weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Celebrate the life and music of George Michael this weekend at House of Blues.

Time to chill this weekend — literally, as the forecast calls for wintry temps. Those out and about will be rewarded by the combo of a massive car and boat show, art openings, a fun Texas-based play, a smarmy visiting comic, hot shows at hot nightclubs, and the celebration of an '80s and '90s musical icon.

Bundle up and enjoy — here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, January 27

2022 Houston Boat Show at NRG Center
For the first time ever, the Houston Auto Show and the Houston Boat Show are getting hitched, bringing land and sea lovers together for one spectacular event. Attendees can experience the latest vehicles, boats and outdoor activities for just one ticket. After realizing the hit the pandemic has brought on inventory in both the automobile and boat industries, the two Houston shows have teamed-up to build the largest event of its kind. Noon (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

Friends of Periwinkle present 10th Annual Hops & Hot Tamales
The Friends of Periwinkle, a membership organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of children, young adults and families challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, will host a virtual evening of Hops & Hot Tamales benefiting The Periwinkle Foundation. Guests can enjoy food and beverage from Hugo’s Restaurant, conversation with St. Arnold Brewing Co. founder Brock Wagner and H-Town Restaurant Group sommelier Sean Beck, and hear what’s happening at Periwinkle. 6:30 pm.

Alley Theatre presents High School Play: A Nostalgia Fest
It’s senior year in Carrollton, Texas, and Riverside High School's competitive theatre troupe is climbing back to the top from last year's unprecedented loss. When Coaches Dirkson and Blow make a bold choice for the one-act play competition and the community takes issue, friends and rivals duke it out in this uniquely Texan, coming-of-age comedy by Texan playwright Vichet Chum, directed by Houston native Tiffany Nichole Greene. Through Sunday, February 13. 7:30 pm (2:30 and 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, January 28

Crawdaddy Party at Live Oak Bar & Grill
Night Moves Hospitality's family-friendly neighborhood bar in Spring Branch is kicking off crawfish season with Cajun crawfish for $6/pound with all-day drink specials at its 2022 Crawdaddy Party. Libation offerings include $2 Jell-O shots, $4 shot specials, $5 margaritas (frozen or on the rocks), $5 frozen hurricanes, $15 mimosa carafes and a bucket of Montucket (16 oz.) for $15. Featured crawfish add-ons are corn, potatoes, mushrooms and sausage. The complete food menu also will be available. 2 pm.

Moody Center for the Arts presents "Soundwaves: Experimental Strategies in Art + Music" opening reception
This exhibition features works of sculpture, audio, video, painting, and performance, that incorporate both visual and acoustic elements. The works on view explore the generative intersections between sound and visual art, inviting visitors to engage their senses in the exploration of a wide range of themes including perception, memory, and the passage of time, our relationship to technology and the environment, and the struggle for racial justice and social change. 6 pm.

Sicardi Ayers Bacino presents "John Sparagana: Splendid Isolation (Forces at Work)" and "Manuel Espinosa and Luis Tomasello" opening reception
"John Sparagana: Splendid Isolation (Forces at Work)" is a solo exhibition that will take place in the main gallery and is designed by Reto Geiser, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies at the Rice University School of Architecture and founding principal of the Houston-based design practice MG&Co. "Manuel Espinosa and Luis Tomasello" is a group exhibition will take place in the upstairs project room. Through Thursday, March 3. 6 pm.

Tom Segura: I'm Coming Everywhere
Comedian, actor, writer and morning-show prankster Tom Segura brings his I'm Coming Everywhere tour to Houston. Segura is best known for his three Netflix specials, Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). He also co-hosts the podcast Your Mom’s House with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky. He also co-hosts the podcast 2 Bears, 1 Cave with his other wife, comedian Bert Kreischer. 7 pm.

Young Bombs at Sekai Night & Day
Sekai Night & Day continues to bring out the EDM superstars. This weekend, Canadian DJ/production duo Young Bombs will be in town, as part of their five-stop, North American tour. For those who don't know these cats, Tristan Nortan and Martin Kottmeier have remixed tunes for The Chainsmokers, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Galantis & more. They've also played numerous festivals, such as Lollapalooza and Ultra Music Fest. 10:30 pm.

Saturday, January 29

"Fly Girls of World War II" at Lone Star Flight Museum
This exhibit tells the inspirational stories of the American women known to history as WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), who answered the call to service during World War II. (More on the exhibit here.) Visitors will hear the stories of these pioneering pilots and the triumph and perseverance of these heroic ladies. Visitors will also see original WASP World War II uniforms, military artifacts, and learn how these courageous women changed the face of our military. Through Sunday, July 10. 10 am (Noon Sunday).

Mitochondria Gallery presents Sesse Elangwe: "Dawn" opening day
Mitochondria Gallery presents this debut solo exhibition by visual artist Sesse Elangwe, who currently resides in San Antonio. The exhibition features a new body of work presented in the form of figurative paintings. This is the second collaboration between Sesse and Mitochondria Gallery. This body of work is a manifestation of Elangwe's recent migration to his new environment in San Antonio, and his previous life in Buea, Cameroon. Through Thursday, February 10. Noon.

