Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Lung Love Walk Houston
2016-11-19 07:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | bird-grasshopper
Join us as we move with purpose on Saturday, November 19, 2016 for the 3rd annual Lung Love Walk Houston. This family friendly 5K for lung cancer provides a great opportunity to show support, empower those impacted and provide hope to the lung cancer community in Houston. All proceeds benefit Lung Cancer Alliance. Your participation will save lives and advance research.
Sign Up!

Young Professionals Holiday Mixer
2016-11-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tour
Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Bayou Buddies, Galveston Bay Foundation’s Cast, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center’s Evergreen, Memorial Park Conservancy’s Urban Wild, Houston Food Bank’s f.r.e.s.h., Houston Zoo’s AAZK Chapter, and Trees For Houston’s RedBuds for a green YPO holiday get-together at The Owl Bar!
All it takes to join the party: either a $5 cash donation or 5 canned food items (proceeds benefiting Houston Food Bank).

BBP Gala: Leafing through the Years
2016-11-10 18:30 - 22:00 | bird-grasshopper
Join us as we celebrate Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 30-year anniversary and look forward to its bright future!
2016 Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala Co-Chairs:
Zane and Brady Carruth
Gayle and Bob Eury
Location: The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park
Date: Thursday, November 10
Time: 6:30 Cocktails / 8:00 pm Seated Dinner
To purchase tickets ($600, $1,000, or $1,500) or a table ($6,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $25,000), click here.
To request a gala invitation or for questions, please contact Trudi Smith at 713.752.0314 ext. 103.

Getting There

Gala Cocktail Reception
Have limited time, but still want to enjoy the good company? Purchase a cocktail ticket and join us for passed hors d’oeuvres, drinks and tours of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern!

Cost: $50

Time: 6:30 to 8 pm only

Purchase Cocktail Tickets

Gala Raffle
Participate in our special raffle for a chance to win a lovely pastel, Cumulus Clouds over Buffalo Bayou, by Austin artist Wanda Gamble. Pastel on rag board. Framed. 46″ W X 56″ H. Value: $4,500.
$100 per raffle ticket. Raffle winner will be announced at the Gala; you do not need to be present to win. (Purchasing raffle tickets does not include entry to the BBP Gala.)
Proceeds from the raffle will support Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s general operations.
Purchase Raffle Tickets

Houston Wine Fest
2016-11-05 16:00 - 22:00 | bird-grasshopper
The Houston Wine Fest is a one day festival showcasing wine from around the world. A variety of local wineries will be present sampling their inventory or wine. There will also be great music from local and international bands, plus a variety of food trucks serving delicious bites.

SOLD OUT: "Looking Back" Boat Tour
2016-11-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Note
This boat tour is SOLD OUT. Please see our Boat Tours page for other available dates and times.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership invites you to take a look back to the late 1800s, when Houston was founded. Louis Aulbach, local historian and author of Buffalo Bayou: An Echo of Houston’s Wilderness Beginnings, will be your guide. Listen to stories about the Allen brothers, the founders of Houston, and learn more about the places, people, animals and events along Buffalo Bayou that helped shape Houston.
Cost: $40 per person
Restrictions: Weather and water levels permitting. Children under 4 are not permitted on boat tours.

Tales from the Cistern
2016-10-29 10:00 - 2016-10-30 16:30 | Second Saturday Boat Ride
Wear your costumes and join us for historical Cistern tours with a spirited twist! Hear ghostly tales and see reflections of a haunted past…
Those in Halloween costumes will be entered in a raffle for prizes including BBP pontoon boat tours and Cistern art tours.
Dates: Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30
Time: 10 to 4:30 pm (30 minute tours)
Cost: $5 per person
Purchase Tickets

SOLD OUT - The Bayou of Lost Souls Boat Ride
2016-10-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Note
This boat tour is sold out. Please go to our Boat Tours page for other available boat tour dates and times.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a ghostly evening on the Spirit of Buffalo Bayou pontoon boat. Led by historian and “ghost writer” Andrew Groocock, listen to stories of haunted tales and legends of Buffalo Bayou. Libations courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and light bites from Spaghetti Warehouse.
Costumes are encouraged in keeping with the Halloween spirit and to continue the ghoulish fun in downtown after your tour.
Cancellation Policy: To receive full refund, please notify BBP 48 hours prior to boat tour of any cancellation.
Questions? Please contact Trudi Smith at 713.752.0314 ext. 103.

Houston Press Tacolandia
2016-10-22 15:00 - 19:00 | bird-grasshopper
Tacolandia is a food and drink sampling event where Houstonians gather to enjoy taco samples from over 40 local restaurants. The event also includes drink sampling, live music, and Lucha Libre battles.

