Upcoming Events in GULF COAST

Independence Park, 3449 Pearland Pkwy.

Hear major concerts while browsing through 100 artists booths, a farmers market, and dozens of fun contests and attractions. Check out the Taste of Texas Food Garden, with delicious cuisine and domestic and craft beers. National recording artists perform throughout the afternoon and evening on the main stage. Best of all, admission is free for all ages.

houstonfolkfestival.com

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.

Bring your plant wagon and load up on hundreds of plants of all kinds. There's also specialty vendors, reptile shows, butterfly releases, food trucks, and a Kids' Zone.

stxbot.org

The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross St.

Enjoy an afternoon of art, music, poetry, and family activities in celebration of the Menil’s vibrant neighborhood. Participating organizations include: DACAMERA, Houston Center for Photography, Inprint, The Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, Watercolor Art Society, and Writers in the Schools.

menil.org

Bird and Butterfly Trail, 418 Parkview Road

Celebrate spring bird migration and the wonders of birds in Bird City Surfside. With 400 species of birds in the area, this event provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more through educational speakers, vendors, and fellow birders.

visitsurfsidebeachtx.org

Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center, 1800 Lakeshore Drive

Enjoy live Cajun music, spicy food, and dancing the night away. Cajun activities are planned in days surrounding the event.

cajunheritagefest.com

Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Place

The inaugural Steampunk Festival hearkens back to a time inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery and takes place in the historic railroad museum. The festival offers a family-friendly program filled with entertainment, exhibits, vendors, presenters, and games.

galvestonsteampunk.com

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

This show features a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector that reproduces the night sky, along with a variety of other high-tech equipment to give visitors a close-up feel of comets, exploding stars, and black holes.

brazosportcenter.org

Quintana Bird Sanctuary, 814 N. Lamar St.

Spring is peak migration time so the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory hosts Spring Fling at the Quintana Neotropic Bird Sanctuary. For four weeks, volunteers and staff are available each day to help identify the migrants as well as resident birds and keep a daily list going.

gcbo.org

Various locations

Orange Show Center for Visionary Art hosts the annual Art Car Parade and event week. Founded in the mid-'80s as a small gathering of like-minded individuals making a statement on the road, the now internationally recognized phenomenon showcases personal artistic creativity and provides a forum for a unique type of expression. Festivities include the annual ball, a lineup party along Allen Parkway, Kids' Creative Zone in Sam Houston Park, the 36th annual Art Car Parade, and an awards ceremony.

thehoustonartcarparade.com

Rice University—Alice Pratt Brown Hall—Stude Concert Hall, 6100 S. Main

Though its string ensemble is already well-known to Chamber Music Houston audiences, the celebrated Academy of St. Martin in the Fields offers guests a wind ensemble in a program featuring two superb quintets for piano and winds by the masters: Mozart and Beethoven.

chambermusichouston.org

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Recognized for his overwhelming talent and innate musicality, classical piano virtuoso, Seong-Jin Cho, has made his mark as one of the "consummate talents of his generation" and as "one of the most distinctive artists on the current music scene." You won't want to miss this intimate concert performed by one of the world's brightest stars in contemporary classical music.

thegrand.com

Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington Blvd.

Grammy-nominated Mexican singer and songwriter Ana Gabriel comes back to Smart Financial Centre on her "Por Amor A Ustedes" world tour.

smartfinancialcentre.net

Isla Blanca Park, 33174 State Park Road 100

The Texas Gulf Surfing Association is a family-oriented organization that specializes in grassroots surfing events that are healthy and fun while still placing emphasis on maintaining academic excellence, good sportsmanship, and environmental awareness. See surfers battle the waves for the top spot in this surfing competition.

surftgsa.org

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Winner of the 2016 Tony Award for her performance in "Hamilton," Renee Elise Goldsberry is equally at home in a Broadway theater, a film set, or on a concert hall stage. You won't want to miss her dynamic show titled "Revive." Look forward to her performance anchored by a four-piece band and complement of back-up singers who have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to the grand music of this high-energy concert.

thegrand.com

Mustang Island State Park, 9394 SH 361

A wide array of educational events take place throughout the day. Try fishing with a ranger, kayaking, beach walks, wildlife touch tanks and discussions, and other fun activities that highlight all of the recreational opportunities the park can provide as well as provide education on the important habitat and ecosystems of the park.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mustang-island

A.D. Bruce Religion Center, 3841 Cullen Blvd.

