Find the perfect things to do in Houston this New Year’s weekend with our five-day Houston Weekend Guide for New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2014 to Sunday, January 4, 2015.
[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts
Sunday, January 4[/quote_box_right]The heady holiday season comes to a close this weekend. Following a full roster of events, dinners and parties for New Year’s Eve, the 2014 holidays wind-down, with a few seasonal holiday attractions continuing through Sunday.
And there’s a lot more great stuff to do in Houston this New Year’s weekend and kicking of the year 2015. Check it out all of our favorites in our full Weekend Guide below.
Things to Do All Weekend
- Fabergé: From a Snowflake to an Iceberg at HMNS | Daily – See hundreds of royal Fabergé treasures at this HMNS exhibit. $25; discounted $12.50 admission is available.
- FInal Days of Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo | Daily – Wander amid two million lights during the last weekend of Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo.
- Meet Me On Mars | Starts Thursday – Join Moon Joggers in a global effort to run the distance it would take to travel to Mars. The goal of 33 million miles is slated to be completed in the year of 2015 by participants from around the world. Anytime. Registration packages start at $22.
- Shen Yun at Jones Hall | Thursday to Sunday – Explore thousands of years of Chinese culture through dance during this internationally acclaimed show. Tickets start at $70, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on Ticket Monster’s resale site. 2pm and 7pm Thursday; 7:30pm Friday; 2pm and 7pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday.
- The Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show | Starts Friday – Check out PWCs, fishing and luxury boats at the Annual Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show. $10; $4 ages 6 to 12; free for children under 5. 1pm to 8pm Friday; 10am to 8pm Saturday; 11am to 8pm Sunday.
- Jammy Jam at Children’s Museum of Houston | Friday to Sunday – Explore the world of dreams during Jammy Jam. Children are invited to create dream catchers, count sheep, and learn about animal hibernation. $9; $8 seniors and military personnel. 10am to 8pm Thursday; 10am to 6pm Friday and Saturday; noon to 6pm Sunday.
- Final Days of the Hermann Park Holiday Train | Daily – Jump aboard the Hermann Park Railroad for your first or last time this season before the holiday decorations come down on Monday.
- Final Days of the Ice Land Ice Sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants in Galveston | Daily – Take one last look at the frozen ice sculptures of Bikini Bottom before Moody Gardens begins to thaw.
- Family Activities inside the Loop from BigKidSmallCity | Daily – Find events, recommendations and family-friendly activities from our favorite Houston mom-in-the-know Jill Jarvis of BigKidSmallCity
New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2014
- Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve at the Houston Downtown Aquarium – Celebrate the New Year with the whole family at the Downtown Aquarium. Tickets include an all-day Adventure Pass and buffet lunch or dinner. $26.99; $18.99 for children aged 3 to 10. 11am to 2pm or 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
- New Year’s Noon Bash at Children’s Museum of Houston – Bring the kids to the Children’s Museum of Houston for a parade, balloon drop and “after party” at New Year’s Noon Bash. Included in $9 admission. 11am.
- New Year’s Dinner at Americas River Oaks – Enjoy a three-course meal at Americas’ Latin-infused New Year’s party complete with Cordua classics like their signature lobster corndogs and tres leches. $67.
- New Year’s Eve at Putt-Putt FunHouse – Ring in the New Year with pizza, a $5 game room play card, karaoke, and balloon drop with prizes at Putt-Putt FunHouse. $20; $15 for children 12 and under. 2pm to 5pm or 6pm to 9pm.
- Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets at Toyota Center – Cheer the Rockets on to a victory in their last game of 2014 agains the Hornets. The first 5,000 fans receive a Rockets fleece blanket. Tickets start at $20, but you may find cheaper or better seats on Ticket Monster’s resale site. 6pm.
- New Year’s Eve Dinner at Bistro Menil – Start off your New Year’s Evening with a three-course meal from Chef Greg Martin in the Menil’s charming, upscale bungalow. $60 per person; $95 with wine pairing. Until 10pm.
- Josh Abbott Band at House of Blues – Countdown to 2015 while enjoying Texas Country music from Josh Abbott Band at House of Blues this concert Tickets start at $45. 8pm.
- Felices Fiestas! at The Hobby Center – Enjoy a concert of Spanish and Latin American music, buffet-style dinner and champagne gala at The Hobby Center. $36 to $180; limited discounted $18 to $90 tickets available. 8pm.
