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    Top 10 Entertainment Stories

    Houston's top 10 entertainment stories of 2024 spotlight Ren Faire and Rodeo

    Brianna McClane
    Dec 24, 2024 | 4:30 pm
    Amid scandals covered by multiple documentaries, the nation's largest Renaissance festival opens for its golden season.

    Ren Faire, the HBO docuseries about the Texas Renaissance Festival, led this year's most read entertainment articles.

    Photo courtesy of the Texas Renaissance Festival

    Editor's note: Houston had a lyrical year in 2024, with RodeoHouston concert reviews dominating CultureMap Houston’s most-clicked entertainment articles. Readers soaked up the details of performances by Bun B, Nickelback, 50 Cent, and other famous artists, including record-breaking crowds. The Texas Renaissance Festival landed in the national spotlight through HBO’s docuseries, with Houstonians closely following how their local ren faire was portrayed.

    Here are the 10 most popular entertainment stories of the year:

    1. Texas Renaissance Festival distances itself from viral HBO docuseries. Ren Faire, HBO’s three-part docuseries, brought the story of festival founder “King” George Coulam to the small screen where viewers watched as he ruminated on retirement and attempted to woo younger women. The local organization issued a somewhat confusing statement distancing itself from its staff’s eccentric portrayal.

    2. Bun B, Drake, and hip hop all-stars cowboy up at historic RodeoHouston performance. Houston cultural ambassador and entrepreneur Bun B reclaimed his title as the most-attended male rap performer in RodeoHouston history with 75,005 paying attendees. Drake, Nelly, Rick Ross, Eve, and DMC of Run-DMC were among the international stars that took the stage with Bun B for a 33-song, 90-minute set that had Houstonians dancing in the stands.

    3. Legendary WWII warplane unearthed from 268 feet of ice lands at Houston museum. Houstonians glimpsed history when the Glacier Girl, a World War II plane uncovered from 268 feet of ice in Greenland, made a stopover at the Lone Star Flight Museum. The plane was the only one from its squadron recovered in 1992, nearly 50 years after its crash.

    4. Nickelback burns Houston to the ground with sold out RodeoHouston debut. The much-maligned Canadian rock band Nickelback made its debut at RodeoHouston to a sold-out crowd of 75,036, second only to Los Tigres Del Norte. Though often mocked, their energetic performance proved why Nickelback has sold more than 50 million albums.

    5. 50 Cent and special guests take Houston to Da Club in packed Rodeo debut. Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson took the stage for his inaugural Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo performance on March 1, providing fans with an uncensored, lively production. The audience sang along with the Houston resident who has become an HSLR regular, selling his own wine at record prices.

    6. Affluent Houston suburbs top list of biggest holiday spenders in U.S.U.S. Everyone wanted to befriend residents of The Woodlands after WalletHub’s survey ranked the Houston-area city at No. 13 in its annual report on U.S. cities with the biggest holiday budgets in 2024. Shoppers in The Woodlands are expected to spend $3,395 on Christmas gifts. Sugar Land earned the No. 14 spot, while Houston proper landed at No. 241.

    7. Dramatic new docuseries on the Texas Renaissance Festival could be the next Tiger King. Ren Faire, the HBO docuseries, premiered to a packed house at South by Southwest (SXSW). Journalist Brianna Caleri likened it to Netflix’s Tiger King, as both explore charismatic leaders in niche, dedicated organizations.

    8. Massive new entertainment complex lights up Houston suburb. The announcement of Lumos, a 45,000-square-foot entertainment hub opening in 2025, made waves with readers in September. The family-friendly venue in New Caney will feature cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality experiences and 40-foot LED screens, along with familiar favorites of bowling, karaoke, and laser tag.

    9. College Football Championship weekend kicks off in Houston with free concerts, events, and more. Houston hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 8. Thanks to family-friendly free events, including performances by Megan Moroney and 2 Chainz, locals could enjoy the festivities even without a ticket to the big game.

