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    weekend event planner

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

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Oct 16, 2024 | 7:30 pm

    A lot of good music will be played this weekend, ranging from the electronic rock of Courting to the celebratory jazz of Camille Thurman and Darrell Green to the sexy soul of Maxwell to the kooky alt-country of Houston’s own Lyle Lovett. And, if you want it in musical form, there will also be a double shot of Rocky Horror.

    Also going on these next few days: a Japanese sake and food festival; a very gymnastic show starring hometown girl Simone Biles; an Energy Day fest for the kiddies; and a Day of the Dead celebration for those who can’t wait until next month to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

    Thursday, October 17

    H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street
    At the 20th annual H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street, foodies, wine enthusiasts, and Wine & Food Week fans can sip and stroll their way down Market Street all while supporting worthwhile charity organizations like New Danville, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council, and Montgomery County Food Bank. The event will cover three blocks of Market Street and will be packed with a cornucopia of culinary creations, wine displays with industry experts, craft beers, live music, and wine experiences. 6 pm.

    Courting and Vundabar in concert
    It looks like we have another foursome from Liverpool coming to America, ready to make a big splash. This will be electronic rock band Courting's first ever U.S. tour, as they open for Boston indie rockers Vundabar. Named a Band to Watch by Stereogum, their latest album New Last Name received critical acclaim from NME, Paste, and more. The record really dials up the guitar-pop element of the band's sound, firing them into a world also occupied by the likes of Sports Team, English Teacher, FEET, etc. 7 pm.

    Live at the Founders Club: Celebrating Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln with Camille Thurman and Darrell Green
    Camille Thurman has cemented herself as not only one of today’s most important saxophonists, but also one of our most skilled vocalists. Drummer Darryl Green has been called for years to perform with today’s most iconic musicians. Together, they’ll be celebrating jazz drummer Max Roach and vocalist/actress Abbey Lincoln with an evening of soulful sounds which spotlights both the centennial year of Roach and the music that he and Lincoln (his wife) made together. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, October 18

    Rice University Moody Center For The Arts presents Monuments Symposium With Paul M. Farber
    Rice University Moody Center For The Arts will explore the history and future of monuments at this special symposium. Speakers include Paul Farber, Director of Monument Lab; art historian Kirk Savage, University of Pittsburgh; Houston-based artists Jamal Cyrus and Tiffany Chung; and Rice members of the Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice W. Caleb McDaniel, Alexander Byrd, and Fabiola Lopez-Duran. Lunch is included with registration. 9 am.

    Art Factory presents The Rocky Horror Show
    If you’re a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the River Oaks Theatre will finally have a midnight screening with burlesque revue The Sisterhood of Lil St Cyr overseeing the madness. But, if you remember when the show started out as a legit stage musical, Art Factory will be doing a fabulously freaky production. Costumes and call-outs will be encouraged, making this production a fully immersive and high-octane night of zany, sexy fun. Intended for mature audiences only. Through Thursday, October 31. 8 pm.

    Lyle Lovett in concert
    We’ve been down with Houston-born Lyle Lovett for a long time. Way before the marriage to Julia Roberts. Way before he became a repertory player in Robert Altmen films. We’ve loved his goofy pompadour and quirky country-blues stylings ever since we saw him perform “Here I Am” on Carson. (There’s another live version where he performed the song with comedian Steven Wright, but that’s been taken off YouTube.) He'll perform with His Large Band as part of The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Free Concert. They'll be joined by Hayes Carll. 7:30 pm.

    Maxwell in concert
    Neo-soulster Maxwell is finally out of hiding and touring the country, as part of The Serenade Tour. Even though he hasn’t dropped a new album since blackSUMMERS'night in 2016, he’s ready to perform smooth R&B ditties for all the fans who’ve been with him since his 1996 debut Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, as well as the grown children those fans most likely created while listening to his music. He'll be joined by Jazmine Sullivan and October London. 7:30 pm.

    Saturday, October 19

    The Toasted Coconut 5th Anniversary Celebration
    Montrose restaurant The Toasted Coconut is turning five this weekend, and the spot will be celebrating with a wild-and-weird, all-day celebration. First up, drink specials that might have you feeling bewitched will be served. Then, they’re roasting a pig. Other details include a mechanical shark, face painting, a dunk tank (chef Martin Stayer will be in it!), snow cones, and a live DJ. ⁠And don’t forget about the limited, spooky ceramics created by local talent Lorita Makes. 10 am.

    Houston Energy Day Festival
    Energy Day is like a giant science fair mixed with a festival, and it’s all designed to show kids how fun and exciting STEM can be. Visitors can explore, create, and discover new things while playing outside. Plus, they’ll be able to meet lots of other kids who love science and technology just as much as they do. The event will be full of experiments, hands-on activities, and exhibits where kids can explore and learn about the energy that powers the world around us. 11 am.

