Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: June 16-18 2023

Take a tour of H-Town’s weekend highlights with our 365 Houston guide to the best things to do in Houston this weekend, from Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Every weekend, Houston has plenty of happenings to be found around town—but which ones are the highlights that can help you plan an enjoyable weekend of outings?

We’ve whittled down our extensive Weekend Guide to offer you some of our favorite things to look forward to from Friday to Sunday.

Looking for more things to do? Dig deeper for all of our weekend picks with the 365 Houston Weekend Guide, or comb through our Calendar for even more events, activities, and things to do this weekend.

The 15 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: June 16 to 18, 2023

• Bollywood Film Nights: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara at Asia Society Texas | Friday, June 16 – This film about three childhood friends embarking across Spain in a three-week road trip is an acclaimed recent addition to the modern Bollywood scene and one of the final screenings of Asia Society’s spring cinema series. Bring a chair or blanket for this outdoor screening and enjoy concessions for purchase. $10. 8:30pm.
• Catastrophic Theatre presents A Maroon’s Guide to Time & Space at MATCH | Friday, June 16 & Saturday, June 17 | Final Weekend – Candice D’Meza’s play is a genre-bending experiential exploration of quantum mechanics that uses imagination to liberate oneself from the confines of linear time. Pay-what-you-can. Showtimes vary.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Punkie Johnson at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday, June 16 & Saturday, June 17 – For back-to-back nights, the Riot hosts Saturday Night Live cast member Punkie Johnson as she steps into a nationwide tour that brings her through Houston. $20 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
• Juneteenth at Miller: The Musical Journey Continues at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, June 16 & Saturday, June 17 | FREE – Split into two parts performed across back-to-back nights, this musical journey takes attendees through the outstanding musical artists of our time, including the songs of Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, legends of H-Town hip-hop, and more. 8pm.
• International Gem & Jewelry Show at NRG Park | Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18 – Shop directly from designers, wholesalers and manufacturers at this jewelry exposition featuring beads, diamonds, semi-precious stones, custom jewelry and more. Ages 9 and up only. $6. Times vary.

• Day of Science Festival at Lott Hall in Hermann Park | Saturday, June 17 | FREE – Kids and the curious of all ages can get hands-on with activities and demos—including Picture the Microbes, What’s on Your Hands?, Microbes in Your Mouth, Astrobiology: Searching for Life Beyond Earth, Vet for a Day, and more—at this fest organized by the American Society of Microbiology. Noon to 4pm.
• Juneteenth Festival 2023 at McGuire Dent Recreational Center | Saturday, June 17 | FREE – Along Seawall Boulevard, this family-friendly fest will be packed with a local vendor market, food and performances, just steps from the shores of the Gulf. 1pm to 8pm.
• Juneteenth Music Festival, with Lakeside, The SOS Band at Emancipation Park | Saturday, June 17 | FREE – Held in Third Ward’s historic Emancipation Park, this annual free concert offers a full day of jubilee with gospel artist V. Michael McKay, zydeco from Step Rideau, and legendary R&B performers Lakeside and the SOS Band. While there, explore local vendors, crafts, merch and fantastic food trucks. 3pm to 10pm.
• Queer as Folk Art Show at Hardy & Nance Studios | Saturday, June 17 | FREE – The near-Downtown art studios hosts its annual Pride Month exhibition, featuring a diverse range of art styles and subject matter from local artists that celebrate Houston’s LGBTQ+ community. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary bar with adult and non-alcoholic beverages. 5pm to 9pm.
• Juneteenth Weekend Celebration at Bicentennial Park in Baytown | Saturday, June 17 | FREE – Houston rap legends head to Baytown for a free community concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Catch Slim Thug, Lil Keke, Big Pokey and a slate of other musicians and live DJs, capped off with a fireworks spectacular. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. 5pm to midnight.
• Beats on the Beach & Fireworks at Palm Beach in Galveston | Saturday, June 17 – Moody Gardens hosts Beats on the Beach, a weekly, family-friendly Saturday night celebration with live music, a fireworks show, beachside attractions like the Lazy River, and more. Each night, a fireworks show will cap off the festivities at 9:15pm, which can be seen at locations around the island for free. Beach tickets are $30 and up; $24 and up for ages 4 to 12 and 65+; free for ages 3 and under. 6pm to 10pm.

• Tokyo X at NRG Park | Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18 – This two-day celebration of Japanese culture takes over NRG Park, with a bustling food market, local vendors, live performances, a car show, cosplay contests, anime merch, and more. Two-day passes are $65 and up; $30 for ages 6 to 12; free for ages 5 and under. Single-day passes are also available. Noon to 7pm.
• Bored Teachers Comedy Tour at Hobby Center | Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18 – These comedians and educators share their perspectives on life in the classroom, the state of education, and the joys and challenges of teaching. $44 and up. Times vary.
• Father’s Day at Eureka Heights Brewing Co. | Sunday, June 18 | No Cover – The Heights brewery celebrates dads with an afternoon of mouth-watering burgers and hot dogs from Deckle & Hide, the annual Dad Joke competition, and a Dad Bod Wet T-shirt contest—with prizes up for grabs. Noon to 3pm.
• Drive Your Dream Car Show at NRG Park | Sunday, June 18 – This one-day event brings together celebrity cars, exotics, old-school muscle, and more automobiles for a Father’s Day car show all afternoon. The family-friendly event will also feature amusement rides, carnival games, gaming trucks and more. $40 and up. Noon to 5pm.