- Blue October at Bayou Music Center – Alternative rock band Blue October returns to Houston, where the group was formed, to play at the Bayou Music Center on NYE. Tickets start at $60, but you may find cheaper or better seats on Ticket Monster’s resale site. 9pm.
- Fire & Ice Party at Topgolf Katy – Reserve a bay at Topgolf for their hot and cold-themed New Year’s Party. $75 general bay reservation; $450 VIP bay. 9pm.
- NYE Party at Mr. Peeples – Enjoy live music and dancing, a champagne toast, New Year’s treats by Chef Johnny and more at Mr. Peeples, the most stylish restaurant and lounge in Midtown. $40. 10pm.
- Comedian Steven Kent McFarlin “The Laff Guru” at Hard Rock Cafe – Laugh all the way to the New Year during Steven Kent McFarlin’s hilarious stand up. $25; limited comped and discounted $10 tickets available. 10:30pm.
- Other New Year’s Eve Parties Around Houston – Ring in the New Year at one of these great parties taking place across the city. Prices and times vary.
- More Great Things to Do All 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.
New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2015
- Brunch at Bistro Menil – Cap off your New Year’s celebrations with a special weekday brunch at Bistro Menil. Enjoy dishes like a three egg omelet with duck confit and gruyere. $9 to $14. 10am to 2pm.
- Run Houston! Sam Houston Race Park – Cross the finish line in the first of 5 races in the Run Houston! series. $30 Kids 1k; $40 5k; $50 10k. 9am.
- The Annual Hangover Cure Day at Lucky’s Pub – Cure your hangover with a little hair of the dog at Lucky’s Pub. This annual New Year’s Day brunch is complete with $6 pitchers of mimosas, $3 bloody mary’s, and all of the NYD bowl games. 10am.
- LifeTime Commitment Day 5k at CityCentre – Race against the clock, and other runners, during the Commitment Day 5k at CityCentre. $27; children under 13 are free with an adult. 10am.
- New Year’s Day Brunch at Hugos – Celebrate the New Year with multiple trips to the buffet during brunch at Hugos. $31; $12 for children 12 and under. 10am to 2:30pm.
- Field of Light at Discovery Green | FREE – See Discovery Green lit up with thousands of frosted glass bulbs and stems, all connected by a web of fiber optics in the site’s first ever display of temporary public artwork. Dusk to 11pm.
- Hangover Party at Super Happy Fun Land – Kick off 2015 with poets, comedians and singers at the Super Happy Fun Land open mic Hangover Party. $5. 8:30pm.
- More Great Things to Do All 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 2, 2015
- Beginning Glass Blowing 1 Class (6-Week Series) – Learn the basics of Glass Blowing at Three Dimensional Visions in this series of classes aimed at beginners. $600 for the 6-week series. 10am to 1pm each Friday.
- Kids in the Kitchen at Central Market – Get your children cooking during this Central Market class that’s all about pasta. Kids will learn how and actually make fresh pasta, tomato sauce, alfredo sauce and cookies. Classes for children ages 9 to 12. $45. Noon to 2:30pm.
- Rice Owls vs. UTSA at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse – Root for the Owls as they play the UTSA Roadrunners. Tickets start at $12, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7pm.
- Where the Wild Things Are Movie Screening at Discovery Green | FREE [POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER] – Cuddle up on the lawn or ice rink to watch Where the Wild Things Are as part of the Discovery Green Friday Night Flicks series. If skating, fees apply. 7:30pm.
- Guns N’ Roses Tribute Band Appetite for Destruction in Concert at House of Blues – Ride the Nighttrain into the New Year with Appetite for Destruction as they cover the greatest Guns N’ Roses hits at House of Blues. $16.50; limited discounted $6 to $8 tickets available. 8pm.
- First Fridays Kickoff at Uptown Hookah | FREE to attend – Kick off the year at Uptown Hookah with Jamaican food, Caribbean DJs and a live reggae band for the first “First Friday” of 2015. 8pm.
- Gary P Nunn at Firehouse Saloon – Catch country music singer Gary P Nunn in concert at Firehouse Saloon. $15 in advance; $18 at the door. 9pm.
- More Great Things to Do All 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.
