Plan Your Weekend: December 8 to 11, 2022

Things to Do All Weekend Long

• Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration at Paraiso Maravilla | Daily – Immerse yourself in a whimsical wintertime ball honoring the iconic Triwizard tradition, complete with amazing performances, photo opps, themed food and drink to purchase, dancing, and more. Costumes and/or cocktail attire encouraged. Times vary.
• ASID Texas Gulf Coast Show House 2022 in West University | Daily – The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Texas Gulf Coast presents a chance to tour its stunning 2022 Show House by Sugar Creek Homes in Houston’s West University neighborhood. The house showcases the work of 14 of Houston’s top interior designers, all of whom are ASID members with space designed by select interior design students. $35; $15 for ages 12 and under. 10am to 5pm.
• The French Farm Open Warehouse Sale in the Heights | Friday & Saturday | No Cover – The popular online retailer opens its doors in the Heights for this annual sale of European gourmet food and housewares. Look for olive oils, honey, jams and more from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, to name a few. 10am to 5pm.
• Barbara Bush Library Friends Bookfair at Barnes & Noble: Champions Village | Friday & Saturday – Stop in and shop for the bookworms on your holiday list while helping to raise funds for the Barbara Bush Library. Mention the bookfair when you check out and the bookstore will donate a portion of its sales over the weekend to support the Library’s mission for literacy. 10am to 9pm.
• Candlelight Christmas at Washington on the Brazos | Friday & Saturday – Costumed interpreters at the historic site northwest of Houston offer guests insight on the roots of favorite holiday traditions. There’s musket firing, music, dancing and more at this family-friendly celebration. $10; $5 for ages 6 to 18. 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Mistletoe Market at Bagby Park | Friday & Saturday | No Cover – This high-energy New York City–style market features more than 20 curated vendors offering unique gifts for the season. Times vary. 
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Raanan Hershberg at Rudyard’s | Friday & Saturday – The self-proclaimed “loud, neurotic Jew from Louisville,” who made his TV debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, stops in the Bayou City, bringing his signature brand of comedy to the stage. $17 and up. Times vary.
• Studio Student Art Sale at the Glassell School of Art | Friday to Sunday | No Cover – Students from the Museum of Fine Arts Houston offer an array of unique works, including sculpture, painting, jewelry and more, just in time for the holidays. Times vary.
• Tomball German Festival Christmas Market at Tomball Depot | Friday to Sunday | No Cover – Do as the Germans do and celebrate Christmas with plenty of food, beer, and wine, as well as live music on three stages, a petting zoo, and a holiday market featuring more than 150 vendors with antiques, arts and crafts, souvenirs, and more. Times vary.
• Christmas With C.S. Lewis at Hobby Center | Friday to Sunday – This one-man play finds the acclaimed author, played by David Payne, entertaining a group of Americans in his home near Oxford at Christmas. Together, they explore the wonder of the season and how an encounter with J.R.R. Tolkien changed Lewis from a Christmas skeptic into a believer. $75. Showtimes vary.
• Houston Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Joined by guest soloists, the Houston Symphony orchestra and Chorus performs this majestic choral work that celebrates the life of Christ. $29 and up. Friday and Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 2:30pm.
• Reptilian Nation Expo at NRG Center | Saturday & Sunday – Check out the thousands of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids on display, purchase supplies from vendors and catch live demonstrations at this weekend expo. $10 and up. Times vary.
• 9th Annual Islamic Arts Festival at Masjid Al-Salam | Saturday & Sunday | FREE – Look for live calligraphy demonstrations, henna tattoo, painting, Arabesque pattern coloring and children’s activities, in addition to a wide selection of featured artists and their art from across the country at this annual festival. 10:30am to 5pm.
• The Lone Ranger’s Christmas Caper at George Ranch Historical Park | Saturday & Sunday – The Lone Ranger and his trusty horse Silver need your help to follow the clues and find Santa in this family-friendly scavenger hunt in Fort Bend. $10 and up. Times vary.
• Houston Chamber Choir presents On This Day Earth Shall Ring at Chapel of the Villa de Matel | Saturday & Sunday – The Grammy Award–winning choir is joined by the Houston Treble Choir and guitarist Marc Garvin for a selection of holiday favorites in the stunning setting of the Villa de Matel chapel in East End. $40. 2:30pm and 5pm.
• The Nutcracker at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday & Sunday – The story of a young girl named Clara and her journey into the Land of Sweets has captivated audiences for more than a century. Now in its 25th year, City Ballet of Houston offers the holiday tradition on Galveston’s Grand stage. $19 and up. Showtimes vary.

