Find an Event in Houston
Maybe you need to review a play, a concert or an exhibit, maybe you’re looking for a night on the town. Either way, you've come to the right place. This page is a quick guide to finding the right event at the right price. It also answers some questions you might have about making reservations and going to the theatre
On this page:
Find An Event 
Start with HCC Central Fine Arts, of course. Many of our events are free, and plays and dance concerts are just $5.00 for students. www.CentralFineArts.info
Explore www.ArtsHound.com and www.Spacetaker.org. These are user-friendly sites that you can search by date or by the kind of event you want to see. The Houston Press site is also worth a look.
Narrow your search at sites like these: www.HoustonDance.org, www.TheatrePort.com, www.HoustonChamberMusicCard.Info. For visual arts, explore the Houston Events page at GlassTire.com. DiverseWorks is a multi-purpose art space that hosts avant garde theatre, dance, music and art events. Check the web sites of local universities, such as Rice, the University of Houston or the University of Houston-Downtown. You'll find a wealth of free or affordable events
The Houston Museum District is right down the street from HCC Central. You can find links to 18 of Houston’s finest museums and galleries on the District homepage. The Houston Theatre District site will connect you to 8 of Houston’s flagship companies, with links to their discount tickets pages.
Get In Free!
Dance, theatre, and music events at outdoor venues like Miller Outdoor Theatre at Hermann Park and downtown’s Discovery Green are free, often offbeat and rowdy, and you can bring kids. Houston also hosts dozens of outdoors festivals every year, featuring music and dance from around the world.
Many of Houston's world-class museums are free, among them The Menil Collection, The Houston Center For Contemporary Craft, and the Contemporary Arts Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is free on Thursdays and first Sundays, and Thursdays you can get a free tour or gallery talk too. Commercial art galleries are free. Local college and university art departments often have great exhibits.
Cheap Seats and How to Find Them
Houston’s performing arts groups want your business, and they’re trying hard to make it affordable, especially for new patrons.
You’ve picked a show, now go to the company’s web site and look for the deals. You’ll find student discounts, but there may be even better prices. There are can be rush tickets, day of show tickets, even "pay what you can" tickets. Perhaps one particular performance is discounted (the Alley usually has one performance with $21 seats). Preview performances are always less expensive. For any special discount, be sure to read the fine print and check the restrictions.
Hot Tip! Check StubDog – this online ticket service specializes in half price seats. Community theatres also offer a great entertainment value. Search for “community theatres” on ArtsHound.com.
Get Your Tickets and Get The Scoop
How do I Get Tickets? Call and make reservations. (You might need a credit card to do that.) Ask questions. Will you need to pick up tickets by a particular time? What about parking?
How do I get there? This is important. Get directions. Call the box office the day before or check the web site. Do not call the box office 20 minutes before show time and expect to be “talked in”. Repeat – get directions.
When do I have to be there? Get there early, say half an hour before show time. Many theatres will not you admit after the show starts, many will not hold your reservations. Besides, you’ll avoid long lines and you may get better seats.
Your Part in the Play - The Etiquette of the Theatre
It may sound like there are a lot of dos and don’ts about seeing plays and concerts, but think of it this way: when it's a live performance, the whole audience is part of the show. You play a critical role, because performers can see and hear you, and they need your response. The etiquette of the theatre is designed to make that happen and to provide the best possible experience for everyone.
Plays and concerts are more formal than events at outdoor festivals and clubs, and its not like going to the movies. For example:
- Performances begin at a set time, and you might not be seated after they start.
- Snacks and drinks aren't allowed in the theatre.
- Photography, with or without a flash, is barred for legal reasons, but also because its distracting and even dangerous to the audience and performers. A camera flash can literally blind a dancer and stop the show.
- You already know you need to turnoff your cell phone. Please resist the urge to text. It's distracting, and those glowing blue screens are very visible.
What about kids? Can I bring my kids? No. For many reasons, it’s not appropriate. If you bring a child to an adult event, you might not be admitted. If you are, expect to pay the student ticket price, even for toddlers. Some plays or concerts may be right for older teens. Call and ask.
Is there a dress code? Not really. Think “nice casual”.
Questions? Call the box office and ask. Houston's performing arts companies want you to come see the show, have a great time, and come back. They'll be happy to answer questions.
