Find the perfect things to do in Houston MLK weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, January 11 to MLK Day, Monday, January 15, 2018.
Weekend Shortcuts
Take advantage of your long weekend with MLK parades and celebrations, a Selena tribute concert, Galveston Restaurant Week, play in a ton (actually 75 tons) of snow, sample all of the gumbo, compete in or cheer on the runners of the Chevron Houston Marathon, and more.
Check below to find great things happening around Houston MLK weekend, from Thursday, January 11 to MLK Day, Monday, January 15, 2018.
Things to Do All MLK Weekend
- Galveston Restaurant Week at Participating Restaurants Around Galveston | Daily – Eat your way through the Galveston restaurant scene by dining on prix fixe menus in support of Access Care of Coastal Texas during Galveston Restaurant Week. Prices, times, and locations vary.
- Hello Trees! at Discovery Green | Daily | FREE – Stroll through Discovery Green’s temporary art installation Hello Trees! and watch/listen as your voice message is transformed into light and music.
- Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo | Daily – Explore the Houston Zoo at night while millions of lights illuminate the various exhibits in this annual tradition. Tickets start at $11.95. Times vary.
- The Ice at Discovery Green | Daily – Lace up your skates and take to The Ice rink at Discovery Green to show off your moves. $14 to rent skates. Times vary.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events Around Houston | Saturday to Monday | Many FREE – Honor Martin Luther King Jr. at the 24th Annual MLK Grande Parade, the MLK Battle of the Bands Competition, the 40th Annual MLK Jr. Parade Celebration at Minute Maid Park and more.
- Delicious Brunches Around Greater Houston | Saturday and Sunday – No matter what part of the city you live in, there’s a delicious brunch option near you. Click here to see our handy lists of Where to Brunch in Greater Houston, including The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, Downtown, Midtown, The Heights, Montrose, The Museum District, The East End, Memorial City, The Energy Corridor, Galveston, and many more.
- Houston Rockets Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Save on Rockets games with cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
- The Buzz Weekday Workout at Evelyn’s Park | FREE – Sweat it out at this free morning workout, open to all fitness levels, at Evelyn’s Park. 8:30am.
- New Year’s Happy Hour at the Gallery at Rockstar Gallery | FREE – Check out the work of Houston artists Gabriel Agave, Rodney D. Butler and Vena Ashley over complimentary purple margaritas, plus chips, queso and salsa, at a Thursday evening shindig. 5pm to 8pm.
- Harry Potter Trivia Night at Sterling Municipal Library | FREE – Sport your wizarding best as the Sterling Municipal Library in Baytown host their Harry Potter Trivia Night. 6pm to 7:30pm.
- Giant Game Night at Memorial City Mall | FREE – Try your hand at one of the larger than life games like chess, Jenga, Connect Four and more that will be set up at The Square at Memorial City Mall. 6pm to 9pm.
- Perelada Wine Dinner at Américas – Enjoy this 5-course dinner featuring beef empanadas, churrasco beef tenderloin, and flan de queso paired with wine at Américas in River Oaks. $64.95 per person. 6pm to 10pm.
- Bill Minutaglio Book Signing at Brazos Bookstore – Hear from “The Most Dangerous Man in America” author Bill Minutaglio and get a copy of the book signed at Brazos Bookstore. 7pm.
- Rent Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – Sing along to songs from the musical Rent at this free showing on the big screen at Discovery Green. Bring a blanket and watch on the lawn or rent skates and watch from the rink. 7pm to 9pm.
- When Worlds Collide Fashion Show – Experience the world of fashion in this unique show featuring 3 designers, aerial dancing, live music and a DJ, Karbach beer, and fire dancers at The Factory. $35. 7pm to 9pm.
- Samba and Forro Dance Class at Midtown Park | FREE – Learn how to dance two popular Brazilian dance styles, Samba and Forro at Midtown Park. 7pm to 9pm.
- Will & Grace Watch Party at Guava Lamp – Watch brand new episodes of the sitcom, Will & Grace, at the LGBT-friendly bar Guava Lamp with trivia, drink specials and raffles. 7pm to 9pm.
- The EaDo Comedy Show at CSz Arena – For this improv show, ComedySportz Houston will draw from the vibe of the East Downtown neighborhood and call on audience members to participate. $8; limited comped (you just pay the ticketing fee) and discounted $4 tickets available. 8pm.
- More Great Things to Do All MLK Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Friday, January 12, 2018
- Karbach Beer Dinner at Tony Mandola’s – Nosh on a menu of Gulf Coast cuisine accompanied by Karbach Brewery beer pairings at the restaurant. 6pm to 9pm.
- Women of Winter Street Art Exhibition | FREE – Enjoy an opening reception got the 30+ women tenant artists and see works of painting, drawing, ceramics, photography and more at Winter Street Studios. 6pm to 9pm.
- 2017 Year in Review at The Music Box Theater – Laugh and reminisce as the cast of Music Box Theater highlights the most memorable moments of 2017 at their theater in Upper Kirby. Tickets start at $29, but limited discounted $14.50 tickets are available. 7:30pm.
- The Fifth Element Movie Party at Alamo Drafthouse Mason Park – Don’t forget your multi-pass and enjoy this immersive movie party for the sci-fi movie, The Fifth Element at Alamo Drafthouse Mason Park. Tickets are $12.99 per person. 7:30pm.
- Selena Tribute Show: Siempre Selena in Concert at White Oak Music Hall – Hear songs like “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “Como La Flor” when Siempre Selena pays tribute to the Tejana queen, Selena, at this concert at White Oak Music Hall. Tickets start at $10. 7:30pm.
- The Best of Enemies at A.D. Players Theater – This historical play, based on the bestselling book by Osha Gray Davidson, will take you through the desegregation of Durham, North Carolina in 1971 on stage at A.D. Players Theater. Tickets range from $20 to $70, but you may be able to find limited comp tickets (you only pay the ticketing fees) and discounted premium tickets. 7:30pm.
- Tickets start at $25, but limited comped tickets may be available. 7:30pm.
- Bettye Lavette in Concert at The Heights Theater – R&B singer Bettye Lavette brings her soulful sound to Houston for a show at The Heights Theater. Tickets start at $22. 8pm.
- Kirill Gerstein Plays Brahms at Jones Hall – Kirill Gerstein will perform Brahms’ powerful “Piano Concerto No. 1” live at Jones Hall. Tickets start at $23. 8pm.
- Will Carter Band in Concert at Firehouse Saloon – Tap your feet to country tunes from Will Carter Band at Firehouse Saloon. Tickets start at $12. 9pm.
- More Great Things to Do All MLK Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Things to do Saturday, January 13 to MLK Day, Monday, January 15, 2018.
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Is your favorite event missing from our list? Add it in the comments below.