More Holiday Attractions & Things to Do

Christmas Lights, Holiday Happenings & More Destinations

• Top Things to Do for Christmas 2022 in Houston – If you’re looking to fully indulge in the holiday season, we’ve gathered some of the best things to do to celebrate Christmas in Houston.
• Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Houston Neighborhoods & Attractions – Pile in the car for a leisurely holiday drive or take a hot cocoa-fueled stroll while you ooh and ah at Houston’s most popular Christmas light displays—in residential neighborhoods and at city landmarks alike.
• More Holiday Things to Do in Greater Houston – Dig into holiday shows and performing arts experiences, concerts and much more to do for the holiday season across Greater Houston.
• Holiday Markets in Greater Houston – Get in the spirit of the season with our guide to 35+ holiday markets offering Christmas decorations and seasonal shopping opportunities across Greater Houston.
• Things to Do in Woodland Heights – From concerts to bike trails, Korean BBQ and more, discover some of the must do things to do in the Woodland Heights neighborhood.
• Where to Watch 2022 World Cup in Houston – We’ve highlighted some of the best soccer pubs and bars that will open their doors for the biggest matches of the 2022 World Cup. Dates, times and locations vary.
• 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.

Ongoing Theater Shows & Arts Performances

Many plays, musicals, and other stage shows span multiple weeks. Scroll down to find new shows opening this week, then ongoing performances, followed by shows that are wrapping up this weekend.

Keep track of more openings with our weekly roundup of Performing Arts events.

• Houston Grand Opera presents El Milagro del Recuerdo at the Wortham Center | Daily | Opening Weekend – This family-friendly, Mariachi opera celebrates family and tradition, transporting audiences to Mexico to experience the story of Laurentino, a bracero who comes back from the United States to share the holiday with his family, and his wife Renata, who worries his time away is changing him. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Uncle Eb at MATCH | Thursday to Saturday | Opening Weekend – This brand-new take on A Christmas Carol finds Tiny Tim Cratchett all grown up and returning home following the death of his Uncle Ebenezer. That’s when things get, well, strange. Please note this play contains strong language. $28. Showtimes vary.
• A.D. Players presents A Texas Carol at the George Theater | Daily | Ongoing – This Lone Star take on the holiday classic finds the whole family heading to Mee-Maw Jane’s ranch in East Texas for what might be her last Christmas. When they arrive, she’s already gone. How will they save Christmas? Recommended for ages 10 and up. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• What-A-Christmas at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – In this brand-new, adult holiday comedy written by H-Town’s own Isaac Gómez, Margot is a Tejana Scrooge, on the Christmas Eve overnight shift. When her dead best friend Jackie Marley turns up and warns her about some spirits coming to visit, Margot is in for a wild night. $55 and up. Showtimes vary.
• A Motown Christmas at Ensemble Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – Get into the groove that only the signature sound from Detroit can deliver. This Motown revue in Midtown blends traditional holiday carols with soulful sounds from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more. $44 and up. Showtimes vary.
• The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley at Main Street Theater | Daily | Ongoing – Jane Austen fans and lovers of drawing room comedy will delight in this holiday bonbon that takes places in the servants hall at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate. As the Darcys and their guests enjoy the holiday upstairs, hijinks are afoot downstairs, especially when Lydia’s incorrigible husband arrives. $44 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Stages presents Houston for the Holidays With DeQuina Moore at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – The Houston native, who starred in Stages’ Plumshuga, hits the stage for a holiday-themed cabaret-style evening of song and story. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre | Daily | Ongoing – The beloved Charles Dickens Christmas story returns, telling the tale of the miserly Scrooge visited by three spirits who compel him to change his ways, in a new production adapted and directed by Alley artistic director Rob Melrose. $41 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Stages presents Panto Snow White & the Seven Dorks at the Gordy | Daily | Ongoing – The Panto tradition returns with an all-new holiday show, this one delightfully skewering the Snow White tale. The Evil Queen has a high-tech virtual mirror and she’s banished Snow White to the wilds of Silicon Valley, where she encounters seven dorky hackers. Expect hilarity to ensue. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• A Beatles Holiday Cabaret at Music Box Theater | Friday & Sunday | Ongoing – Singers take to the stage for this Beatles/Christmas mash-up show that features holiday traditional carols alongside Fab Four faves. Look for renditions of the iconic music group’s “In My Life/Christmas Canon,” “O Come All Ye Faithful/Revolution” and more. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Main Street Theater for Youth presents Cinderella at MATCH | Saturday | Ongoing – The beloved story comes to life as a musical, backed by music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This stage adaption is based on the popular teleplay, and captures the romance of Cinderella and her prince, the capers of her stepsisters and the magic of her fairy godmother, who shows that impossible things happen every day. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Center | Saturday & Sunday | Ongoing – The Tchaikovsky classic returns to the stage, as only the Houston Ballet can deliver it. Stanton Welch’s take on this beloved story of young Clara and the nutcracker she receives as a gift on one magical Christmas Eve offers grand sets, gorgeous costumes and stunning dance. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Catastrophic Theatre presents They Do Not Move at MATCH | Thursday to Saturday | Final Weekend – Imagine a future where American democracy is vanquished and monarchist forces roam the land seeking out waifs and strays. Descending into the absurd, this play features a beauty pageant, a sitcom, and is full of references to horror movies, Texas law and other pop culture nods. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Times vary.
• Opera in the Heights presents The Elixir of Love at Lambert Hall | Friday & Sunday | Final Weekend – Nemorino is infatuated with Adina. Dr. Dulcamara sells him a phony love potion. Hijinks ensue in this beloved operatic comedy by Donizetti, which opens the Opera in the Heights season at their home of Lambert Hall—recently saved from development by a coalition of community members and organizations. $42.50 and up. Showtimes vary.

