weekend event planner

Here are the top 11 things to do in Houston this weekend

Shake and stir things up at Friday's Martini Madness.

Photo by © Roswitha Vogler/Photosbyrovo.com

Houstonians looking for a reason to celebrate this weekend can rejoice: Mexican Independence Day is upon us. On Sunday, September 16, several places around Houston will celebrate the "cry of independence" which set off the Mexican revolt against the Spaniards.

Axelrad and El Big Bad will be throwing tequila and margarita-filled parties, while Vertigo Bar will celebrate the Guatemalan Independence Day (which is technically on Saturday) with a live performance from Internationals Conejos.

This weekend offers plenty of options before and after those festivities. Here's our list of things to do.

Thursday, September 13

Sink your teeth into "DRACULA! Inspirations"
The late Edward Gorey was an artist with a flair for the macabre. In 1977, a special edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula was filled with his illustrations. Corey was also the scenic designer for the 1977 Broadway-play revival. His pen-and-ink drawings and set designs for that play (which were recreated for the Alley Theatre's 2014 production) will be on display at this exhibit, which will run through November 9. 8 am.

Meat up at the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo BBQ Cookoff
We love barbecue. Can't get enough of it. So, when a three-day event rolls around promising nothing but grilled-meat goodness, you know we're gonna give it some love. That's what gonna happen at this extravaganza, which will have 200 cookoff spaces, vendors galore and a carnival. The rodeo will also raise money for educational scholarships. 5 pm.

Friday, September 14

Backyard Jams rocks out at Market Square Park
Remember when we said last month that Backyard Jams, the Houston Downtown Management District, outdoor concert series, was pretty much done for the year? Well, psych! The Jams will continue this weekend, as retro rock band Acid Carousel and shoegaze chill wave group Small Chair provide the music and Saint Arnold Brewing Company provides the brewskis. 7-10 pm. (Update: This event has been rescheduled to September 21.)

Guzzle martinis at "Martini Madness! A Space-Age Soiree"
Starting Friday, you can see Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively toss back one martini after another in the new movie A Simple Favor. But if you want to guzzle some cocktails, there is annual event happening later that evening. This year's shindig will be space-themed, and attendees are encouraged to show up in their flyest space gear so they compete in the costume contest. 7-11 pm.

Truth to power with DeRay Mckesson
Civil rights activist/podcaster DeRay Mckesson has been a Patagonia vest-wearing man of the people ever since he moved to St. Louis a few years back and began bringing more awareness to police violence in the wake of Ferguson. You can now add author to his profile, as he'll be in town to promote his new book, On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope. 7:30 pm.

Catch The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night
Back in the '60s, someone had the idea to put The Beatles in a movie, during the height of Beatlemania. But who knew the Fab Four would make their screen debut in the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night, easily one of the most entertaining, enjoyable films of all time? Directed in cinema-verite, black-and-white by the great Richard Lester, this raucous musical comedy is back in a digitally restored print. 11:59 pm.

Saturday, September 15

Budweiser throws a big brewery backyard party
With Budweiser's Backyard, the folks at Budweiser are saying thanks to the communities where this beer is brewed by giving them a free shindig where everyone is welcome. The Houston event will be jam-packed, with a Budweiser Clydesdales hitch parade, food trucks, live music from country artists Seth Ennis and Ben Gallagher and, of course, beer, which you can see brewed during a complimentary tour. 11 am-4 pm.

Former Daily Show star (and future Netflix star) Hasan Minhaj
Hasan Minhaj is a former Daily Show correspondent who'll be getting in bed with the streaming giant Netflix when his weekly news show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, debuts in October. But, until then, you can see this fast-talking comic at not one, but two shows this weekend. 7 and 10:30 pm.

Cutting comedy with Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Buress once did a bit where he reminded everyone of Bill Cosby's rape accusations, officially setting off that man's downfall. Now that we've gotten that oft-mentioned tidbit out the way, let's talk about how Buress is thriving these days. There doesn't seem to be a summer when he's not in a blockbuster or two. (He was recently in the comedy Tag.) And he also got himself a podcast, Hannibal Buress: Handsome Rambler. 8 pm.