Houston Early Music presents a concert by Baltimore Consort featuring country music brought to the shores of the New World by northern European settlers.

houstonearlymusic.org/baltimoreconsort

Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, 198 Kempner St., Building B, First Floor

Children with autism spectrum disorder and their families are invited to experience the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center with dimmed lights, limited extra sounds, and no distracting motions during this private event. Extra signage is added to help visitors determine things not to climb on, and the entrances between exhibits where it is good to stop and wait for an adult before continuing.

childrensdiscoveryfb.org

The Nave Museum, 306 W. Commercial St.

Experience the art of Ernesto Leon. His photography, paintings, and sculptures reflect his views on cultural resistance and environmental concerns.

navemuseum.com

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.

Enjoy Theatre Victoria's performance of Clybourne Park, a razor-sharp satire about the politics of race and real estate. The play features two scenes, 50 years apart, that bookend Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun."

theatrevictoria.org

Various locations

Bird lovers are invited to experience one of the largest birding festivals in Texas and the only one with a dedicated nature photography track. The 21st annual event features field trips, workshops, and other special events on Galveston Island.

galvestonfeatherfest.com

Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington Blvd.

Sisters Hanna Nicole Pérez and Ashley Grace Pérez, aka Latin pop duo Ha*Ash, perform songs from their latest album "HAASHTAG," which debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Mexico and includes hits like “Lo Que Un Hombre Debería Saber.”

smartfinancialcentre.net

Menil Drawing Institute, 1412 W. Main St.

This epic series features 63 drawings by Polish-born artist Si Lewen (1918-2016). In the 1950s he published a cutting-edge graphic novel that directly responded to the horrors of World War II. This exhibition is the first in the United States to bring together the complete set of works from "The Parade."

menil.org

Menil Drawing Institute, 1412 W. Main St.

Between the 1940s and 1970s, American artist Gray Foy (1922–2012) created a body of extraordinarily meticulous drawings, most often rendered in graphite on paper, and this exhibition spans the entirety of Foy’s career. It also celebrates two recent gifts that have made the Menil Collection the foremost repository of Foy’s work.

menil.org

Lutcher Theater , 707 Main Ave.

Gospel Music Association and Country Music Association Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune is joined by special guests The Malpass Brothers for this one-of-a-kind concert. Jimmy Fortune toured, sang, and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years and wrote the groups second No. 1 hit, "Elizabeth." Openers for music legend Merle Haggard on multiple tours, The Malpass Brothers promote the work and music of classic country artists they treasure while creating new music and making their own mark in the lineage of rich American culture.

lutcher.org

Mangum-Howell Community Center, 2500 Frick Road (inside Doss Park)

This original production by Houston's award-winning children's theater takes a bite out of Texas history. Beginning with the indigenous people of the Gulf Coast through the adventures of NASAs astronauts, 600 years of Texas tales are told in an hour.

cypresscreekface.org/iact-lone-star-state-2023

Isla Blanca Park, 33174 State Park Road 100

Ultimate is an exciting, non-contact team sport played by thousands the world over. It mixes the best features of sports such as soccer, basketball, American football, and netball into a simple yet fascinating game.

houston-ultimate.com

Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive

Pack your sunscreen, hat, lawn chair, and fishing gear and come out for a couple hours of catch-and-release fishing at a marine fish hatchery and visitor education center. This event is available to guests 16 years old and younger accompanied by an adult. Anglers must bring their own gear and bait with barb-less hooks.

lakejackson-tx.gov

Mitchell School, 306 E. Commercial St

Victoria Preservation Inc. presents its 33rd annual Historic Homes Tour, "Treasures of the Past." Come explore some of the historic buildings and homes and celebrate Victoria's unique cultural and architectural heritage.

victoriapreservation.com

South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.

