Your Cultural Place

Fall into seasonal fun at City Place near Houston as the holidays near

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos November 1-2.

Photo courtesy of City Place

Fall into fun this season at City Place, the north Houston business and leisure destination brimming with free-to-attend activities for families through the holidays.

The sustainable community, located immediately south of The Woodlands, combines a picturesque backdrop of waterfront green spaces, a variety of restaurants at varying price points, and a trio of popular hotels: Houston City Place Marriott, Courtyard Houston City Place, and Residence Inn Houston City Place.

At the art of it

Happening in The Meadow through November 10, As Water Falls is the third major pop-up installation — and first from an international group — to be featured at City Place since the community launched an ongoing initiative with Weingarten Art Group earlier this year to spotlight engaging and interactive temporary public artworks.

City Place As Water Falls Photo by Nicki Evans Photography

Designed by Montreal-based digital art studio Iregular, the dazzling, multi-faceted piece functions at the intersection of art and technology. The large-scale, virtual waterfall with accompanying soundscape was specially reconceived for its current exhibition. Reimagined in a cube format, its continually changing LED displays — each interactive by touch — allow participants to alter the digital cascades and sounds in an enticing reminder that nature is alive and ever-evolving.

City Place As Water Falls Photo by Nicki Evans Photography

Drawing inspiration from the piece’s vibrant bursts of color, City Place Mediterranean restaurant Island Grill has created a limited time cocktail called the Blue Falls to toast the temporary attraction.

From Coco to Calacas

City Place's fourth-annual Dia de los Muertos celebration kicks off November 1 at 7 pm with a complimentary outdoor screening of the Disney movie Coco (rated PG) on The Plaza, complete with complimentary popcorn while supplies last. Additionally, the first 100 guests will receive samplings of a special Dia de los Muertos cake from community restaurant Common Bond Bistro & Bakery.

City Place movies Photo courtesy of City Place

Programming continues on November 2 from 4-8 pm in partnership with Latino-focused and Houston-based non-profit ALMAAHH.

The day begins with the unveiling of a ceremonial altar for visitors to recognize their dearly departed loved ones.

Guests can shop at the open-air Mercado, where a variety of curated vendors and artisans will showcase an assortment of upscale accessories, art, jewelry, clothing, handcrafted ornaments, and more. Hands-on craft stations will allow guests to create flower crowns, piñatas, and papel picado (traditional decorative folk art).

City Place face painting Photo courtesy of City Place

Visitors can also enjoy activities such as face painting and a loteria house. Lively performances will take center stage with a headline show from Bidi Bidi Banda, Austin’s first all-star Selena Tribute band, in addition to traditional mariachis and pop-up dance performances.

Giant gingerbread men and a floating tree

Capturing a stunning seasonal selfie or holiday snapshot has become a tradition for many at City Place.

City Place Christmas tree Photo courtesy of City Place

Its iconic décor includes a signature, 35-foot, floating Christmas tree rising from City Place Park’s main pond, along with the Giant Gingerbread Village that welcomes guests down a gumdrop, lollipop and candy cane-lined path — guarded by two giant gingerbread men — to a raised clearing in The Meadow featuring cookie trees, a 16-foot-high gingerbread house, and a 12-foot-tall windmill. This year, visitors can also expect new, seasonal installations peppered around The Plaza.

City Place Gingerbread Village Photo courtesy of City Place

Get into the spirit starting at noon on November 23 and 24 with special Christmas activations featuring Andy Rooniverse and Mr. Leo Puppet Show. The annual holiday lighting is set for Sunday, December 1, from 3-7 pm, featuring elements spanning from real snow on The Plaza, photos with Santa, and a special music performance from Divisi Strings to a holiday artisan market and kids craft area.

As Christmas approaches, the Pix on The Plaza outdoor movie series spotlights the film The Polar Express, plus trackless train rides on December 13 beginning at 7 pm. Mr. Leo Puppet Show and Andy Rooniverse return to The Plaza on December 21 at 11 am and December 22 at noon, respectively, along with additional holiday programming.

