Updated Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 7:15pm.
Find the perfect things to do in H-Town with our 365 Houston New Year’s Weekend Guide for Thursday, December 30, 2021 through Sunday, January 2, 2022.
With It’s an uneven weekend for events, with the vast bulk of them landing on New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31, with a smattering of other events scattered about the other weekend days. But there’s plenty to do, particularly once most businesses, attractions, and organizations reset to their normal weekly hours beginning on Sunday, January 2, 2022, as Houston’s holiday season begins to wind down.
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Some events, venues, and shows have been temporarily closed or halted due to staff or participants testing positive for Covid-19, so be sure to check ahead with the organizer of any specific event to verify that it’s still happening as scheduled.
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Things to Do All New Year’s Weekend Long
- Kwanzaa 2021 Events in Houston | Through Saturday | Many FREE – Commemorate African heritage, unity, and culture with multiple events spread around Houston through the seven day celebration. With events for kids, grown-ups, and more, each day highlights a different Kwaanza principle. Locations, prices, and times vary.
- 2022 New Year’s Eve Celebration & Hotel Stay Package at The Moran CityCentre | Through Friday– Indulge in one or more nights leading up to the start of 2022 at the stylish, new boutique hotel, with amenities including live music by Mambo Jazz Kings in Fireside bar, and enjoy chilled Napa Brut Prestige delivered to each room, a midnight toast, perfect fireworks view, and more included with an overnight stay. Special package rates are also available for arrivals starting Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
- Dino & Dragon Stroll at George R. Brown | Saturday & Sunday – Families with dinosaur-loving–and dragon-loving—kiddos will want to explore the up to 28-feet tall creatures, accompanied by mythical dragons, at this colorful walk-through attraction featuring moving animatronic creatures and environments. $17.99. Times vary.
- Comedian Steve Trevino at Houston Improv | Daily – “America’s Favorite Husband,” who “speaks wife fluently,” returns to H-Town with for seven (some already sold out) shows at the Improv. Starts at $120 for a table for four. Showtimes vary.
- Picos Annual Tamale Stand at Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Restaurant | Daily – Chef Arnaldo Richards’ popular holiday tamale stand pop-up continues serving up tasty goodness from the parking lot of the popular destination restaurant for Mexican cuisine in Upper Kirby. 10:30am to 9pm daily.
- Holiday Light Attractions & Destinations Around Greater Houston | Daily – Grab your last peek at neighborhood holiday lights and pop-up light attractions on the final weekend of the season, before most homes and venues begin to take down or turn off the glow.
Limited Time Museum Exhibitions, Art Installations & Pop-Up Markets
- Limited Time Museum Exhibits & Art Installations Around Greater Houston | Daily | Many FREE – Explore the many striking, stunning, and diverse exhibits exploring history, science, art, culture, and creativity around the Greater Houston metro area.
- Outdoor Markets & Pop-Up Shopping Events Around Greater Houston | Daily | Many No Cover – With so many to choose from these days, you can browse, explore, and shop at one or all of Houston’s multiplying outdoor markets, many with live entertainment, food trucks, and other distractions.
Ongoing Theater & Arts Performances
- Stages presents Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold at the Gordy | Thursday & Friday | Final Shows – Stages’ comic favorite Sister returns to tackle the mystery that’s intrigued historians for ages: whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? Prices and showtimes vary.
- Stages presents Panto Little Mermaid at the Gordy | Thursday, Friday & Sunday | Final Shows – A panto send-up of the enduring classic tale finds mermaid Hairielle trading her voice to the sea witch, Pursula, to save her Galveston Bay home. The interactive musical offers fun for the whole family. Starts at $25. Showtimes vary.
- Potted Potter at the Hobby Center | Thursday, Saturday & Sunday | Final Shows – The unauthorized, affectionate take on the seven-book Harry Potter series crams all stories and characters from the full series into a two-person, 90-minute show. Starts at $59.99. Dates and times vary.
- Cirque du Soleil‘s Allegría at Sam Houston Race Park | Daily | Final Shows – Cirque du Soleil continues to please audiences with its classic show, Allegría, reimagined for a new generation. $50+; VIP and other packages available, but you may find cheaper or better seats on the online resale market. Showtimes vary.
Tickets to Houston Pro Sports Games
- Houston Rockets Tickets on Sale | Sponsored − Save on 2020 Rockets games with cheaper, better or hard-to-find seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
- Houston Texans Tickets at NRG Stadium | Sponsored – Hit the gridiron with seats to cheer on the Texans. Search for cheaper, better, or hard-to-find seats so you can see Houston Texans at home, with the TicketNetowork online marketplace.
Thursday, December 30, 2021
- Kid Flicks at Museum of Fine Arts Houston | FREE with RSVP – THe New York International Children’s Film Festival showcases a series of short films designed to all ages and introduce young viewers to the big screen experience. 11:30am.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – Cap, Black Widow, and Falcoln combine forces to battle a fierce—and youthful—relic of the Cold War with a surprising connection to Steve Rogers in Marvel’s 2014 S.H.I.E.L.D vs. Hydra spy thriller. 7pm.
- Danza Espectacular at MATCH – The year-end celebration features a number of professional Latin-infused dance troupes, with performances ranging from Contemporary to Afro-Cuban. $10 to $20. 7pm.
- Drag Bingo Night at Eureka Heights Brew Co. | No Cover – Dessie Love-Blake hosts a night of good old-fashioned bingo, with a drag twist. 7pm.
