It’s every fall lover’s favorite month! And while Houston is still enjoying (or sweating in) hotter weather for the season, there are still plenty of upcoming events to help get you in the spooky and autumnal spirit. Keep reading for just a few of the festivals and other events we’re looking forward to.
Sample bites from 85+ top chefs, sip signature cocktails, and enjoy live music at Houston’s biggest culinary block party on October 4.
Grab-and-go snacks, easy cocktails, and spice packets were the stars at H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best award ceremony, where five Texas businesses were awarded a collective $110,000 to help grow their small ventures.
It has to be said: While Texas might not always be viewed as a state where queer people can thrive, the city of Houston has always had a vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, including its own “gayborhood” in Montrose.
If you’re looking for an eye-catching shot to up your social media game, we’ve got you covered with this list of picture-perfect spots around Houston.
Through Oct. 12, Whataburger and the Houston Texans are partnering with the Houston Food Bank to donate a portion of the restaurant’s revenue to the nonprofit.
Like most Houstonians my age, getting the chance or funds to splurge on a seasonal, chef-driven meal is pretty rare. (Not in this economy, am I right?)
But the upcoming Taste of America event, which aims to showcase some of the city’s expansive culinary scene, might just be worth the spend.
The 2025-2026 Dallas Mavericks have plenty of returning faces and could make some noise in a crowded Western Conference—assuming they can stay healthy.
The new Shell pumps are part of a charity campaign called “The Giving Pump,” running now through the end of October. Customers will have the chance to donate a portion of every gas purchase towards two children’s charities: the Children’s Medical Foundation of Houston and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
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.
Mayor John Whitmire, facing criticism over a delay in payouts for more than 300 city employees who accepted a buyout to retire, fired back during a recent Houston City Council meeting. He put the blame on the Houston Municipal Employees Pension Plan, which was overwhelmed with processing 1,052 early retirements.
Sherry Mose, chair of the pension plan, told Whitmire and the council during its Sept. 10 meeting that more than 700 of the retirees have been paid. The remainder will be paid by the end of September. The city offered early retirement to workers earlier this year to help address a budget shortfall.
Harris County voters will choose a new county judge in 2026, as Lina Hidalgo announced she won’t seek a third term.
Some Texas students and educators are criticizing new laws that added prayer time, Ten Commandments to public schools.
Houston may be known for barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the sprawling city has also developed a stellar reputation for breakfast spots. Mexican fusion cafe CasaEma landed on Bon Appetit’s 14 Best New Breakfast Restaurants, serving some of the best pan dulce in the city. The Breakfast Klub—which has quickly become a main attraction in Houston for out-of-towners— has been consistently ranked as one of the best breakfast restaurants in the US by Good Morning America, USA Today, Esquire, and Forbes Magazine.
Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, kicks off in Houston this week with music, dance, and festivals across the area. But for many, the celebrations are not just about celebrating culture—it’s also about finding hope and joy at a time when increased immigration enforcement has left many communities on edge.
By Ayden Runnels, The Texas Tribune Sept. 15, 2025 "Federal loopholes may have opened the door for sports betting alternatives that skirt Texas’ gambling ban" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans —...
In Houston, we are fortunate to have widespread live music venues of every size and catering to every taste—and grandaddy of them all is Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant, an oddly named listening room that since 1970 has hosted musical legends—and it’s still going strong.
Have you ever wondered what kind of energy you give off? Small business, Mixed Feels, is in the business of reading your aura. Subscribe to COURIER HTX at the link in our bio for more fun things to do in Houston.
Two new Family Place Libraries have been unveiled in the Houston area, and will set the scene for a focused environment for families to take learning to the next level on their own time.
Texas overlooks the era when racial terror lynchings were not only tolerated, but celebrated, in communities across the state.
Voters in Houston’s 18th Congressional District head to the polls in November to pick a replacement for US Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in March.
The last thing most Houston residents want to hear is that an already potentially high electric bill could be even higher.
A new engineering building built by a Houston university continues to fill the ever-growing need for engineers.
Find authentic German beer gardens, bratwurst, live polka music, and traditional festivities at Houston’s 2025 Oktoberfest events.
Gov. Abbott’s next abortion law includes a $100,000 reward for snitching on pregnant women in your family.
Houston City Council member Edward Pollard is demanding accountability as nearly 350 of the 1,000 city workers who took early retirement buyouts are still waiting for their pension payments months after they were promised.
The buyout program, launched to help close a $330 million budget shortfall, offered lump-sum payouts of 25% of annual salary to eligible employees. The employees were promised the payments within 60 days of their May 1 retirement.
Pollard has expressed growing concern over the city’s handling of the program, and wants a timeline from Mayor John Whitmire’s administration on when the retirees will be paid. He questioned the mayor during an Aug. 27 city council meeting.
State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher, announced Tuesday that he’s running for US Senate.
Houston public transit users can expect to see a little extra change in their pockets this month, as multiple transit agencies take part in Free Fare Fridays.
Banned books have been hugely controversial when it comes to Texas education. Literature is fundamental to learning—and when the government is trying to dictate what students can and can’t read, important, diverse voices can be lost.
Flea-borne typhus, otherwise known as murine or endemic typhus, is on the rise in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.
