weekend event planner

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

Get those H's up Saturday.

Photo via Houston Texans

Catch CultureMap's weekend events segment with editor Steven Devadanam and ABC13'a Brittaney Wilmore live at 8:45 am Thursdays on ABC13's livestream and on ABC13 all weekend.

This weekend, Houston thaws off from an icy week. While the weekend forecasts predict chilly weather, plenty of options indoor await.

Posh and palatial Indian palace Musaafer will fire up a new “High Society” dining series that's sure to be a real buzz, Funnyman Hasan Minhaj comes to town for one night only, while Houston native and TV star Renée Elise Goldsberry comes home for a must-see performance.

The high-flying Cirque Italia makes a big splash at Katy Mills, and Texans fans can scream for the team as our guys take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at a free fan fest/watch party.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, January 18

Musaafer presents “High Society” Dinner Series

Upscale Galleria eatery Musaafer will host a dinner that is the first of its kind in Houston. A THC dining series, aptly titled “High Society,” will debut its first of four dinner experiences. The dinner will feature an 8-course meal accompanied with mocktails and cocktails, which will also be infused with THC. Guests are given the choice of a low-dose option and high-dose option. Ticket holders will be greeted with a choice of THC seltzer Lil Bit, Wonder Water, HOWDY, or Beach Break as a welcome drink before being seated. 5:30 and 8:30 pm.

Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino presents Fanny Sanín: "Eyes Wide Open" opening reception

Sicardi | Ayers | Bacino will present "Eyes Wide Open," the gallery's second solo exhibition featuring the work of Fanny Sanín in their main gallery. The exhibition features a selection of the artist's work from her early oil paintings of the 1960s through her current production, providing an expansive understanding of the development of her oeuvre from gestural abstraction to hard-edge concrete abstraction while tracing the common threads underlying the progression. Through Thursday, March 14. 6 pm.

Cirque Italia

Aquatic Spectacular Cirque Italia Acrobats and contortionists perform over a 35,000-gallon water tank during Cirque Italia Aquatic Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia will present their new production, a story that begins with ringmaster “Clown Rafinha” fishing when he unexpectedly catches a bottle with a treasure map stuffed inside. His ensuing journey takes the audience through storms on the high seas, dreams of angelic aerialists, pirate fights, and more. Guests will see swashbucklers balancing upside down on a rum barrel, juggling knives, and even one having a run-in with a mermaid. Through Sunday, January 28. 7:30 pm (1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 and 4:30 pm Sunday).

Friday, January 19

Houston Grand Opera presents Parsifal

Wagnerites from around the world will descend upon Houston when HGO presents Parsifal, the composer’s final opera. The revered masterpiece takes audiences on a mystical journey through a realm where time has no meaning and a group of knights are trying to protect the Holy Grail and their wounded king, Amfortas. He can only be healed by an innocent fool - the titular protagonist - but first Parsifal must undertake a quest to reclaim the Holy Spear, enduring tests including an attempted seduction by a bevy of gorgeous women. 6 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Discovery Green and Villa Albertine in Houston present Cinema Luminaire

Dive into the extraordinary world of groundbreaking French filmmaker/illusionist Georges Méliès in a silent film with live music from French violinist Kami Ghavi Helm. The director’s A Trip to the Moon (1902, 13 min) will be followed by a selection of his short films introduced by Keith Houk, professor at University of Houston. Cinema Luminaire is presented in partnership between Discovery Green and Villa Albertine in Houston. 7 pm.

Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head

Hasan Minhaj will perform twice on January 19 at Smart Financial Centre. Photo courtesy of Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj continues to take on challenging themes like politics, parenting, and therapy with irreverent wit and insight. Minhaj is a two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian best known for his breakout (and somewhat fact-based) Netflix specials Homecoming King & The King’s Jester and his political satire show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, also for Netflix. Minhaj was also senior correspondent at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and headlined the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. 7 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents New/Now

New/Now is a mixtape of genres & all-new works by Houston artists. Supporting new multi-genre works by the artists of the city, it is an evening alive with dreams made real - a variety of influences, backgrounds, and Houston stories waiting to be heard. The two-night performance will feature world premieres by Group Acorde, The Suffers frontlady Kam Franklin, and ShaWanna Renee Rivon. 7:30 pm.

Saturday, January 20

Autism Speaks Houston 8K/5K/1K Race

At Autism Speaks' Houston 8K/5K/1K Race, participants can run or walk at Sugar Land Town Square or wherever they are to show their support for people with autism. Participants' fundraising efforts will empower the work to promote solutions for the needs of people with autism and their families — including those in urgent need of resources right now — and fuel the continued commitment to create a kinder, more inclusive world for people with autism. 7:15 am.

Houston Texans official watch party at Avenida Houston

As our Houston Texans face off with the Baltimore Ravens in a huge AFC Divisional playoff matchup, Visit Houston will host a free, official downtown watch party at Avenida Houston in The Plaza (Avenida de las Americas). The fun begins at 1:30 pm with a fan fest featuring appearances by Houston Texans Legends; Houston Texans cheerleaders; beloved mascot, TORO; the game day emcees, former Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts III and Keisha Nicole; the official game day DJ, Vanilla Trill, and more. At 3:30 pm, all eyes will be on the giant LED screens and TVs. As this is a non-ticketed event, walk-ups are encouraged, but fans can also RSVP here. Those planning to attend are advised to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and warm clothing options as the day progresses.

