The 15 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: December 30 to January 1, 2023

Take a tour of H-Town’s weekend highlights with our 365 Houston guide to the best things to do in Houston this weekend, from Friday, December 30 to New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Every weekend, Houston has plenty of happenings to be found around town—but which ones are the highlights that can help you plan an enjoyable weekend of outings?

We’ve whittled down our extensive Weekend Guide to offer you some of our favorite things to look forward to from Friday to Sunday.

Looking for more things to do? Dig deeper for all of our weekend picks with the 365 Houston Weekend Guide, or comb through our Calendar for even more events, activities, and things to do this weekend.

The 15 Best Things to Do in Houston This Weekend: December 30 to January 1, 2023

• Sugar Land Holiday Lights Closing Weekend at Constellation Field | Daily | Final Weekend – Featuring more than three million lights spread across the ballpark and in 10 themed areas, Sugar Land Holiday Lights also offers a carnival with rides and games, as well as market shopping and more. $15; $12 for ages 4 to 12, 55+; free for ages 3 and under. Times vary.
• Galaxy Lights Closing Weekend at Space Center Houston | Daily | Final Weekend – This year’s Galaxy Lights event comes to a close on New Year’s Day, offering the final chances for people to explore space-themed light installations, high-tech experiences, and up-close encounters with flown spacecraft in a one-of-a-kind event that can only be found in Space City. $19.95 and up; free for ages 3 and under. Times vary.
• Comedian Ms. Pat at Houston Improv | Wednesday, December 28 to Saturday, December 31 – The Atlanta native comedian and author who can most recently be seen in her 2022 Netflix special, Y’all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?, comes to the Improv for several shows leading up to New Year’s. Tickets are sold by the table; $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Casino Night at B-52 Brewing | Friday, December 30 – The Conroe brewery transforms into a Vegas-style casino when it hosts a pre-New Year’s bash benefitting the Montgomery County Food Bank. Count on blackjack, roulette, craps, a DJ and photographer, Puerto Rican food on-site, and more. $65 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
• Tobe Nwigwe in Concert at 713 Music Hall | Friday, December 30 – The Alief native headlines a homecoming show at Post Houston’s music venue, capping off a year that includes a Grammy nomination, a co-starring role in Netflix’s Mo, and the release of his LP, moMINTs, dripping with legendary Houston features. $22 and up. 8pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents René Vaca at Rudyard’s | Friday, December 30 & Saturday, December 31 – A co-winner of the 16th Annual StandUp NBC competition, René Vaca takes his latest material to the Riot Comedy Club for three New Year’s Weekend performances. $20 and up. Times vary.

• Rockin’ New Year’s Noon Bash at the Children’s Museum Houston | Saturday, December 31 – Bring the kiddos out to the Rockin’ New Year’s Noon, a family-friendly end-of-year bash that rings in the new year at the stroke of noon with a parade and shimmering ball drop at the Children’s Museum of Houston. $15 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 3pm.
• Brunch & Football at Now or Never | Saturday, December 31 | No Cover – Midtown’s newest neighborhood bar turns into college football headquarters, featuring drink and brunch specials all day, TCU vs Michigan at 4pm and Ohio State vs Georgia at 7pm on 40+ TVs, and plenty of games including pool, basketball, air hockey, Pac-Man, Golden Tee, ping-pong, bocce ball, and cornhole. 11am to 2am.
• Saluting the Mai Kai at Lei Low | Saturday, December 31 | No Cover – The Heights-area tiki bar continues its New Year’s Eve tradition of paying homage to a classic tiki spot. This year celebrates the Mai Kai, a much-loved Florida tiki-themed restaurant and bar known for its strong drinks, South Seas show and intimate Molokai bar. 7pm to 2am.
• New Year’s Eve Celebration at Post Houston | Saturday, December 31 | FREE with RSVP – This all-ages celebration invites the public to the rooftop Skylawn for a New Year’s countdown, multiple bars throughout, live DJs and stellar skyline views. Plus, you can take in the final days of Winter Wonderlawn at Post. 8pm to 2am.
• The Suffers, Fat Tony, Dem Roots in Concert at Last Concert Cafe | Saturday, December 31 – A trio of Houston acts come together for a New Year’s Eve bash at a longtime Houston staple, just north of Downtown. The Kam Franklin-led Gulf Coast Soul group The Suffers headlines the evening, which also includes performances by the Exotica rapper from Third Ward, Fat Tony, and nu-reggae outfit, Dem Roots. $50 and up. 9pm to 12:30am.
• The Homecoming: SoberEve HTX at Railway Heights Market | Saturday, December 31 – DJs spin tunes while you enjoy a light show, mocktails and coffee bar, and an epic midnight confetti drop. $20 in advance; $30 day of. 9pm to 1am.

• Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium | Sunday, January 1 – A long and trying season for the Texans comes to a close in Houston when they face division rivals from Jacksonville for the final home game of the year. $59 and up. Noon.
• Soul Food Sunday at the Tipping Point | Sunday, January 1 | No Cover – The reigning Oxtail MashUp champ, Joseph Boudreaux (also of Boo’s Burgers fame) sets up for a New Year’s Day pop-up at the coffee-slinging vintage haven in Downtown, the Tipping Point. Start your New Year’s Day with a bowl of gumbo ($16) and black-eyed peas ($15), with soul tunes by Round House Vintage. Noon to 3pm.
• 26th Annual Townes Van Zandt Wake at Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe | Sunday, January 1 | FREE – In Galveston, the storied singer-songwriter venue hosts their annual wake for Texas folk legend Townes Van Zandt, who recorded one of his iconic albums at the Old Quarter. Longtime patrons and newcomers alike will take turns playing the tunes of Van Zandt, as well other favorites. 5pm.