Summer’s just about here, Houston. With the heat in full force, July is the time to take high temps into cool swims, boat rides, and blissful AC hangs. From rooftop pools, to indoor/outdoor bars, festivals, new openings, and more: here’s a comprehensive list of 45 phenomenal things to do in Houston this July!
1. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully unique classical music performance or a romantic candlelit experience, this performance is for you. You don’t need to know all things Tchaikovsky to enjoy the evening, simply sit back and savor the stunning atmosphere and pieces you’ll hear this July in Houston.
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 wintertime classics from Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and other master composers!
2. Dine in the Dark
Ever wondered what it is like to eat in the dark? Eminent psychologists have been advocating dining in the dark as the ultimate taste experience for many years. Studies show that 80 percent of people eat with their eyes; with that sense eliminated, the theory is that the other senses—namely taste and smell—take over to elevate your meal to a whole new level.
After donning your blindfold in the darkened, candlelit room, you’ll soon realise that focusing on taste and smell alone can be a truly enlightening experience—provided you’re not afraid of the dark!
3. Phone Home to Roswell’s Saloon
Introducing Roswell’s Saloon – a far-out new space-themed bar in Houston glowing with dazzling neon lights, stellar cocktails, and galactic vibes.
4. Knock It Out of the Park at Home Run Dugout
Step up to the plate at Home Run Dugout. The baseball-themed entertainment venue in Katy features a grand slam of fun for the whole family. With multiple batting bays, a beer garden, full kitchen, whiffleball field, and even live concerts, Home Run Dugout is perfect for a fun date night, birthday party, bachelor party or any other occasion.
5. Celebrate the 713 Day in Houston
It’s going to be the Sunday Funday of the year this 713 Day in Houston! From free concerts from Houston legends including DJ Michael “5000” Watts and Lil Flip, to pop-up markets, food trucks, baseball games, and more: here are the best 713 Day celebrations in Houston 2025.
6. Latin Restaurants Week
Latin Restaurants Week returns to Houston for its 7th year. From July 11 to July 25, local Latin restaurants, food trucks, and more are coming together to celebrate the city’s incredible culinary scene. Here, Houstonians will be able to enjoy a fantastic array of foods from fine dining to street tacos at incredible prices!
7. Eat The Key Food Groups Of Breakfast
Breakfast tacos, donuts, and kolaches – this is the holy trinity of breakfast foods in Texas. Here’s where to find the best of the best.
- 9 of the best breakfast tacos in Houston
- 10 of the best donut shops in Houston
- 10 of the best kolache shops in Houston
8. Do a Day out in Galveston
Houston’s nearest destination along the Gulf has all the makings for a summer weekend. From surf-ready beaches, amusement parks, resorts, oceanside bars, and restaurants galore: you’re sure to have a swell time in Galveston!
9. Outlaw Music Festival
Billed as one of the largest touring festivals in the country, Outlaw Music Festival will take over the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with performances from legendary artists ranging from Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, and so much more! July 6.
10. Pop into the Labubu Pop-Up
The whimsical world of Labubu comes alive this month in Houston. Hosted by the pop-up professionals at Popfancy Dessert Bar, the Lucky Box Cafe: A Blind Box Boutique & Cafe is an immersive experience complete with themed eats, drinks, and all sorts of special events!
11. Drink and Dine Waterside
Dinner, drinks, with a waterside vista is an absolute must summer bucket list experience in Houston. From floating bars, to highly-awarded restaurants, glass treehouses, and more: Houston is swimming in amazing waterfront venues.
12. Attend a concert under the stars
The Marriot Marquis is hosting an incredible Concert Under the Stars this month. With a tribute concert celebrating ABBA on July 18, this lively starlit evenings will transport you back to when the beloved pop supergroup reigned supreme.
13. Party During the Daylight
Get your groove on at Dayshift, the high-energy daytime bash designed for the 30+ crowd that still loves to party—just not until 2 a.m. Expect pulsing DJ sets, throwback anthems from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s, glittering disco balls, and bursts of confetti—all wrapped up well before the clock strikes midnight.