Spotlighting South Texas' peak spring migration in one of the country’s busiest flyways is the Birdiest Festival in America. The festival features optional guided birding field trips to regional birding hot spots, shorebird/wading bird sites, and private ranches. Plus, "The Raptor Project" presentations, a vendor trade show, and an artisan show.

birdiestfestival.org

South Padre Island, Padre Boulevard

Enjoy a weekend of nonstop fun and relax by the beach. A perfect getaway for the LGBTQ community and friends. Television personality Carson Kressley makes an appearance.

splashsouthpadre.com

De Leon Plaza, 101 N. Main St.

The Victoria Symphony puts on an outdoor performance, interspersed with student and college musical groups. Children love the instrument petting zoo where they can play symphony instruments.

victoriasymphony.com

Alvin National Oak Park, 118 S. Magnolia St.

The 49th annual Frontier Day, presented by the Alvin Rotary Club, features the popular Frontier Day Parade through the old downtown area of Alvin. The Alvin Rotary Club Gunfighters perform their popular shootout twice during the day, and nearby are children's rides, food concessions, carnival activities, arts and crafts vendors, and an antique car and bike show. Proceeds support scholarships and other charitable activities in the Alvin area.

alvinrotary.org/sitepage/frontier-day

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.

Enjoy classic country music at this Charity Concert Series show featuring John Conlee, who has recorded 11 studio albums, charted a total of 32 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1981.

weldercenter.org

Goose Island State Park, 202 S. Palmetto St.

Goose Island Extravaganza is an open house event for the public to come and experience what Goose Island has to offer. Activities include fishing, archery, kayaking, a star party, demonstrations, and food. Find educational program stations set up around the park, and enjoy bass fishing, geocaching, living history programs, outdoor skills such as archery, dutch oven cooking, fishing, and touch tank aquatic programs.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island

Sylvan Beach Park, 636 N. Bayshore Drive

The 67th annual Sylvan Beach Festival is a full day of excitement for the entire family. Join one of the longest-running traditions on the Gulf Coast for family fun and games, live concerts, a carnival, food and drinks, and vendors.

sylvanbeachfestival.com

Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Drive

Hear some of George Gershwin's memorable, jazzy tunes from Paris to bluesy rhapsodies followed by Brahm's First Symphony. Martin James Bartlett plays piano.

victoriasymphony.com

Fulton Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road

The tournament's location is in a world-renowned area known for saltwater tournaments. Fishing categories include Heaviest Redfish, Trout, Flounder, and Stringer. Side pots consist of Most Spots on a Redfish, Blackjack Trout, and Texas Slam. Don't forget about Calcutta. There is a Kids Pier Fishing Tournament and Make-A-Wish Kids Fishing Tournament, plus a live auction, drop ticket raffle, and giveaways.

friendsforwishes.org/events/fishing-for-wishes-fishing-tournament/

Rockport Festival Grounds , Adjacent to the Beach Park

A free family event, the Kite Festival provides the opportunity to view, make, and fly kites. An exotic array of kites are on display, along with demonstrations by professional kite pilots. There are children's arts and crafts booths, including one for making their own kites, vendors, and food trucks.

cityofrockport.com

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, 2547 County Road 306

Tour the refuge on a marsh buggy. Free activities for children include archery, fishing for catfish, a BB gun range, bug sweeping, microscopes, touch tanks, and reptiles. Adults and children can both enjoy the popular "Birds of Prey" show by EarthQuest as well as the butterfly encounter tents. Refuge tours given by qualified naturalists can be enjoyed by marsh buggy or wagon. Guided walking tours to Bobcat Woods and to the largest Texas Live Oak are also available.

migrationcelebration.com

Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway

Join Texas surfers as they remember and honor those who have gone before them. The event includes vendors, food trucks, a paddle-out, and a nighttime bonfire.

surfsidetx.org

Surfside Marina, 827 Gulf Road

Come for the crawfish, stay for the competition, where teams compete and judges select the best crawfish boil. The event also feature vendors and live music.

surfside-marina.com

Postoffice District, Postoffice Street between 20th and 23rd streets

Hosted by The Grand 1894 Opera House, this event introduces families to the arts and features live performances, storytellers, and arts and crafts.

thegrand.com

Lutcher Theater , 707 Main Ave.

