The Houston Symphony will bring a dinosaur-themed concert to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Wednesday, September 9, with free admission and no tickets required.
"When Instruments Roamed the Earth" is a family-friendly show hosted by a fictional "paleo-musicologist" named Sir Humphrey Treble Clef. The Houston Symphony describes the performance as an all-ages concert filled with laughs, multimedia projections, and on-stage action, with the possibility of a T-Rex sighting.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive.
No tickets. No cost.
The concert is part of The Pavilion's 2026 Performing Arts Series, which has featured free shows since June, including Houston Symphony performances and family movie screenings. The most recent was a Billy Joel and Elton John tribute on Tuesday, July 21, featuring vocalist and pianist Tony DeSare alongside the symphony.
The Sept. 9 show will also feature "Hats off to Reading," a component celebrating books and imagination, according to The Pavilion's event listing.
Jeff Young, president and CEO of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, said in a September 2024 press release that part of the venue's mission is to provide "support to those with a passion for the fine arts in and around our community." That mission drives the free series, which brings the Houston Symphony to its summer home at the 16,500-seat venue multiple times each season.
Residents can sign up for text updates about the September 9 show by texting "Dino26" to (877) 350-1693. A clear-bag policy is in effect: bags must be clear and no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches, though non-clear handheld clutches sized 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches or smaller are also permitted.
Upcoming at The Pavilion
- Wednesday, Sept. 9: "When Instruments Roamed the Earth" with the Houston Symphony. Free, no tickets required. Gates at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