SOLD OUT - "Looking Back" Boat Tour
2016-10-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Note
This boat tour is sold out. Please go to our Boat Tours page for other available boat tour dates and times.
Buffalo Bayou Partnership invites you to take a look back to the late 1800s, when Houston was founded. Louis Aulbach, local historian and author of Buffalo Bayou: An Echo of Houston’s Wilderness Beginnings, will be your guide. Listen to stories about the Allen brothers, the founders of Houston, and learn more about the places, people, animals and events along Buffalo Bayou that helped shape Houston.
Cost: $40 per person
Restrictions: Weather and water levels permitting. Children under 4 are not permitted on boat tours.

Monthly Volunteer Day
2016-10-22 08:30 - 11:30 | bird-grasshopper
Houstonians, ages 9 and up, are invited to join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for community-wide volunteer days along Buffalo Bayou. Whether volunteering as a large or small group, or individually, your efforts lead to a healthier environment and a more aesthetically pleasing amenity for all to enjoy.
Volunteers will help with a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: trash pick-up, mulching and weed removal. We do ask that all volunteers bring their own work gloves. All other necessary work tools will be provided by BBP.
To sign up, please read the Volunteer Information packet and complete an online Volunteer Waiver with the event date.
Volunteer Information Volunteer Waiver
Questions? Contact Sarah McIntire at smcintire@buffalobayou.org or 713.752.0314 ext. 303.
Sign Up!

Bayou Buddies October Happy Hour
2016-10-20 18:00 - 20:00 | FULL – Volunteer Workday
Join the Bayou Buddies for a happy hour in Houston’s underground beer garden and food hall – The Conservatory! Enjoy 60 brews and delicious dining options in this unique space located in downtown. Free to attend; open to members and non-members!
Date: Thursday, October 20
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Location: The Conservatory (1010 Prairie)

Walking Tour: Buffalo Bayou – from Mastodons to Marathons
2016-10-15 10:30 - 11:30, 2016-09-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2016-05-21 10:30 - 11:30 | bird-grasshopper
Enjoy free, one-hour walking tours presented by BBP and Katy Prairie Conservancy, Buffalo Bayou – from Mastodons to Marathons, taking place the 3rd Saturday of each month. Led by Texas Master Naturalists, the discussion will highlight how the landscape and ecology of 19th century Texas created Houston, as well as the importance of prairies in rebuilding this astonishing and all but vanished ecosystem.
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Meet at the Wortham Insurance Visitor Center at The Water Works (105 Sabine Street)
RSVPs are required; 25 person max
If you would like to attend this walking tour, please RSVP to Sylvana Loc at sloc@buffalobayou.org or 713.752.0314 ext. 104.

Bayou City Art Festival
2016-10-08 02:00 - 2016-10-10 01:59 | Happy Hour Kickoff for Planting on the Parkway
Buffalo Bayou Partnership is pleased to be selected as one of the Non-Profit Partners at the Bayou City Art Festival taking place in downtown Houston on Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9. This outdoor event provides guests the opportunity to view and purchase unique art from over 300 artists. Proceeds will benefit 10 local non-profits, including BBP.

Since being founded, Art Colony Association has donated $3.5 million dollars to local non-profit organizations. The Association annually produces the Bayou City Art Festivals (BCAF) in Downtown Houston and Memorial Park.

2016 Komen Race for the Cure®
2016-10-01 04:30 - 14:00
Street Closures
Please be aware of street closures for this race and plan your visit to Buffalo Bayou Park accordingly:
Lost Lake Access: One westbound lane of Allen Parkway will be open from Waugh Drive to Tirrell Street for Lost Lake access. Buffalo Bayou Park visitors can access Allen Parkway from Waugh (southbound) and turn right onto Allen Parkway (outbound). You will be able to get to Lost Lake and exit like normal. The street will not be closed beyond Tirrell, so you can access Shepherd north and south bound.

Allen Parkway north and southbound exit ramps from the Gulf and North Freeways (I-45)*
Sabine at Memorial Drive*
Walker cut-off to Allen Parkway and Sabine (I-45 North on-ramp) and the loop to McKinney remain open*
Allen Parkway (inbound) at Taft*; Allen Parkway inbound at Gillette*
Allen Parkway (outbound) at Bagby*
Allen Parkway (inbound and outbound) between Bagby and Shepherd Drive**
Bagby (northbound) at Dallas; Bagby (southbound) at McKinney
Dunlavy Street (access for residents only) between Allen Parkway and W. Dallas Street**
W. Dallas Street (two west lanes) between Dunlavy Street and Tirrell Street**
Tirrell Street (access for residents only) between W. Dallas and Allen Parkway**