This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime.

lutcher.org

Rice University—Alice Pratt Brown Hall—Stude Concert Hall, 6100 S. Main St.

The Calidore Quartet returns to close the season in a beautiful program featuring string quintets by Mendelssohn and Mozart, aided by Lincoln Center star violist Matthew Lipman, already well-known to Chamber Music Houston audiences from past digital presentations. The quartet also performs Smetana's autobiographical work, "From My Life."

chambermusichouston.org

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

This show features a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector that reproduces the night sky, along with a variety of other high-tech equipment to give visitors a close-up feel of comets, exploding stars, and black holes.

brazosportcenter.org

American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.

There's something for buccaneers of every age at Buc Days, including a rodeo, concerts, and carnival rides.

bucdays.com

Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St.

Photographs from local photographer Jerry Connally are on display in the Dunn Gallery. Connally is a self-taught photographer who captures stunning Texas naturescapes. A free opening reception is on May 6. A museum ticket is required for the exhibit.

museumofthegulfcoast.org/events

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

See the heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, life, love, and laughter. Hear musical hits such as "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," and "If I Were a Rich Man." Based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins, "Fiddler on the Roof" introduces a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy, love, and life.

thegrand.com

Rockport Yacht Club, 722 Navigation Circle

On the first full weekend of May, the Rockport Yacht Club hosts the Natical Flea Market, with market booths featuring nautical-themed treasures including books, nautical art, fishing gear, boats, and décor.

rockportyachtclub.org

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in historic downtown Freeport with food trucks and live entertainment.

freeport.tx.us/page/historical_museum

Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762

Brazos Bend State Park invites the community and visitors to spend the day at this expo-style event. Nonprofit organizations, respresentatives from other Texas State Parks around the region, rehabilitation groups, local sports teams, archelogy organizations, and other civic-minded entities are on hand to provide information about their causes. Food trucks are on-site throughout the day.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend

Various locations

Organized by the Galveston Historical Foundation, this annual event gives the public a chance to tour the insides of private residences not normally open to the public.

galvestonhistory.org

South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.

Fish one of the biggest and best boat owner's fishing tournaments on the Gulf Coast.

shallowsporttournament.com

Holiday Inn Resort, 100 Padre Blvd.

Runners, walkers, and everyone in between is invited to traverse the beach to raise money, with all proceeds going directly to the conservation and care of the Texas coast's precious sea turtles. Starting at the Holiday Inn Resort, this unique community event enables participants to experience the coastal beauty of South Padre Island up close and personal. There are three race categories: timed 5K, non-timed 5K, and a virtual option. Finishers receive a T-shirt and medal.

seaturtleinc.org

Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St.

Family Fun Day is a free event for all, coinciding with International Migratory Bird Day. The museum provides fun children's activities and educational experiences about birds, along with free admission to the museum.

museumofthegulfcoast.org/events

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park Ave.

Local vendors showcase homemade goods and farm fresh items.

freeport.tx.us/page/historical_museum

Fulton Harbor

Babes on the Bay is an all-women’s fishing tournament that has existed since 2000. The tournament is hosted by the CCA Texas Aransas Bay Chapter, based in Rockport. It was created to help educate women about the sport of saltwater fishing in a conservation-minded approach. The event includes cash pots, the Babes Shopping Mall, a food court, drinks, live music, and team shirts judging. The event kicks off at Fulton Park Fairgrounds.

