weekend event planner

These are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

A lot of theater kids will most likely be spending the weekend flocking to multiplexes to see Wicked: For Good, the big-screen conclusion to the Wicked saga (both Cactus Music and Sound Revolution will have listening parties for the soundtrack this weekend).

But, for the non-Broadway-loving folk, this weekend still offers a lot of wicked (and we mean that in the positive, Bostonian sense) fare. Several holiday markets are taking place; not one, but two chances to consume wine; the debut of a new rock festival at Axelrad; a live concert featuring Burna Boy; and Mattress Mack will be turning on a lot of Christmas lights.

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to stay gold.

Thursday, November 20

Arthouse Houston presents Puttin’ on the RITZ
Arthouse Houston will present an evening of musical fun, dancing, film exhibitions, and performances at Houston’s oldest historic downtown cinema: The Majestic Metro (originally The RItz Theatre). Puttin’ on the RITZ will feature two musical programs: a screening of White Christmas, including live songs from the upcoming Theatre Under the Stars performance; and a screening of Purple Rain, plus a dance-moves contest and an interview with the Master of Ceremonies – “Prince” himself (played by Elia Adams). 6 pm.

The Periwinkle Foundation presents Iron Sommelier
The Periwinkle Foundation will present Iron Sommelier, Houston’s premier wine tasting and sommelier competition. Competing sommeliers will select three wines which focus on a particular wine region, grape or style and personally present the wines they are pouring, while conversing with guests as they taste and compare. Guests will have access to a wine pull, auction, raffle and children’s art sales. Proceeds benefit The Periwinkle Foundation programs for pediatric cancer patients at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. 6 pm.

University of Houston-Downtown presents “Beaujolais & Blues”
Each year the French release the first wine of the harvest on the third Thursday of November, proclaiming “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” The University of Houston-Downtown will give us “Beaujolais & Blues,” an evening celebrating the arrival of the 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau, with a wine tasting and the soulful sounds of Houston’s own The Mighty Orq. Attendees can sample the new vintage of Beaujolais from three or four different vineyards, as well as light bites like charcuterie, cheeses, fruit, and sweets. 6 pm.

Friday, November 21

Marriott Marquis Houston presents Texas Winter Lights
For its sixth spectacular season at Marriott Marquis Houston, Texas Winter Lights returns. Mattress Mack (who will have his very own biopic soon) will flip the switch to celebrate the start of the season with skyline views, festive bites and sips, and a first look at this year’s all-new Western-themed experience on Altitude Rooftop – where the Texas-shaped lazy river glitters thanks to 100,000+ sparkling lights. Through Wednesday, December 31. 5 pm.

Black Arts Movement Houston presents The Black Agenda: An Inaugural Convening of Houston Black Artists
Black Arts Movement Houston (BAM) will host its inaugural convening of Black artists at The DeLUXE Theater, marking a pivotal moment for the city’s creative community. This gathering brings together artists across disciplines, multi-disciplinary dance, visual art, film, theater, music, literature, design, and cultural organizing, to deepen connection, organize, share resources, and collectively imagine the future of Black arts in Houston. 7 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents The Inquisitor
As a young girl in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Barbara Jordan was taught to defy expectations. She made history as the first Black state senator from Texas and the first Southern Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Jordan’s electrifying voice and moral clarity during the Watergate hearings captivated the nation and earned her the moniker “The Inquisitor.” A discussion with filmmaker Angela Lynn Tucker and special guests follows each screening of this fascinating documentary. 7 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Lucy Darling presents You’re Welcome featuring Mark Ettinger
Performer, socialite, and cocktail enthusiast (and viral-video sensation) Lucy Darling – aka the grand-dame stage persona of Canadian magician/fire eater Carisa Hendrix – continues her vagabond voyages with this variety show featuring her wit, advice, magic, and friends. Lucy is accompanied on a cornucopia of instruments by Mark Ettinger (musician and juggler with the Flying Karamazov Brothers). 7 and 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday (3 pm Sunday).

Saturday, November 22

Native Coffee presents Native Frequency
Native Frequency is back at Native Coffee, where good coffee meets good beats. Sip on your favorite java, unwind, and chill with friends in a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy a relaxing time with low-key beats from DirtyVinez, DJ Nimbus, JADA XO and Lashay, who’ll also lead a house dance workshop. At 1 pm, the decks will be open for guest DJs. If you can’t make it, Detroit EDM station 313.fm will carry it live. 10 am.

Axelrad and School of Rock Houston presents Radfest
Radfest, a collaboration between Axelrad and School of Rock Houston, will be a day-long event featuring performances from Daikaiju, Los Skarnales, Swimwear Department, and standout School of Rock students and instructors from 16 Houston-area schools, spread across three stages. In true Axelrad fashion, Radfest blends community with culture. The event will benefit Houston Food Bank, with a goal of raising enough to provide 7,500 meals for the community. Noon.