    10. Yellowstone star Lainey Wilson enthralls at sold-out RodeoHouston debut. Lainey Wilson, the ‘Hillbilly Hippie’ queen of modern country-rock, made headlines for her sold-out matinee at HLSR. The musician and actress made a dramatic exit by riding a horse around the stage before galloping out of NRG stadium.

    hot-headlineslistsrodeorodeohouston
    news/entertainment

    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 16 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Aug 26, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Lynyrd Skynyrd
    Courtesy of Lynyrd Skynyrd
    Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner perform in The Woodlands in Thursday.

    As the world mourns one of the greatest musical icons to ever walk the face of the earth this week, Houstonians have a lot of options to seek comfort by seeing live music this weekend.

    The options include a Buddy Guy festival here, a Save Ferris show there, a Foreigner/Lynyrd Skynyrd twofer over at the Woodlands. But the weekend also offers the Solar Flare Music Festival, Kam Franklin's record-release party, a salute to Led Zeppelin, and a superstar who knows how to put away some Crown Royal.

    Thursday, August 27

    Slip Sliders One-Year Anniversary Celebration
    Slip Sliders is ready to celebrate its one-year anniversary with sliders, shakes, and a rainbow of sprinkles. Beginning this weekend, the Museum District restaurant will have a limited-time Birthday Cake Milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, real confetti cake pieces and colorful sprinkles. During the promotion, people who purchase any slider or chicken tender combo can add the new shake for just $1. The shake will also be available on its own for the regular milkshake price of $3.75. 11 am.

    The Riot Comedy Club Grand Opening Party
    This weekend, The Riot Comedy Club will officially unveil its new live comedy venue at 1925 Washington Ave. The grand opening celebration kicks off with a pre-show party, followed by a hilarious set from comedian Andy Huggins, as well as other comedic friends of The Riot. The grand opening will also feature coffee sampling from The Riot’s new onsite coffee shop and a $3,000 merchandise giveaway – including season passes, VIP passes to The Riot Comedy Festival in 2027, and The Riot Comedy Club gift cards. 6 pm.

    Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner in concert
    The two legendary rock bands come to The Woodlands as part of their co-headlining Double Trouble Double Vision Tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd has released 15 albums in its career, most recently Comin' Down in 2023. Foreigner has released 10 albums in its career, most recently ...When It's Live in 2010.

    Emily Hynds presents No Kiss
    No Kiss, a new play by Emily Hynds, is a darkly comedic play that starts mid-catastrophe: a break up. Sam and Jack have been together for years but something cracked and Sam can't take it anymore, which is news to Jack. Enter their roommate, Rahul, who has no idea what's going on and somehow ends up along for the ride as his friends go through the devastating experience of falling out of love. Through Saturday, September 5. 8 pm.

    Friday, August 28

    Cactus Music presents Kam Franklin Record Release Party
    The Suffers frontwoman Kam Franklin is dropping Land of the Neon Sun, her first full-length solo record, on Friday, and she’ll be celebrating at Cactus Music with an in-store performance, followed by a meet-and-greet signing. Franklin clinches a personal win and delivers a 12-song joyride (co-produced by Franklin and alt-country hero Margo Price) that honors Americana roots while embracing experimentation, individuality, and vulnerability. It’s a wristband event, so space is limited. 5:30 pm.

    Community Artists' Collective presents "The Road to 40 - A Retrospective of the Community Artists' Collective" opening reception
    The Community Artists’ Collective will introduce its year-long, 40th anniversary celebration with this retrospective exhibition. Curated by Viktor Le Ewing-Givens, the exhibition chronicles 40 years of art, impact, and dedication through archival imagery, mixed media, fiber arts, and immersive installation, revisiting the Collective's meaningful impact and dynamic presence in the Houston cultural landscape. It also honors the enduring legacy of the organization as a vital sanctuary for creative exchange and heritage preservation. Through Friday, October 30. 6 pm.

    Solar Flare Music Festival
    Solar Flare Music Festival, a two-day music festival hosted by Houston Music Classifieds, is taking place at Axelrad Beer Garden. It features live music from more than 40 local acts across three stages, an artists market, and some surprises after midnight. Performers will include Swimwear Department, Tosin & the Afrobeatable, differentchris, Kimya, Sara Van Buskirk, Sorry, Sarah, and more. 6 pm (2 pm Saturday).

    Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin IV
    Led Zeppelin IV is an album full of experimentation, from the way it was recorded to the variety of arrangements. It sold over 37 million copies world-wide and is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Classic Albums Live will recreate Led Zeppelin IV note for note, cut for cut, allowing the audience to sing along with favorite songs like "Rock and Roll," " When the Levee Breaks," and "Stairway to Heaven." 8 pm.

    Saturday, August 29

    Cultural Center - Our Texas presents Book and Artworks Fair
    The fair will feature a wide selection of books for children and adults, including both English- and Russian-language titles, fiction and non-fiction, adventure stories, cookbooks, and travel literature. In addition to books, visitors can explore a large sale of artworks and art albums, offering unique pieces for collectors and art enthusiasts. 9:45 am.

    The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park presents “Happy 190th Birthday, Houston!”
    The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park and Mister McKinney of Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston will host a free public celebration marking Houston’s 190th birthday. The event will feature free afternoon activities, historic tours and youth programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Mayor John Whitmire and members of Houston City Council are scheduled to participate in the ceremonial cake cutting at 3:30 pm. 1 pm.

    Houston Symphony presents Pepe Aguilar
    Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar will perform with the Houston Symphony, under the direction of Mexican-American guest conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez. Aguilar is recognized as the voice of a generation of Mexican music and an icon in the Latin American music industry. With over 20 billion streams, 15 million records sold, four Grammy Awards, five Latin Grammys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he has captivated audiences worldwide with his powerful voice and dynamic performances, honoring tradition while constantly evolving the genre. 7:30 pm

    River Oaks Theatre presents The Weird Kidz
    When three preteen boys, an older brother, and his girlfriend take off for a weekend campout, none of them could imagine the horrors (and laughs) awaiting them in a remote desert inhabited by a legendary night creature and crazed townsfolk. Written and single-handedly animated by Zach Passero (with his wife Hannah painting the beautiful backgrounds), this horror-inflected creature feature is an ode to '80s coming-of-age films and favorite late-night cinema tales. Passaro will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 10 pm.

    Sunday, August 30

    Kinetic Ensemble & Cor Mundi: Arvo Pärt at 90
    Cor Mundi Chamber Choir and Kinetic Ensemble will celebrate the 90th birthday of Arvo Pärt, one of the most performed composers of our time. This special jubilee program brings together some of Pärt’s most iconic works for choir and string orchestra. Featuring acclaimed organist Bryan Anderson, this anniversary celebration offers a rare opportunity to experience the remarkable breadth of Pärt’s musical voice in a single concert. 2 pm.

    Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents “Happy Birthday to the World: A Rosh Hashanah Celebration”
    Prepare for Rosh Hashanah with this joyful, family-friendly event. Presented in partnership with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, PJ Library, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, this free celebration welcomes the Jewish New Year (Yom Harat Olam) with festive, hands-on fun for all ages. Activities include face painting, an apple-dipping station, inflatables, balloon art, giant lawn games, music, arts & crafts, and more. 3 pm.

    Big Brothers Big Sisters presents Perfect Pairings: Tacos and Margaritas
    The folks at The Pit Room are teaming up with Emmanuel Chavez, chef and co-owner of Michelin-starred Houston restaurant Tatemó, for an evening of tacos and margaritas. Chavez will be serving his signature tuna toastadas and quesadillas, along with his take on two of Mexico City's most popular tacos — gaoneras and cachetadas. They'll be paired with mezcal and margaritas from The Pit Room's bar team. 4 pm.

    Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Courtesy of Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner perform in The Woodlands in Thursday.

    Jill Scott in concert
    Earlier this year, Philly neo-soul queen Jill Scott dropped To Whom This May Concern, her first album in 11 years. Scott is now out on the road, hitting audiences with new jams from the album as well as classic hits from her Words and Sounds trilogy, from “Gettin’ in the Way” to “A Long Walk” to “Golden.” For two nights straight, the same lady who encouraged ladies to take off the earrings and pull out the Vaseline whenever you fight for your man will be here to give us some hearty R&B. 7:30 pm (Saturday 7:30 pm).

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