Tickets to Houston Pro Sports Games

• Houston Texans Home Games at NRG Stadium | 2022 Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Save on 2022 Texans games with cheaper, better or hard-to-find seats on the online resale market.

• Child Advocates presents Angels of Hope at the Westin Galleria – Enjoy lunch and a fashion show by Neiman Marcus and know you’re contributing to a good cause this holiday season. $300. 11am to 1pm.
• Train Rides at City Place | FREE – Bring the kids to Spring, where they can hop aboard a train ride around the gingerbread village, and the whole family can enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments. 4pm to 7pm.
• Truffles & Wine at Central Market Cooking School – Spend an evening learning about wine and having experts offer precise pairings to help you gather inspiration for holiday parties. $80. 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
• The Official Lights in the Heights Bike Ride at Eureka Heights Brewery | FREE – Check in at the Heights brewery and head out on an eight-mile, leisurely paced ride to look at all the homes decorated for the holidays. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
• Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus at Children’s Museum Houston | FREE – The Bayou City’s bilingual children’s choir performs at the museum. 6:30pm.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – The whole family will enjoy this Tim Burton animated classic, shown outdoors on the big screen at the popular Downtown park. 7pm.
• The Sing-Off at Market Street | FREE – A cappella groups compete to determine which one will be crowned the Sing-Off Champion. 7pm to 8:30pm.
• Abbey Road’s Christmas with the Beatles at Hobby Center – Christmas classics and Fab Four faves take the stage in this evening tribute to the band that changed rock and roll forever. $39 and up. 7:30pm.
• Chamber Music Houston presents Emerson String Quartet at Rice University Stude Concert Hall – The award-winning quartet makes a record-setting 35th appearance in an evening of Mozart, Mendelssohn and Brahms as part of their farewell tour. $20 and up. 7:30pm.
• Monarch Chamber Players Holiday Concert at Post Houston – The orchestra offers a selection of holiday favorites, including tunes from movies such as The Polar Express and The Grinch, along with traditional carols. $10. 7:30pm.
• Alistair Greene in Concert at Dosey Doe: the Big Barn – The blues rock singer-songwriter comes to the Woodlands to perform. $28 and up. 8pm.
• Sub Urban in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – The alternative pop rock singer-songwriter performs live on White Oak’s upstairs stage. $29. 8pm.

• 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.