Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

This weekend will be a very musical one.

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Texas' new ban on hemp THC products challenged by federal lawsuit

A new federal lawsuit is challenging Texas' ban on many hemp-derived THC products just days after the law officially took effect.

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Texas shoppers to save $143 million during August tax-free weekend

Back-to-school season has arrived, and Texas families can save on clothing, school supplies, and more during the 2026 statewide sales tax holiday running this Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9.

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Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

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7 family-friendly activities to do in Houston before school starts

Next week Houston students will start returning to school. While the quiet in the house might be nice, this is also the last chance to have some summer fun with the kids. Here are seven family-friendly outings you can hit before that first classroom bell rings.

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Houston chef Thomas Bille sounds off on his Beat Bobby Flay appearance

Add another Houston chef to the roster of cooking competition champions. Belly of the Beast chef-owner Thomas Bille won the Tuesday, August 4 episode of Beat Bobby Flay.

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Top Houston chefs fire up new pizza pop-up series for local nonprofit

A Houston pizzeria has recruited some of the city's top chefs for one-day-only collaborations. Super Pizza Friends will unite Shredders Pizza with five culinary talents -- and all the proceeds go to the Southern Smoke Foundation, the Houston-based nonprofit that provides emergency assistance and mental health services to hospitality workers.

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10 eateries participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the first time

As a follow up to our initial list of 11 newcomers to Houston Restaurant Weeks, here are 10 more first-time participants.

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New Houston company connects businesses with reliable influencers

If an event doesn't happen on Instagram, did it even really happen? In today's social media-driven age of branding and audience engagement, the answer increasingly is no.

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Houston hospitals declared best nationwide in 2026 U.S. News rankings

Houston Methodist Hospital and over a dozen more Houston-area hospitals have earned bragging rights in U.S. News & World Report's newly released rankings of the Best Hospitals for 2026-2027.

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How personalized giveaways are taking modern events to the next level

Whether it's a corporate conference, customer appreciation event, trade show, product launch, employee celebration, gala, or holiday party, today's attendees are looking for more than just another event -- they're looking for memorable experiences.

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Texas football season kicks off early with new interactive film archive

Triple-digit temperatures may say it's still summer, but football season is only weeks away. Before Friday night lights return and college stadiums roar back to life, Texans can get an early kickoff with Game Film: Texas Football Culture in Motion, a new interactive online exhibit. The project by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image celebrates more than a century of the state's high school, college, and professional football history.

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9 eateries participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the first time

As a follow up to our initial list of 11 newcomers to Houston Restaurant Weeks, here are nine more first-time participants.

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Houston ice cream shop from 'World's Best Pastry Chef' quietly closes

An ambitious, socially-conscious Houston ice cream shop has served its last scoop. Rocambolesc has closed, the business announced on Instagram.

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Texas shocks as 7th worst state to have a baby, new study finds

Texas might be a family friendly state, but it certainly isn't baby friendly, according to a new WalletHub study.

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Where to shop in Houston right now: 14 fresh finds for August 2026

August shopping is all about staying cool and getting a head start on fall without giving up on summer. This month's lineup includes warehouse sales, new pre-fall collections, football-ready accessories, and a few can't-miss openings. These are the Houston shopping stops worth making right now.

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8 best new plays and musicals opening on Houston stages this month

August tends to bring darkened stages across Houston theaters as our favorite local companies prepare for the big fall season. But this month, Houstonians still have lots of summer theatrical shows and musicals opening.

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10 cool summer vacation ideas to beat the Texas heat in August

Planning an August getaway in this summer heat can be fatiguing, but CultureMap has plenty of ideas for travelers who want to keep cool on their final summer vacation.

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Houston ranked as America's No. 2 least safe city and more top stories

Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, from a very poor safety ranking to a sad restaurant closure. Plus, a vintage car dealer cruises into town. Read on for our hottest headlines, then plan your weekend right here.

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Texas Hill Country uncorks No. 3 spot among best U.S. wine regions

The Lone Star State's booming Hill Country wine scene is about to get a lot busier, as it was just declared the No. 3 best wine region in the country for "a grape getaway."

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New comedy I Want Your Sex saddles an all-star cast with a dull story

Writer/director Gregg Araki has been making provocative movies for nearly 40 years, releasing his debut -- Three Bewildered People in the Night -- in 1987. Most of them have had plotlines that revolved around sex in one way or another, and for his latest -- his first film in 12 years -- he's putting it right there in the title, I Want Your Sex.

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Meet the Houston design store that can turn anything into a lamp

box it up

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New report reveals how many Texans are paying too much for rent

Millions of Texas renters, both current residents and new arrivals, suffer from wallet whiplash.

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Houston Theater Week 2026 spotlights BOGO tickets to almost 400 shows

Returning for its fifth year, Houston Theater Week is back, offering audiences nearly 400 live performances to choose from, at Buy One, Get One Free ticket deals. For performing arts goers, this is a chance to discover new shows, revisit favorite venues, and support Houston's vibrant arts community.

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More than 20 White Linen Night parties happening in the Heights and beyond

Goodness – it's White Linen Night time again.

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the best of the MCU web-slinger era

Ever since Spider-Man became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character's stand-alone movies have been notable for maintaining their own vision despite having to service the larger MCU storyline. The emotionality of the series reached its high point in No Way Home by bringing back two former Spider-Mans -- Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield -- to assist Tom Holland in a multiversal storyline.

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Support Houston animals at this pinball tournament

Animal lovers and pinball wizards, this one's for you. Houston SPCA and Eureka Heights Brew Co. are teaming up for a summer fundraiser that combines fun, games, brews, and pups into a must-attend event supporting the HSPCA mission.

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16 Houston restaurants and bars with affordable happy hour deals

Groceries aren't getting any cheaper, so skip H-E-B and head to one of Houston's newest happy hours instead. This roundup contains some of Houston's newest happy hour deals, ranging from a new East End bar with tacos and tequila, to a Brazilian-Cuban sandwich shop on Washington Avenue with croquettes and cocktails. Read on to find a new spot to unwind after a long day.

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These 2 Houston neighbors are the hottest ZIP codes to move to in 2026

A new migration report has reaffirmed Texas as one of the hottest destinations for movers during the first half of 2026, and two Houston neighbors -- Katy and Cypress -- are attracting more movers than almost any other ZIP code in America.

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Historic Houston fried chicken destination will close after 80 years

A staple of Houston's dining scene is saying farewell. Barbecue Inn will close after service on August 1, the Houston Chronicle reports.

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