The Galleria starts charging to park Nov. 2

Starting Monday, Nov. 2, parking in The Galleria's garages will no longer be free. Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, announced a flat-rate system Wednesday:

Simon says that parking validation will be up to each retailer. Employee parking will remain free in designated areas.

Why it matters: Each of your trips to the Galleria will now include a $2 charge. That isn’t necessarily going to break the bank, but it does come right as the holiday season approaches. For decades Houstonians have not paid for parking here, but the real question is: will others start charging as well?

What's still unclear: Currently Simon has not confirmed if other parking will also have the same fee. Also, we do not have a list of which retailers will actually validate.

Houston’s Lookers Aren’t Becoming Buyers (Yet)

People are still touring homes, but far fewer of them are signing on the dotted line.

From October 13–19, Houston-area home showings were down just 7.8% from the same week last year. Open houses were actually up slightly.

But “pending” sales (homes where a buyer made an offer and the seller said yes) dropped 22.8%. That’s a much bigger fall than the drop in showings.

TLDR: Last year, it took about 17 showings to produce one accepted offer. This year, it’s taking about 20. New listings were up 0.9%, so more homes are coming on the market while fewer are going under contract.

What it means for you:

Proposed: a 32-story tower that looks like it is moving. Broadview Real Estate released renderings of O27, a 32-story office tower planned for 4701 Westheimer, just inside Loop 610 near River Oaks District. Triangular glass panels wrap a curving exterior that makes the building look like it's in motion. It's still a proposal: Broadview is targeting 2028 but has no groundbreaking date or equity partner yet. If it happens, it's the second big office bet on this stretch of Westheimer this month, after construction started on the 17-story 100 Park Place.
Read more: Realty News Report

The Webster ramp closes Monday. Until March. The US-59 southbound entrance ramp at Webster Street in Midtown closes completely at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, and stays closed through March 2027. It's part of the I-45 rebuild. If that ramp is part of your commute, use this weekend to test a new route.
Read more: ABC13

Early voting is running way ahead of 2022. Harris County logged more than 230,000 in-person and mail ballots in the first two days, compared with roughly 144,000 at the same point four years ago. Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you live inside Houston city limits, your ballot also includes Prop A, which would make misdemeanor marijuana possession the Houston Police Department's lowest enforcement priority. Bring one of the seven accepted photo IDs listed at VoteTexas.gov.
Read more: ABC13

The city is putting another $5.5M into your water meter. City Council unanimously approved more money Wednesday for its smart water meter contract with Sensus, bringing the total to $43.5 million. Houston Public Works says faulty equipment in the ground is a big reason behind the billing mess so many of you have dealt with. The money covers higher equipment costs and keeps the program running through 2027. It's a fix in progress, not a refund.
Read more: KPRC 2

Weather: No rain expected. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s, mornings in the upper 50s.
(🌳 = OUTDOORS, 🏠 INDOORS)

🌳 Houston Pumpkin Festival
Discovery Green transforms into a massive fall celebration with colorful pumpkin displays, a hay maze, carousel, giant slides, boat rides, and seasonal photo opportunities. It's a fall outing for families, couples, and anyone looking for pumpkin-filled photos downtown.
📍 Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. · Fri–Sun, Oct. 23–25 (10 a.m.–11 p.m. daily) · $28 admission · Details

🌳/🏠 7th Annual M-K-T Hike, Bike & Fright Fest
The Heights turns spooky with a free trick-or-treat trail through local shops and restaurants. Expect live music, magicians, a spider stilt-walker, DJs, and plenty of Halloween costumes. Kids, adults, and dogs are welcome.
📍 M-K-T Heights, 600 N Shepherd Dr. · Sat, Oct. 24 (2–5 p.m.) · Free · Details

🌳 Magnolia Park Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival
One of Houston's neighborhood celebrations returns with colorful parade floats, marching bands, lowriders, folklórico dancers, mariachi music, and traditional altars honoring loved ones. The parade winds through Magnolia Park before ending at Hidalgo Park for live performances and festivities.
📍 Hidalgo Park, 7000 Avenue Q · Sat, Oct. 24 (Parade 10 a.m., festival 11 a.m.–5 p.m.) · Free · Details

🌳 GhibliFest Hollow: 2026 Art Market
Studio Ghibli meets Halloween at this free two-day art market featuring over 30 independent artists and vendors. Shop handmade creations, explore life-size photo installations, enjoy live music, and dress as your favorite Ghibli character. Families and pets are welcome.
📍 Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St. · Sat–Sun, Oct. 24–25 (Sat 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.) · Free · Details

🌳/🏠 Rice Village Trick-or-Treat
Rice Village becomes a neighborhood-wide Halloween celebration as participating shops hand out candy to costumed visitors. Families can walk through decorated streets, enjoy spooky music, and snap Halloween photos while collecting treats. Bring your own candy bag.
📍 Rice Village, 2365 University Blvd. · Sat, Oct. 24 (4–7 p.m.) · Free · Details

🌳 Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade & Costume Contest
Levy Park's ninth annual Halloween celebration brings costumed dogs together for a festive parade and costume contest. Browse pet-related vendors, watch pups compete for prizes, or bring your own four-legged friend to join the fun. Costume contest registration is free.
📍 Levy Park, 3801 Eastside St. · Sun, Oct. 25 (2–6 p.m., parade 4 p.m.) · Free · Details

🏠 Halloween in the Hangar at Lone Star Flight Museum
Trick-or-treat among historic aircraft while exploring Halloween-themed science activities. Kids can build bat gliders, launch pumpkin catapults, test parachutes, and participate in spooky engineering challenges. Children ages 10 and under wearing costumes get free admission.
📍 Lone Star Flight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Ave. · Sat, Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) · Museum admission; free for costumed kids 10 and under · Details

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If Union Station looks sharper than you remember, there's a reason. The Astros restored all 163 exterior windows on the 1911 building, now part of Daikin Park, and Preservation Houston just gave them a 2027 Good Brick Award for it.

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