Acadia Bar & Grill Food Trailer Grand Opening/Photo Shoot
Acadia Bar and Grill will be having the grand opening of its new food trailer this weekend. The spot will be expanding its food menu, serving up fresh, real street tacos, burgers, burritos, quesadillas and much more. Locals are invited to eat, drink and have a chance to be in Acadia's upcoming commercial/ad. They will also be launching on Uber Eats, GrubHub and Doordash, as well as providing alcohol to go. 6:30 pm.

The Wheel Workers Video Release Show at White Oak Music Hall
Texas-based, underground indie music collective The Wheel Workers will host the music video release show for their latest single, “S.O.S." (from their upcoming album Harbor) this weekend. The group released the single “S.O.S.” in October 2020 ahead of the presidential election to “seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly request intelligent alien life among the stars to help humanity out of the mess we’ve created for ourselves.” 8:30 pm.

Sunday, January 30

Houston Chamber Choir presents Hear the Future
Each year, the Houston Chamber Choir invites three outstanding school choirs from the Greater Houston area to participate in its annual invitational choral festival, now celebrating its 22nd year. This year will feature the Parker Elementary School Advanced Chorus, directed by Marianna Parnas-Simpson (Houston ISD); the North Shore Middle School Choir under the direction of Erin Huston (Galena Park ISD); and the Cy-Fair Chorale conducted by Nicholas Likos (Cypress-Fairbanks ISD). 4 pm.

The Life and Music of George Michael
This brand-new, immersive concert-style show chronicles the journey George Michael had with music and his fans. The show captures the performance and sound of George Michael with staging and lighting while telling his story through early music hits from Wham! and his illustrious solo career. The show will feature hits like "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go," "Freedom," "Faith," "Careless Whisper," "Father Figure," and many more. 7 pm.

Musica Tra Amici presents String Quartets by Mozart and Brahms
Musica Tra Amici (Music Among Friends) will have their first concert of 2022. For this chamber music concert, artistic director and Houston Symphony co-concertmaster, Eric Halen, will be joined by his Houston Symphony colleagues, violinist Tong Yan, violist Sheldon Person, and principal cellist Brinton Avril Smith, in an intimate performance of Mozart String Quartet in E flat major, K. 428, and Brahms String Quartet in A minor, opus 51 #2. This concert will both be an in-person and livestream event. 7 pm.

event-planner

weekend event planner

Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo by Herring Herring

Metallica performs at NRG Stadium on Saturday.

This weekend is Father’s Day weekend. If you have one of those dads who likes leaving the house and doing stuff, lots of events are happening where you can hang and chill with Pops.

Take dad to an art-show opening, a one-night-only haunted house, a Japanese indoor festival, a white linen night, two concerts featuring two legendary, renegade groups, or a new digital restoration of an indie-film classic. If all else fails, head over to Typhoon Texas and let dad float a lazy river for free.

Thursday, June 12

Architecture Center Houston presents Falon Mihalic: "Verdant Laboratory" opening reception
This immersive exhibition by artist and landscape architect Falon Mihalic explores Houston’s wild ecologies through large-scale drawings, sculpture, and video. The exhibition highlights the city’s living landscape as a vital force in building urban resilience. As the effects of climate change become more visible and the city of Houston continues to grow, this exhibit prompts a critical question: How can we foreground landscape ecology in shaping the resilient cities of tomorrow? Through Friday, August 22. 5:30 pm.

The Wiggles: Bouncing Balls! Tour
With this interactive show based on the hit single “Bouncing Balls,” The Wiggles aims to spark creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning through their signature mix of entertainment and education. Families can sing, dance, and wiggle along to the high energy musical extravaganza, featuring all eight Wiggles: OG Blue Wiggle Anthony, Simon, Lachy, Tsehay, John, Lucia, Caterina, and Evie. 6 pm.

Houston Ballet presents Sparrow
Houston Ballet's final program of their 2024-2025 season, Sparrow features three one-act ballets by choreographers spanning from yesterday’s eminence to today’s prominence: George Balanchine, Houston Ballet director emeritus Ben Stevenson, and artistic director Stanton Welch. Along with Balanchine’s Theme and Variations and Stevenson’s Four Last Songs, Welch’s Sparrow, set to some of Simon & Garfunkel’s most recognizable music, fills the stage with a vibrant and large ensemble cast. Through Sunday, June 22. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Friday, June 13

Clear Lake Symphony presents Season Closing Concert
The Clear Lake Symphony will perform their sixth and final concert of their 49th season, with music including Russian Sailor’s Dance by Gliere; Piano Concerto No. 2 Opus 18 by Rachmaninoff (featuring Dr. Stephanie Chen, guest pianist); and Symphony No 3 in C Minor (Organ Symphony) by Saint-Saens (featuring Dr. Brad Morrison, guest organist). The Symphony will be led by Robert Wall, in his 31st year as conductor. 7:30 pm.