    Monster Jam
    Monster Jam will be an adrenaline-charged weekend featuring heated rivalries, high-flying stunts, and fierce head-to-head battles. It will feature the Texas debut of four new Marvel Monster Jam trucks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Thor face off for the first time against fan favorites like the legendary Grave Digger. We’ll also get the Houston premiere of the all-new Sparkle Smash and more in freestyle, skills, and racing competitions. 7 pm.

    Athleta presents Gold Over America Tour
    Gold Over America Tour is a pop concert-style spectacle that will showcase the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Spring-born-and-based gymnast Simone Biles and cast members Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Katelyn Ohashi, Peng-Peng Lee, Shilese Jones, Fred Richard, Mélanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Kayla Dicello, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, and more. The event will showcase tumbles, twists, and gravity-defying tricks. 7:30 pm. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the show with one of the cast members in this story.

    Sunday, October 20

    Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery" opening day
    "Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery" will foreground Pueblo voices and aesthetics and will offer a visionary understanding of Pueblo pots as vessels of community-based knowledge and personal experience. The exhibition is the first Native-curated exhibition at the Museum and features more than 100 historical, modern, and contemporary items in clay. Through Sunday, January 12. 12:30 pm.

    Japanese Sake & Food Festival
    The Japanese Sake & Food Festival, initially established in Tokyo in 2015, will make its way to America for the first time, offering an opportunity to explore the pairing of Japanese sake and culinary delights. The festival will feature over 30 exhibitors, including sake brewers, distributors, and local food vendors offering various products ranging from sake to shochu and local cuisines. Other highlights include a sake seminar by special guests, Japanese stage performances, a Japanese activity and photo area, and more. 2 pm (Noon on Saturday).

    Intempo Dance Ensemble presents Day of the Dead Celebration
    Intempo Dance Ensemble presents an evening of dance and music inspired in the whimsical world of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The event is a Mexican celebration of pre-Hispanic origin that honors the deceased on Saturday, November 2. The festivities begin on Friday, November 1 and coincides with the Catholic celebrations of All Souls and All Saints. In Mexico, it is a celebration of life remembering loved ones who came before us, dedicating an altar to welcome them back for their visit to the world of the living, once a year. 6 pm.

    Korn in concert
    Credited as one of the pioneers of alt-metal — the radio-friendly genre that counts Limp Bizkit and P.O.D. among its members — the band is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a 25-city tour that stops in The Woodlands on Sunday. Known for hits such as “Got the Life (Follow the Leader)” and “Falling Away From Me,” expect a high energy show that makes attendees feel like they’re back in 1994. Gojira and Spiritbox open. 6:30 pm.

    Monster Jam, monster trucks
    Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

    Monster Jam returns to Houston this weekend.

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    Weekend event planner

    Here are the 14 best things to do in Houston this Christmas weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Dec 24, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
    Photo courtesy of Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
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    So, Thursday is the big day, when many Houstonians will get together with family and/or friends to celebrate Christmas with presents, egg nog, and a festive meal.

    But that doesn’t mean there still won’t be events popping off this weekend. Some are holiday-related (like Stages’ staging of The Twelve Dates of Christmas and the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet going down in Sugar Land), while others are just some fun things to do (like watching some college football at NRG Stadium or attending the birthday bash of a local punk legend at Dan Electro’s).

    Whatever you do, just have a holly, jolly time this weekend.

    Thursday, December 25

    Toro Toro presents Christmas Brunch
    Embark on a brunch journey over at Toro Toro this Christmas. Executive chef Jonathan Esparza and his team have prepared an extensive, Christmas brunch buffet menu, featuring a selection of traditional holiday dishes and interactive stations. Brunch is priced at $145 per adult and $65 per child (11 and under; children 5 and under eat free). Dinner will also be served a la carte from 5:30 to 10 pm. 10 am.

    Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining presents Holiday Buffet Feast
    Juliet will be serving up a fabulous Christmas Day buffet, priced at $59 for adults and $28 for kids 12 and under (children under 5 dine free). The buffet includes carved-to-order turkey and filet mignon, plus sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, cornbread dressing, mac and cheese, collard greens, dinner rolls, Caesar salad, and lobster bisque. Desserts include peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, and assorted cookies. Noon.

    The Flat presents DJ Sun’s A James Brown Christmas Tribute
    DJ Sun will be giving the gift of funk, with The Flat’s annual James Brown musical tribute. Flash Gordon Parks will also be spinning some cuts written, produced, and/or performed by the hardest-working man in show business. Special holiday cocktails will also be served, so pull up and close out Christmas night the right way: by getting funky with it! 8 pm.