babesonthebay.com

The Clarion , 500 College Drive

Gina Chavez blends the sounds of the Americas with tension and grace. A 12-time Austin Music Award winner, including 2019 Female Vocalist and 2015 Austin Musician of the Year, Chavez explores the true meaning of “Americana" as she and her five-piece band take audiences on a high-energy journey through Latin America and beyond.

brazosport.edu/clarion

The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive

Michael Cavanaugh was hand-picked by Billy Joel to star in the hit Broadway musical "Movin' Out." He received both Tony and Grammy nominations in the lead role. This show includes the greatest hits from rock piano legends Elton John and Billy Joel, including "Piano Man," "Rocket Man," "Bennie and the Jets," "Movin' Out," "I'm Still Standing," and "My Life."

cypresscreekface.org/michael-cavanaugh

Clayton's Beach Bar and Grill, 6900 Padre Blvd.

The Jailbreak Beach Escape has become a South Padre Island tradition. Each May, thousands of runners conquer the 5K course, covering 20 challenging obstacles on the sun-drenched beaches of South Padre before heading to Clayton’s Beach Bar for a Texas-sized beach party.

runthejailbreak.com

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell is a soulful crooner with a deep love of the American pop and standards tradition. His popular and breakthrough performances in "Father of the Bride" and "Father of the Bride II" helped Tyrell reinvent classic pop standards for a modern-day audience. Look forward to enjoying such hits as "The Way You Look Tonight," "Crush on You," and "The Sunny Side of the Street."

thegrand.com

Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation Circle

This event is sponsored by the Maritime Museum and proceeds go toward furthering the museum's efforts. The festival includes wine tastings, beer, food, and live music.

texasmaritimemuseum.org

South Padre Island, 211 W. Whiting St.

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend on South Padre Island with a fireworks display over the bay. For the best viewing spots, check out the restaurants and bars in the Entertainment District.

sopadre.com/event-calendar

Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd.

Each Memorial Day, Sugar Land invites the community and visitors to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the country.

sugarlandtx.gov/437/special-events

Various locations, 225 North Richmond Road

Each year, an online map is available so you can navigate your way through Wharton's best bargains. The sale includes everything from antiques to new items. There are over 50 separate sites to shop from.

whartonchamber.com/garagesale

South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.

When summer is in full swing, South Padre Island celebrates the angler approach to island enjoyment by hosting the annual Dargel Boat Owners Tournament each June. For this tournament, the angler who catches the redfish with the most spots wins.

sopadre.com/event/dargel-boat-owners-fishing-tournament/1131

Various locations

Artistic director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez leads this festival that celebrates the works of J.S. Bach and composers spanning the ages. Orchestral, choral, and chamber works are performed by local and national musicians in venues in and around Victoria.

victoriabachfestival.org

Houston Botanic Garden, 1 Botanic Lane

The Houston Botanic Garden goes bananas this June, in celebration of the world's most popular tropical fruit. The festival, which features food and drink, educational programs, and entertainment, highlights the 11 types of banana plants in the Garden's global collection. Everyone knows the fruit, but many don't know how amazingly unique the banana plant itself is. Go Bananas! introduces visitors to new and unexpected culinary uses and benefits of bananas, while also exposing them to cultural, botanical, environmental, and community impacts of the plant and its fruit as well.

hbg.org

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

Grammy Award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter takes the stage for one dynamic concert. Chapin is just one of only 15 female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has also won two Academy of Country Music awards.

thegrand.com

Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive

Deemed the unofficial national instrument of Texas by many, the accordion plays a key role in diverse folk music genres and cultural communities in Texas. Dust off your dancing boots for a historic celebration of the accordion with accordion-fronted music performances from top bands including Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Grupo Imagen, Alex Meixner Band, and the winners of Texas Folklife's 2023 statewide Big Squeeze Youth Accordion Contest.

texasfolklife.org/akq2023

Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332

Visit the historic archeological site of Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.

ljhistory.org

Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive

Pack your sunscreen, hat, lawn chair, and fishing gear for a couple of hours of catch-and-release fishing at this marine fish hatchery and visitor education center.

tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/sea-center-texas

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

Featuring a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector and a variety of high-tech equipment, this show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye, giving viewers a close-up feel for comets, exploding stars, and black holes.

brazosportcenter.org

Riverside Hall, 14643 Buls Road

Enjoy live music, dancing, and lively entertainment with bands and entertainers from morning into the night. A plate lunch of barbecue chicken, sausage, sauerkraut, and trimmings is available for purchase. Hamburgers are available in the evening. There are also arts and crafts, raffle prizes, a cake walk, and plenty of kolaches for sale.

kkfest.com

The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.