14. Motorized Bumper Boats and LED Kayaks at Discovery Green
Houston’s beloved downtown urban green space has unveiled a couple of wonderful summer-ready activities. Available until July 6, Houstonians can take to Kinder Lake on motorized bumper boats and radiant LED kayaks.
15. Enjoy Houston’s Top Patio Bars
It’s heating up, Houston, but you know what, that’s not going to stop us from having a good time outdoors. Enjoy cold beers, crisp cocktails, and some pretty good eats at the best patio bars in Houston.
16. Nosh On Houston’s Best Brunch Spots
Brunch is an essential weekend activity in Houston. If it’s too hot outside, don’t worry, the city is full of indoor brunch venues where you can comfortably knock out a plate of huevos rancheros and/or a pitcher of mimosa.
17. Drive In To Globe Drive-In
Here just for the summer, Globe Drive-In offers a classic cinema-going experience for true filmlovers. With a little something for everyone, the drive-in theater features a program of cult-classics, nostalgic favorites, big screen scares, family friends, and more. Concessions available on-site!
18. Elevate Your Night on Houston’s Top Rooftops
Get the best views Houston has to offer at the city’s sky-high rooftop bars, restaurants, and pools. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a sunset cocktail, late night nightcap, or catching a screening of a major motion picture, take a gander at our list of the best rooftops in Houston for any and all occasions.
19-21. Go for a swim
Embrace the heat this season at the best Houston bars with pools in the city, swimming holes, and local waterparks!
- 10 of the best water parks in the Houston area
- 10 of the best swimming holes in Texas
- Glide down this glow-in-the-dark river in Crystal Kayaks in Texas
22. The Great Texas Mosquito Festival
Clute, Texas is hosting The Great Texas Mosquito Festival this July with a weekend of exciting fun. From July 24 – July 26, visitors can enjoy BBQ and fajita cook-offs, corn hole tournaments, live music, a carnival, and more!
23. Take a Hike in Houston
Pack a couple ice cold bottles of water and enjoy the bountiful nature of the city at the best hiking in Houston.
24-30. 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 barbecue joints in Houston
- 10 of the best ice cream parlors in Houston
- 10 of the best sushi restaurants in Houston
31. Bowl 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at this Texas Bowling Alley
In 2009, owner Johnny Morris set out to create Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill in honor of his Uncle Buck – an outdoorsman and fisherman. The result, Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, is a spectacular entertainment venue, diner, and quite possibly the coolest bowling alley in the world.
32-33. Float the Laziest Rivers In Texas
Throughout the Lone Star State wind a variety of meandering lazy rivers, ideal for leisurely floating. Read on to discover the best lazy rivers in the state and where to tube in Texas.
- Come summertime, there’s no better way to beat the heat than floating on a body of water with a cold drink in hand. While lazy rivers are not so easy to come by in Houston, you can now swim over to the Marriot Marquis in Downtown, Houston, and float along the legendary Texas border.
34-41. 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.
- The Houston Downtown Farmers Market opens this March with more accessible hours for downtown employees, residents, and visitors.
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. Explore Houston’s Funnest Neighborhoods
You’re going to have a good time pretty much anywhere in Houston. There are, however, a number of neighborhoods that stand out above the others. Hit the hidden gems in Montrose, exciting bars in Midtown, The Heights, and wonderful array of things to do in Downtown, Houston!
44. Immerse yourself in ARTECHOUSE
Groundbreaking, DC-based digital art studio has opened a Houston outpost. The venue is making their debut with three cinematic, interactive, and immersive exhibitions composed of choreographed lasers, lights, and strobes.
45. Escape to Texas Hill Country
Need a little respite from the hustle and bustle of city life? Consider a trip out to Texas Hill Country. In addition to breathtaking hill country vistas, you can explore these charming Hill Country towns full of boutique shops, incredible local cuisine, as well as unparalleled natural adventures!