Find the perfect things to do in Houston during Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend with our Houston MLK Weekend Guide for Thursday, January 16 to MLK Day, Monday, January 20, 2020.
MLK Weekend Shortcuts
March in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., experience a two-day festival of Turkish music, taste some of The Woodlands most delicious eats, browse an art show inspired by all things Hello Kitty, snuggle up in a onesie for a themed Midtown bar crawl, cheer on the Rockets when they meet LeBron and more.
Check below to find great things happening around Houston MLK Weekend, from Thursday, January 16 to MLK Day, Monday, January 20, 2020.
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Things to Do All MLK Weekend
- Earthquake at Houston Improv | Thursday to Sunday – Crack up at hilarious musings in a live show by Earthquake, who’s starred in his own HBO special, Everybody Hates Chris and Sharknado 4. Tickets range from $25 to $35, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. Performance begins at 8pm each night.
- Hamlet at Main Street Theater | Thursday to Sunday – See a one-man performance of Shakespeare’s classic tale of emotional distress in Hamlet, starring Guy Roberts at Main Street Theater. Tickets start at $40. Showtimes vary.
- Current Temporary and Traveling Exhibitions on Display at Houston Museums | Daily | Some FREE – Discover art, history, science, and fun for kids at Houston’s most popular museums and exhibition venues, including The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS), The Menil Collection, The Health Museum, Holocaust Museum Houston, Lone Star Flight Museum, National Museum of Funeral History and more.
- Turkish Music Festival at Asia Society Texas Center | Friday and Saturday – Explore the rich culture of Turkey through a two-day festival of traditional music at the third annual Turkish Music Festival. Performers include Beth Bahia Cohen, a master of regional bowed instruments and Berklee College of Music professor; ensemble Carpe Diem String Quartet; and Hoppa Project musicians. $30 for non-members; $20 for members. Times vary.
- 11th Annual Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest | Friday and Saturday – Roll up your sleeves and come hungry to the eleventh annual two-day Chili Quest & Beer Fest in Galveston. Start the party at Yaga’s Cafe on Friday, then make your way to several tasty events along the Historic Strand on Saturday. Expect chili samples, beer tastings, live music, a washers tournament, a 5K fun run, a margarita contest, and shopping. Tickets are $12 for the chili tasting; $30 to $40 for the beer tasting; $39 for a beer and chili tasting combo package. Times vary.
- Quixote Nuevo at The Alley Theatre | Friday and Saturday – Experience Alley Theatre’s production of the classic Don Quixote with a Texas twist, in Quixote Nuevo. Tickets start at $30. 8pm both nights.
- Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Take in the powerful sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique during an edge-of-your-seat experience by the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. Tickets start at $21, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. Showtimes vary.
- International Gem & Jewelry Show at NRG Center | Friday to Sunday – Admire a dazzling collection of gemstones, fine jewelry, engagement rings and bands, designer watches, pearls, beads, accessories, and minerals during the International Gem & Jewelry Show at NRG Center. Tickets cost $6 in advance; $8 at the door. Times vary.
- The Oak Ridge Boys in Concert at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday and Sunday – Catch a concert by the award-winning country group, The Oak Ridge Boys, who will perform live at The Grand in Galveston. Tickets start at $37, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. Showtimes vary.
- MLK Day Celebrations Around Houston | Saturday to Monday – Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at several parades, marches, and other celebrations around the city. Prices, times, and locations vary.
- Houston Rockets Tickets on Sale | Sponsored − Save on 2020 Rockets games with cheaper, better or hard-to-find seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
- Taste of the Town at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Resort – Sample foods from a variety of restaurants, bakeries, and distributors at the annual Taste of the Town event in The Woodlands. Featuring more than 40 local vendors, the culinary showcase also offers raffles, contests, and live entertainment. Advance tickets start at $35; $20 for ages 6 to 12. 4pm to 9pm.
- Cocktails & Conversations: How to Feed a Growing Planet at The Health Museum – Sip cocktails while engaging in a discussion of global food security, food waste, malnutrition and sustainable solutions to the hunger crisis at The Health Museum’s evening event, Cocktails & Conversations. Panelists include the Houston Food Bank’s Kathy Lipman, Gabriel Durham of the University of Houston Office of Sustainability, Dr. Shreela Sharma from Brighter Bites, and moderator Phil Gurley from Blackwood Farms. Tickets for general admission are $15; $10 for members. 5pm.
- Yvonne Orji at White Oak Music Hall – Burst out laughing as the actress who portrays Molly on HBO’s Insecure, Yvonne Orji, shares her journey in a stand-up show at White Oak Music Hall. Tickets are $35 in advance. 7pm.
- Sixteen Candles Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – Watch the ‘80s classic, Sixteen Candles, during a free outdoor screening at Discovery Green. 7pm to 10pm.
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at Hobby Center – Hear the French works of Saint-Saëns, Ravel and Fauré when the Chamber Music Society of New York City’s Lincoln Center performs for one night at Hobby Center. Tickets start at $39. 8pm.
- Beth Stelling at The Secret Group – Catch a stand-up show by Beth Stelling, a writer for HBO’s Crashing and star of comedy specials on Showtime and Netflix. Tickets range from $10 to $15. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All MLK Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston MLK Weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Friday, January 17, 2020
- Diamond Dreams Gala at Minute Maid Park – Slip on your dancing shoes for a spectacular performance by Lionel Richie, followed by The Astros’ fifth annual Diamond Dreams Gala in Minute Maid Park. Guests may purchase tickets for the concert only, or for both the concert and gala. Tickets start at $50. 5:30pm.
- Funfetti Friday at The Ice at Discovery Green – Skate around The Ice at Discovery Green while jamming out to a colorful light show with beats from DJ Mohawk Steve during Funfetti Fridays. General admission is $11 per person; $4 for skate rental. 7pm to 9pm.
- Hello Kitty + Friends Fan Art Show at Insomnia Gallery | FREE – Scope out a slew of artwork inspired by Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, My Melody, Deery-Lou and more when Insomnia Gallery hosts this themed art show. 7pm to 11pm.
- Big Freedia and The Suffers in Concert at House of Blues – Jam out at a live concert by bounce music icon Big Freedia, featuring support from local favorites The Suffers at House of Blues. Tickets start at $25, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 7:30pm.
- Black Laughs Matter at NRG Arena – Hear from comics Arnez J., Aries Spears, Tommy Davidson, Benji Brown, and Carmen Barton in this laugh-out-loud event at NRG Arena. Tickets start at $39, but you may find better or cheaper seats using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All MLK Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston MLK Weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Things to Do on Saturday, January 18 to MLK Day, Monday, January 20, 2020.
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