The most successful touring group in the history of "America's Got Talent," the Texas Tenors have created a special performance for The Grand that celebrates music legends.

thegrand.com

Downtown Farmer's Market, 105 S. Austin St.

Every second Saturday of the month, vendors sell local produce, jams, jellies, pickled produce, fresh-baked bread, local honey, eggs, locally raised beef, hen fruit, and goat soap.

rockport-fulton.org

Rockport Daily Grind, 302 S. Austin St.

At this local outdoor market, find handmade items from local artists and fun, one-of-a-kind home décor.

rockport-fulton.org

Various locations

Held on the second Saturday of the month, this art walk is an alfresco art experience featuring an ever-changing mix of participants and art mediums such as paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and textiles, as well as live music, artists demonstrations, and food.

facebook.com/austinstreetartwalk

East Beach Park, 1923 Boddeker Road

Galveston's World Ocean Day features kayaking, beach tours, interactive exhibits hosted by eco-friendly businesses, and other attractions.

artistboat.org/world-ocean-day-festival

Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place

Witness the restored mid-century architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 office in downtown Lake Jackson. Learn all about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. 

ljhistory.org

Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place

At the market you can select locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally roasted coffee, homemade food, handmade products, and other items.

ljfarmersmarket.com

Port Aransas Community Theatre, 2327 SH 361

Winner of the 2012 NYC International Fringe Festival as Best Overall Production, "5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche" is a tasty recipe of hysterical laughs, sexual innuendoes, unsuccessful repressions, and delicious discoveries. As the assembled widows await the announcement of the society's prize-winning quiche, the atomic bomb sirens sound. Has the Communist threat come to pass? How will the widows respond as their idyllic town and lifestyle faces attacks?

portaransascommunitytheatre.com

Various locations

Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, and every year the community hosts citywide events that include symposiums, galas, an emancipation gospel celebration, a Juneteenth parade and picnic, and a reenactment of the reading of General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that slavery ended.

juneteenthbirthplace.com

Rockport Festival Grounds, 1500 E. Laurel St.

Every third weekend of the month, come see live music, peruse the merchandise of over 100 vendors, and choose various eats from food trucks.

rockport-fulton.org

Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St.

Baytown commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people with live entertainment, food, shopping, and family fun.

baytown.org/1011/juneteenth-celebration

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West

Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.

gcbo.org

John L. Tompkins Park, 6100 South Padre Blvd.

At South Padre Island's annual skate competition, there's live music, food, and cash prizes.

sopadre.com/event/spi-beach-bash-skate-jam/1132

Town Square, 213 W. Texas Ave.

Summer months are meant for fun, sun, and relaxation. Listen to good tunes from numerous artists while hanging out on the town square. Headlining is the Brightwire Band, a Houston-area folk-rock band.

acedistrictbaytown.org

Freeport Historical Museum, 311 E. Park

Fort Velasco Day commemorates the 191st anniversary of the Battle of Fort Velasco. This living history event brings reenactors from across the state to give visitors a glimpse of what life and conflict was like at the mouth of the Brazos River in 1830s Texas.

facebook.com/freeportmuseum

Various locations

This birding big day is a fun, fast-paced, semi-competitive race to see which team can identify the most brid species in Galveston County in 24 hours.

galvestonnaturetourism.org

Freeport Municipal Park, 421 N. Brazosport Blvd.

