Plan Your Weekend: January 25 to 28, 2024

ALL WEEKEND

• The Houston Art Fair at Reeves Art + Design | Friday to Sunday – This weekend-long event features the works of 40 Houston and Texas artists. With an aim to be inclusive and accessible for both artists and buyers, the fair will offer pieces that cater to collectors of all price points. $30 for Friday’s preview party; free on Saturday and Sunday. Times vary.
• Comedian Adele Givens at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – The actress, writer, and comedian known for her roles in sitcoms like The Hughleys, The Tracy Ullman Show, and more comes to the Spring Branch comedy club for the weekend. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Madame Butterfly at Wortham Center | Friday & Sunday | Ongoing – Puccini’s beloved tragic love story explores the relationship between Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese woman who falls for Pinkerton, an American naval lieutenant, setting them on a collision course of cultures and heartbreak. This production runs through Sunday, February 11. $25 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Galveston Museum Day on Galveston Island | Saturday & Sunday – For one weekend in January, museums and historical landmarks across Galveston Island invite the public to tour through the city’s rich history and arts scene, with free and discounted admission during Galveston Museum Day. Enjoy free admission at multiple attractions, and buy-one-get-one admission at museums and historic mansions. Times vary.
• Winter Port Barrel Festival at Bernhardt Winery | Saturday & Sunday – Northwest of Houston, this winery hosts a festival of new Port wine releases along with live music, artisan cheese, handcrafted mulled wine and a fresh bottle to take home. $18. Noon to 5pm.
• My Favorite Things: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein at MATCH | Saturday & Sunday – This musical revue features songs from beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals such as South Pacific, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, Carousel and more. It’s an opportunity to hear some of the iconic duo’s most enchanting pieces. $38. Saturday 2pm and 8pm; Sunday 2pm.
• Professional Bull Riders: Unleash the Beast at Toyota Center | Saturday & Sunday – Get ready for a heart-pounding weekend as the top 35 bull riders in the world compete against the roughest and toughest bucking bulls at an event that will get you into Rodeo-ready mode. $20 and up. Times vary.
• Houston Auto & Boat Show at NRG Center | Daily – Two big annual H-Town events return to NRG in the same weekend, with five days of the latest and best vehicles available on land and sea. Check out the latest models from every major manufacturer, learn about exciting vehicles on the way, and bring home swag. $20; free for ages 5 and under. Times vary.
• Broadway Across America presents Les Misérables at Hobby Center | Daily – The musical that swept the world when it opened in 1985 returns to Houston, telling the epic story of Jean Valjean, imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, and the relentless Inspector Javert, who tracks him across the decades. Exploring themes of mercy and redemption, this beloved musical has been performed in more than 53 countries and 22 languages. $45 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Cirque Italia Silver Water Circus at Katy Mills | Daily – Opening on Thursday through six days, this aquatic spectacle sees dazzling performers flying high above the crowd and undertaking heart-stopping feats on a stage holding 35,000 gallons of water. $15 and up. Times vary.
• Galveston Restaurant Week Around Galveston | Final Weekend – Happening throughout most of January, the annual Galveston Restaurant Week offers diners a chance to try top dishes from dozens of the Island’s best eateries on prix-fixe breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus at very pocketbook-friendly prices. Two- or three-course dinners range from $20 to $60; two-course lunches from $10 to $30; and brunches from $10 to $40. Prices, times and locations vary.

Upcoming Must-Dos, Kemah & Other Destinations

• Houston’s Landmark Events in 2024 – Get a first glimpse at some of the major events coming to town over the next six months, including the reopening of River Oaks Theater, April’s eclipse, and more.
• Rodeo Houston Concerts on the Way – Tickets are on sale now for Houston’s biggest event of the year, and you can grab a seat to one of the star-studded shows happening during three weeks of Rodeo fun.
• Happy Hours in East End – Close out your workdays with some of the best food and drink specials to be found in the East End neighborhood.
• Must Do in Kemah – Hit the Boardwalk and go beyond with stellar dining experiences, vineyards and more in this coastal town south of Houston.
• Best Brunch in the Woodlands – From a whiskey-soaked brunch to country tunes and Bloody Mary flights, the Woodlands has plenty on offer for your weekend eats.
• Best Bars in Sugar Land – From an anime-fueled experience to glasses of vino with a side of vinyl, Sugar Land boasts some can’t-miss taprooms and cocktail bars where you can pull up a chair for a drink or two.
• Best Mocktails in Houston for Dry January – All month long, you can sip and savor the flavors of these crafted, zero-alcohol cocktails served up at restaurants and bars across Greater Houston.
• The Best Things to Do This Month – Zoom out and make your plans for the rest of January at our picks for the best things to do all month long.

