weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Like bluebonnets and crawfish, the annual Art Car Parade is a reliable sign of spring in Houston. Before 250 vehicles take to the streets, fans have the opportunity to get a sneak peek on Thursday or party into the night on Friday at the Art Car Ball — keep an eye out for the Great Wolf Lodge car we wrote about earlier this week.

Outside of all things automotive, this weekend offers an inside look at one of the ‘80s most enduring cult classic films, a festival to mark the end of Ramadan, and the chance to feast on Houston’s best barbecue. Families should look for the heartwarming tale of a canine superhero and a show featuring some of Disney’s most popular characters.

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, April 11

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary presents Reflections on Style Luncheon, Runway Show, and Chic Boutique
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host their annual fundraiser, blending a jubilation of fashion, philanthropy, and community engagement. Themed “Girls with Pearls,” the event encapsulates the spirit of women uniting for a positive impact. This year's distinguished honoree, Michelle Bain, receives recognition for her support and longstanding commitment to The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and various other commendable organizations. This annual luncheon will continue with its four-day fashion sale event. 10 am.

The Orange Show presents Art Car Sneak Peek
Kicking off a weekend of events, the sneak peek gives visitors a first look at nearly 100 art cars, contraptions, lowriders, SLABs, and mobile masterpieces featured in this year's Art Car Parade. Guests can stroll through Discovery Green and along Avenida Houston, meet the artists, enjoy kids craft activities, music, and more. The legendary Art Car Ball follows Friday night with the Art Car Parade rolling through downtown on Saturday afternoon. 6 pm.

Performing Arts Houston presents The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
Cary Elwes will present a two-night, behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film The Princess Bride, in which he starred as Westley. Journey back to the lands of Florin and Guilder in an adventure filled with fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, miracles, and of course, true love. After a screening of the iconic movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse, revealing never-before-shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics. 7:30 pm.

Friday, April 12

Houston Museum of African American Culture presents “Mami Wata Afrofuturism: 500 Years Back to the [Afro][Future]” opening reception
This new exhibition envisions the future through the lens of the past and focuses on works by artists of the African Diaspora who consider the transatlantic and trans-Mississippi delta journeys of Black people across waters, carrying with them histories, mythologies, and cultures towards new futures. The exhibition includes paintings, photography and digital painting on paper, photographs, video, and sculpture from such artists as Arnold J. Browne, Carla Jay Harris, Miatta Kawinzi, Abi Salami, and Raymond Thompson. A conversation with the artists, moderated by chief curator Christopher Blay, will be on Saturday. Through Saturday, June 29. 6 pm.

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival presents Art Dash Party
The Art Dash Party will feature a room of festival artists and art lovers. The highlight of this event is the 60-Second Art Dash, in which ticket holders can quickly dash to select a coveted original art piece donated by the festival’s fine artists. The party also features light bites, adult beverages, and live music. The painting “Water Break,” by this year's featured artist, Regina Lyubovnaya, will be auctioned off along with other items. Funds from the live auction and ticket sales will benefit The Woodlands Arts Council’s Student Art Scholarship Program. The festival continues with more events on Saturday and Sunday. 6:30 pm.

TheaterWorksUSA presents Dog Man: The Musical
Dog Man: The Musical is a heartwarming and hysterical production based on the worldwide bestselling book series. It follows the chronicles of a canine superhero who loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime? 7 pm (11 am, 3 & 7 pm Saturday; 1 & 5 pm Sunday).

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars charts a course through the night sky, where every story starts with a wish. Guests will experience the magic of Frozen 2 and celebrate the power of love with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff; watch Asha and her friend Star from Wish as they skate to “This Wish”; embrace the dreams and gifts inside us all with Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela, and maybe even Bruno; explore the skies with Aladdin and Jasmine; sing along with Tiana as she dreams of owning her own restaurant; and more. 7:30 pm (11 am, 3 & 7 pm Saturday; 1 & 5 pm Sunday).

Saturday, April 13

Asia Society Texas Center presents Festival of Eid
At Asia Society Texas Center's sixth annual Festival of Eid, guests can celebrate and learn through food, performances, artist demonstrations, activities, and games. Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is an occasion of peace, joy, and festivity. People visit friends and family, give gifts, and eat sweet food. On the festival lawn, guests can visit food stalls before heading indoors to play games and enjoy ticketed dance performances. In addition, they can enjoy free admission to Xu Bing: "Word Alchemy." Noon.

Karina Nistal and the Cosmic Cats Backyard Bash!
Karina Nistal and the Cosmic Cats hit the Continental Club’s Pachinko Hut for a backyard bash. Nistal is a vibrant bilingual singer and songwriter, with seven albums and 25 years of international performing experience. She has collaborated on tracks with artists and renowned music producers all over the world. Formerly LA-based, she now resides in Houston, where she performs regularly along with her new quartet, The Cosmic Cats, all local icons in their own right. 7 pm.

Sawyer Yards Brewery Crawl
Sawyer Yards’ creative campus is punctuated with breweries that invite people to linger after Second Saturday. Join them for a brewery crawl at Platypus Brewing, Urban South, City Orchard, and Holler Brewing Co. Each brewery invites people to savor distinctive brews that complement the vibrant artistry of Sawyer Yards. Best of all, admission is free! Simply pay for the beer. This event is open to all aged 21 and over. 5 pm.

Frankie Beverly & Maze in concert
Toyota Center welcomes Frankie Beverly and his band Maze back to Houston before they unfortunately part ways. After 54 years, nine gold albums and numerous hits including “Before I Let Go,” “Happy Feelin’s” and other cookout favorites, Beverly will be retiring soon. So, he decided to do some farewell shows across the country, giving longtime fans one last night of feelgood R&B. The O'Jays and El DeBarge will also be performing. 8 pm.

Sunday, April 14

11th Annual Houston Barbecue Festival
The 35 best barbecue joints from Houston and surrounding areas will serve unlimited samples to 2,000+ hungry barbecue fanatics. This year’s participants represent the many styles that make Texas barbecue both dynamic and delicious. East Texas-style barbecue as well as Cajun influences from places like Beaumont are represented. Central Texas-style craft barbecue is, of course, well-represented. Barbecue joints that represent Venezuelan, Korean, South Texas, and Persian influences will also be highlighted. 1 pm.

Houston Early Music presents The Gate to Flamenco: Spanish Renaissance
With The Gate to Flamenco: Spanish Renaissance, Arte Puro brings a group of international musicians based in Texas to overlay the music of the Spanish Renaissance with today's flamenco. Centered on the influence of Spanish Renaissance and baroque composers, such as Juan del Encina or Gaspar Sanz, and their literature for guitar as well as the use of the rhythmic language, this program will navigate different Renaissance dances and flamenco palos (styles), taking the audience on a trip from the Spain of the XVII century to the present day. 3 pm.

Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour
The podcast host and comedian brings her honest, no-holds-barred style of comedy to 713 Music Hall. Her daily show, The Nikki Glaser Podcast is peppered with Nikki’s sense of humor and honesty to help keep listeners sane, well-informed, and laughing through life. In July of 2022, Glaser headlined her first HBO comedy special, Good Clean Filth. 7 pm.

Photo courtesy of Disney

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars comes to NRG Stadium.

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where to party on NYE

Close out 2025 with a bang at these Houston New Year's Eve parties

Photo by Cathlin McCullough

Experience sets by four DJs at Meow Wolf.

Whether 2025 has been good or bad, you owe it to yourself to end this year with a bang. And that’s why your friends at CultureMap have laid out more than 20 places – bars, pubs, nightclubs, even a children’s museum – that’ll be closing out 2025 in a grand, festive manner.

Happy New Year, and drink as much bubbly as you can reasonably consume — just leave the driving to someone else:

Art Club’s first NYE will feature one of their favorite artists from this year: Neon Indian. Expect an unpredictable sonic journey with an artist who crafts immersive DJ sets that weave deep cuts, vintage textures, and dancefloor energy. 10 pm.

Axelrad will have a free NYE bash with a champagne toast, a midnight cash ball drop, and live music from bands Azul and Rupert & Friends, as well as DJ sets from Rikkiton, Eleven Toes Down, and IYKYK. Shop Local Market will also be there with vendors. 7 pm.

Bar Boheme will get the New Year started with Rudy Rincon & GRUPO KACHE, delivering infectious rhythms that'll have people dancing all night long. They’ll also have an all-you-can-eat buffet until 10 pm, a champagne toast with grapes, and more. 7 pm.

Best Regards will transform into a full winter wonderland/Alps-inspired Après-Ski lounge for “An Après Affair.” For this champagne-forward celebration (complete with DJ-led energy building to a midnight toast), faux fur, metallics, and "Alpine-chic" attire are encouraged. 8 pm.

Children’s Museum Houston will throw its annual NYE-during-the-day bash for kids, where they’ll be counting down until the clock strikes noon. The first 200 children will receive “Happy New Year” necklaces to kick off the celebration. 9 am.

Constellation Field in Sugar Land will host a midnight fireworks display as part of its Sugar Land Holiday Lights display. Adults (21-plus) can upgrade to the New Year's Eve Ball in the Regions Bank Club that includes an open bar, DJ, a champagne toast, and premium seating for the fireworks. 6 pm.