Since 1947, anglers have been drawn to this fishing tournament each year in the hopes of catching the biggest redfish, barracuda, or any other offshore or inshore fish. The Fishin’ Fiesta is sponsored by the Freeport Lions Club and offers games, food, live entertainment, dances, and arts and crafts. The fishing tournament is one of the largest on the Gulf and includes prizes for both offshore and inshore categories. A fireworks display takes place on Saturday night.

fishinfiesta.com

Rockport Festival Grounds, 1500 E. Laurel St.

This annual fine art event starts with an art auction and continues with over 100 artists, jury selected from across the nation, showcasing their masterpieces in a variety of media and styles.

rockportartcenter.com

Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332

Visit the historic archeological site of Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.

ljhistory.org

Dunbar Park, 803 FM 2004

Get out on Oyster Creek for some kayak and canoe fun. Teams compete to be one of the first 20 boats to retrieve eight different rubber ducks that are corralled along the creek and bring them back to the starting point to win a prize. The total course length is approximately 1 mile. Teams can consist of up to two people and should bring their own kayaks or canoes, lifejackets, and paddles.

lakejackson-tx.gov

Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St.

Not one, but two days of free, live entertainment get the crowd going for the Fourth of July. Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes brings all of her hits to Baytown as the headliner. She is joined by her primary opening act, Madeline Edwards. R.L. Bell, who is known for his performances on NBC’s hit show "America’s Got Talent" is also playing this night. As for July 3rd, two Grammy Award winners take the stage: Siggno and Sunny Sauceda. The fireworks start right after Rimes' performance on July 4th.

baytown.org/778/4th-of-july-celebration

Beach Access No. 21, Gulf Boulevard

Kick off the Fourth of July with a parade on the sand. If there is rain, the event will be moved to July 5th.

sopadre.com

South Padre Island Entertainment District, 211 W. Whiting St.

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a spectacular display of lights over the bay.

sopadre.com/event-calendar

Rockport Beach, 100 Seabreeze Drive

Get in a celebratory mood as you view the patriotic boat parade at noon. Best views are from Broadway Street adjacent to Little Bay or directly across from the north end of Rockport Beach. The Wendell Family Fireworks Show is held at dark in the evening.

rockport-fulton.org

Dunbar Park, 803 FM 2004

This 4-mile run goes through the neighborhoods of Lake Jackson along Oyster Creek and is a USATF-certified course.

theljfat.com/firecracker-4

Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place

Witness the restored mid-century architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 office in downtown Lake Jackson. Learn all about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. 

ljhistory.org

Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place

At the market you can select locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally roasted coffee, homemade food, handmade products, and other items.

ljfarmersmarket.com

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

Featuring a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector and a variety of high-tech equipment, this show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye, giving viewers a close-up feel for comets, exploding stars, and black holes.

brazosportcenter.org

South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.

Anglers compete in an exciting bay tournament, with a portion of proceeds going to Make-A-Wish of the Rio Grande Valley.

sopadre.com

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

An intimate, heartfelt retelling of one of history’s most thrilling and inspirational stories. This final collaboration between Rogers and Hammerstein follows Maria, serving as governess to seven children of an imperious Captain, as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria. Join the von Trapp family in one of the world’s most beloved musicals.

brazosportcenter.org

Fort Bend Art Center, 2012 Avenue G

Nestled in the heart of historic Rosenberg, Fort Bend Art Center opens a new, eclectic show by a group of 30 talented artists. Pottery, paintings, illustrations, textiles, and jewelry are on display, accompanied by cheese and wine for snacking. Experience the art and meet the artists.

artleaguefortbend.org

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West

Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn about all the birds of the Brazosport area.

gcbo.org

Brazoria Heritage Foundation Civic Center, 202 W. Smith St.

This ball is a reenactment of the Santa Ana Ball that was given in Brazoria at Jane Long's Tavern in 1832. The annual fundraiser for the Brazoria Heritage Foundation includes a gourmet dinner with wine and silent and live auctions.

brazoriahf.org

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.