• Taste of the Town at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center – This foodie festival brings together 40 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries, delis and beverage companies for a sampling extravaganza. Stroll the many stations and prepare to experience a wealth of new flavors. $45 and up. 5pm to 9pm.
• Mardi Gras Masque Workshop at the Bryan Museum – The Galveston museum offers an early first look at the Mardi Gras Unmasked exhibit before it opens to the public. You’ll also make your own mask with artist Bryan Gardner. Sequins, feathers, gems and other mask must-haves are provided. $25. 5:30pm.
• A Meticulous Dinner with Chef David Skinner at The Lymbar –  Chef David Cordúa is joined by Chef David Skinner for a delicious 4-course dinner—plus a welcome cocktail—with gin pairings from Meticulous Cocktails. $88. 6pm.
• 2nd Annual Game & Ranch Dinner at Rainbow Lodge – Limited to 50 guests, this dinner at the iconic lodge restaurant begins with an Angel’s Envy bourbon and rye tasting reception, with passed game tastes and live Texas-style tunes. That’s followed by a seated four-course wild game and game bird dinner. $215 per person. 6pm.
• Be Someone Paint Night at H-Town Brewing – Unleash your inner artist as you paint the Houston skyline and the unofficial motto “Be Someone.” While you’re working on your canvas, or after you’ve painted your masterpiece, enjoy a brew or two at the Northside brewery. $35. 6pm.
• Nerdy Night Market at Neil’s Bahr | No Cover – Stop by the nerdy EaDo patio to explore a treasure trove of goods from the world of pop culture, gaming, collectibles, crafts and one-of-a-kind items. 21+ only. 6pm to midnight.
• Author Brad Taylor at Murder by the Book | FREE – The Texas-born author launches the latest in his popular Pike Logan series, Dead Man’s Hand. He’ll talk about the new novel and sign books for fans. Free to attend; books for signing must be purchased from the store. 6:30pm.
• Full Moon Yoga at San Luis Resort – End your day at one of the loveliest spots in Galveston, moving through a series of poses designed to help you unwind, build flexibility and increase mindfulness. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. $15. 6:30pm.
• Table of Nations Dinner at Temptation’s Bite Bread Shop – The Katy venue hosts Venezuelan chefs Melissa Merlina and Nora Varela, heading up the final dinner in the Table of Nations Dinner Series. The dinners are in collaboration with a soon-to-be completed documentary film that explores Houston’s uniquely diverse food scene, elevating the voices and contributions of immigrants, migrants, and refugees in the process. $65. 6:30pm.
• WindSync presents Taxonomies at McGovern Centennial Gardens – The ensemble returns to its native Houston for a concert inspired by plants, botany, and taxonomies of nature and music. Selections include Leonard Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide, Mozart’s Serenade in C minor, K. 388 and others. $35. 6:30pm.
• Wolf Moon Hike at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – This 21+ event should be a howlin’ good time. Grab some beverages and go for a walk in the woods while chatting about coyotes, foxes and the joys and challenges of living with urban wildlife. $20. 6:30pm.
• Echoes of Change: Musical Perspectives on Iran’s Woman-Life-Freedom Movement at Asia Society Texas – This collaborative performance debuts eight new solo piano pieces, inspired by a protest song from Iran’s “Woman-Life-Freedom” movement. Created and performed by a collective of four pianists and eight Iranian composers—four residing in North America, four in Iran—this concert seeks to write a musical history that celebrates the movement and honors the bravery of the Iranian people. $20. 7:30pm.
• Comedian Jon “Polar Bear” Gonzalez at Houston Improv – For one-night only, the Texan comedian and podcaster sets up at the Spring Branch laugh house to deliver his thoughts about living life between cultures. $50 for 2, and up. 7:30pm.