Cultural Center "Our Texas" presents Kseniia Abramovskaia: "The Artist Behind The Trees & Cats" opening reception
Russian-born, Houston-based artist Kseniia Abramovskaia transforms wood and canvas into worlds where nature pulses with life, and the mystical feline reigns. With acrylics, spray paint, palette knives, and brushes, she constructs textured landscapes brimming with movement and emotion. Her pieces are more than visual treats; they are storytelling spectacles. The exhibition marks Abramovskaia's first solo show, where nature meets the artist, one tree, one cat, and one bold brushstroke at a time. Through Friday, July 18. 7:30 pm.

Punch Line Houston presents Emil Wakim
Brooklyn comedian Emil Wakim just finished his first year as the first Lebanese-American cast member on Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th season. He made his late-night television debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Wakim has also opened for comedians like Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, Nikki Glaser, Hasan Minhaj, and Neal Brennan. 7:30 pm (7 and 9:15 pm Saturday).

13th Floor Haunted House presents Blackout
We know it’s the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a bit frightened this time of year. Blackout is a one-day event where monsters and mayhem lurk in total darkness. Upon arriving, each group (not each person) is given one glow stick. Venturing into the depths of darkness, a horde of monsters roam freely. Visitors may catch a glimpse of them under the glow of black lights, but monsters may steal glow sticks, leaving groups in the dark. 8 pm.

Saturday, June 14

Tokyo X
There’s a good chance all the weebs (translation: non-Japanese people who like Japanese stuff) in town will be at NRG Center for Houston’s biggest Japanese indoor festival. Tokyo X is a two-day celebration of Japanese culture that seamlessly blends modern and traditional elements. It will be a showcase of Japanese culture featuring renowned anime voice actors, cosplay, a car show, live concerts, martial arts demonstrations, workshops, free arcades, 30+ food vendors, and more. 10 am.

White Linen Night—A Local Art Affair
Residents and visitors to League City are invited to dress in white and step into an enchanting evening of art, culture, and community during the City’s White Linen Night—A Local Art Affair. Inspired by the timeless New Orleans tradition of wearing white linen to embrace the summer season and stay cool in the heat, this night invites guests to enjoy an evening of artistic discovery, local talent, live entertainment, food and drinks, and neighborly connection under the canopy of century-old oak trees. 4 pm.

City Place presents Hot Nights, Cool Grooves
At the summer concert experience Hot Nights, Cool Grooves, guests can enjoy a picturesque setting overlooking waterfront City Place Park and a monthly showcase of regional musical artists from a variety of genres. Each evening will feature back-to-back sets, food trucks, promotional pop-ups, beer samplings from Saint Arnold, photo opportunities, swag giveaways, and other surprise elements. Through Thursday, August 2. 5:30 pm.

Metallica and Wu Tang Clan in concert
Two legendary groups will be in Houston this Saturday night. For the hardcore metal heads, Metallica will be at NRG Stadium, performing the same headbanging classics that made them the veteran rock giants they are today. For all the hardcore hip-hop heads, the surviving members of the Wu-Tang Clan (RIP ODB!) will be at Toyota Center. They’ll be hitting you with some iconic, East Coast rap as part of their final tour, Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber. 6 pm and 8 pm.

Sunday, June 15

Father’s Day at Typhoon Texas
This weekend, all the fathers out there will be getting a hookup, courtesy of Typhoon Texas. Simply purchase anyticket at the gate, and dad gets in free. Theoffer is valid only at the gate, and cannot be combined with any other offer. (It’s also not available online.) Now celebrating its 10th year, Typhoon Texas offers multiple water slides, a massive wave pool, a winding lazy river, and a child-friendly play area including Typhoon Jr., aka five, junior-sized versions of its most popular waterslides. 11 am.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Killer of Sheep
Killer of Sheep examines life in mid-’70s, Los Angeles neighborhood Watts through the eyes of Stan (Houston native Henry G. Sanders), a sensitive dreamer who is growing detached from the psychic toll of working at a slaughterhouse. Frustrated by money problems, he finds respite in moments of simple beauty. Charles Burnett’s acclaimed debut — screening in a stunning new restoration — combines lyrical elements with a starkly neorealist, documentary-style approach that chronicles the unfolding story with depth and riveting simplicity. 5 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents Glory to Glory (A Revival For Spiritual and Devotional Art)
The only event from Solange Knowles’ Eldorado Ballroom live music series that isn’t sold out, this program celebrates women shaping Black praise in contemporary spiritual and devotional sounds. Gospel icon Twinkie Clark takes center stage alongside The Clark Sisters in a tribute to her unmatched artistry. The evening also pays tribute to Mary Lou Williams, a jazz luminary whose spiritual choral works continue to resonate with the brilliance that once guided legends like Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. 6:30 pm.

Photo by Herring Herring

Metallica performs at NRG Stadium on Saturday.

weekend events event-planner