Weekend events planner

Here are the top 7 things to do in Houston this weekend

Your work week is almost history, and it’s time to look ahead to the weekend. Expect some fun, seasonal events around town — from a gingerbread competition, to brunch with Santa — plus some seasonal songs to get you in the holiday spirit.

We've rounded up your top seven things to do in Houston this weekend. For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Sing your heart out
Friday, December 8
Break out your festive holiday attire, warm up your voices and head downtown to MKT Bar for the Family and Friends Karaoke Party, featuring rare Karbach beers and seasonal brews and bites. (9 pm to 2 am; tickets: free admission)
1001 Austin St.; 832-360-2222

Gingerbread throwdown
Saturday, December 9
The Architecture Center Houston Foundation presents the Gingerbread Build-Off competition at City Hall's Hermann Square. Expect an edible battle among dozens of teams, using entirely consumable building materials. There will also be food trucks, hot chocolate, caroling, and photos with Saint Nicholas at the family-friendly event. (10 am to 4:30 pm; tickets: free admission)
900 Smith St.

Cheers
Saturday, December 9
Saint Arnold Brewing Co.’s World Famous Pub Crawl begins in Rice Village at Under the Volcano with stops at Kelvin Arms Scottish Pub, Little Woodrow's, Rice Village, The Gorgeous Gael, The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, The Gingerman, and Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Your prize for making all the stops is a Saint Arnold Pub Crawl pint glass. (2 to 6pm; tickets: free admission)
2349 Bissonnet St.; 713-686-9494

Bright lights
Saturday, December 9
Pedestrian-friendly neighborhood Christmas festival, Lights in the Heights, boasts a parade, carolers, hot beverages, carriage rides, and dozens of beautifully decorated houses. (6 to 9 pm; tickets: free admission)
Houston Heights: Bayland Ave. and Woodland St. between Studewood and Beaucham; Norhill St. between Highland and Euclid.

Sneak peek
Saturday, December 9
Get a first look at BCK: Kitchen & Cocktail Adventures, the sister concept of Bosscat Kitchen and Libations, during a Lights in the Heights Pop-Up. Expect hot chocolate, bacon butter popcorn, and other festive snacks. BCK is slated to open in January 2018. (5:30 pm; tickets: free admission)
933 Studewood St.

Kiddie wonderland
Sunday, December 10
Gather the kids and head to the Briar Club for Houston Symphony's Magical Musical Morning, complete with brunch, photos with Santa, arts and crafts stations, and lost more. (11 am to 1 pm; tickets: $150 per adult; $75 per child)
2603 Timmons Ln.; 832-531-6701

Jump, jive and wail
Sunday, December 10
Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and three-time Grammy-Award winner Brian Setzer and his 19-piece orchestra bring their Christmas Rocks! Tour to Arena Theatre. Setzer is known for adding his own blend of gunpowder and rockin’ style to two forgotten genres: rockabilly and swing. (8 pm; tickets: $39.50 to $65 per person)
7326 Southwest Fwy.

Gather the kids and head to the Briar Club for Houston Symphony's Magical Musical Morning.

Houston Symphony presents Magical Musical Morning

Photo courtesy of CatchLight Group

Gather the kids and head to the Briar Club for Houston Symphony's Magical Musical Morning.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana