Whether you want to save a buck, vacation, or you’re on a student budget, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to find something cheap to do this summer in Houston. So whether you’re in college or just in Houston for work or vacation, we’ve put together a list of a few low cost ways to have a great time in the city.

24th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens

Held at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, come early to enjoy the squeezebox lineup featured statewide finalists, Big Squeeze champion Peter Anzaldua, and other accordion stars. You will need tickets, but the good news is that they are free! Arrive the day of the event between 10:30am-1pm to receive four free tickets (per person). If you manage to get tickets, then be ready to dance. The event itself will be on the first of June at 6:30 pm.

2nd Annual Springboard South Music Festival (SSMF)

Held from June 21 to the 23 at the Warehouse Live venue, the SSMF features artists such as Grammy nominated rapper Paul Wall, with performances by others such as Slim Thug as well. The festival will include local indie artists, and provide a broad range of musical genres ranging from Latin and country to jazz, gospel, and rock. The line-up will fill up as the date gets closer. Admission for all is $25 a person, but can be worth every penny depending on what music you enjoy. The times will differ each day as well. June 21 goes from 7pm to midnight, June 22 is from noon to midnight, and June 23 goes from noon until 10pm.

Juneteenth

Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center downtown from June 21 to 23, it stands at the flagship event of the Texas Black Expo. Celebrating African-American culture, the event showcases over 250 businesses, and brings in over 20,000 attendees annually. The $25 general admission ticket doesn’t only give you access to this, but lets you attend R&B as well as hip hop concerts held at the center as well. For those of you who enjoy immersing yourself in another culture while having a way to escape the heat, this is an event to consider.

3rd Annual Caribbean Heritage Month Festival

Held in Jones Plaza on June 1, admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Come and enjoy performances by a variety of bands, as well as native Caribbean dances and music such as rumba, Reggae, Soca, and Merengue Latin-pop. If that’s not enough to bring you out, the cultural food will be. A mix Latin and Caribbean cultures, the event offers some tasty and fun reasons to come out and enjoy National Caribbean American heritage Month.

Art Walk on Main

Held on West Main Street from Broadway to 3rd, this free event goes from 6pm to 9pm on June 7. Sponsors such as the Art Consortium of the Texas Gulf Coasts provide this opportunity to give local artists a chance to display their own works. This combined with the historic La Porte restaurants and shops gives anyone a good feel for Houston’s local culture today. If you miss it don’t worry, Art walk on Main is held every first Friday of the month.

About the Author

Dr. Louis Bosse is the head of Greenspoint Dental in Houston, Texas. The team at Greenspoint offers a broad range of treatment options ranging from general and cosmetic dentistry to restorative work and complete mouth rehabilitation.