weekend event planner

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

snow globe theater moody gardens holiday spectacular

Snow Globe Theater casts a spell at Moody Gardens' A Christmas Wish: Holiday Spectacular.

Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens

We're just days away from Christmas, which means last-minute shopping, a much-needed break, and time with friends and family. Don't forget to check out all the dazzling holiday light displays all around town this season (check out our roundup here).

As for this weekend, look for ugly sweater parties, a visit from actor Jeremy Piven (who's trying standup now), holiday tunes at Houston Symphony, and a holiday spectacular at Moody Gardens in Galveston. And for some last-minute gift or ornament ideas, check out a cool class at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, December 21

Holiday Family Week at Rooftop Cinema Club

Through December 23, each adult ticket purchase for a matinee or afternoon screening at Rooftop Cinema Club includes a complimentary kid's ticket, valid for children 12 and under. The offer can be claimed on each film’s ticket page. While these screenings are open to all ages, please note headphones used for movie sound are best suited for ages 5 and up. Holiday films include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Visit the Rooftop Cinema site for showtimes and tickets.

Catch some holiday movie faves at Rooftop Cinema Club.Photo courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club

93’ Til 3 Year Anniversary & Holiday Party

93’ Til will be celebrating three years this weekend. The vinyl restaurant and bar will have food and drink specials for the celebratory occasion, including $9 cocktails and $3 Asahi beers. Holiday-themed drinks, including the signature Nogg it Off Egg Nog cocktail, will also be available. There will be multiple DJs on-site spinning hits throughout the night. The anniversary party will be holiday-themed. Ugly sweaters are encouraged. 93’ Til will also have different raffle prizes and a toy drive throughout the night for donations. 7 pm.

Exalted Arts Theatre Company presents Passport to Christmas

Passport to Christmas is a heartwarming musical about dysfunctional siblings who are reunited by a challenge, presented to them by their late music-publishing father. The siblings must travel around the world in the 25 days of December (about 3 and a half weeks), using a scrapbook filled with holiday songs from the countries they explore. They must perform tasks and sing songs until they reach home on Christmas Day, where they will earn a big inheritance. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday).

Capricorn Cocktail Launch Party

The Aphrodisi-Acts will bring their signature neon dreams to Roswell’s Saloon for their Capricorn cocktail release party, celebrating the hardworking and loyal Capricorns in our lives with $6 Capricorn cocktails all night. There will be three neon-dripped, burlesque performances by the effervescent Cara Cherie throughout the evening, as well as go-go dancing by Bambi LaBamba, Roxie Revel, and Dahlia Devine. Nikki Knockout will serve as the MC. This Is a free, one-of-a-kind show – but please bring your tipping money for the performers. 8 pm.

Friday, December 22

Moody Gardens presents A Christmas Wish: Holiday Spectacular

Embark on a journey like no other at Moody Gardens' A Christmas Wish: Holiday Spectacular. This spellbinding show combines the artistry of Broadway-style song and dance with mesmerizing acrobatics and more. Join Natalie, the lead character, on her transformative adventure as she dives into her cherished childhood memories inside an enchanting snow globe. With spirited characters, stunning visuals, and electrifying performances, this is a heartwarming spectacle that will reignite your holiday joy. Through Saturday, December 30. 6:30 pm.

Improv Houston presents Jeremy Piven

So, Jeremy Piven is doing stand-up now. After a more than 30-year acting career, appearing in everything from The Larry Sanders Show to Black Hawk Down to Broadway & off-Broadway plays, the Emmy winner is on a quest to introduce his fans to a funnier side with his new stand-up comedy show. Piven has also starred in such shows as Entourage and Wisdom of the Crowd. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:30 pm Saturday).

Houston Symphony presents "Very Merry Pops"

Here we go with a Houston holiday tradition for the whole family! All this weekend, gather with loved ones in Jones Hall—decked with boughs of holly—for a sparkling concert filled with all your holiday favorites. Featuring Broadway leading lady Mandy Gonzalez (star of Hamilton and In the Heights) and the Houston Symphony Chorus, this concert is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit quicker than you can sing “Jingle Bells.” 7:30 pm.

Silent Party Houston “RNB vs Trap Essentials Ugly Sweater” Edition

It’s your typical party…with no speakers or amps. Instead, attendees don wireless headphones and turn them to various stations, then boogie on the dance floor amidst other revelers dancing to whatever’s in their headphones. Multiple DJs are competing for your attention during this bash, spinning the hottest hits. also switching to old school hits. If you don’t like a song, simply switch your headphones from one station to the next to keep the party going. This time around, wear your ugliest Christmas sweater as R&B and trap tunes play in your ears. 9 pm.

Saturday, December 23

Saturday Morning Cartoons at Houston Toy Museum

Head over to the Houston Toy Museum for their next Cartoon Cereal Party – this time with a holiday twist! They’ll be screening a mix of classic holiday episodes of favorites like The Flintstones, The Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and more. Enjoy a milk and cereal buffet, complete with all of the sugary classics. Kids get in free if they're wearing their holiday PJs. The event is free of charge when you purchase museum admission on the website or in person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 10 am.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents Poor Things Brunch

Alamo Drafthouse La Centerra invites you to sit back, and relax with a special menu brunch screening of the highly anticipated film Poor Things, starring Emma Stone. Watch Emma Stone deliver a mesmerizing performance in this dark, comedic Yorgos Lanthimos film, all while indulging in a special, curated, movie-themed brunch menu. Indulge in delectable dishes inspired by the film, combining flavors that will transport you into the world of Poor Things. 11:35 am (11 am Sunday).

