Saturday, September 5, 2026 · Houston, Texas · All times CDT
Looking for things to do in Houston today? Start with an afternoon of art, make time for a Restaurant Weeks dinner, and finish with live music. This Labor Day weekend Saturday offers both free outings and ticketed performances, with options in the Heights, Museum District, and Downtown.
Here are five choices for the rest of the day. Pick one afternoon stop and one evening plan; the two concerts overlap, so choose the one that appeals to you most.
AI-generated editorial illustration; not a photograph of First Saturday Arts Market or its vendors.
Browse First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights
An afternoon spent looking at original art gives you room to wander without committing to a full evening. First Saturday Arts Market returns today with paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and other work from participating artists.
When: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. today. Where: 540 W. 19th Street, Houston Heights. Admission: Free; purchases are extra.
Give yourself time to look closely, talk with artists, and browse at your own pace. The organizer lists the second Saturday as its rain date, so check for a weather update before leaving. Official market details.
If the outing has you curious about the surrounding neighborhood, explore our Houston Heights area guide.
Spend the afternoon at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Prefer an indoor afternoon? Make the MFAH your main stop and leave enough time to explore a few galleries without rushing. Its Sarofim Campus brings together the Beck, Law, and Kinder buildings in the Museum District.
Saturday hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., according to the museum’s published weekly schedule. Admission: All Access adult tickets are listed at $24; ages 12 and younger are free. Parking option: Beck Garage, 1144 Binz Street; parking is charged separately.
Check the museum’s date-specific ticket options before heading over. MFAH visit information and tickets.
Make dinner a Houston Restaurant Weeks outing
AI-generated dining illustration; dishes and setting do not represent a participating restaurant’s menu.
Houston Restaurant Weeks runs through September 7, making today part of its final weekend. It is a useful excuse to choose a restaurant you have been meaning to try and build your evening around a leisurely meal.
Where: Participating restaurants across the Houston area. Listed menu prices: $25 brunch or lunch, and $39 or $55 dinner. Hours, available meal services, and menus vary by restaurant.
Choose a location that works with your next stop, review its current menu, and confirm Saturday availability directly. Budget separately for any tax, gratuity, drinks, or supplements. Browse official Restaurant Weeks menus.
Hear Baroque to Boleros at Miller Outdoor Theatre
AI-generated music illustration; not a photograph of tonight’s performers or venues.
For a free evening performance, Mercury Chamber Orchestra presents a program connecting Baroque music with Latin American boleros. Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte joins the ensemble for an outdoor concert at Hermann Park.
When: 8 p.m. today; listed duration two hours. Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive. Admission: Free.
Hill seating is open. Covered seating requires a free ticket; online distribution ends at noon on show day, so this afternoon’s option is in-person pickup at the box office beginning at 7 p.m., subject to availability. The venue says performances go on rain or shine; check for any new notices. Official concert and seating details.
Watch How to Train Your Dragon with a live orchestra
For a movie night with a different sound, the Houston Symphony performs John Powell’s score live while the animated film plays at Jones Hall.
When: 7:30 p.m. today; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Street, Downtown. Tickets: Saturday prices are listed from $35, subject to availability and checkout charges. Age limit: 6 and older.
Book before making the trip and leave room for parking and entry. This is an alternative to the Miller concert, not a second stop afterward. Official Houston Symphony event and tickets.
For more context on the surrounding area, see our Downtown Houston guide.
An easy plan for the rest of today
Keep it simple: choose the Heights market or MFAH this afternoon, then have an early dinner before one concert. For a lower-cost outing, pair the free market with Miller’s free hill seating. For an indoor evening, choose dinner and Jones Hall.
Check the linked organizer pages before leaving; seats, restaurant availability, and event notices can change during the day.
Exploring Houston with a possible move in mind? Use Aurhomes Group’s Houston home search to continue your neighborhood research after the outing.
Details checked September 5, 2026, at approximately 1:13 p.m. CDT. Images are AI-generated editorial illustrations.