More information about the Komen Race for the Cure
We Race because in the Komen Houston service area…
-3,141 cases of breast cancer are expected and 586 are expected to die.
-Every day, nine cases of breast cancer are diagnosed.
-Every day, three cases of breast cancer are diagnosed at later, harder to treat stages.
-Every day, two women will die of breast cancer. Texas ranks 34th in the U.S. for mammogram screening rates.
-Texas ranks 50th in the U.S. for uninsured rates.
But, when you participate and fundraise for the Race, we fight these statistics together. In 1980, the 5-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (cancer confined to the breast) was about 74 percent. Today, that number is 99 percent! Komen has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer – transforming how the world talks about and treats this disease and helping to turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors. This progress was made with your continued support and together we can reach our vision of a world without breast cancer. Learn more.

SOLD OUT: Bayou Buddies East End Bus Tour
2016-09-25 09:30 - 12:00 | Monthly Volunteer Day
This bus tour is sold out. Thanks for your interest and be sure to check back for more events!

Join the Bayou Buddies for a Buffalo Bayou East Sector Bus Tour on The Wave! Learn more about BBP’s projects and developments that extend from downtown to the Port of Houston Turning Basin, including Sunset Coffee Building, Buffalo Bend Nature Park, Drennan Field Office and the Silos site. Please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes, as we will be doing some walking! Free beer and/or BYOB on the bus.
And turn this into the perfect Sunday Funday with a Sangria Brunch: Tour-goers will receive a 20% discount off their meal at neighboring Spaghetti Warehouse!
Cost: $10 for Bayou Buddies members (with promo code) / $15 for non-members
Date: Sunday, September 25
Meeting Location:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Office at Sunset Coffee Building
1019 Commerce Street, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002
Tour Schedule:
9:30 am – Gathering at Sunset Coffee Building
9:45 am – Sunset Coffee Building Tour
10:30 am – Buffalo Bend Nature Park Tour
11:00 am – Drennan Tour
11:30 am – Silos Tour
12:00 pm – Arrive back at Sunset Coffee Building
Huge thanks to Katz Coffee and Saint Arnold Brewing Company for providing us with our brews!
Parking: Street, lot and garage parking in downtown; please pay attention to signage and parking fees

CANCELED: Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tour
2016-09-24 18:45 - 20:15 | Note
This boat tour is CANCELED.

Learn more about these 250,000 magnificent Mexican free-tailed bats that share the city with us! Guests will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from the Waugh Drive Bridge on Buffalo Bayou.
Time: Boat departs 30 minutes before sunset (1½ hour boat rides)
Cost: $30 per person (children under 4 are not permitted on boat tours)
Weather and water levels permitting. Reservations required.

Oktoberfest Houston
2016-09-24 12:30 - 18:30 | bird-grasshopper
Join us for Houston’s only Beer Fest with a German twist, showcasing the best of German and Texas Culture in one fantastic day! Put on your Lederhosen and Dirndls and enjoy a variety of German and craft beer and the best polka music in Texas. Learn more at OktoberFestHouston.com!
GA is $25 in advance and $30 at the door
VIP is $80 in advance and $100 at the door

Pokémon Go Walking Tour
2016-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | bird-grasshopper
Capture your favorite Pokémon during a walking tour along Buffalo Bayou! Pokémon are known to love hiding in public parks and recreation areas, so get outside and catch them all! Led by Michael Coppens of Houston First and your friends at Buffalo Bayou Partnership, guests will learn more about our city’s historic waterway.
Tour will start from The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park to the Sunset Coffee Building at Allen’s Landing and back. Please wear comfortable shoes, this is approximately a 3.75 mile walk!
Reservations are required, please email Sylvana at sloc@buffalobayou.org.
Limited to 50 people.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Bayou Buddies Cistern Tour
2016-09-01 18:00 - 18:30 | bird-grasshopper
Check out one of Houston’s industrial relics located right in Buffalo Bayou Park! Bayou Buddies will enjoy a 30-minute, docent-led tour about the city’s water history and learn more about future plans for the space.
Open to current Bayou Buddies members ONLY. Limited to 30 people. Please RSVP to Sylvana.
Date: Thursday, September 1
Time: 6:00 – 6:30 pm
Location: Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern (105 Sabine Street)
Parking: City Lot H (Memorial Drive at Houston Avenue
Reserve Your Spot!

CANCELED: Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tour
2016-08-27 19:20 - 20:50, 2016-08-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Note
Due to boat maintenance, August boat tours have been canceled.

