October •

1 The Bay Area Gospel Music Association presents its fourth annual Gospel Music Jubilee at Traders Village. (281) 980-0622; www.tradersvillage.com.

1 Da Camera of Houston presents Vintage Romantics. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (713) 524-5050.

1 Ballet Folklorico Ecuador celebrates the treasures of that country through music and dance. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

1 through April 16: Cracids: on Wings of Peril contains 40 stunning oil paintings by British artist Nigel Hughes, featuring these extraordinarily diverse and beautiful birds on the edge of extinction. Houston Museum of Natural Science. (713) 639-4629.

1 through Jan. 1: Andrea Zittel: Critical Space, the first comprehensive solo exhibition of Zittel’s work in the United States. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. (713) 284-8250.

1 through Jan. 8: Speed engages visitors in both the scientific and human qualities of going fast, illustrating the math and physics of acceleration, horsepower and friction. Space Center Houston. (281) 244-2100.

1 through Nov. 16: Escape from the hectic 21st century to 16th at the 31st annual Texas Renaissance Festival. The weekends offer ye olde entertainment, games and rides, refreshments, artisan wares and 200 performances daily, including jousting tournaments and royal fireworks. (800) 458-3435; www.texrenfest.com.

4-7 Houston Grand Opera presents The Princess and the Pea. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

6-8 Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts the annual Festival Chicano. (713) 284-8350.

6, 8-9 Houston Symphony presents guest conductor Eri Klas and pianist Olga Kern in a program of Weber, Chopin and Prokofiev. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

8-9 The 20th annual Wings Over Houston Airshow takes flight at Ellington Field, where the skies hosts precision flying, aerobatics and equipment demonstrations. Ground exhibitions include a collection of modern military jets and World War II warplanes. (713) 266-4492; www.wingsoverhouston.com.

9 Annual Village Art Car Show rolls out at Traders Village. (281) 890-5500.

9 through Jan. 8: Treasures from Olana: Landscapes by Frederic Edwin Church. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (713) 639-7300.

11-23 Theatre Under The Stars presents Chicago. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. (713) 558-8887.

11 Corazon Español explores the evolution of folk, classical and flamenco dance. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

11 Da Camera of Houston presents Ashberyana. The Menil Collection. (713) 524-5050.

12 Interactive Theater Company presents 600 years of Texas tales in 45 minutes at The Story of the Lone Star State. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

12-30 Silence at Stages Repertory Theatre. (713) 527-0123.

14 Da Camera of Houston presents the Wayne Shorter Quartet. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (713) 524-5050.

14 Institute of Hispanic Culture hosts Día de la Hispanidad, a festival of Spain and Latin American countries commemorating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

15 Houston Symphony’s program, Lunada 2005, includes Latin American favorites. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

15 Society for the Performing Arts presents Ballet Flamenco José Porcel. Jones Hall. (713) 227-4SPA.

15 Museum District Day features free shuttles to the 15 participating museums, with fascinating exhibitions, hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances, all free for one day. (713) 790-1020.

15 Traders Village welcomes the Annual All-British Motor Vehicle Expo. (281) 890-5500.

15-31 The Children’s Museum of Houston transforms into the McDonald’s Halloween Mansion for two action packed weeks leading up to Halloween. (713) 522-1138.

17 Be You salutes hip-hop culture with street dance, rhythm poetry and drama. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

19 Houston Metropolitan Dance Company’s program Danceology combines dance, history and the arts with energy and excitement. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

21 Enjoy a family-friendly movie when Starlight Cinema presents Charlotte’s Web on the big screen. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

21 Society for the Performing Arts presents the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (713) 227-4SPA.

21-23, 28-30 The Zoo Boo is held at the Houston Zoo. (713) 533-6500.

21-23 Houston Symphony Pops features vocalist Linda Eder. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

Editor's Picks

Oct. 21-Feb. 5 Diana, A Celebration presents the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable women. Houston Museum of Natural Science. (713) 639-4629; www.hmns.org.

22 Houston Symphony presents Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

22 Society for the Performing Arts presents Yamato: The Drummers of Japan. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (813) 227-4SPA.

22-23 The George Ranch Historical Park’s Texian Market Days bring 100 years of local history to life, including demonstrations of blacksmith, cowboy and cattle-handling skills. (281) 343-0218; www.georgeranch.org.

