This upcoming weekend is full of events that will kick off the celebratory holiday season, as well as take advantage of the cooler weather we are finally experiencing.
The Houston Cinema Arts Festival, The Cellar Classic, and and the GR8 Taco Challenge are just a few of the events highlighted in this round-up. Our CultureMap Events Calendar has a full list of other events that you can sift through when planning out your weekend.
Thursday, November 10
Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
"The 12 Days of Christmas" is the theme for the 2016 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. This yearly market, which continues through Sunday, plays hosts to over 280 vendors from across the country selling unique goods, gifts, food, jewelry, home decor and more. This year will see new vendors at the ,arket, but loyal visitors can expect to see mainstays like Toffee To Go and decorations from Clutter Yule Love.
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke is the opening night film for the 2016 Houston Cinema Arts Festival with a live performance by Dale Watson following the screening. This eight-day festival features a wide array of films and other events at various locations like The Menil Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, the Asia Society Texas Center, and the Museum of Natural Science.
Friday, November 11
Children's Museum of Houston presents Mission After Dark
Kids take on their R.I.V.A.L. as agents on a special task force, S.E.C.R.E.T., at the Children's Museum. The covert mission gives these undercover agents the opportunity to collect intel, shoot down security bots, track down and block subsonic emitters, and so much more as well as offering a entertaining, learning experience.
Saturday, November 12
AIA Houston Heights Bicycle Tour
This bicycle tour will explore the Houston Heights from a point of view that many may not have stopped to experience yet. The Heights is home to 120 of the 215 National Register of Historic Places that can be found in Houston and is the first mixed-use community in Texas. Historic and contemporary architecture and how it fits into the fabric of the Heights will also be explored on the tour.
Hermann Park Conservancy: Run in the Park
Run in the Park at Hermann Park starts at the Molly Ann Smith Plaza and circles the park on the Marvin Taylor Trail. This annual run is for the entire family, with a 5k walk/run and a 1k kids fun run. After you've finished the race, while being cheered on by family and friends, join in the post fun party with music, food, and drinks.
2016 Genesys Works Houston Cellar Classic
The 2016 Houston Cellar Classis features samples from over 100 of the finest wines from around the world and food provided by some of Houston's most popular restaurants. While you wine and dine, keep in mind that 100 percent of the net proceeds will benefit Genesys Works Houston, a non-profit that offers skills training and internships to disadvantaged high school students. CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler is one the judges to decide the Media Favorite and there will be a People's Choice, too. To keep the evening rolling, The Revelators will provide live entertainment.
The Galleria Tree Lighting and Ice Spectacular
No holiday season in Houston is complete without the lighting of the 55-foot tall Christmas tree at The Galleria ice rink. Houston-raised Mary Sarah, finalist from Season 10 of The Voice, will perform for guests as they watch the tree illuminated with over 450,000 lights. A skating Santa, fireworks, face painting, and other in-store retailer activities will also entertain shoppers.
Sunday, November 13
Selected local vendors will be featured for a day of vintage fashions at the EaDo Vintage Fest. Vistiors will find everything, ranging from '50s to '90s vintage streetwear, as well as music, food, and beer.
Some of the city's top restaurants, including State Fare, Americas, and Bernie's Burger Bus, will battle it out to produce the best "taco" in H-Town using 8th Wonder beer as an ingredient. Tickets include 4 beer tokens, a souvenir pint glass, 1 taco sample from each challenger, and access to a premium Michelada bar (what goes better with tacos than a great Mexican beverage of beer, lime juice, and assorted sauces, spices, and peppers?). A portion of the proceeds will benefit Kids Meals, Inc.
Have fun this weekend at this events around town! And let us know about your experiences.
The holidays are just around the corner with the Galleria Christmas tree lighting.
