Plan Your Weekend: December 15 to 18, 2022

• Breakfast with Santa at the Westin Houston Memorial City – Enjoy a breakfast buffet, photos with Santa, crafts and more at the Memorial City outpost of Westin hotels. $42 for ages 13 and up; $24 for ages 12 and under. Seatings at 8am and 10am.
• Mosaic Workshop for Beginners at Smither Park – Gather with other students ages 16 and up for a learn-the-basics workshop that helps you create your own original mosaic tile to take home. $35. 9:30am to noon.
• Houston Symphony presents Ho-Ho-Holiday at Jones Hall – This family concert from Houston Symphony offers a morning of songs from Disney’s Frozen, The Polar Express, holiday sing-alongs and more. Plus, families can enjoy kid-friendly activities before the first concert and after the second concert, including a visit with Santa, caroling stations and free hot chocolate. $29 and up. 10am and 11:30am.
• Frozen Over at Children’s Museum Houston – Don’t miss your chance to gather the fam and meet Olaf and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen at a winter wonderland celebration complete with snow play in the Museum District. $15 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 4pm.
• Holiday Story Time at Brazos Bookstore | No Cover – Brazos’ children’s specialist will read two Hanukkah-themed books; The Hanukkah Hamster by Michelle Markel and The Eight Kings of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman. Free to attend, and both titles will be available to purchase. 10:30am.
• Stearman Santa at Lone Star Flight Museum – An annual tradition returns to the runway as Santa Claus makes an appearance at Lone Star Flight Museum, flying in on a different kind of sled, the PT-17 Stearman. Once on the ground, he’ll make visit with families joined by Mrs. Claus, while families are welcome to participate in holiday craft activities. 11am to 12:30pm.
• Repotting 101 at Houston Botanic Garden – Jenna Yanes of Jade Culture leads a repotting workshop, where you can learn about plant substrates and get recommendations for the specific genuses and plants that you have. $15. 11am to 12:30pm.

Willow’s Texas BBQ Pop-Up
at Urban South HTX
^{Saturday, December 17}

The two-time winner of the Golden Cleaver Award at the Butcher’s Ball Festival will set up shop, dishing out that delicious ‘que at the Arts District brewery.

Prices vary | 1pm til Sold Out

• Charity Chili Cook-off at Ingenious Brewing Company – Dig into delicious bowls of freshmade chili when the Humble brewery hosts a charity cook-off to benefit Toys for Tots. $5 to sample. Noon to 5pm.
• Christmas Horror Market Pop-Up at Raven Tower – Check out local vendors dealing in handcrafted and vintage horror goods, snap a photo with Krampus, and meet horror celebrities from film franchises like The Return of the Living Dead, Creepshow, Halloween, and more. $5 in advance; free for ages 12 and under. Noon to 7pm.
• Willow’s Texas Craft BBQ Pop-Up at Urban South HTX | No Cover – The two-time winner of the Golden Cleaver Award at the Butcher’s Ball Festival will set up shop, dishing out that delicious ‘que at the Arts District brewery. Menu prices vary. 1pm ’til sold out.
• DIY Candles at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Roll beeswax taper candles, pour scented soy wax tealights, and learn how to decorate pre-made candles with botanical materials like dried flowers and herbs in this Arboretum workshop. $45. 1pm to 3pm.
• Drop-In Experience: Exploring Identity at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | FREE – Explore your own personal and cultural identity through creating an abstract self-portrait in this interactive drop-in experience inspired by CAMH’s ongoing exhibitions from artists Troy Montes Michie and Diane Severin Nguyen. 1pm to 4pm.
• A BLCK Christmas Holiday Market at Pearland Town Center | No Cover – This fourth annual Holiday Market from the minds behind BLCK Market offers the opportunity to shop from local, Black-owned businesses to find the perfect gift for your friends and family—or just yourself. 1pm to 6pm.
• Martin Burniston’s Christmas Singalong at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – A holiday tradition, singer and musician Martin Burniston performs his 30th annual singalong in Upper Kirby with a kid’s show in the afternoon, and an adults show to follow in the evening. $30 and up. 1pm and 7pm.
• Elf Movie Screening at First Colony Mall | FREE – Catch a screening of the Will Ferrell-starring holiday classic, Elf, when it plays at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land. 2pm.
• A Very Grinchmas Piñata Workshop! with Eureka Heights at Axelrad – Make your own mini-Piñata of the Grinch’s face at a special, age 21+, pop-up DIY class at the popular Midtown destination. 3pm.
• HoliDaze Market at Railway Heights Market | No Cover – Shop from more than 40 vendors, vibe to sounds from DJ Konen, and take in live dancing and freestyle performances, great food and drinks at this last-call, green-friendly holiday market at Railway Heights. No cover, but other ticket levels with goodies bags start at $25. 4pm to 9pm.
• Campfire Christmas at George Ranch Historical Park – The annual campfire event in Fort Bend sees the historical park welcoming revelers for a night of rustic dining, self-guided wandering of the site, a lively dancing tent, cowboy singalong, and a campfire under the stars. $60; $45 for ages 12 and under. Sessions at 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

