While 713 Music Hall is still indoors, the majority of seating is general admission on the floor. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
While other Americans are starting to pull out their chunky knits and warming their hands over a blazing fire, fall looks a little bit different for those of us living in Houston.
While we might not be picking pumpkins or wandering through a corn maze, we have plenty of venues around town beckoning us to enjoy live music. And what’s better than escaping the heat by luxuriating in an ice-cold stadium or sitting on a lawn once the temperature finally drops to 60 degrees?
As someone who’s been to dozens of concerts around Houston, I’ve put together my guide to the city’s top music venues for all the fall temperatures.
80 Degrees: NRG Stadium
Probably one of the most iconic venues in Houston, NRG Stadium is home to the Houston Texans and hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each March. The stadium can hold nearly 75,000 visitors and boasts multiple food and beverage options if you find yourself needing a quick snack or drink.
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour was the first tour to earn over $1 billion. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
But with all that space comes lots of air conditioning, making it the perfect venue for when it still feels like it’s a million degrees outside. The stadium tends to pull household names like Beyonce and Taylor Swift to fill its seats. Snag a ticket to this concert if you’re looking for large, spectacular shows.
Artists coming this year:
75 Degrees: Toyota Center
Known as the home base for the Houston Rockets, the Toyota Center is the second biggest venue in Houston. Holding about 18,000 people, the center has hosted huge names in music—the center’s inaugural concert was legendary rock group Fleetwood Mac in 2003.
Olivia Rodrigo brought her Guts World Tour to Houston with lots of sparkles, leather, and noise. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
Similar to NRG, though smaller, it has plenty of AC to keep all of its listeners cool while they jump around to high-energy acts like Metallica and Lady Gaga. Though 75 degrees can feel downright cold in Houston, the humidity is still likely to push you to a concert over at the Toyota Center.
Artists coming this year:
70 Degrees: 713 Music Hall
Picture this: the temperature has finally dropped to 70 degrees and you’re ready to let yourself sweat a little bit while listening to live music. Grab yourself a ticket to a concert at 713 Music Hall, located next to POST Houston, which holds around 5,000 people.
Ethel Cain made her 713 Music Hall debut this year on The Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
While this venue is still indoors, the majority of seating is general admission on the floor—meaning standing room only—so you’ll have to have a little more stamina to stay on your feet and bump elbows with strangers. The hall is great for slightly smaller artists, but be aware that there are no screens to project what’s happening on stage.
Artists coming this year:
65 Degrees: House of Blues
With 11 House of Blues concert halls across the US, this venue knows how to put on an amazing show. It’s a great place to see artists right before they blow up on the music scene. With only room for 2,500 people, it creates a super cozy, intimate atmosphere that is perfect to escape the autumn chill in the air.
A remnant of the past—an actual admission ticket that was printed for a Chappell Roan ticket. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
The Houston location is in the heart of downtown, so it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the nicer weather as you grab a bite to eat nearby and then walk over to see your concert.
Artists coming this year:
60 Degrees: White Oak Music Hall
Being outside for a smaller concert is one of my favorite things to do once it gets colder. Once you’re ready to fully embrace autumn in the south, it’s time to check out a concert on the outdoor lawn at White Oak Music Hall, known for hosting smaller indie acts.
One of the best parts of seeing Phoebe Bridgers in Houston was her bedazzled cowboy hat. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
There’s lots of room to spread out on the lawn, and you can usually find a great vantage point whether you’re sitting or standing. If it rains beforehand; you might find your shoes stuck in the mud as I once did years ago. Make sure to pack a rain poncho if so, since umbrellas and blankets are prohibited.
Artists coming this year:
