The Houston Downtown Management District has announced its spring/summer 2022 programming schedule at Market Square Park. Season highlights include the Road to River Revival Music Fest, Puppies for Breakfast, Blanket Bingo, Movies Under the Stars and a Cinco de Mayo celebration with the world’s largest piñata at Market Square Park.
Road to River Revival returns on April 16 with multi-instrumentalist and funk guitarist Aaron Stephens and soul artist Latasha Lee.
May 21 welcomes the New Orleans style sounds of Honey Island Swamp Band and the soulful guitar playing of Colin Lake.
The Texas Gentlemen will headline on June 18 with Hector Ward.
The concert series wraps up on July 9 with the Splice Records Anniversary Party,showcasing one of Austin’s best blues and soul bands, Tomar and the FCswith electric cumbia sounds from Gio Chamba. ‘Doors’ open at 6:30 p.m. and shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Dog festival
Houston-area dog lovers should mark their calendars for April 30 when the one-of-a-kind dog festival, Puppies for Breakfast, takes over Market Square Park with over 40 vendors, dog-centric brands, creative pop-up shops and local food trucks. Aside from adorable dogs, attendees can expect to see the "world's largest dog piñata " and can take part in other dog-friendly activities including a dog costume and the biggest and smallest dog competition. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Film series
Downtown District will host outdoor film screenings as part of Market Square Park’s Movies Under the Stars monthly series. The lineup of free screenings includes Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on April 8 at 8 p.m., A Raisin in the Sun on June 10 at 8:30 p.m., There’s Something About Mary on July 15 on 8:30 p.m., and Breakfast Club on August 5 at 8 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo
Start your Cinco de Mayo festivities at Market Square Park from 5:30-7 p.m. on May 5. Take a swing at the world’s largest Pinata “Chiquito” and enjoy live mariachi music and a Cinco de Mayo mini-market.
Art market
Make your Saturday a day of art at the Heartmade Art Market, on May 14,
Don’t miss these favorites
Other returning park favorites include Blanket Bingo, bring your blanket or lawn chair on May 19, June 16 and August 18 for a night of fun and prizes. The $10 admission includes one bingo packet (nine games, cash only) with additional games and daubers available for purchased at $1 each. Packets go on sale at 6 p.m.; bingo starts at 7 p.m.; proceeds benefit Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company will be hosting its popular Saint Arnold’s Pub Crawl through Downtown Houston on July 16. The fun begins at 2 p.m. at participating Historic District bars. Event goers have until 6 p.m. to visit all the stops along the way before reporting back to Market Square Park for their official Saint Arnold pint glass and celebrating a job well done with live music and Greek eats from Niko Niko’s.
Market Square Park is open daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome; food, beer and wine are available for purchase at Niko Niko’s. For more information on all events, visitmarketsquarepark.com.