Hotel Saint Augustine presents Holiday Montrose Market
This festive edition of the hotel’s community market brings together a curated selection of local makers, artists, and small businesses offering one-of-a-kind gifts, seasonal treats, and holiday treasures. Sip on seasonal cocktails, snap a pic with Santa, shop gifts for your loved ones. and stroll the gorgeous hotel grounds. Plus, a special visit from Santa himself — perfect for family photos. Open to the public and free for all. Noon.

Burna Boy in concert
Rule of thumb: Don’t fall asleep during a Burna Boy concert. A viral video caught the Nigerian-born rapper putting a couple on blast when he caught one of them snoozing during his Denver concert. (A woman claiming to be the snoozer commented on TikTok that she was “physically and emotionally drained” ever since her daughter’s dad passed away.) Local fans who are coming to his Toyota Center show this weekend might wanna guzzle a Monster Energy Drink beforehand – just to be safe. 8:30 pm.

Sunday, November 23

Karbach Brewing Co, presents Friendsgiving Market
Karbach Brewing Co. is hosting its annual Friendsgiving Market this weekend, bringing the cozy vibes, local goods, and plenty of cheer. The event will feature local Houston vendors, a pumpkin pie eating contest, and the chance for guests to try Karbach’s limited seasonal release, F.U.N. Series Pumpkin in Lager beer. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your holiday spirit to kick off Thanksgiving week. Noon.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens present Makers Market Festival
Bayou Bend presents a one-of-a-kind family festival, centered around the thrill of discovering exclusive, handcrafted treasures from talented local artisans and craftspeople. Timed with the holiday shopping season in mind, the Makers Market Festival is set against a backdrop of live music, engaging activities, and captivating demonstrations inspired by Bayou Bend’s collection and gardens. In addition, visitors can complement their experience with culinary treats from vendors representing Houston’s renowned food scene. 1 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents The Outsiders
In 1967 Oklahoma, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family battled with their affluent rivals, the Socs. The Outsiders navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. Winner of the 2024 Tony for Best Musical, this multicultural stage version of The Outsiders is adapted from S.E. Hinton's seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola's iconic film. 1:30 and 7 pm (7:30 pm Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday).

$\u200bBroadway at the Hobby Center presents The Outsiders$

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents The Outsiders.

event-planner weekend events

Weekend Event Planner

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

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Now that the arctic blast has finished with us, several events that were cancelled last weekend – Gallery Sonja Roesch’s 35th anniversary show, a dual opening at Foltz Fine Art, Asia Society Texas’s Kawaii Market – have been rescheduled for this weekend.

As for the scheduled events this weekend, there’s an “autoboative” show, a screening of a sci-fi classic with live musical accompaniment, an all-star show for autograph collectors, a fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the return of Houston's noisiest music festival.

Thursday, January 29

Houston Autoboative Show
It’s the 42nd Houston Auto Show at NRG Park this weekend, which is also combined (for its third year) with the Houston Boat Show. The event showcases a diverse array of vehicles, from electric cars to trucks and sedans. It also offers a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the hottest models on the market and learn from brand experts about each vehicle/vessel without the pressure of being sold to. 11 am (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

Asia Society Texas presents Offside
Asia Society Texas will kick off the World Cup with Offside, a 2006 dramedy from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. (It’s also part of this year’s Festival of Films from Iran.) Set during a World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Bahrain, the film follows a group of young women who attempt to circumvent a ban on women attending sporting events by disguising themselves as men to enter the stadium and watch the game, leading to a series of increasingly absurd situations. 7 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents Blade Runner Live
Ridley Scott’s stylish, 1982 noir classic Blade Runner (aka the 2007 Final Cut) will screen while Vangelis’ synthesizer-led cult score is performed live by The Avex Ensemble. In this futuristic hriller, detective Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) must continue as Replicant Hunter following the escape of four Replicants (including main baddie Rutger Hauer – RIP) from colonies who’ve returned to earth. His mission, however, is complicated when he falls for Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant based at the Tyrell Corporation. 7:30 pm.

Friday, January 30

TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show
For three days, a lot of stars will be flocking to the NRG Arena in order to give Houstonians their signature. Along with lots of sports memorabilia for sale, the 40th Annual TRISTAR Houston Collectors Show will have tons of celebs signing autographs. Just on Saturday alone, we’ll get Karate Kid/Cobra Kai castmates Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove; the cast of The Sandlot, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Dennis Rodman, former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, former Rockets player Elvin Hayes, and Houston’s own Randy Quaid. 2 pm (10 am Saturday and Sunday).