Visit www.cityplacenow.com to plan your trip and discover all the exciting seasonal activities awaiting you.

holidays festivals families movies christmas dia de los muertos promoted

Music feature

Texas country star Cody Johnson's new album goes to 'Banks of Trinity'

Photo by Cameron Powell

Cody Johnson.

There's a moment at every Cody Johnson show where the Texas-born-and-bred country star asks the crowd, “How many of you tonight are watching me and this band live for the very first time?” he told The Associated Press. “And every night, I would say at least 80% of the crowd raises their hands.”

It's not the kind of reaction most veteran artists receive. “And I’m thinking, you know, 20 years is a long time to work for something. But when you see that … What’s the next 20 years look like?” he asks.

The rancher, rodeo competitor, and onetime prison guard started his two-decade career playing honky tonks and dive bars. That led to slow and steady growth for the country traditionalist, but in the last few years, something has shifted. He landed his fifth career No. 1 song with “The Fall.” He was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, the show's highest honor. That was a month after he headlined Stagecoach Music Festival. For an artist with legions of fans, it looked like he was accessing new heights.

“I feel like I’m closing a book and I’m opening another one and it’s all blank pages,” he says of this period. “Let's get to the next chapter." On June 26, that new era began with the release of his latest album, Banks of the Trinity.

Traveling to the Banks of the Trinity
It hasn't been an easy road. Last fall, Johnson had to cancel a bunch of tour dates after upper respiratory and sinus infections caused a burst eardrum that required surgery — an intimidating medical procedure for anyone, but especially nerve-wracking for a musician. “I was scared,” he said simply. But “in a roundabout way, it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

It forced him to take three months off, which allowed him to be home during the birth of his son. It also rejuvenated his approach in the studio. Before the incident, he thought the album was complete. It was not. The additional time resulted in the inclusion of a few songs that now feel inextricable from the record: “Thank Somebody Country,” “Take Me Back (Leave Me There),” “Cricket on a Hook,” and the resilient “I Have” among them.

“What a blessing to have that kind of song fall in your lap when you’re kind of up against the ropes,” he says of the latter. “I mean, we thought we had the record done. It wasn’t done.”

A title track with real resonance
At the heart of Banks of the Trinity is its title track, which recalls Eagles' cover of “Seven Bridges Road” meets bluegrass and Southern gospel.

Lyrically, it's an ode to Johnson's childhood. “I grew up on the banks of the Trinity [River.] Fishing for catfish, not so much out of pleasure or sport but for necessity to put food in the freezer. Deer season for me was not a trophy thing,” he said.

And while that track inspires a feeling of nostalgia within the listener, he doesn't consider this album a throwback collection. He says it's about showcasing his evolving sonic diversity.

"The rest of the album for me is a musical journey from track one to track 16,” he said. “There’s a little bit of a flavor for everybody. It does kind of hit Motown. It does kind of hit bluegrass. It does hit progressive country. It does it old country. It does a little rock here and there.”

It's the result of a new kind of freedom, one that is at least partially due to his recent accomplishments, including taking home the top prize at the ACM Awards.

“I just did the thing that I’ve aspired to do in my career my entire life,” he says. “A really good place is a really good way to describe where I am.”

And now that the album is out, he's ready to take a breather.

“I will be shirtless with no shoes on a beach at an undisclosed location,” he jokes about the days after record release. “'Cause I have already done all the prep work. I've been working on this album for two years. I’ve done all of the interviews. I’ve shook all the hands. Me and my wife and kids are gonna disappear for 10 days and I’m gonna become, I guess, every Kenny Chesney song ever.”

texas country artist cody johnson interview music

Your Cultural Place

Fall into seasonal fun at City Place near Houston as the holidays near

Music feature

Texas country star Cody Johnson's new album goes to 'Banks of Trinity'

Comfort food chain Cotton Patch Cafe acquired by Dallas restaurant group

Houston restaurateur opens new shop stocked with his favorite products

Houston rock legends ZZ Top come home for fall concert with Cheap Trick