Theatre Victoria presents the musical about a young mermaid who longs to leave her ocean home and live in the world above, with songs from the Disney hit movie.

theatrevictoria.org

Sea Rim State Park, 19335 S. Gulfway Drive

At this annual event, children between the ages of 1 and 12 receive a free fishing rod and T-shirt while supplies last. Kids can then use that rod to catch as many fish as they can to compete for prizes. Volunteers are on the beach to record size and number of fish caught for each kid as well as provide bait and fishing advice.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/sea-rim

Port Aransas Community Theatre, 2327 SH 361

Adapted from the best-selling book "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock 'n' roll score, "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" is an action-packed mythical adventure. As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can't control, a destiny he doesn't want, and a mythology textbook's worth of monsters on his trail.

portaransascommunitytheatre.com

Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive

The Great Texas Mosquito Festival is three days of family fun with a carnival, vendors, barbecue contest, 5K run, tournaments, and the ever-popular mosquito legs and calling contests. The evenings are topped off with live music. Don't forget to take your picture with everyone's favorite mosquito, "Willie-Man-Chew."

mosquitofestival.com

Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.

Featuring a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector and a variety of high-tech equipment, this show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye, giving viewers a close-up feel for comets, exploding stars, and black holes.

brazosportcenter.org

South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.

Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel and South Padre Island play host to Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament. Anglers compete in one of three divisions: bay, tarpon, and offshore. Dockside, thousands of spectators turn out to view impressive catches of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish brought in by the big boats offshore.

sopadre.com

The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross St.

This exhibition presents over 100 portraits made over the past 20 years by Houston-based artist Nestor Topchy (b. 1963). The small paintings, with their gold backgrounds, resemble Byzantine icons; however, rather than represent religious figures, Topchy depicts friends and colleagues in the art community.

menil.org

Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332

Visit the historic archeological site of Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.

ljhistory.org

South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.

The first all-ladies tournament in Texas is divided into two divisions: bay and offshore fishing.

sopadre.com

Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd.

The air show ranges from P-63 King Cobra and DH-115 Vampire to the Ghostwriter pyrotechnics show planes with daredevil pilots sending off fireworks trails to light up the night sky. The boat show showcases an array of yachts at the Moody Gardens Marina. The car show at Moody Gardens Convention Center is filled with rows of classic vehicles and the stories that accompany them.

moodygardens.org

East Beach Park, 1923 Boddeker Road

Members of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects hit the sand and build for hours to win the Golden Bucket Award. Structures remain in place for Sunday viewing.

aiahouston.org

Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place

At the market you can select locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally roasted coffee, homemade food, handmade products, and other items.

ljfarmersmarket.com

Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place

Witness the restored mid-century architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 office in downtown Lake Jackson. Learn all about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson. 

ljhistory.org

South Padre Island Golf Club, 1 Golf House Road

The nation's best junior golfers compete for the championship on the Gulf Coast.

sopadre.com

Goose Creek Memorial High School, 6001 E. Wallisville Road

If you're into cosplay, head to the Eastern Rim Funny Book and Vintage Con, where there's a cosplay contest, special comic book guests, vendors, authors, artists, and food. Parking is free.

easternrimcon.com

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St.

Part of the Charity Concert Series, this concert invites audiences to experience the music of Jimmy Fortune, whose career includes 21 years of singing and performing with the legendary Statler Brothers followed by a solo career.

weldercenter.org

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West

Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station is an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.

gcbo.org

Galveston Island Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd.

Attendees can look, learn, and participate in the fastest-growing entertainment industry in the world. Panel discussions, hands-on opportunities, and celebrity appearances are part of the fun.

galvestonesports.com

Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive

Drive through Clute Municipal Park and trick-or-treat your way through to see the sights and sounds of the Spooky Trail.

clutetexas.gov

Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive

Christmas in the Park is an event that gets the whole family in the holiday spirit—from watching performances by local choirs and dance groups to fixing s'mores by the crackling fire to a visit with Santa. The drive-thru holiday light display is available the entire month of December.

clutetexas.gov