Contemporary Arts Houston presents Holiday Ornament | Bonus Art Studio

Get crafty at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston ornament-making classes. Photo courtesy of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

CAMH’s Open Studio sessions feature drop-in, hands-on activities that draw inspiration from the exhibitions on view. During these sessions, participants will have an opportunity to explore imaginative concepts inspired by world-renowned artists who show at the museum by making artworks in response to theirs. With Christmas around the corner, you’ll be able to make a decorative ornament using mixed-media materials at this session. 2 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros

Acclaimed filmmaker Frederick Wiseman (who turns 94 on New Year’s Day) explores the daily lives of the family running renowned French restaurant La Maison Troisgros—which has held three Michelin stars for the past five decades over four generations. The four-hour, mostly French-language film is set in central France and takes viewers through vegetable markets, cheese-making plants, and vineyards to behind the scenes in the kitchen with staff as they create, prepare, and present mouthwatering meals. 2 pm.

Sunday, December 24

Bottomless Mimosa Sunday: DJ Brunch Extravaganza

Embrace the rhythm of Sundays at Hull & Oak’s Boozy Brunch featuring bottomless mimosas and electrifying DJ music. Elevate your weekend and savor a delectable brunch spread while the DJ spins the hottest beats. Indulge in endless mimosas that sparkle alongside your favorite tunes, creating an unforgettable musical experience. Gather your friends, bask in the ambiance, and make your Sundays extraordinary. Cheers to good vibes, great company, and the ultimate DJ soundtrack to your day. 7 am.

Ugly Sweater Christmas Eve Brunch at Taste Kitchen + Bar

Taste Kitchen + Bar, Houston’s ultimate all-day brunch destination, is hosting an all-day “‘Ugly Sweater Brunch” on Christmas Eve. The fun, holiday dining experience offers an opportunity to pull out that fabulous ugly Christmas sweater and wear it proudly for a Christmas Eve celebration of food and festivities. There will be holiday music, Christmassy cocktails and mimosas, and the restaurant staff will be donning their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters to get everyone in the spirit! 11 am.

Practice Portrait Photography and Party

Head over to Market Square Park for an exciting evening of portrait photography. This event is designed for both amateur and professional photographers who want to learn how to capture stunning portraits in a party atmosphere. You'll have the chance to practice your skills with a variety of models. Experienced photographers will be on hand to provide guidance and tips on how to get the most out of your equipment and capture the perfect shot. Event is BYOE (Bring Your Own Equipment). 5 pm.

Movie Review

Fun final act isn't enough to make Clayface DC's next great movie

Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie in Clayface

Photo by Parisa Taghizadeh

Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie are patient and doctor in Clayface.

The history of DC Comics in movies has been hit-and-miss, especially when it comes to anything not directly involving Batman or Superman. Over the years, films have been headlined by heroes like Catwoman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Shazam, the Flash, and more, and while some succeeded, none left a lasting mark on moviegoers’ imaginations.

Much like they did with Joker, the powers-that-be behind DC Studios productions are trying to entice viewers with a no-holds-barred story in Clayface. Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is an A-list movie actor with both critical and commercial appeal. Unfortunately, a night of celebration for his recent Oscar nomination leads to him sleeping with Theresa (Ruby Sear), the girlfriend of Markos Szabo (David Dencik), a prominent mobster in Gotham City. Markos then enacts revenge by taking a razor to Matt’s face.

Desperate to find a way to look like his old self again, Matt seeks out Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who’s conducting cutting-edge nanotechnology research that can heal any kind of damage. While the solution works on Matt, it also has the side effect of his body doing unintended things, even morphing into those with whom he comes into contact. After initially struggling with his new body, Matt decides to use his powers to enact revenge on those who’ve done him wrong.

Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil) and written by Mike Flanagan (The Life of Chuck) and Hossein Amini, the film is only intermittently entertaining as it tries to sell its ridiculous premise. Right from the start, it seems like the filmmakers have been given a limited budget, as everything from the sets to the CGI to the stilted dialogue feels cheap. For a film coming from a major studio, the whole thing comes off as schlocky and undercooked.

Watkins and his team try to make up for that shoddiness by delivering R-rated thrills like nudity and body horror, but those elements can only distract for so long. Much of the film is spent dealing with Matt’s trauma, and the downbeat nature of his body issues combined with very little action makes the movie not very fun to watch. The film also tries to make hay with more than a doctor-patient bond between Caitlyn — who has a boyfriend on the police force — and Matt, but like the most of the film, it never connects.

It’s not until the final third of the movie that the filmmakers land on the tone they should have been using the whole time. Matt’s ability to transform himself, while illogical and confounding, provides multiple over-the-top, funny moments and some legitimately creative kills. Instead of taking forever to set up Matt/Clayface’s origin story, Watkins and his team should have just cut to the chase and let him loose to see what the character could truly do.

This is the first big role for Welsh actor Harries, and while he’s not exactly magnetic, he proves himself worthy of the lead role. Ackie is also fine, but after several years of trying to advance up the Hollywood ladder, she may be running out of time to show she’s a star. The supporting cast has a couple of familiar faces, but it’s mostly lesser-known actors who do nothing to indicate they deserve bigger showcases.

It’s difficult to imagine any non-DC Comics fans having a strong attachment to the character of Clayface, and the film fails to make the case that he should be a continuing character. The poor quality of almost everything that appears on screen is indicative of the kind of effort and money that was put into the film, and sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

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Clayface opens in theaters on October 23.

movies film clayface