2023 Solar Eclipse Watch Parties, Festivals & More Events in Houston By 365thingsinhouston

Levy Park hosts an eclipse viewing party with scientists and crafts for kids | Courtesy of Levy Park

Catch your views of the annular solar eclipse at watch parties, festivals and other events in Greater Houston on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

This Saturday, Space City is in for a celestial treat as the moon and sun converge for an annular solar eclipse.

The cosmic event will begin around 10:30am, as the moon begins to pass between the Sun and Earth, reaching its peak at 11:58am when the passing moon will leave just a crescent of the sun, before finishing at 1:38pm.

Houston will be treated to about 85% coverage, whereas the total eclipse will leave a “ring of fire” around the moon, visible from areas of Central Texas like San Antonio, Fredericksburg and the Hill Country.

Plan Your Eclipse Viewing in Houston

Current forecasts for Saturday morning and afternoon are perfect for solar eclipse viewing, with a sunny day in the 70s expected.

We’ve gathered a handful of eclipse viewing parties and more great places to get outside in Houston this Saturday and catch the 2023 annular solar eclipse.

Remember, if you’re planning to check out the solar eclipse, always protect your eyes when observing the sun. Special solar viewing glasses have begun to pop at areas across town (check your local H-E-B), but you can also order them quickly to arrive before Saturday’s rare event.

Won’t be able to catch it or already looking forward to the next one? A total solar eclipse is on the way on April 8, 2024, bringing even more spectacular cosmic views to Houston and the Central Texas area, so make your plans today.

Where to View the Solar Eclipse in Houston

Don’t forget solar viewing glasses to see the eclipse safely | Photo: Connie Moore/NASA

Solar Eclipse Parties in Houston

• Talk & Eclipse Viewing at Rice University’s Brockman Hall | FREE – Open to the public and held at the Brockman Hall observatory on campus, this Rice University talk is led by Dr. Patrick Hartigan, who discusses the astronomical alignment that leads to the eclipse, followed by a viewing from the observatory terrace. Talk begins at 9:15am; viewing from 10:15am to 1:30pm.
• Annular Eclipse Festival at Houston Museum of Natural Science | FREE – Held outside the Museum’s main entrance, this outdoor fest offers crafts, solar experiments, and special viewers and telescopes to check out the passing eclipse. Head inside and pick up tickets to learn more at the Burke Baker Planetarium and other exhibits. 10am to 2pm.
• Annular Solar Eclipse at George Observatory – If you had plans to check out Houston’s George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park for the big event, you’ve probably missed your chance. The observatory gathers staff and amateur astronomers for an afternoon eclipse viewing, which is currently sold out. 10am to 2pm.
• Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Children’s Museum Houston – In the Museum District, you can join other kids and families for a viewing party with free solar glasses, a livestream held indoors, fun educational activities, and pinhole viewer crafts. Tickets are $17 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 2pm (museum open to 6pm).
• 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Levy Park | FREE – The Greenway park is a great place to catch this year’s eclipse. Scientists and educators from the Lunar and Planetary Institute will be on hand for a fun and educational viewing, alongside music from DJ DelSur and a lunar-themed craft for kiddos. 11am to 2:15pm.                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                          Take in skyscrapers with the eclipse at the Post Houston Skylawn | Courtesy of Post Houston

More Places to See the Solar Eclipse in Greater Houston

All across the Greater Houston area, several festivals and special events will take place outdoors, making for great ways to catch the eclipse while enjoying other activities.

Take in the views from around Downtown

• Market Square Park Farmers Market in Historic Market Square | FREE – This new fall market offers a morning of fresh produce shopping from the historic heart of Downtown. Fill your bag and take a break at the park’s leisure spots to take in the eclipse. 9am to 1pm.
• Sweet like Pan Dulce Pop-Up at the Esplanade on Navigation | FREE – The Second Ward esplanade celebrates the tastiest pan dulce with sweets vendors, local artisans and craftspeople, live music, food, drinks and more. 10am to 3pm.
• Bayou City Art Festival in Sam Houston Park – The annual supersized art festival kicks off the first of two days of shopping from more than 220 national and international artists. Stroll craft beer and boutique wine gardens, participate in a community art project, and enjoy live performances and views of the solar eclipse in Downtown. Tickets are $18 and up; free for ages 12 and under. 10am to 6pm.
• Texas Family Literacy Festival at Discovery Green | FREE – Story Square hosts this first-ever fest in Downtown, inviting new and experienced readers to visit with family and discover the wonder of literacy. Meet authors, enjoy stories, food, prizes and games, and take home a free book. 10:30am to 6:30pm.
• Skylawn at Post Houston | FREE – Head atop Downtown’s bustling food hall and venue space to take in wide open views of the Downtown skyline and solar eclipse in the afternoon. 11am to 11pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                

Find wide open skies at Memorial Park

• Arbooretum at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Pick out your costumes and head to the biggest event of the season at the Arboretum. There are plenty of fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s very own Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. $20 in advance, $25 at the door; free for ages 2 and under. 10am to 4pm.
• Eastern Glades at Memorial Park | FREE – Catch the eclipse during an afternoon of leisure at this plush park space brimming with native plants and wetland wildlife. The grassy Central Lawn offers plenty of open space and more private nooks to set up a spot for relaxation, or you can take to the benches that line the glittering Hines Lake to catch your views. 6:30am to 10pm.
• Kinder Land Bridge at Memorial Park | FREE – Opened in February of this year, the newest addition to Memorial Park offers beautiful, open views of vast prairies and winding paths that take you atop the tunnels of Memorial Drive. Head here for peeks of the Downtown skyline and totally unobstructed views of the sky. 6:30am to 10pm.
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Discover a spot nearest you

• 2023 Wings Over Houston Airshow at Ellington Field | Bay Area – Take in the eclipse alongside the sights of high-flying aircraft, vintage planes, and all sorts of soaring spectacles at one of the nation’s top airshows, held at Ellington Field. This year’s headlining appearance will be the USAF Thunderbirds, plus there’s plenty of activities, carnival games and more to get into while walking the airfield. Tickets include admission for one adult and up to 6 children (ages 14 and under). Sign up for free to be an Air Show Insider and score discounted admission on tickets. Advance tickets are $45, $50 at the gate. 8am to 4pm.
• Pumpkin Round Up at George Ranch Historical Park | Sugar Land – Trot through a gourd-filled display perfect for fall photo ops, brimming with pumpkins, gourds, plants and fall flowers. While at the Fort Bend historical park, you can also catch the eclipse while learning about life in the pioneering days of early Texas. $10 and up; free for ages 3 and under. 9am to 5pm.
• Pearland Art on the Pavilion at Pearland Town Center | Pearland | FREE – The two-day art market kicks off with a Saturday morning of regional artwork, craft vendors and performances by local bands and musicians. 10am to 5pm.
• Origami at Evelyn’s Park | Bellaire | FREE – Join Japan America Society in the Bellaire park for an afternoon activity where you’ll make origami crafts. Stick around afterward to continue checking out the eclipse. 11am to noon.
• Galveston Greek Festival at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church | Galveston | FREE – Galveston’s Greek fest returns with a full slate of Greek food, drinks, pastries, souvenirs, and more. There will be live Bouzouki by Dimitri Karageorgo, traditional Greek Dancers and church tours, plus imported merchandise and food products to be found in the Greek market. 11am to 7pm.

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Source: www.365thingsinhouston.com