Learn more about these 250,000 magnificent Mexican free-tailed bats that share the city with us! Guests will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from the Waugh Drive Bridge on Buffalo Bayou.
Time: Boat departs 30 minutes before sunset (1½ hour boat rides)
Cost: $30 per person (children under 4 are not permitted on boat tours)
Weather and water levels permitting. Reservations required.

Walking Tour: Buffalo Bayou – from Mastodons to Marathons
2016-08-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2016-07-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2016-06-18 18:30 - 19:30 | bird-grasshopper
Enjoy free, one-hour walking tours presented by BBP and Katy Prairie Conservancy, Buffalo Bayou – from Mastodons to Marathons, taking place the 3rd Saturday of each month. Led by Texas Master Naturalists, the discussion will highlight how the landscape and ecology of 19th century Texas created Houston, as well as the importance of prairies in rebuilding this astonishing and all but vanished ecosystem.
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Meet at the Wortham Insurance Visitor Center at The Water Works (105 Sabine Street)
RSVPs are required; 25 person max
If you would like to attend this walking tour, please RSVP to Sylvana Loc at sloc@buffalobayou.org or 713.752.0314 ext. 104.

Twilight Tour
2016-07-16 18:00 - 20:30 | Note
These 30-minute boat rides are a great way to spend the evening with your family. Escape from the city and enjoy the cool breeze as you glide along Buffalo Bayou’s waters. Look for graceful herons, jumping fish, and even the occasional alligator sunning on the banks.
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm (30 minute boat rides)
The last tour departs at 8:00 pm.
Cost: $7 for adults/$5 for children (ages 4–12)
Cash only; payment taken when boarding.
Weather permitting. No reservations are taken for these tours. They are first come, first serve.

US Family Health Plan Freedom Over Texas
2016-07-04 16:00 - 22:00 | Homey
Fireworks will ignite the sky and country tunes will set the stage for Houston’s signature annual patriotic celebration, US Family Health Plan Freedom Over Texas from 4 – 10 pm on Monday, July 4 at the recently renovated Eleanor Tinsley Park in Buffalo Bayou Park.
There will be a number of park and trail closures in preparation for this civic celebration – please be mindful of the set-up crews and plan your visit to Buffalo Bayou Park accordingly.
The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is CLOSED 6/30-7/3/2016
The Water Works Complex (Wortham Insurance Visitor Center, Bike Barn, The Brown Foundation Lawn) is CLOSED 6/30-7/5/2016
The Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area is CLOSED 6/30-7/5/2016
The Lost Lake Visitor Center is CLOSED on 7/4/2016

All trails on the north side of the bayou between the Sabine Street Bridge and Tapley Tributary are closed through Tuesday, July 5th. There will also be intermittent closures of the trails on the south side of the bayou between the Sabine Street Bridge and Allen Parkway/Taft Street through Saturday, July 2nd. Full trail closures in and around the Freedom over Texas site will begin on Saturday, July 2nd at 7 pm and will remain in place through Tuesday, July 5th.
For more information on event street closures, event information, and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.freedomovertexas.org

Purchase Tickets

CANCELED: Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tour
2016-06-25 19:55 - 21:25 | Note
This bat tour is CANCELED due to high water levels in Buffalo Bayou. Please check out other available Boat Tours.

Learn more about these 250,000 magnificent Mexican free-tailed bats that share the city with us! Guests will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from the Waugh Drive Bridge on Buffalo Bayou.
Time: Boat departs 30 minutes before sunset (1½ hour boat rides)
Cost: $30 per person (children under 4 are not permitted on boat tours)
Weather and water levels permitting. Reservations required.

Blanket Bingo
2016-05-25 18:00 - 21:30
BLANKET BINGO HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM THURSDAY, MAY 19 to WEDNESDAY, MAY 25.
Join us for Blanket Bingo benefiting Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs or snag one of the tables at the park for a night of fun, music and great prizes, including a staycation at the Hyatt Regency Houston! $10 admission (cash only) includes one bingo packet (9 games). Additional games and daubers can be purchased for $1 each.
This event has been known to sell out, so be sure to get to the park early to secure your chances! Tickets sales begin at 6 pm at the corner of Preston and Travis Streets. Games begin promptly at 7 pm.
If you would like to volunteer to hold Bingo cards during this event, please contact Sylvana Loc. (Great perks are included!)
For updates related to the event, please visit Market Square Park’s Facebook page.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Outside alcohol is not allowed into the park, however, beer and wine are sold at Niko Niko’s. The Historic Market Square neighborhood is home to a variety of other restaurants that also provide take-out food service.
Parking/Transportation:
– FREE on-street parking after 6 pm
– Houston B-Cycle station located at Market Square Park
– Visit downtownhoustonparking.org for an interactive map which shows all garages, surface lots and on-street parking available in the area
