It’s another weekend in Houston with plenty of free fun! Check out these 21 Free Things to Do in Houston October 2-4:
photo: Katya Horner
FRIDAY
Celebrate Chicano music — Don’t miss the Festival Chicano Friday, 7 pm, which celebrates the Chicano culture and music. New artists perform each night, October 1-3. Free reserved seats under cover are available on performance day at the Miller box office, 10:30 am – 1 pm. Located at 6000 Hermann Park Drive.
Enjoy a movie under the stars — Catch a free outdoor movie downtown at Discovery Green at H-Town Cinema Celebration. Houstonians voted to see The Grand Budapest Hotel in the park’s local voting. Activities begin at 6:45 pm and the movie starts at 7:45 pm. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome! Located at 1500 McKinney.
SATURDAY
Play at a fall festival — Check out the annual Fall Harvest Festival at Cornelius Nursery Saturday, October 3, 9 am – 7 pm. Lots of fun activities including nature crafts, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin patch photos, gardening clinic, and more. Located at 2233 S. Voss Road.
Create a book — Kids will make a paper book at this month’s Hands-On Houston Saturday, 11 am – 3 pm at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Kids will learn to fold and glue a mini accordion book and hide it inside a box. Located at 4848 Main Street. photo: HCCC
Learn a language — Kids can learn a new language thanks to a weekly program at Discovery Green. Toddlers to 9-year-olds can learn Spanish, thanks to Ms. Mariana Charvet Aular. Classes are independent of each other so you don’t need to attend each week. Weekly through November 14.
Explore art in the Heights — The First Saturday Arts Market returns Saturday with its fall hours from 11 am – 6 pm. This monthly outdoor market features original art, music, and fun. Located at 548 W. 19th.
Explore books — Houston LibroFEST is a free event celebrating Latino literature and culture in Houston Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Browse books, enjoy kids’ crafts, hear bilingual storytime, live music, poetry slam and more. It also features Remembering World War II: Houston’s Latino Veterans Exhibit & Lecture Series. Located at Central Library downtown, 500 McKinney.
Celebrate Buffalo Bayou Park — The public celebration at Buffalo Bayou Park includes walking tours, lectures, children’s crafts, recreational opportunities, food, live music, and programming that showcases Houston’s diverse arts community. It concludes in an illuminated evening procession. Located at 105 Sabine Street.
See WWII planes — Tour the WWII Museum and visit the Hangar of the Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force 10 am – 3 pm. It’s a great chance to get up close to the Wing’s five flyable WWII military aircraft: climb into a cockpit of a WWII trainer or go inside a WWII Paratroop aircraft. Located at West Houston Airport.
Get crafty — Pearland Art & Crafts on the Pavilion, a free 2-day event, features a collection of 40+ area artists, live music, a kid’s Interactive station, and culinary treats including a Food Truck Court on Sunday! 10 am to 5 pm at the Pearland Town Center.
Mingle at free museums and zoo — It’s Bank of America’s free admission for “Museums on Us” program October 3-4 with free admission to the Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This is for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders only, not their children.
Love Ghostbusters — Catch a free outdoor movie screening of Ghostbusters at Dow Park in Deer Park. The movie kicks off at dusk.
Watch Harry Potter under the stars — Movie Night on the Strand in Galveston returns October 3 with the Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, shortly after dusk, at Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand. Grab your chairs, blankets and enjoy a family-friendly movie outdoors! This is held the first Saturday of each month.
Celebrate Chicano music — Don’t miss the Festival Chicano Saturday, 7 pm, which celebrates the Chicano culture and music. New artists perform each night, October 1-3. Free reserved seats under cover are available on performance day at the Miller box office, 10:30 am – 1 pm. Located at 6000 Hermann Park Drive.
SUNDAY
Celebrate Family day — Families can participate in hands-on activities Sunday, at Heritage Family Day, sponsored by The Heritage Society. It’s also a chance to celebrate the diversity of Asian cultures with the new exhibit Asian-Americans in Houston: A Kaleidoscope of Cultures. Don’t miss the Japanese drummers and Chinese dancing! Hours are 1 pm – 4 pm at 1100 Bagby.
Bless your pets — Bring your favorite pet to the Blessing of the Pets. Afternoon fun includes a pet photographer, a vet to answer your questions, animals for adoption and more. Bring pet food donations for animals in need. Located at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Rd.
Explore nature — Admission is free Sunday at Armand Bayou Nature Center noon – 4 pm, for Free Sunday in Nature. Hike trails with naturalist interpreter, view live reptiles, relive 1895 history and more. Located in Pasadena, 8500 Bay Area Blvd.
Mingle at free museums and zoo — It’s Bank of America’s free admission for “Museums on Us” program October 3-4 with free admission to the Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This is for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders only, not their children.
Get crafty — Pearland Art & Crafts on the Pavilion, a free 2-day event, features a collection of 40+ area artists, live music, a kid’s Interactive station, and culinary treats including a Food Truck Court on Sunday! 10 am to 5 pm at the Pearland Town Center.
Honor 1,000 lights — As the grand finale to Mahatma Gandhi Week, 1000 Lights for Peace features a multi-cultural, international dance and music show by children. Located at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr.
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