Happy Friday, The Woodlands. Hope you get a chance to relax this weekend. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let The Woodlands Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Meet a spirited Husky mix ready for runs and snuggles, a veteran educator eyed for Conroe ISD superintendent, and local art teachers on display — catch up here.

State-level stories: Ohio State hosts No.1 Texas in a rematch, Elon Musk lobbies for narrower flood tunnels in Houston, and North Texas Giving Day opens early — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Homeowners are delisting homes rather than cutting prices, the S&P 500 hit record on AI gains, and Ford recalled 500,000 SUVs for brake hose flaws — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Play monarch migration board game next Thursday
• Mingle with pups, parents and vendors
• Meet Salina Cruz at book signing
• Donate blood at community drive
• Shark robot vacuums are 51% off on Amazon ’til 9/2

Where kids fall in love with swimming

There’s something magical about watching your child go from being nervous around water to jumping in with a huge smile.

At FINS Swim School, their certified FINStructors work with each child at their own pace, building both confidence and real swimming skills. This family-owned school has been helping local kids since 2000, and they truly believe every child can learn to love the water safely.

Whether your little one is just getting their toes wet or ready to work on their strokes, they’ll help your child become a confident, safe swimmer.

Learn more about FINS Swim School, or drop by one of their two locations in The Woodlands.

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🫶 We got your back

Play: Sick of the “I’m bored” chorus? These active hangouts in The Woodlands turn tree climbing, museum exploring and epic indoor playscapes into pure kid bliss.

Festivals: Dreaming of your next outing? This festival guide has every can’t-miss date and headliner, from SXSW to tiny strawberry fests in rural towns.

Books: Want to kick off a local book club? These simple steps make it a breeze to swap stories and meet new friends in no time.

Wine: Whether you’re a casual sipper who still calls everything “red or white” or the friend who won’t shut up about tannins and terroir, Cellar 24 pours the good stuff. Come for the glass (or bottle), stay for the vibe that makes weeknights feel like weekends.

Home: Labor Day means special deals on all sorts of things, and American Home Shield’s warranty coverage is no exception. For a limited time, they’re offering 50% off select plans than cover your big ticket appliances (yup, even the ones older than dirt).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →

Today

🔥 Camping by The Fire @ Southern Star Brewing Co. | Friday (8/29) at 7:00pm – This paint party brings campfire vibes indoors: glowing logs, a rainbow camper, a star-speckled sky on your canvas. No art school diploma required, just a craft brew, good company, and your inner Van Gogh ready to glow. Who knew camping meant acrylics and an IPA?

🎤 Tyler TIllman @ The Table at Madeley | Friday (8/29) at 7:30pm – Friday night at The Table at Madeley means a cold beer, a summer breeze, and Tyler Tillman unleashing gritty originals and welcome covers. He’s that Texas troubadour who turns honest lyrics into unforgettable singalongs. It’s the perfect escape from yard work blues.

This weekend

🎴 Lorcana Fabled Pre-Release Event @ Quicksave Games & Collectibles | Saturday (8/30) at 3:00pm – Tell your partner you’re booked and head to the Lorcana Fabled pre-release, where you’ll snag six booster packs and build a deck from scratch, no high school math required. Expect friendly face-offs, gentle bragging rights, and prize pools that expand with each extra player.

🎵 Henry Williams Live @ The Table at Madeley | Saturday (8/30) at 7:00pm – If cover bands and cookie-cutter country have you eye-rolling, Cedar Park’s own Henry Williams debuts at The Table at Madeley. Free entry, food trucks, cold drinks, indoor and outdoor seating, and a voice so smooth you’ll forget there’s a fantasy football season.

🎸 Texas TNT @ Marshall’s Tavern Conroe | Saturday (8/30) at 9:00pm – Whether you’re still shedding summer heat or just avoiding yard work, head out to MT Conroe for Texas TNT, the perfect August send-off. Expect explosive energy, legendary tunes, and a reminder that you used to dance like nobody was watching.

🎯 First Shots: An Introduction to Shooting @ Saddle River Range | Sunday (8/31) at 12:00pm – This intro to shooting at Saddle River Range is the perfect confidence booster for anyone who’s never even held a gun. No late-night Googling required. Friendly instructors cover safety, fundamentals, and local regs, with all gear provided, so you can focus on hitting the mark.

🌲 The Woods & April Kry @ Dosey Doe Big Barn | Sunday (8/31) at 7:00pm – Swap neon bar lights for stringed serenades at Dosey Doe, as April Kry and The Woods deliver an unplugged evening of breezy guitar work and soulful vocals. It’s the kind of laid-back night that feels like chatting with friends, minus the awkward small talk.

💃 Bhoomi Trivedi Garba Festival 2025 @ ULH Event Center | Sunday (8/31) at 7:30pm – Shake off your usual weekend routine with a Navratri garba spectacle led by Bollywood’s own Bhoomi Trivedi at ULH Event Centre. Expect power-packed dhol rhythms, spacious parking because we know Texas, free entry for under-10s, and enough sparkle to make your sequined kurta blush.

Next week

💉 Blood Drive @ Harris County ESD 11 | Monday (9/1) at 8:30am – The firehouse crew is teaming up with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Donate a pint, score a free T-shirt, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped save lives.

🎭 Rodgers and Hammerstein Tribute Show: My Favorite Things @ Main Street Crossing | Tuesday (9/2) at 8:00pm – Main Street Crossing turns into your neighborhood jukebox for a Rodgers and Hammerstein sing-along, My Favorite Things. Expect timeless show tunes, a few friendly singalongs, and enough nostalgia to make you question your streaming choices, family approved, and zero pretension included.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 8/29 Car Auction & Music Festival @ Moody Gardens – 10 am
• 8/29 Kenny Karr @ Ransom’s Steakhouse – 6:30 pm
• 8/29 Tyler Tillman @ The Table at Madeley – 7:30 pm
• 8/30 Ryan Lawless @ MB Speakeasy – 3 pm
• 8/30 Los Rangerz @ The Icehouse – 7 pm
• 8/30 Suzy Bogguss @ Main Street Crossing – 8 pm
• 8/30 Texas TNT @ MT Conroe – 9 pm
• 8/31 April Kry and more @ Dosey Doe – 7 pm
• 8/31 Bhoomi Trivedi Garba Festival 2025 @ ULH Event Center – 7:30 pm
• 9/2 My Favorite Things @ Main Street Crossing – 8 pm

🏠️ Price is right – The Woodlands edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Jamion Blackwell (Dalton Wade Inc)

Seven bedrooms, nine baths, and a foyer that practically demands a red carpet. Two staircases for dramatic entrances, an elevator for easy exits, and four fireplaces for maximum ambiance. The media room comes with editing bays and a sweeping view of the backyard, while the pavilion’s new epoxy floor is primed for parties. Resort-style pool, fishing pond with zip line, and trails winding through over three acres keep things interesting.

No HOA, a grandfathered well, and parking for the whole entourage. Just 31 miles to downtown Houston, five to the Waterway, and seven to the Exxon campus.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →