Warm weather is on the way, y’all. Embrace the blossoming flowers, sunlit brunches, and open-air happy hours while temperature allows. Read on to discover our top 45 things to do in Houston this April!
1. Witness The Great Elephant Migration at Hermann Park
The Great Elephant Migration is a free public outdoor art installation that features a herd of one hundred life-sized Indian elephant sculptures. The installation is now on display in multiple areas of Houston, the largest congregation can be found at The Commons at Hermann Park with pods on site at Texas Medical Center and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
2. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re in the mood for a unique classical music performance, swooning candlelit experience, or romantic date night: this performance is for you.
Walk into one of Houston’s most exquisite buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with some of the most treasured classics from Tchaikovsky, to Adele, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé billboard hits!
3. Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo
Houston’s rodeo excitement isn’t winding down just yet! If you’re still craving deep-fried treats and thrilling country performances, the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo has you covered. Get ready for live music, heart-pounding barrel races, unique exhibitions, livestock contests, auctions, and plenty more fun! April 3 through April 13.
4. Celebrate Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie With Special 4/20 Screenings In Select Theaters
Celebrating 50 years of comedy from the two best buds around, Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie is rolling into theaters on April 25, with special “Bring a Bud” screenings available at some locations on 4/20. The “moviementary” features behind-the-scenes moments, archival footage, and all-new interviews, chronicling the highs, lows, and legacy of the legendary comedy duo. Click here to find a showtime near you!
5. Knock It Out of the Park at Home Run Dugout
Step up to the plate at Home Run Dugout. The grand-slam, baseball-themed entertainment venue in Katy with features spring training-worthy batting bays, biergarden, dog park, full restaurant, and more.
6. H-Town Blues Festival
Get ready for a night of electrifying blues as the 17th Annual H-Town Blues Festival brings its signature soulful sound back to Bayou City! Hosted at NRG Arena, this year’s event will showcase an incredible lineup of talent, including King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, J-Wonn, and TK Soul. Expect a night filled with heartfelt melodies, smooth grooves, and unforgettable performances!
7. Saunter through the City’s Gorgeous Gardens
While the city is more reminiscent of an urban jungle, there does lay lush pockets of flora manifested in parks, trails, and gardens. Discover Houston’s tiny pockets of Eden this season at these 10 gorgeous Houston gardens.
8. 3rd Annual Galveston Steampunk Festival
Step into a world of retro-futuristic adventure this April at the Galveston Steampunk Festival! Hosted at Moody Gardens, this immersive, family-friendly event brings history and imagination to life with an eclectic mix of performances, unique vendors, live music, and an array of wildly creative costumes. Highlights of the festivities include thrilling teapot races, an elegant steamboat excursion, and the whimsical art of parasol dueling.
9-11. Enjoy Houston’s Top Patio Bars
One surefire way to capitalize on the weekend, weekday, weeknight – really just any time – is to have a couple drinks amongst friends in the open air of a patio. Get out and about this season at some of our favorite watering holes in town.
- Bayou Heights Bier Garten in Houston features four buildings, a courtyard, beer, wine, and plenty more to come
- Wakefield Crowbar sports bar is Houston’s only sand volleyball and entertainment venue.
12. FoodieLand Festival
Houston is set to welcome back the renowned California-based open-air food festival this April, bringing a feast of flavors with over 250 vendors. Inspired by the bustling night markets of Asia, this lively event offers an incredible mix of Asian delicacies alongside classic comfort foods like burgers, churros, and much more.
Beyond the endless food options, festival goers can enjoy carnival games, live music, and an array of refreshing cocktails. Entry is a steal at just $7!
13. Nosh On Houston’s Best Brunch Spots
Make sure that you have plans for the most important meal of the weekend at Houston’s best brunch spots. Whether you’re more interested in the mimosas or more so in the brunch buffet, you’re sure to find a brunch spot for you in Clutch City!
14. Elevate Your Night on Houston’s Top Rooftops
We will never not be impressed by Houston’s skyline. While there are plenty of places to admire the skyline, you can do yourself one better by being a part of it. From rooftop yoga, cinema, brunch, and more, here’s where to find the best rooftops in Houston.
15-16. Dip Your Toes in the Water
While summer is still a fair bit away, hot weather probably isn’t. Whether you’re diving in and swimming or just want to enjoy a cocktail waterside, check out these Houston-area bars with pools.
- Montrose Country Club: Newly opened, Montrose Country Club is not, as its name sounds, a members-only establishment but rather a pool, restaurant, and nightlife destination that is open to the public.
17. Catch a Concert
Kendrick/SZA, Hawthorne Heights, St. Vincent, Chiodos, The Melvins, and more: this April is setting up a fantastic line-up of live music in Houston. Check out our article here for the best concerts in Houston this month!
18. Handpick Your Favorite Fruits
Pick your heart out this spring at these forever fields in and around Houston! Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries, these fields in and around Houston have what you’re looking for.
19. Wade through Fields of Bluebonnets
With the sun shining and warm weather incoming, bluebonnets are already to show signs of blossoming in southern Texas. See our list to find the best places to spot these beautiful bluebonnets across the state! As always, be sure to treat the areas with respect – don’t mess with Texas (bluebonnets)!
20. Tacos & Tequila Festival
The inaugural Tacos & Tequila Festival makes it Houston debut this April! Along with lucha libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, car shows – along with non-stop tacos and tequila – the festival will stage a stellar throwback headliner line-up. Featured performers include Paul Wall, Mike Jones, T.I., Lil Jon, Chingy, and more!