Sunday, September 16

Toast DJ Screw with Screwed Up Sunday at 8th Wonder Brewery
It's been 18 years since we lost the one-and-only DJ Screw, local rap legend and creator of the "chopped and screwed" sound, from a codeine overdose at the age of 29. Now, 8th Wonder Brewery and Donkeeboy Art & Screwville have teamed up to pay tribute to the man and his legacy with this fourth-annual event, which will offer up live music along with a limited-edition, DJ Screw pint. 11 am-6 pm.

Get your afternoon tea on with "Cuppa Rosie Lee: Tea Tasting with Laurin"
We don't know how you start off your mornings. But, for some of us here at CultureMap, we like to begin things with a nice, calming cup of tea. If you crave tea like we do, there's a tea tasting that might get you all in a tasty tizzy. You'll be able to taste six different teas and learn what makes them unique. Petite scones will be served, and everyone who attends will receive a free bag of tea to take home! 3-5 pm.

event-planner

where to party on NYE

Close out 2025 with a bang at these Houston New Year's Eve parties

Photo by Cathlin McCullough

Experience sets by four DJs at Meow Wolf.

Whether 2025 has been good or bad, you owe it to yourself to end this year with a bang. And that’s why your friends at CultureMap have laid out more than 20 places – bars, pubs, nightclubs, even a children’s museum – that’ll be closing out 2025 in a grand, festive manner.

Happy New Year, and drink as much bubbly as you can reasonably consume — just leave the driving to someone else:

Art Club’s first NYE will feature one of their favorite artists from this year: Neon Indian. Expect an unpredictable sonic journey with an artist who crafts immersive DJ sets that weave deep cuts, vintage textures, and dancefloor energy. 10 pm.

Axelrad will have a free NYE bash with a champagne toast, a midnight cash ball drop, and live music from bands Azul and Rupert & Friends, as well as DJ sets from Rikkiton, Eleven Toes Down, and IYKYK. Shop Local Market will also be there with vendors. 7 pm.

Bar Boheme will get the New Year started with Rudy Rincon & GRUPO KACHE, delivering infectious rhythms that'll have people dancing all night long. They’ll also have an all-you-can-eat buffet until 10 pm, a champagne toast with grapes, and more. 7 pm.

Best Regards will transform into a full winter wonderland/Alps-inspired Après-Ski lounge for “An Après Affair.” For this champagne-forward celebration (complete with DJ-led energy building to a midnight toast), faux fur, metallics, and "Alpine-chic" attire are encouraged. 8 pm.

Children’s Museum Houston will throw its annual NYE-during-the-day bash for kids, where they’ll be counting down until the clock strikes noon. The first 200 children will receive “Happy New Year” necklaces to kick off the celebration. 9 am.

Constellation Field in Sugar Land will host a midnight fireworks display as part of its Sugar Land Holiday Lights display. Adults (21-plus) can upgrade to the New Year's Eve Ball in the Regions Bank Club that includes an open bar, DJ, a champagne toast, and premium seating for the fireworks. 6 pm.

Dan Electro’s will be mixing vibes, funk, world reggae, and rock & roll for a New Year's concert in the Heights. Bayou City Funk, demrootsmusic, and Charlie Danger’s Jet Set will play the music, while champagne will be available for purchase. 8:30 pm.

The Flat will be opening its doors to partygoers looking to ring in the New Year with Jamaican grooves. For this NYE edition of “Reggae Wednesday,” Flabba Dabba and KingFari will be spinning tunes while Caribbean food will be available on the patio. 9 pm.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will have its third annual, interactive murder-mystery event on NYE. Ticket holders get access to the mystery and a complimentary welcome beer or cocktail, as well as private dining and access to their cocktail and reserve beer menu. 7 pm.