22 through Nov. 5: Houston Grand Opera’s production of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov. Wortham Center. (713) 228-OPERA; (800) 62-OPERA.

22-23 Annual Asian American Festival, a pan-Asian cultural arts celebration. Miller Outdoor Theatre. (713) 284-8350.

23 through Jan. 16: Indelible Images (trafficking between Life and Death). Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (713) 639-7300.

25 Da Camera presents its director, Sarah Rothenberg, in a piano dialog on Late Beethoven. The Menil Collection. (713) 524-5050.

26 through Dec. 23: Live thoroughbred racing Wednesday through Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. (281) 807-8760.

26 through Nov. 13:Broadway in Houston presents Wicked. Sarofim Hall in The Hobby Center of the Performing Arts. (713) 629-3700.

27-30 The 31st annual International Quilt Festival displays nearly 2,000 antique and contemporary quilts and wearables. The world’s largest quilt show, sale and quiltmaking academy includes demonstrations, classes and textile arts merchants. George R. Brown Convention Center. (713) 781-6864; www.quilts.com.

28 Houston Grand Opera’s production of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov. Wortham Center.(713) 228-OPERA;(800) 62-OPERA.

28-29 Starlight Cinema, at Miller Outdoor Theatre, features the family-friendly films Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (713) 284-8350.

28-30 Houston Symphony, conducted by Stephane Deneve, presents pianist Piotr Anderszewski in a program of Rossini, Mozart, Connesson and Respighi. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

28 through Jan. 22: The Menil Collection’s Robert Gober: The Meat Wagon, explores the influences of the artist’s his childhood, memory, loss and sexuality on his work. (713) 525-9400.

29 through Nov. 10: Houston Grand Opera’s production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Wortham Center. (713) 228-OPERA; (800) 62-OPERA.

29 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. Sam Houston Race Park. (281) 807-8760.

29-30 MECA’s Day of the Dead Festival, or Día de los Muertos festivities celebrating our ancestors and Latin American traditions. (713) 802-9370.

30 Moody Gardens hosts Ghostly Gardens from 2 to 4 p.m., with free trick-or-treating, a costume contest and a free screening of a classic scary movie in the haunted preview theatre. (800) 582-4673.

30 Annual Halloween Boo-Bash for Kidz scares up some fun at Traders Village. (281) 890-5500.

November •

3, 5-6 Houston Symphony, conducted by Hans Graf, presents a program of Mozart. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

3-30 Día de los Muertos is Lawndale Art Center’s annual fall celebration honoring the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition. (713) 528-5858.

4 Da Camera of Houston presents Musical Friendship. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (713) 524-5050.

Editor's Picks

Nov. 4 Houston Symphony’s American Expressions series presents Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett, known for his universally appealing golden voice and a career that spans 40 years of jazz and popular song. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

4 through Dec. 18: Found at Houston Center for Photography, features images of found objects by Saul Robbins, Andy Taylor and Sarah Green. Also on exhibit: I Have Something to Tell You by Adrian Chesser and Alice in Wonderland by Suzy Lee challenges the concepts of illusion and reality. (713) 529-4755.

10 New installation at Rice University Art Gallery. (713) 348-6069.

10-19 Opera in the Heights presents Die Fledermaus. (713) 861-5303.

10 through Jan. 8: Festivals of Light at The Children’s Museum of Houston is the city’s only multicultural holiday exhibit spotlighting eight cultural celebrations: Ramadan, Diwali, Santa Lucia, Los Posadas, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Chinese New Year. (713) 522-1138.

11-12 Houston Ballet welcomes Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’ presentation of Minus One. Wortham Center. (713) 227-ARTS.

12 Society for the Performing Arts presents Bowfire. Jones Hall. (713) 227-4SPA.

12-13 Native Americans representing dozens of tribes celebrate their culture and heritage at the 16th annual Texas Championship Pow Wow at Traders Village Houston. Dancers in full traditional dress perform as artisans, craftsmen and traders share their talents and wares. (281) 890-5500;www.tradersvillage.com.

17 through Dec. 31: Bayou Bend hosts Yuletide, its much-anticipated annual holiday celebration. (713) 639-7750.

18 Society for the Performing Arts presents the Ahn Trio. Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. (713) 227-4SPA.

18-20 Houston Symphony, conducted by Hans Graf, presents the Houston Symphony Chorus in a program of Brahms and Bruckner. Jones Hall. (713) 224-7575.