    Friday, December 26

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Little Kid Flicks and Big Kid Flicks
    A holiday season favorite at the MFAH, Kid Flicks is a compilation of fun, artful, inspired, and thought-provoking short film compilations presented in partnership with the New York International Children’s Film Festival. These award-winning short films offer a chance to explore new frontiers from around the world, across the street, and the ever-expanding boundaries of our own perspectives. Little Kid Flicks is designed for ages 5 and up. Big Kid Flicks is designed for ages 8 and up. 11:30 am and 2 pm.

    Downtown Houston+ presents Movies Under the Stars: The Fighting Temptations
    As part of their Movies Under the Stars series, Downtown Houston+ will present a screening of the 2003 comedy The Fighting Temptations, where our own Beyoncé Knowles-Carter stars as a talented young singer who helps a childhood friend (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) revive a struggling church choir, at Trebly Park. Visitors are encouraged to grab takeout from a surrounding restaurant and bring their own lawn blanket to enjoy the screening. 6:30 pm.

    Improv Houston presents Marcus D. Wiley
    The son of a preacher, Christian comedian (and former Texas Southern University professor) Marcus D. Wiley's charismatic style of delivery is clean, captivating, funny, and knowledgeable. He provides lots of laughter along with a guaranteed message on being a better you. Earlier this year, Wiley released his third, hour-long special Marriage Is Major Surgery (executive-produced by Houston stand-up star Ali Siddiq) on YouTube. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 pm Saturday).

    Stages presents The Twelve Dates of Christmas
    After seeing her fiance kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary’s life falls apart — just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world. It seems nothing can help Mary’s growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming one-woman play offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season. 7:30 pm (3 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, December 27

    Wonky Power presents Jazz & Jokes
    A new night of stand-up, cocktails, and live jazz will debut inside one of Houston’s most intimate creative rooms. Jazz & Jokes brings together two of the best live experiences — laughter and live music — curated for a cozy, seated evening at Wonky Power. Featuring a rotating cast of special stand-up comedians from Houston and beyond, paired with a live jazz band setting the mood all night, this night will offer a warm, relaxed atmosphere, great drinks, and a room built for performance. 7 pm.

    Kinder's Texas Bowl: Houston vs. LSU
    The 2025 Kinder's Texas Bowl will feature a matchup between the Houston Cougars of the Big 12 Conference, making its 31st all-time bowl appearance, and the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Conference. Houston enters the Texas Bowl ranked No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings with a 9-3 overall record, its best record since 2021. This will mark the first time the Cougars have played in the Bowl since 2007. 8:15 pm.

    The Garden Theatre presents Cruel Intentions
    Based on the 1999 teen flick, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical pulls audiences into the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most dangerous liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Fueled by revenge and passion, the diabolically charming step-siblings place a bet on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter, Annette Hargrove. The musical features throwback hits by artists like Christina Aguilera, 'NSYNC, and Britney Spears. Through Sunday, January 11. 8 pm (2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).

    Goode Co. Armadillo Palace presents Roger Creager Piano Bar
    Award-winning country singer/Texas native Roger Creager will be in town to do a post-Xmas set at Goode Co. Armadillo Palace. With more than a dozen No. 1 singles on the Texas Music Chart and Entertainer of the Year honors from both CMA Texas and the Texas Music Awards, Creager brings a mix of road-tested songwriting and bold melodies. Dine on authentic Texas fare, including signature house favorites the Damn Goode Burger and the Damn Goode Margarita. 9 pm.

    Sunday, December 28

    Dan Electro’s presents J.R.’s Birthday Bash
    Houston punk pioneer (and all-around good guy) J.R. Delgado has been a member of multiple punk, hardcore and garage rock bands. He was also the owner of the legendary rock club The Axiom in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. This weekend, he’lll be celebrating his 70th birthday at Dan Electro’s, and he’ll be having a free throwdown everyone is invited to. Hickoids, Jane Woe, and Bastard Union will be providing the live jams, while DJ LP will be spinning music all day. 1 pm.

    Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
    |Over at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will highlight an international cast and Ukrainian principal artists performing at the peak of classical European ballet. Audiences will be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets, and hand-crafted sets and costumes. Share the tradition of pure holiday magic and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with friends and family of all ages. 3 pm.

    Arthouse Houston presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch with John Cameron Mitchell
    Arthouse Houston will present a one-night-only event of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with star/creator John Cameron Mitchell. The 2001 indie musical classic (based on Mitchell’s off-Broadway play) follows Hedwig, an East Berliner transplant and lead singer in a band, who is chasing down his ex for stealing his songs. The screening will be accompanied by a live director's commentary by Mitchell, and followed by a live music set led by Mitchell, with band members Amber Martin and Chapman Welch. (Read CultureMap’s exclusive interview with Mitchell here.) 7:30 pm.

    Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
    Photo courtesy of Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet

    Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will perform in Sugar Land this weekend.

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