Cactus Music presents The Hates

The Hates has been called "Houston's first and last punk band” and, with over 45 years of blood, sweat, and that familiar mohawk, those words may be more true than their author ever knew. From his very first live show in 1978, Christian Kidd (aka, Christian Arnheiter, Christian Anarchy, Christian Oppression, and The Scooter Guy) has steered this legendary band through decades of disco, pop, new wave, hair bands, hip-hop, crossover country, and tribute bands to keep punk rock alive. 3 pm.

Monster Jam

At Monster Jam, world champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. 6 pm (3 pm Sunday).

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts presents Beyond Broadway: Renée Elise Goldsberry

Renée Elise Goldsberry comes home for a big show. Photo courtesy of Renee Elise Goldsberry

Renée Elise Goldsberry is an actress and singer who has delivered award-winning performances on Broadway and on the screen. She is perhaps best known for her role as Angelica Schuyler in the musical phenomenon Hamilton. Renée’s performance earned her a Tony, a Grammy, and a Drama Desk Award. She was also nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in the Disney+ film adaptation and accepted the Emmy for Best Variety Special on behalf of her company in 2021. 8 pm.

Sunday, January 21

The Divine Darlings presents The Burly Soirée

The Burly Soirée: Feathered Follies celebrates classic burlesque and showgirl-style performances with acts from headliners Peter Pecker, a Houston burlesque dancer, singer and host; and Mara Ballerina, a Houston-based burlesque performer, pole dancing champion and former professional ballerina. Divine Darlings Sadie Mercedes & Holly GoSpankMe, special guest Fantasia Black Diamond, and Soirée host/producer Lady AnnaBelle will also perform. 2 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Deep Listening: The Story of Pauline Oliveros

Houston native Pauline Oliveros (1932–2016) was one of the most important musical minds of her time. She pioneered electronic music, accessibility to music-making, and, most importantly, Deep Listening (a philosophy and practice that encompasses all of her work). Her influence on music, the experimental arts, and creative communities continues to be felt worldwide. This new documentary combines rare archival footage, live performances, and unreleased music with appearances by groundbreaking artists. 5 pm.

Lucinda Williams in concert

Revered alt-country singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams is bringing her acclaimed live show to The Heights Theater this weekend. The three-time Grammy winner is embarking on her “Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets: The Story Of A Life in Songs” tour. The multi-media music and storytelling experience features Williams performing some of her most beloved songs, while sharing backstories with her audience about their inspirations and origins. Fans will experience a truly intimate evening with Williams unlike anything she has done in the past. 8 pm.

Movie Review

Over-the-top thriller The Housemaid revels in camp, chaos, and excess

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid.

Both Amanda Seyfried (the upcoming The Testament of Ann Lee) and Sydney Sweeney (Christy) are starring in movies with Oscar ambitions this year. By sheer coincidence, the two actors are also co-starring in The Housemaid, a thriller coming out within weeks of their more ambitious works, one that is likely to be seen by many more people than those prestige plays.

Sweeney is given top billing as Millie, a down-on-her-luck ex-convict looking to land any type of job so as not to break her parole. She finds a too-good-to-be-true lifeboat with Nina (Seyfried), who hires her to be a housemaid for her large house on Long Island, where she lives with her husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), and daughter, Cecilia (Indiana Elle).

After a warm interview, Nina almost immediately becomes highly erratic, whipping back-and-forth between happy-go-lucky and rageful. It seems clear that Nina is suffering from mental health issues, as she’ll often accuse Millie of misplacing or stealing items that she didn’t take. Andrew, apparently used to Nina’s tirades, tries to protect Millie from the worst, something that grows increasingly difficult as Nina ups the ante.

Directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor) and adapted by Rebecca Sonnenshine from the bestselling book by Freida McFadden, the film is likely the trashiest mainstream movie to come out in 2025. The first half of the movie relies not on story but on moments as Nina embodies the word “hysterical” to an unbelievable extent. The resigned acceptance of the abuse by Millie, as well as the saintly patience of Andrew, make almost every scene laughable, as nobody seems to be acting anywhere close to how a person would normally react to such extreme situations.

The scenes and the performance of Seyfried are so over-the-top, in fact, that it’s clear that the filmmakers are in on the joke. It’s next to impossible not to have a little bit of fun while watching the actors react to outrageous incidents as if nothing is out of the ordinary. The worse Nina acts, the more Millie and Andrew retreat into their chosen roles, and the funnier the film becomes.

Fans of the book will know that the story changes course, eventually turning into a more stereotypical thriller that also has some relatively gnarly visuals to offer. But the trashiness continues, with Sweeney’s, um, assets repeatedly on display in both clothed and unclothed ways. The sex appeal of the R-rated movie makes it an outlier, as recent studio films have shied away from asking their big stars to disrobe completely.

Both Seyfried and Sweeney are far from their Oscar hopeful roles here. Seyfried is given free rein to act as brazenly as she pleases, and she takes full advantage of that ability. Sweeney seems to have been told to be much more reserved, and unfortunately that results in too many wooden line readings. Sklenar continues his breakout streak (It Ends with Us, Drop) with a role that allows him to show more range than either Seyfried or Sweeney.

The Housemaid is an unusual type of movie to be released at a time of year when most films are either those aiming for awards or more family-friendly fare. Despite its many flaws, it’s still an enjoyable watch that features a variety of crazy scenarios not typically seen in movies nowadays.

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The Housemaid is now playing in theaters.

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