Dan Electro’s will be mixing vibes, funk, world reggae, and rock & roll for a New Year's concert in the Heights. Bayou City Funk, demrootsmusic, and Charlie Danger’s Jet Set will play the music, while champagne will be available for purchase. 8:30 pm.

The Flat will be opening its doors to partygoers looking to ring in the New Year with Jamaican grooves. For this NYE edition of “Reggae Wednesday,” Flabba Dabba and KingFari will be spinning tunes while Caribbean food will be available on the patio. 9 pm.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will have its third annual, interactive murder-mystery event on NYE. Ticket holders get access to the mystery and a complimentary welcome beer or cocktail, as well as private dining and access to their cocktail and reserve beer menu. 7 pm.

The Foundation Room at House of Blues will get real soulful with “If It Don't Feel Like 90s RnB: New Year's Eve Edition.” Host/local R&B vocalist Keith Jacobs will be providing the vocals, while The Ken Chatham Project serves up the sounds. 9 pm.

Grooves of Houston will throw a “Tux & Tennies” party, where dressing up in your finest evening wear (complete with fresh fly kicks) is a requirement. There will be a midnight cash balloon drop, a champagne toast, a brunch buffet, and much more. 8 pm.

Heights Social will be the starting point for the Heights NYE celebration on W. 20th St. For $60 (and two drinks), you can skip the line and check out the parties at Heights Social, BLVD Park, Say No Mas, and Cattlemen’s Country Club. 8 pm.

Hotel Saint Augustine will be throwing a free soiree in their listening lounge. Described as an evening “filled with elegance and indulgence,” with a complimentary midnight toast. But, to be honest, they had us at “music, decadent caviar, and truffles.” 9 pm.

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City will roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood-style NYE, so dress to impress. Wine, beer and cocktails will be flowing, with a bubbly toast popping off at midnight. There will also be live entertainment and a hors d'oeuvres station. 10 pm.

Houston Museum of Natural Science will ring in the New Year with “Mixers and Elixirs: New Year's Eve.” Enjoy live music from Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band, and catch a screening of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre. 9 pm.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck continues its tradition of celebrating Irish New Year’s Eve, where they get their “Auld Lang Syne” on at 6 pm. Pat Byrne, Kristopher Wade, EJ Jones, and Frances Cunningham will be around with some fiddle music. 4:30 pm.

Meow Wolf Houston will have its first-ever NYE celebration inside Radio Tave, giving guests full access to explore the worlds while moving through distinct DJ-driven zones. The lineup features Houston artists Machine Elves, IMAX713, PHARAX, and KINOTE. 8 pm.

Neil’s Bahr will be adding something new to their annual NYE rager – karaoke! At their new location, partygoers will get the chance to sing their heads off. The party will also offer cheap champagne, classic cocktails, silly hats, and all the free hors d'oeuvres you can handle. 8 pm.

Numbers will serve up another NYE spectacular, which includes a $2,026 balloon drop at midnight, along with a champagne toast, and complimentary party favors. Longtime Numbers DJ Wes Wallace will be in the booth spinning. 9 pm.

Off the Record Listening Bar is planning a big New Year's bash with live sets from Keith Jacobs (again) & the B-Sides Band, DJ Ortiz, DJ Youngstreetz, and FlemmDoggyDogg. A welcome cocktail is given to the first 50 RSVPs. 8 pm.

Pimlico Irish Pub will continue its tradition of celebrating NYE on Ireland time, when the clock strikes midnight at 6 pm. They will have complimentary swag, a champagne toast, and a livestream of the Ireland NYE celebration. 2 pm.

POST’s New Year's Eve Celebration features a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration of glitz, glamour and over-the-top excitement. The grand finale will be a midnight fireworks spectacle orchestrated by pyrotechnic artists Celestial Displays. 9 pm.

Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge will have a NYE bash with performances by rockabilly group Shame on Me, synth-punk rockers TV Dolls, and Americana band Brightwire. There will also be a free champagne toast at midnight. 8 pm.

The Spot Lounge & Bar will celebrate NYE with its signature welcoming energy, music, handcrafted cocktails, and bubbly. A limited-edition, holiday cocktail lineup features festive twists on classics, blending bold seasonal flavors with approachable comfort. 2 pm.

Tejas Brewery will be celebrating the New Year with a rooftop shindig. Your ticket includes a free first beer and a champagne toast at midnight, as well as live music (from brotherly rock trio Wolf Moon) all night and a great view of the downtown fireworks. 8 pm.

Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge will have a special, family-friendly celebration. They’ll be hosting an exclusive ticketed event featuring unlimited sim racing, a live DJ, goodies throughout the night, light bites and, of course, that midnight champagne toast. 7 pm.

houston new year's eve entertainment