Arts & Culture • Entertainment • Theater • Things to Do

Curtains up! The Theater District Open House is Back!

For the first time since 2019, Houston Theater District is welcoming Houston families and arts enthusiasts back for its popular Open House on Monday, March 10, 2025 from noon to 5pm. 

The 2025 ExxonMobil Theater District Open House is a free, inclusive and educational opportunity for the community to explore Downtown Houston's world-class arts organizations and theaters while making learning about the arts fun. Programming will be a multigenerational celebration of the arts which nurture community, creative thinking, artistic expression, communication, empathy and critical thinking. 

"Many people may not know that Houston is one of only five cities in the United States that boasts permanent, professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines," said Craig Hauschildt, Executive Director of Houston Theater District. "Theater District Open House is an opportunity to witness the breadth of artistic programming on display throughout our Downtown home with our doors open for all." 

Participating organizations in the 2025 ExxonMobil Theater District Open House include Alley Theatre, DACAMERA, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Theatre Under the Stars, Performing Arts Houston and more, along with partners Houston First and Downtown Houston+.

The family-friendly event will feature the district’s venues: Alley Theatre, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, The Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance and Lynn Wyatt Square. These organizations and venues are key contributors to Houston’s thriving arts economy, which generates $1.3 billion annually for the city. 

During the Open House, the doors of all the iconic spaces of the Theater District will be open to the public and activated with performances, arts and crafts, an instrument petting zoo, hands-on costume dress ups, musical caricatures, onstage and backstage tours, an opportunity to find your spotlight onstage at Jones Hall, community engagement showcases and more. Food and beverage options will also be available.

Performance, activity and workshop highlights include:

• An interactive performance with the award-winning artists of Theatre Under the Stars;
• A high-energy Opera to Go! performance from esteemed singers with the Houston Grand Opera;
• A can’t-miss performance by dancers from the Houston Ballet II; 
• A family workshop with a cast member of Broadway’s popular musical “Hamilton”;
• A demonstration from actors with the Alley Theatre of stage combat; 
• A workshop with YUNGCHRIS, a multitalented performing artist who has shared the stage with artists such as Tobe Nwigwe, Anthony Hamilton, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu.
• In addition, from 5-6pm, there will be a Happy Hour at the Alley Theatre Skyline Bar. 
• A full list of activities throughout the day can be found here.

“Houston’s Theater District is stronger than ever, which makes it a perfect time to reintroduce Theater District Open House,” said Meg Booth, Chair of the Houston Theater District Board of Directors and President & CEO of Performing Arts Houston. “With the generous support of ExxonMobil and the abundance of world class arts from all our partners who call the district home, we can’t wait to throw our doors open and invite spring breakers, families, and workers on lunch break to explore the beautiful theaters Downtown and experience the programs, performances, activities and even ticket discounts we have to offer. We’ve planned a really fun, welcoming, entertaining and culturally enriching day across the entire theater district. This experience will certainly foster long-lasting love and support for the arts in our city."

For more information about the 2025 ExxonMobil Theater District Open House, please visit www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/tdoh. 

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