The Foundation Room at House of Blues will get real soulful with “If It Don't Feel Like 90s RnB: New Year's Eve Edition.” Host/local R&B vocalist Keith Jacobs will be providing the vocals, while The Ken Chatham Project serves up the sounds. 9 pm.

Grooves of Houston will throw a “Tux & Tennies” party, where dressing up in your finest evening wear (complete with fresh fly kicks) is a requirement. There will be a midnight cash balloon drop, a champagne toast, a brunch buffet, and much more. 8 pm.

Heights Social will be the starting point for the Heights NYE celebration on W. 20th St. For $60 (and two drinks), you can skip the line and check out the parties at Heights Social, BLVD Park, Say No Mas, and Cattlemen’s Country Club. 8 pm.

Hotel Saint Augustine will be throwing a free soiree in their listening lounge. Described as an evening “filled with elegance and indulgence,” with a complimentary midnight toast. But, to be honest, they had us at “music, decadent caviar, and truffles.” 9 pm.

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City will roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood-style NYE, so dress to impress. Wine, beer and cocktails will be flowing, with a bubbly toast popping off at midnight. There will also be live entertainment and a hors d'oeuvres station. 10 pm.

Houston Museum of Natural Science will ring in the New Year with “Mixers and Elixirs: New Year's Eve.” Enjoy live music from Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band, and catch a screening of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre. 9 pm.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck continues its tradition of celebrating Irish New Year’s Eve, where they get their “Auld Lang Syne” on at 6 pm. Pat Byrne, Kristopher Wade, EJ Jones, and Frances Cunningham will be around with some fiddle music. 4:30 pm.

Meow Wolf Houston will have its first-ever NYE celebration inside Radio Tave, giving guests full access to explore the worlds while moving through distinct DJ-driven zones. The lineup features Houston artists Machine Elves, IMAX713, PHARAX, and KINOTE. 8 pm.

Neil’s Bahr will be adding something new to their annual NYE rager – karaoke! At their new location, partygoers will get the chance to sing their heads off. The party will also offer cheap champagne, classic cocktails, silly hats, and all the free hors d'oeuvres you can handle. 8 pm.

Numbers will serve up another NYE spectacular, which includes a $2,026 balloon drop at midnight, along with a champagne toast, and complimentary party favors. Longtime Numbers DJ Wes Wallace will be in the booth spinning. 9 pm.

Off the Record Listening Bar is planning a big New Year's bash with live sets from Keith Jacobs (again) & the B-Sides Band, DJ Ortiz, DJ Youngstreetz, and FlemmDoggyDogg. A welcome cocktail is given to the first 50 RSVPs. 8 pm.

Pimlico Irish Pub will continue its tradition of celebrating NYE on Ireland time, when the clock strikes midnight at 6 pm. They will have complimentary swag, a champagne toast, and a livestream of the Ireland NYE celebration. 2 pm.

POST’s New Year's Eve Celebration features a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration of glitz, glamour and over-the-top excitement. The grand finale will be a midnight fireworks spectacle orchestrated by pyrotechnic artists Celestial Displays. 9 pm.

Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge will have a NYE bash with performances by rockabilly group Shame on Me, synth-punk rockers TV Dolls, and Americana band Brightwire. There will also be a free champagne toast at midnight. 8 pm.

The Spot Lounge & Bar will celebrate NYE with its signature welcoming energy, music, handcrafted cocktails, and bubbly. A limited-edition, holiday cocktail lineup features festive twists on classics, blending bold seasonal flavors with approachable comfort. 2 pm.

Tejas Brewery will be celebrating the New Year with a rooftop shindig. Your ticket includes a free first beer and a champagne toast at midnight, as well as live music (from brotherly rock trio Wolf Moon) all night and a great view of the downtown fireworks. 8 pm.

Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge will have a special, family-friendly celebration. They’ll be hosting an exclusive ticketed event featuring unlimited sim racing, a live DJ, goodies throughout the night, light bites and, of course, that midnight champagne toast. 7 pm.

houston new year's eve entertainment