Discovery Green
Park · Downtown ·
Urban park with playground, lake, splash pad & events
Urban park with playground, lake, splash pad & events
"Helmed by James Beard Award–winning chef Chris Shepherd, the ninth-annual fall food-and-wine event returns to Houston on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with more than 80 chefs offering unlimited bites and drinks, food demonstrations, live music, and giveaways. The lineup includes over 20 Houston chefs—newcomers such as Adrian Torres (Maximo), Nicolas Vera and Stephanie Velasquez (Ema), and Morgan Weber (Eight Row Flint)—alongside notable visiting chefs and pitmasters like Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue), Damarr Brown (Virtue), and Katrina Ferraro and Freddy Diaz (Las Brasas). Programming features a Food & Wine 2025 Best New Chefs showcase, cookbook signings (with Kindred Stories on-site), demonstrations on the YETI Culinary Stage, and a Lexus VIP area spotlighting eight new chefs including Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Joanne Canady-Brown, Ana Castro, and Ashley Christensen. Ticketing is all-inclusive: general admission ($225) covers unlimited food, drinks, live music, and access to signings and demos, while Lexus VIP ($550) grants early entry, exclusive experiences, and access to an air-conditioned VIP lounge; talent sponsorships (from $5,000) sponsor a chef and include earlier VIP entry and access to the Chef Welcome Party." - Brittany Britto Garley
"This downtown public park at 1500 McKinney Street will host the fall food-and-wine event on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with festival hours from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; VIP admission begins at 3 p.m. and general admission at 4 p.m. during the event." - Brittany Britto Garley
"A vibrant downtown greenspace that hosts free public programming and provides landscaped areas for relaxation and family activities." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Mark Sunday, February 2, for an unforgettable Lunar New Year celebration at Discovery Green in Downtown. Performances by Dance of Asian America and Han Narea are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by a dynamic lion dance by Lee’s Golden Dragon at 5:35 p.m. and a performance by Aurelia Sky at 6:10 p.m. Food trucks will serve up snacks, and be sure to take advantage of the ice skating at the outdoor rink. It’s the last chance before the season ends." - Marcy de Luna
"I’ll visit Discovery Green on Friday, November 1 (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) for hands-on art activities, artist demos, vendors, a performance by Nick Gaitan (playing Tejas roots music, Tex-Mex, and Chicano soul), and a community altar built by Houston artist Angel Quesada where visitors can place copies of photos of their loved ones on the ofrenda." - Brittany Britto Garley