- Los Skarnales with Money Chicha at the Heights Theater – Catch Houton’s long-running nine-piece group known for fusing punk with ska, reggae, and cumbia for high-energy audiences. Accompanied by Austin-based Latin psych group, Money Chicha. $20. 8pm.
- Roger Creager in Concert at Goode Company Armadillo Palace – Creager brings his Piano Bar show to the Armadillo Palace on Kirby. $25 advance; $30 day of show. 9pm.
- Cobweb Cabaret: Haunted Holiday at Warehouse Live – Spooky meets burlesque at Vauxdevil’s Cobweb Cabaret: Haunted Holiday show in EaDo. $35. 9pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do are happening all weekend long. Scroll up and see our list, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.
New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31, 2021
- New Year’s Eve Parties & Celebrations for Grown-ups around Greater Houston – In addition to some of our favorites below, take a deep dive into 40+ celebrations and events taking place across the city to ring in the new year. Times and locations vary.
- Rockin’ New Year’s Bash at Children’s Museum Houston – Let the kids ring in the New Year at the stroke of noon with a parade and shimmering ball drop. Included with admission. 10am to 12:30pm.
- Noon Year’s Eve Pajama Party at La Centerra in Katy | FREE – Kids in their PJs are welcome at this dance part at Heritage Square, complete with a kid-friendly DJ, a bubble show, balloon artist, and a noon balloon drop. 10:30am to noon.
- Noon Year’s Eve at CityCentre | FREE – The kid-friendly New Year’s celebration counts off to noon with bubbles, plus face painting, a balloon and caricature artist, family-friendly DJ tunes, and more. 11am to 1pm.
- New Year’s Eve at the Downtown Aquarium | New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31 – Kids can join a balloon drop, dance party, games, a bubble wrap stomp, and more. Reservations required; $30.99; $22.99 for ages 10 and under. 11am to 1:30pm and 3pm to 5:30pm.
- 3rd Annual Kuumba: A Celebration of Afro-Dance at MATCH – Back for its third year, the company of Dance Afrikana showcases pieces that represent both Africa and the African Diaspora while embodying the principle of Kuumba. $35. 6pm.
- Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat at Toyota Center – Join the Rockets’ New Year’s tradition when the Rockets face off against Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and the Miami Heat ahead of the ball drop later in the evening. $25 and up, but you may find better or cheaper seats on the online ticket marketplace. 6pm.
- New Year’s Eve with Christina Wells at the Historic Sylvan Beach Pavilion – Houston’s own Christina Wells will be joined by her full band, along with first-rate performances by national and local artists, DJs, and more for a New Year’s evening of spectacular entertainment in La Porte. All tickets include the concert and entertainment, hors d’oeuvres buffet with carving stations, a Champagne toast at midnight, and more. $75. 7pm to 1am.
- New Year’s Eve at B. Jiggers Bar & Lounge on the Beach in Galveston – The outdoor, beachside bar at the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston hosts a night of live Motown, Disco, and Old School Funk, along with a midnight Champagne toast, bite, revelry, anre more. $95. 7pm to 2am.
- Angelucho Copacabana’s Havana Nights 2022: New Years’s Extravaganza at Embassy Suites Houston West-Katy – Angelucho’s lively annual NYE party returns after two years to ring in 2022 at the Texas Ballroom, with a gourmet buffet dinner, Champagn toast, live music, dancing, and more. Hotel discounts available. $119. 7:30pm to 2am.
- NYE with the Hightailers, Griffin Swank at Last Concert Cafe – Boogie down to Gulf Coast rock ‘n’ roll from the Hightailers, and a psych pop performance from Griffin Swank, then ring in the new year at the Warehouse District staple. $15 in advance; $25 at the door. 8pm.
- New Year’s Eve at Numbers Nightclub – Montrose’s legendary, long-running nightclub showcases a a $2,022 cash balloon drop at the stroke of midnight, plus complimentary party favors and LED wands for the first 500 through the doors. No advance tickets; cover charge TBA. 9pm.
- T. Graham Brown in Concert at Dosey Doe: The Big Barn – Country music chart-topper hosts a New Year’s Eve concert replete with his wistful musical stylings, plus an opening set from Daniel Holmes. $88 and up; includes a three-course meal. 8:30pm.
- NYE Celebration at True Anomaly Brewing – The EaDo brewery opens the back-of-house doors, welcoming revelers into a speakeasy-style celebration, with dinner, drinks, and live entertainment included. $75. 8pm to 1am.
- New Year’s Eve Celebration at POST Houston – Downtown’s newest development rolls out the red carpet for a New Year’s Eve with fireworks, cirque-style performers, DJs on the decks, expansive panoramic views of the skyline, and more. No cover for first two floors; Skylawn access with most of the entertainment is $65. 8pm to 2am.
- Dancing & Desserts: NYE with Boomtown Brass Band at the Heights Theater – Steeped in the traditions of authentic 1920s hot jazz, Boomtown draws from classic New Orleans, Chicago, and gypsy jazz traditions. Tickets include a self-serve dessert buffet and midnight Champagne toast. Starts at $28. 9pm to 1am.
- The Riot Comedy Show’s Next Gen Comedy NYE Special at Rudyard’s – Hosted by Tramaine “Maine” Mahone, the fifth edition of the Next Gen show has a New Year’s twist and showcases Caleb Gordon, Rodney Bigham, Big Baby Green, and Leroy tha 3rd. $20. 10pm to 11:30pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Scroll up to see our list, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.
Things to Do on New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1 and Sunday, January 2, 2022.
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