From the annual Tour de Houston bike ride to the Blessing of the Animals at Bellaire United Methodist Church, a number of local events are taking place in the Bellaire, Meyerland, West University and surrounding areas in April.

Party at the Pavilion: Patrons for Bellaire Parks and the city of Bellaire host a Party at the Pavilion event featuring live music from Bad Sneakers, a Steely Dan tribute band. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks, and officials with the Bellaire location of Lankford's will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs on site.
  • April 5, 7 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • Bellaire Town Square, 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire
  • www.bellairetx.gov
Bellaire Trolley Run: The annual run hosted by the city of Bellaire features a 1-mile division, 5K division, wheelchair 5K division and a stroller 5K division. A post-race party will feature door prizes and other gifts for runners.
  • April 6, 7:30 a.m. (1-mile division starts)
  • $28-$40
  • 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire
  • www.bellairetx.gov
'I'm not a comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce': The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center hosts a theatrical performance of a show directed by Joe Mantegna and starring Ronnie Marmo as Lenny Bruce. The show chronicles the life and death of the comedian.Tour De Houston: The 17th annual bike ride raises funds that benefit the city of Houston’s reforestation program, RE-Plant Houston. Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to participate, and options are available for a 20-mile route, 40-mile route and 60-mile route. Riders will enjoy a post-ride party with music, food and beverages.Houston Art Car Parade: This annual event from The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art returns for its 37th year, featuring 250 art cars from across the U.S. The four-day series features a parade around Allen Parkway, a ball, an awards ceremony and a children’s creative zone.Collab Kid U: Collaborative for Children, an organization dedicated to providing innovative learning opportunities for children, hosts an event that allows children ages 3-6 to engage in coding, climate science, life science, renewable energy and robotics through performing and visual art.Friends of Bellaire book sale: The Friends of the Bellaire Library will host its first book sale this year to help raise funds for the Bellaire City Library. Shoppers can find adult, young adult and children's books that are both hardback and paperback.
  • April 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Cost of books range from $1-$5
  • Bellaire Fire Station, 5101 Jessamine St., Bellaire
  • www.fotbl.org
Blessing of the Animals: The Bellaire United Methodist Church will host the 12th annual Blessing of the Animals, which allows people of all faiths to bring their pets to the church to receive individual blessings from one of the church's pastors. Attendees receive a free digital photo of the moment from Nikky LaWell Photography. Guests can also have dogs microchipped for $20 courtesy of Citizens for Animal Protection. Other activities will include face painting and pet adoptions.PlantCon: Attendees will hear from plant care experts and artisans on the growth and discovery of plants at this NRG Center event. Guests can see showcases and panels, participate in workshops, and shop from 150 global plant vendors.Run for the Rose 5K: This 20th annual race takes place at Rice University, benefiting brain cancer research and pediatric initiatives. The event also features a 1K family race and a Survivor’s Stroll for brain tumor patients.Sip and Support tequila tasting: Nonprofit Spectrum Fusion hosts an event in honor of Autism Acceptance Month in April that also celebrates the group's new office space in the Meyerland/Westbury area. The event features tequila and mezcal tastings hosted by Polo Gutierrez, president of Mercury Imports. It raises funds and awareness about programs and employment opportunities for young adults on the autism spectrum.
  • April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Tickets start at $100
  • Chancellors Center, 6535 Dumfries Drive, Houston
  • www.spectrumfusion.org
Walk for the Wild: The Houston Zoo hosts a 5K to support wildlife-saving programs. Registration includes a T-shirt, admission to the zoo for the day and access to an after party event
  • April 21, 7-10 a.m.
  • $60 (adults), $40 (children under 10)
  • 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston
  • www.houstonzoo.org
Top Taco: This Denver-based event will be held for the first time at POST Houston. It features a competition between 30 Houston eateries for the title of “top taco.” Attendees can expect unlimited samples, tequila and mezcal tastings, voting for favorites, and live entertainment.Bellaire citywide garage sale: Bellaire residents participate in a citywide garage sale on a day where city officials waive all permits for vendors to set up shop.