19 through Jan. 7: Moody Garden’s Festival of Lights is one of the largest presentations of Christmas lights in southeast Texas. (800) 582-4673.

19 through Jan. 9: Nutcracker in 3D and Santa vs. the Snowman 3D. Moody Gardens IMAX. (800) 582-4673.

19 through Jan. 7: Santa’s Late — The Ride is the featured RideFilm at Moody Gardens. (800) 582-4673.

19 Texas Champions Day is celebrated at Sam Houston Race Park. (281) 807-8760.

20 through Feb. 12: Basquiat presents more than 90 works by the Brooklyn-born artist who first came to fame in the 1970s as a graffiti artist in Lower Manhattan. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (713) 639-7300.

26 through Dec. 31: Pure Gospel Music. Ensemble Theatre. (713) 520-0055.

25 through Dec. 26: Houston Ballet’s lavish production of The Nutcracker signals the start of the holiday season. Wortham Center. (713) 227-ARTS.

30 Society for the Performing Arts presents Christopher Parkening, guitar and Jubilant Sykes, baritone. Jones Hall. (713) 227-4SPA.

Fall Festivals •

Houston’s diversity dominates the fall calendar as family-friendly festivals provide cultural insights that delight the senses with lively music and dance, authentic food and wares, colorful costumes and traditional crafts.

The Turkish Festival is Oct. 1 at Jones Plaza, downtown. Call Sema Turel at (832) 654-3768; www.atahouston.org.

This year’s Festa Italiana is Oct. 8-9 at Houston Farm and Ranch Club, One Abercrombie Dr. (713) 524-4222; www.houstonitalianfestival.com.

Opa! Houston, the Greek Festival, is Oct. 6-9 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd. (713) 526-5377; www.greekfestival.org.

Festival Chicano is Oct. 6-8 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, starting at 7 p.m. (713) 284-8350; www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

The Asian American Festival is Oct. 22-23 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. (713) 861-8270; www.asianfestival.org.

Day of the Dead: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future, sponsored by Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts is Oct. 29-30 on the campus of Dow Elementary School near downtown. (713) 802-9370; www.meca-houston.org.

Ongoing Events •

Ongoing
John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science displays By You City, a new permanent exhibit for kids.
Dynamic Dissections are held Thursday through Sunday.
Free Family Thursdays subjects include Sights, Sound and Smells, and Safety Town, featuring a live puppet show.
(713) 521-1515.

Tony Smith’s outdoor sculpture display and Dan Flavin: Monuments for V.Tatlin at The Menil Collection.
(713) 525-9400.

Sunday Sept. 4-Oct. 2
The diverse music of Houston’s many cultures comprise a fall concert series presented by KPFT 90.1 FM Pacifica Foundation at Miller Outdoor Theatre’s Small Stage.
(713) 284-8350.

Friday, Saturdays and Sundays
Oct. 7-30
Six Flag AstroWorld hosts Fright Fest, a month-long Halloween celebration with terrifying haunted houses, spooky shows, and zombies.
(713) 799-1234.

Continuing Events and Exhibits •

Through Sept. 6
Moody Gardens IMAX films: Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure in 3D, T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous 3D, Sharks 3D, Ocean Wonderland 3D and Haunted Castle.
(800) 582-4673.

Through Sept. 10
Lawndale Art Center features the art of Jason Makepeace, a departure from his sculptural work, with objects found broken on Houston streets. Also on display, Wyatt Nash’s Styrofoam home, plus cloth mandalas, photos and objects from Vicki Fowler’s opening performance.
(713) 528-5858.

Through Sept. 11
The Children’s Museum of Houston’s Invention Convention lets children step inside an inventor’s workshop to make something useful that did not previously exist.
(713) 522-1138.

Through Sept. 11
Landscape Confection features new and recent work from 11 artists at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.
(713) 284-8250.

Through Sept. 11
Football, The Exhibit, at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, uses football as a unique backdrop for the world of science. (713) 521-1515.

Through Sept. 18
The Children’s Museum of Houston’s Pack Your Bags! A Kid’s Ticket to Travel shows how and why we travel.
(713) 522-1138.

Through Sept. 25
In Plowing Stones, at Holocaust Museum Houston, artist/poet Saul Balagura expresses his search for humanity through painting and writing in a convergence of emotional responses to the Holocaust.
(713) 942-8000.

