authentic Greek food and wine from all over the county and see Greek artifacts.
The event is open to the public — Greeks and all — and the proceeds from the admission fees will go to benefit several charities around Houston such as S.E.A.R.C.H., Houston Area Women’s Center, the Star of Hope Mission and Texas Emergency Aid Coalition. Learn a Greek dance, try a gyro and enjoy family-friendly activities.
AAA Texas Walk to End Distracted Driving
Address: Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford St.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Date: Sept. 29, 2019
Time: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
As cellphones and GPS usage have grown in popularity, so has the phenomenon of distracted driving, which killed almost 3,200 people in 2017 alone. Distracted driving happens when a crash occurs because one driver was paying too much attention to a cellphone and crashed into another vehicle or barrier. Like drunk driving, distracted driving can tear families apart, and many states, including Texas, have passed various no-text bans while driving.
Even so, distracted driving continues to be a problem. That’s why for the first year ever, AAA Texas is bringing crowds together for the Walk to End Distracted Driving. Walkers can arrive as early as 8 a.m. where community activists and distracted driving awareness advocates will be addressing the crowds until the walk officially begins at 8:45 a.m. For 1.1 miles, walkers will raise awareness of distracted driving and hopefully convince a few motorists to put their phones away while they’re driving.
Ongoing things to do in Houston
Some events and exhibits last for several weekends or even all summer long or year long. Though you have multiple opportunities to check out these cool events, here are the ones we know you won’t want to miss.
Karbachtoberfest 2019 at Karbach Brewery
Address: 2032 Karbach St.
Neighborhood: Northwest
Date: Oct. 3-6, 2019
Time: All day
Cost: Free
If you’re a beer lover, then you probably look forward to October every year. Octoberfests around the city bring out beer drinkers to raise a stein, and there’s always a mix of great beers to sample and fun activities to enjoy.
Karbach Brewing Co. pulls out all the stops every year, and this year’s Octoberfest is no different. Ongoing since Sept. 19, this Octoberfest is free to attend and offers great activities such as stein-hoisting competitions and weiner dog races. There will also be free live music as well as oompah bands, so make sure you bring your lederhosen.
The full schedule and links to sign-ups for the weiner dog race and stein-hoisting competition can be found at www.karbachbrewing.com. This is the last weekend for this ongoing event, so don’t miss out.
6th Annual Fall Fest
Address: 14350 ½ Wallisville Rd.
Neighborhood:
Date: Oct. 4, 2019 and every Friday
Time: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $5
No matter which Friday you go, there’s always something for everyone at Fall Fest. Now in its sixth year, Fall Fest continues with plenty of food and music.
Want to get a taste of the Windy City without having to brave a snowstorm? This Friday will be “Chicago for a Day.” Many Chicago chefs have opened locations in Houston, and they’re ready to show you what they’ve got. This cultural festival celebrates all things Chicago with popular local foods to taste such as pizzas and great music selections from genres that were born in Chicago. Hear DJs spinning great House music, which was the precursor to EDM and techno music. You can also learn Stepping, a style of dance that has its roots in Chicago, at the dance lounge.
Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. Anyone 13 and under gets in free.
Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture
Address: Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Drive
Neighborhood: Museum District
Dates: Sept. 26-Oct. 20, 2019
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free for children 2 years old and under; $8 for children 3-12 and seniors 65 and up; $10 for adults; free for families on Thursdays
Have your children ever asked you about how food gets to their forks? Now the traveling exhibit Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture arrives in Houston, ready to teach Houstonians about how our food comes from the farms to our tables and what feeding the world may look like as populations continue to grow. Interactive displays explain global and cultural food ecosystems that affect the foods we have access to and our day-to-day relationship with food.
The exhibit will also examine the diets of great people in history such as activist Mahatma Gandhi and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to show how diets vary by region, culture, profession and other aspects.
The museum will also be producing workshops, tastings and other events to coincide with the traveling exhibit, so check with the museum to see what’s planned for the weekend.
Magic, Music & Mayhem at the Four Seasons Houston
Address: 1300 Lamar St.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Date: Sept. 20-Dec. 1, 2019
Time: Shows at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Cost: General Admission – $55; Reserved Front-Row Seating – $75
For Houstin native Ben Jackson, every day is magical. The winner of the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, Jackson has performed his illusions on the Today Show and all over the country. Now he returns to his hometown to bring a little bit of that magic back to Houstonians.
Jackson’s one-man show puts his talents on display as he delights and dazzles with his quick wit and dexterity. His sleight-of-hand tricks and mind-bending feats will be accompanied by stylish piano playing. This show lasts just 90 minutes, but it is only for children 12 years and up as well as adults. If you have little ones, better sit this one out.
You can grab tickets at www.benjacksonmagic.com for dates and times.
So clearly, there’s a lot going on in Houston this coming week. Whether you’re a foodie or a music lover or an art collector, you’re sure to find something that interests you. Families of all sizes can also find something fun and different to do together — and maybe even learn something new.
Tell us: Which of these events do you plan on checking out next week? We want to know, so share with us in the comments — and let us know how Advantage Pro Services can help you with your nest gutter cleaning service.