HoliDaze Market
at Railway Heights
^{Saturday, December 17}

Shop from more than 40 vendors, vibe to sounds from DJ Konen, and take in live dancing and freestyle performances, great food and drinks at this last-call, green-friendly holiday market.

No Cover | 4pm to 9pm

• Tianna Hall in Concert at Discovery Green | FREE – The Houston jazz vocalist, Tianna Hall performs alongside the Flea by Night market, crooning with tunes from the ’30s to Sinatra-era swing and more. 6pm to 10pm.
• Texas Sundown Band in Concert at No Label Brewery | No Cover – Enjoy an evening out with craft brews and tunes from local country act Texas Sundown Band at the Katy brewery. 7pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trailblazers at Toyota Center – Damian Lillard leads the Blazers to town, facing off against the Rockets at center court. $20 and up. 7pm.
• Montrose Project presents Celebrating Women Composers at Hogg Palace – This fundraiser for the Montrose Project marks the organization’s first-ever public performance, taking place in the historic Hogg Palace lofts of Downtown, which will feature acclaimed performers such as Lyric Opera of Chicago baritone Ricardo Rivera-Soto, Houston Grand Opera alum soprano Yelena Dyachek, ROCO founder and principal oboist Alecia Lawyer, and several others in a concert and reception that highlights the work of women composers. Suggested donation of $25. 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
• Bobby Rush in Concert at the Continental Club – Two-time Grammy Award–winning blues legend Bobby Rush makes his way to the Mid-Main stage at Continental Club. $25 and up. 8pm.
• The Tejano Jingle Jam at Arena Theatre – Gather for a holiday evening concert that celebrates Tejano culture with performances by Solido, Jay Perez, La Sombra de Tony Guerrero and Stefani Montiel, with appearances by Frankie J and Lisa Marie Golden. $30 and up. 8pm.
• Avi Kaplan in Concert at the Heights Theater – The singer-songwriter and member of the Grammy Award–winning vocal group Pentatonix, Avi Kaplan brings the Floating on a Dream Tour to the Heights. $20 and up. 8pm.
• Numbers Christmas Party at Numbers Nightclub – Head to the iconic Montrose nightclub for the annual Christmas party, featuring a gigantic prize giveaway headlines by a Samsung 65″ 4K TV, a Classic Numbers Night Lifetime Pass, $500 in El Tiempo gift cards, and more. Cover charge at the door. 9pm to 2am.
• DJ Pauly D at Clé Houston – Star of MTV’s Jersey Shore and DJ, Pauly D makes a stop at Clé Houston in Midtown. $30. 10pm to 2am.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.