Through Sept. 25
The Contemporary Arts Museum’s Perspectives 147: Adrian Paci is the first U.S. solo show for the Albanian artist.
(713) 284-8250.

Through Sept. 25
Selections from the Edward R. Broida Collection. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
(713) 639-7300.

Through Sept. 25
Gego, Between Transparency and the Invisible. MFAH.
(713) 639-7300.

Through Oct. 2
Sports Photography at MFAH.
(713) 639-7300.

Through Oct. 2
Bill Traylor, William Edmondson and the Modernist Impulse features the work of one of the first African-American artists embraced by the mainstream art world. The Menil Collection.
(713) 525-9400.

Through Oct. 9
In the Shadow of the Swastika: Hermann Wygoda tells the story of a Polish Jew whose family members were murdered in the Nazi death camps and who later led an Italian partisan unit. Holocaust Museum Houston.
(713) 942-8000.

Through Oct. 16
The Splendor of Ruins in French Landscape Painting, 1630-1800. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
(713) 639-7300.

Through Nov. 4
The photographs of Campaign for Achievement spotlight children striving to make a positive impact in their community. The Children’s Museum of Houston.
(713) 522-1138.

Through Jan. 1, 2006
Recent Accessions in Modern and Contemporary Design. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
(713) 639-7300.

Come Back!
Winter Events •

Holiday Lights in Hermann Park,
Nov. 26-Dec. 26.
Walk through the festive wonderland known as Holiday Lights in Hermann Park. The free event illuminates a one-mile stretch of the park around the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool and the eight-acre McGovern Lake.

Candlelight Tours,
Dec. 9-10.
The Heritage Society of Houston treats visitors to special tours of the historical homes in Sam Houston Park, each decked out with seasonal decorations reminiscent of a century ago, while costumed carolers and musicians offer a serenade for the season.

Dickens on The Strand,
Dec. 2-4.
Galveston’s Victorian past comes to life with period entertainment, costumed participants and hearty British fare in the Strand National Historic District. The Galveston Historical Foundation recreates Queen Victoria’s London for the Southwest’s most charming holiday celebration.

Dr Pepper Big 12
Football Championship,
Dec. 3.
Cheer on the top teams in college football’s Big 12 Conference as the big game returns to Reliant Stadium. Come early to take part in The Main Event! Dec. 2, when downtown’s weekend street party gets even bigger with live music on outdoor stages and plenty of entertainment leading up to the game.

Mardi Gras! Galveston,
Feb. 15-28.
The pre-Lenten weeks of carnival season are filled with colorful processions, elaborate masked balls, museum exhibits, sporting events and performances. Presented by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees and participating krewes, the festival transforms the island into a sparkling spectacle.

Rodeo Uncorked!
Grand Wine Tasting &
Best Bites Competition,
Feb. 27.
Featuring hundreds of wines from around the world, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s lavish wine tasting and appetizer competition delights and dazzles the palate. The Champion Wine Auction & Dinner, March 4, raises money for scholarships.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,
Feb. 28-March 19.
This showcase of Texas traditions boasts great size, style and sizzle. Don’t miss the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, thrilling of rodeo action, a fantastic variety of superstar concerts and fun for the entire family.

Annual Events •

January
Houston Marathon.
More than 15,000 runners from all over the world take on the scenic 26.2-mile course.

March
River Oaks Garden Club’s Azalea Trail.
Bayou Bend’s 14 acres of gardens, the Rienzi estate and private River Oaks gardens.

April
Houston International Festival.
The cuisine and culture of one country is highlighted, with a market of food, arts and crafts, and live performances.

Grand Wine & Food Affair.
More than 30 gourmet events in five days, including cooking demos, wine seminars, gourmet lunches, vintner dinners, a grand tasting or a sip and stroll around the bistro brunch.

May
Art Car Weekend.
A weekend of events celebrating outlandishly decorated cars, bicycles and more.

July
Houston Shakespeare Festival.
Two plays at Miller Outdoor Theatre during the free, two-week festival.

August
RE/MAX Ballunar Liftoff Festival.
More than 100 hot air balloons float above the Johnson Space Center.

October
Texian Market Days.
George Ranch Historical Park brings local history to life with a chuckwagon lunch, entertainment and craft booths.

November
Washington Mutual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Wave to the giant turkey, massive balloons and marching bands as they travel through downtown.