21. Take a Hike in Houston
Get out and about this spring and enjoy the bountiful nature of the city at the best hiking in Houston. From inner city treks, to surrounding national forests, and state parks, there’s plenty of places to hike in Houston.
22. Go on a Movie Date
Cinema and a skyline view, luxury theaters, cult-classic gastropubs, and more: Houston is packed with sensational movie theaters for every type of movie-goer!
23. Check out a Local Farmers Market
Collect your bounty of the freshest produce spring has to offer this season at one of Houston’s fantastic farmers markets. Located across the city, these markets offer a family-friendly atmosphere where visitors can find delectable eats, fresh goods, and artisanal crafts!
24-28. Eat the Best Food in Houston
The word is out, Houston is one of the best food cities in the entire country. Here’s us doing our part trying to put together our lists of the best of the best in Houston.
- 10 of the best burger joints in Houston
- 10 of the best crawfish joints in Houston
- 10 of the best pizza joints in Houston
- 10 of the best ice cream parlors in Houston
29. Enjoy a Crisp Margarita
The weather can’t make up its mind in Houston. Either it rains for two weeks straight, or its lays down triple-digit temperatures, bitter frigidness, or outdoor-cancelling humidity. Be it frozen or on the rocks, salty, bitter, or sweet, when searching for the tequila-infused taste of the season in Houston, here are the best places to have margaritas in Houston.
30. Laugh your Head Off at The Riot Comedy Festival
Houston’s comedy hotspot, The Riot, is set to host their second annual The Riot Comedy Festival in Houston with headliners like Robert Kelly and Paris Sashay, hot new talent like Kim Congdon and Casey Rocket, as well as live tapings of podcasts, a national comedy contest, and a four-day block party from April 3rd to April 6th.
31. Visit the Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is one of the best in the country. From the exceptional deals to the cutting-edge new Galapagos Island exhibit, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make a stop by the zoo this April!
32. Gear Up For Houston’s Awesome Art Car Festival
The eclectic automotive exposition is roaring back into town for their 37th year. Mark your calendar for the weekend of April 10 – 13 when the Houston Art Car Parade will once again motor through the streets of Downtown.
33. Stroll through Texas’ Massive Field of Tulips
Oh spring, how we can’t wait for your arrival. Polish off your vases Dallas, for Texas Tulips has reopened for the season.
Located just north of Dallas in Pilot Point, Texas Tulips offers visitors an expanse of gorgeous tulip fields and the chance to pick their very own brightly colored spring blooms.
34. Wade through a Lush Lavender Farm
Located on 290, about 45 minutes or so outside of Houston in route to Austin is Chappell Hill in Washington County. The area is knitted with a framework of scenic roads and beset with spring wildflowers in key sightseeing spots in Independence Trail, the Antique Rose Emporium, and Chappell Hill Lavender Farm. The latter is now open to the public.
35-41. Explore Houston’s Awesome Markets
Markets are surging in Houston these days. Recently, the city has been blessed with not one but two mixed-media markets, that which continue to host headlining musicians, art galleries, expositions, and excellent eateries.
- The former USPS warehouse as a new a cutting-edge, multi-purpose, multi-layered facility with a complete technical re-design, multiple double-helix staircases, a trio of skylit atriums, and a FIVE-ACRE ROOFTOP PARK.
- Lyric Market, owned and operated by Hospitality HQ, hones predominately on dining and chef-driven experiences.
- Ironworks, a 60,000-square-foot industrial building and development in East End has in the past few years transformed into a cultural hub using over 20 re-purposed shipping containers.
- Find Tik Tok-famous churros, dinosaurs, and insane street food at Sunny Flea Market.
- Open 365 days of the year, the Azteca Farmers Market is one of Houston’s premier farmers market. With stellar street eats, fresh produce, and over 50 vendors, Azteca gives visitors 13 acres of vibrant market space.
42. Go Chasing Waterfalls
There’s no understating the natural beauty of the Lone Star State. This season, head the call to adventure and venture out to the state’s most gorgeous waterfalls and the hiking trails that take you there.
43. Go for a Round of Pickleball
Get into the game that’s sweeping the country. Most recently, Chicken N Pickle debuted its massive pickleball entertainment venue in the Webster area of Houston with yard games, a beer garden, and all the TVs sports fans could imagine – also their rotisserie chicken is nothing to wave a stick at!
44. Let the Rage Out
Need to release some pent up stress? Or maybe you just need an exciting idea for a date night, birthday party, or team outing: either way these Houston rage rooms are an exhilarating way to have a good time in Houston!
45. Save on your Spring Outfits
Getting your body summer ready can be a bit difficult, but getting your summer outfits isn’t. With all the amazing, crazy affordable retail outlets in Houston, you can get your drip in check at a discount price.
46. Test your puzzle-solving skills at a Houston escape room
Are you in need of an escape, but don’t feel like driving outside the city limits? Check out the best escape rooms in Houston. Whether you’re cosplaying Apollo 13, traveling back to the Jurassic era, or getting clues together to escape a local gym, check out our list and find the escape room for you!
47. Go to a Amusement Park in Houston
Whatever your thrill, be it roller coasters, water slides, or just a couple spins on the carousel, add a little adrenaline to your life at the best amusement parks and waterparks in Houston!
See also: 40 Fantastic Things To Do This Spring In Houston