Make the most of your weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, January 23 to Sunday, January 26, 2014.
[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts
[/quote_box_right] It’s going to be another full Houston weekend with a nod to Halloween, large public art openings, great drinks and dining, musical legends live on stage, outdoor celebrations and, of course, the Rockets play. Check out our full list of things to do this weekend in Houston. You’ll be glad you did.
Things to Do All Weekend
- HAuNTCon | Daily – If you’re already longing for Halloween, join professional haunters from across the U.S. at the George R. Brown Convention center showcasing the latest in fear-making, costuming, and Halloween scares. Several of Houston’s top Halloween haunts will open their doors for evening haunt tours during the weekend-long event.
- We Will Rock You at the Hobby Center | Daily – Featuring the music of Queen, this 11-years running hit from London’s West End plays the Hobby Center for a limited time. Tickets are still available from TUTS, but you may find cheaper or better seats via TicketSpot’s resale market.
- Houston Iranian Film Festival | Daily – The museum’s longest-running film festival showcases films and filmmakers from Iran with screenings of A Patience Stone, Closed Curtain, My Name Is Negahdar Jamali and I Make Westerns, The Bright Day, Fat Shaker and The Last Step. General admission $2.
- Galveston Restaurant Week | Daily – Take advantage of great breakfast, lunch and dinner deals at 32 of Galveston’s most popular and well-known restaurants during Galveston Restaurant Week.
- Into the Woods at the Main Street Theater | Thursday through Sunday – It’s opening weekend for Main Street Theater’s take on this Broadway musical fairy tale mash-up that examines just what happens after “happily ever after.” Limited discount tickets are available for select shows.
- Double Feature at the Showboat Drive-In in Hockley | Friday to Sunday – Catch a double feature of new releases at this old school classic drive-in theater just northwest of Houston.
- Sophisticated Ladies: Nightingales to Torch Singers | Friday to Sunday – Lonestar Lyric presents this cabaret show featuring the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Rosemary Clooney at Ovations Night Club.
- Harlem Globetrotters at Reliant Arena | Saturday and Sunday – The Globetrotters bring their show-stopping dunks, amazing ball-handling skills and hilarious antics back to H-Town.
- 8th Annual Katy Home and Garden Show | Saturday and Sunday – Hosted by Jason Cameron, star of DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Cave, this expo at showcases everything you need for the home takes over the Merrell Center.
- 4th Annual Sugar Land Home and Garden Show | Saturday and Sunday – Browse the products and services of more than 200 home and garden professionals at Stafford Centre exposition.
- Discover a new Houston date idea (or a new date) | Sponsored – Looking for a popular date idea, or for someone to join you? Either way, Howaboutwe.com has some suggestions for you.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
- Happy hour at Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and Spirit Lodge – Enjoy $5 Session Lagers, $5 Old-Fashioneds and $5 drafts at Downtown’s favorite unmarked bar and patio. 5pm to 6:30pm
- Opening Reception for El Ultimo Grito at Rice Gallery | FREE – The London-based Spanish design studio will unveil its site-specific work for Rice Gallery at this reception featuring light bites and complimentary ale from Saint Arnold Brewery. 5pm to 7pm.
- Brilliant Lecture Series presents Robert Duvall at Wortham Center – Award-winning actor Robert Duvall as he talks about his classic film roles, modern movies and a life on screen. $65 to $200. 7pm.
- Skate Speed Dating at Hot Nights on The ICE | FREE to attend – Mix it up with music spun by Hot 95.7 and Mix 96.5 DJs while you participate in a speed dating couples skate at The ICE on Discovery Green. $12 skating fees apply.
- Helen Reddy in Concert at the Hobby Center – The Queen of 70s Pop, best known for her hit “I am Woman,” belts out a collection of her hits for one night only.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Friday, January 24, 2014
- Houston’s Hermann Park: A Century of Community Book signing at MFAH – Pick up this lushly photographed book celebrating Hermann Park and get it signed by author Barrie Scardino Bradley. 1pm to 3pm. Another signing follows on Saturday.
- In The Mood: a 1940s Musical Revue and Tribute – Reconnect with the music and sounds of the storied “Greatest Generation” with this choreographed and costumed big band tribute matinee. Discount tickets available. 2pm.
- Art in the Park Opening Reception with artists Patrick Dougherty and Yvonne Domenge at Hermann Park | FREE – Welcome the first two public art installations in Hermann Park’s yearlong Art in the Park celebration of its 100th year. Both Dougherty and Domenge will be on hand, commemorating their works located at either end of Jones Reflection Pool. 4pm to 6pm.
- Groundhog Day at Friday Night Flicks on The Ice | FREE to watch – If you’ve seen this one before, you’ll know why it’s a good idea to see it again. Catch Bill Murray’s classic romantic comedy built around Punxsutawney Phil. 6:30pm.
- Marfreless Re-opening – River Oaks’ favorite unmarked speakeasy and make-out headquarters is re-opening its doors under new ownership and with a new veneer. Be among the first to weigh in on the changes. 5pm to 2am.
- Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center – The Rockets stare down the bears from Tennessee. Tickets are available via Toyota Center, but you can likely get cheaper or better seats via TicketSpot’s resale market. 7pm.
- Reggie and the Full Effect at Warehouse Live – Experience a live performance of the hooky pop songs and chunky guitar playing by the fictional Reggie, who in truth is Get Up Kids’ keyboard player and former Coalesce drummer James Dewees.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
- Tet Festival Houston 2014 at Discovery Green | FREE – Celebrate the Lunar New Year and inaugurate the Year of the Horse at this colorful festival for the Vietnamese holiday Tet Nguyen Dan. 10am to 9pm.
- Pop-Up Bakery at Triniti Restaurant – Pop into Triniti on South Shepherd for pastries, apple pies, cinnamon rolls, truffles and more from pastry chef Samantha Mendoza. 10am to 2pm.
- Pearland Winterfest 2014 – Let the kids play in the snow at Pearland’s annual winter celebration, with rides, games and snow at the Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium. 10am to 5pm.
- Houston Symphony presents Wild, Wild West at Jones Hall – Get yourself, friends and family pumped up for the Houston Rodeo with a lively program of classic and modern cowboy classics. $26. 10am and 11:30am.
- St. Arnold Brewery Tour – Take a guided stroll through the home of St. Arnold’s beer on Lyons Avenue. It’s a popular stop, so be sure to get their early. 11am to 2pm.
- Astros FanFest at Minute Maid Park | FREE to attend – Celebrate your love for the Astros at this open fan event with autograph sessions with some of your favorite Astros. Free vouchers that get you into the stadium and to enjoy the entertainment are available at the box office at Minute Maid Park. Vouchers for autographs are an additional $20 each. 11am to 3pm.
- Pop-Up in the Park Market at Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire | FREE – Browse the wares of local artists and vendors at this curated jewelry, clothing and art market with live music and food trucks. 1pm to 4pm.
- Houston’s Hermann Park: A Century of Community Book signing at MFAH – Pick up this lushly photographed book celebrating Hermann Park and get it signed by author Barrie Scardino Bradley. 4pm to 6pm
- Forbidden Broadway at Wortham Theater Center – Enjoy the clever homage and musical satire of some of Broadways greatest hits, past and current, as New York’s longest running musical revue plays Houston for one-night only. Click here for discount tickets.
- Sublime Tribute Band Badfish at House of Blues – Jam to the hits of California ska-punk band Sublime as nationally touring tribute group Badfish rocks the music of the late Bradley Nowell and his band. Discount tickets available for a limited time.
- Artopia at Winter Street Studios – Enjoy light bites and drinks while taking in live music, fashion and dance shows and checking out the works of more than 25 local artists at this event at the intersection of culture, fashion, art, music and food. 8pm to 11pm.
- Hair Ball at Lawndale Art Center – Adorn yourself with the biggest, wildest and weirdest wig or head dress you can cook up and head over to Lawndale Hair Ball 2014, a gala fundraiser favorite not seen in Houston since 2005.
- TopGolf Houston Suits and Boots – TopGolf Houston hosts its annual Boots and Suits party, something of a spring break-themed preview where patrons are invited to attend in their bathing suits and cowboy or Uggz. Reservations are required and the event is likely to sell out.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
- Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues – Indulge in comfort food and a live showcase of contemporary gospel music at this twice-monthly brunch in Downtown Houston.
- Rainbow-hued fluorescent art at the Menil Collection’s Dan Flavin Installation | FREE – Pop in to see Dan Flavin’s minimalist fluorescent light installation, tucked away in a former 1930 grocery building and one-time country dance hall on Richmond Avenue.
- Heritage Texas Properties Open House in the Heights at 305 E. 4th Street | FREE | Sponsored – Join Heritage Texas Properties’ Christopher Williams at an open house in a contemporary town home in the Heights. Click here to take a peak at the home and click here for a map. 2pm to 4pm.
- The Caroline Sessions 5.1 at the Weather Museum | FREE – Enjoy live music from Adam Bricks, Cavern Hymnal, Corey Power and Rhonda Roberts at this family-friendly live music tailgate. Guests are invited to bring food and drinks. Small pets welcome.
- Houston Choreographers X6 at the JCC’s Kaplan Theatre – See a dance performance featuring the work of six Houston dance artists; Rebekah Chappell, Randall Flinn, Ashley Horn, Kristina Koutsoudas, Cori Miller and Heather Nabor. 3pm. There is also a performance the night before on Saturday, January 25. Discount tickets available.
- Neko Case at House of Blues – Neko Case arrives in Clutch City to support her latest album “The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You.” Tickets are available via House of Blues, but you may find cheaper or better seats via TicketSpot’s resale market. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things happening in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Be sure to subscribe to our free Weekend Planner email and receive a round-up of great things to do in Houston in your in-box every week. Click here to sign up.
Is your favorite event missing from our list? Feel free to add it in the comments below.