• Sunday Funday Destinations Around Greater Houston – Not sure where to get your midday Sunday good vibes on? Find the best daytime destinations to wrap up your weekends—or keep them going in this case of this long Labor Day Weekend around the H-Town metro—in EaDo and the East End, Montrose’s Westheimer Curve, Midtown, Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Arts District Houston, River Oaks District, The Woodlands, Clear Lake, the “Gayborhood” and other LGBTQ+ favorites, and more. Times vary.
• Santa Hustle 5K, Half Marathon & Kids Dash in Galveston – Galveston Island’s beloved holiday tradition returns, with runners dressed as Santa Claus running along the beach, up and down Seawall Boulevard in a 5K, half marathon, and kids dash. There will be cookie and candy stations along the route, with the traditional water stations. Registration starts at $54.99 for the 5K; $74.99 for the half marathon; $10 for the Kids Dash. 7:30am to 11am.
• 2022 World Cup Final Watch Party at Social Beer Garden | No Cover – After a full month of more than 60 games, the World Cup Final arrives at one of Houston’s headquarters for the Beautiful Game. Take to the Midtown’s indoor and outdoor spaces for the final match on the big screen and on 20 TVs throughout, plus enjoy drink specials and more festivities. 9am.
• Super Happy Sunday Fundays at Eureka Heights Brewing Co. | No Cover – Shop at this monthly pop culture event, just in time for the holidays, which features vintage toy and art vendors, craft brews, movie screenings, food trucks and more. 11am to 4pm.
• Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium – One of the top teams of the NFL pay a visit to the Texans in Houston’s second-to-last home game of the season. $82 and up, but you may find cheaper or better seats on the online ticket resale market. Noon.
• Brews & Browse: Art & Food Market at Urban South HTX Brewery | No Cover – The Houston outpost of the NOLA brewery hosts an art and food market with more than 30 vendors and artisans on hand, plus face painting, food trucks, live music and raffle prizes. Noon to 5pm.
• Future Retro Market at Post Houston | No Cover – This collective swap meet finds shoppers and sellers hitting up Post to deal in sneaker and vintage finds, plus streetwear apparel and more. Noon to 6pm.

27th Menorah Lighting
at Houston City Hall
^{Sunday, December 18}

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a lighting of the giant menorah, dreidels, Chanukah gelt and gifts for children, and more.

FREE | 5pm to 7pm

• Obscure Oddities Market at Numbers Nightclub – If you’re on the hunt for something outside the mainstream, this recurring market at Numbers offers strange and unique vendors dealing in things like taxidermy, skulls, antiques, found art, and the bizarre. Stick around to enjoy food and drink, plus sideshow and music performances. $5; 18+ only. 1pm to 8pm.
• Bellaire Chanukah Festival at Bellaire Town Square – Crafts and activities highlight this celebration, which also includes a delicious dairy dinner buffet, the Pardes Rock Band, face painting, inflatables, latkes and doughnuts. $10; $8 for children (no age specified). 4pm.
• Giant Menorah Lighting at Sugar Land Town Square | FREE – Chabad of Sugar Land is ready to celebrate Chanukah, and you’re invited for a evening of entertainment. There is plenty of fun to be had for the whole family with bounce houses, face painting, delicious donuts, music, dancing, and more. Following the fun, the menorah will be lit at 5:30pm. 4pm to 6pm.
• It’s an Elvis Christmas with Vince King at Haak Vineyards & Winery – Celebrate the holidays with a special tribute concert to the King in the scenic grounds of Haak Winery when Vince King brings his signature take on Elvis Presley. Advance tickets are $12. 5pm to 8pm.
• 27th Annual Menorah Lighting at Houston City Hall | FREE – The city marks the first night of the Festival of Lights with this celebration that includes dreidels, Chanukah gelt and gifts for children, and more. Chabad Outreach of Houston also returns with the 20th Annual Menorah Parade, which heads from Meyerland to City Hall for the menorah lighting. 5:15pm to 7pm.
• Chris Isaak in Concert at House of Blues – The effortless baritone singer-songwriter, actor, and perennial heartthrob is back on tour celebrating his first release in just over seven years, Everybody Knows It’s Christmas. $35 and up. 7pm.
• Comedian Nemr at Houston Improv – The Lebanese American comic follows up his successful Love Isn’t the Answer global tour with another brand new show, Dropping Hot, which brings him through the Spring Branch comedy club for a one-night only event. Tickets are sold by the table; $60 for 2, and up. 7:30pm.

• More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston are happening all weekend long. Check out this week’s list, local attractions and destinations, or browse Houston Experiences to save on museum passes, tours, and more.

Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long

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