The Hobby Center presents Houston Is Inspired - [Jk]creativ: Our Road Home
Multidisciplinary company [Jk]creativ gives us Our Road Home, an interactive rhythmic production created and directed by native Houston artist Jakari Sherman. Through layered rhythmic storytelling - spoken, rapped, preached, and sung - the work honors the communal labor and ingenuity that built spaces of freedom across time. Inspired by the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town, the work asks: Once freedom is gained, how do we live in it, preserve it, and pass it on when the pull of bondage lingers near?

MFAH and HCC present Fashion Fusion X
Frida Kahlo meets contemporary couture in Fashion Fusion, the 10th edition of the annual fashion competition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Open to aspiring designers in the Fashion Design program at Houston City College, Fusion challenges students to create original garments in response to art on display in the museum’s galleries. This year, the aspiring designers will showcase garments addressing the exhibition, "Frida: The Making of an Icon." 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train, unsure of where the road will take him. He finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life - and love - beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 and 7 pm Sunday).

Saturday, January 31

The List One Year Anniversary
East End creative space The List will be celebrating its first anniversary with a bevy of weekend events, with two going down on Saturday. The day starts off with the return of the Vinyl & Furniture Garden Market, curated by local DJ vet Malcolm Bravo, over at the List Cafe. Bravo and other DJs will be spinning tunes as stores and vendors will be open for business. Later that evening, DJ/TikToker Sheri Koko will be working the turntables, along with some special-guest pals, at Room808. 11 am and 9 pm.

Burger Bodega present For the Culture
Chef and restaurateur Abbas Dhanani is taking a break from burgers to pay homage to his Pakistani heritage by partnering with the PX Project for a one-day only pop-up. Working with his mother and his aunt, the four-item menu showcases some favorite childhood dishes, including Nihari, slow-braised, spiced beef stew with naan; Hina Khala's Chicken Biryani, fragrant basmati rice layered with boneless chicken; the Chicken Sixty-Five Po' Boy; and a mango lassi sundae with a cardamom snickerdoodle cookie.

$\u200bBroadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants$

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Water for Elephants.

Seven Sisters presents Ping Zheng: Soft Interference opening reception
Soft Interference presents a new series of oil-stick works on paper by Ping Zheng, following her 2024 exhibition Nature’s Canopy at Seven Sisters. In these works, Zheng continues her investigation of landscape as a site of perception and interiority. Through repeated mark-making and shifting chromatic fields, she constructs images that hover between observed nature and remembered experience. Through Saturday, February 28. 2 pm.

MGEntertainment presents The 5th Annual Harsh Noise Houston
Believe it or not, there’s a heavy experimental-music scene here in H-Town. This weekend, you have the opportunity to see a lot of the scene’s most valuable players over at Super Happy Fun Land, where the fifth annual Harsh Noise Houston fest will be going down. 13 acts, representing some of the best experimental music, performance art, and noise that Texas has to offer, will be performing, including HauntedPixel, Ether Research, Astrogenic Hallucinating, and Psychosomatic’s sister project Del Norte. 7 pm.

Rice Cinema presents American Sons
Film producer and Rice alum Elizabeth Avellán presents American Sons, a documentary using first-hand footage captured by fallen Marine Cpl. Jorge “JV” Villarreal, a native of San Antonio. The film focuses on a brotherhood of U.S. Marines a decade after their Afghanistan deployment, focusing on their struggle with combat trauma, PTSD, and reintegration, especially after losing their friend Villarreal. Avellan and director Andrew James Gonzales will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

Sunday, February 1

ReelAbilities Houston presents ReelArt For All
The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival’s ReelArt For All program will feature art and interactive activities, brunchy bites, and more. Guests can see the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and explore the works of featured artist Emmett Kyoshi Wilson. A Chicago-based artist living with Down syndrome, Wilson has created over 150 works, exhibited in five galleries, and even painted the American Flag for the U.S. Embassy in Croatia. 10:30 am.

Shepherd School of Music presents Inside Look: Modern American Operas
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University will present a deconstructed look at two full-length American comic operas: Karim Al-Zand’s 50th anniversary commission A Joint Interest and William Bolcom’s Lucrezia. Aleko Endowed Artist Paul Curran guides audiences through these mischievous and delightfully theatrical worlds. Shepherd School Chamber Players will accompany both contemporary operas from the pit, led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Bolcom's Lucrezia contains adult content and is not suitable for all audiences. 2 pm.

Cultural Center Our Texas presents Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the talents of his furry costars. There are more than 30 pets (dogs, cats, horses, birds, etc.) in the show, and each one has been rescued from animal shelters and given a new leash on life. Bad pun aside, this show will be a joy for viewers of all ages. 4 pm.

things to do weekend events event-planner