Weekend Shortcuts
Saturday, December 16, 2017
- Volunteer Workday at Buffalo Bayou Park – Volunteer your time to help beautify Buffalo Bayou Park. Bring your own gloves. 8:30am to 11:30am.
- Pearland’s Farmer’s Market at Pearland Town Center – Shop for local produce and specialty honey, sauces, pet treats and more at the Pearland Farmer’s Market. 9am.
- Brunch with Santa at Phoenicia Specialty Foods – Snap a picture with Santa or Ms. Claus, enjoy a seasonal brunch menu and bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to the Operation Stocking Stuffer Toy Drive at Phoenicia downtown. 9am to 3pm.
- Christmas in the Park 2017 at George Ranch Historical Park – Travel through Christmas pasts on a festive hayride (as long as the weather allows) and explore holiday customs and decorations from 1830s to the 1930s. $10. 9am to 5pm.
- Sawyer Flea at the corner of Edwards & Sawyer Street – Spend the day at the Sawyer Flea, a curated outdoor market featuring local craftsmen, artists, food vendors, collectors, and other small businesses. 10am to 5pm.
- Holiday Party at Misfit Toys – Dress up in Star Wars gear and meet Darth Vader, along with Santa at this family-friendly party at The Misfit Toys store in the Heights. 10am to 10pm.
- Annual Chili Cook-Off at Little Woodrow’s Midtown – Show up to sample or compete with your own secret recipe to see who makes the best chili in town at Little Woodrow’s Midtown’s annual cook-off. 11am.
- The Polar Express Movie Screening at Baybrook Mall | FREE – Climb aboard The Polar Express in this screening of the film about a boy who learned to believe in Christmas on his journey to the North Pole, playing at Baybrook Mall. 11am.
- Annual Wine Sale at 13 Celsius – Sample 13 Celsius’s selection of wine and purchase bottles at a low holiday price while sampling cheese from Houston Dairymaids at this customer appreciation event. 11am to 3pm.
- Frosty the Snowman Musical at Salem Lutheran – Frosty and his young friends learn valuable lessons about the true meaning of friendship when the family musical Frosty the Snowman comes to Salem Lutheran in Houston. Tickets start at $10, but you may find limited discounted tickets for $5. 11am and 1:30pm.
- Gingerbread House Decorating Party at SpindleTap Brewery – Whether you’re loading yours with frosting and candy, or making sure it looks perfect, you can decorate your own gingerbread house and enjoy beer, pizza and pictures with Santa at SpindleTap Brewery. Advance registration required. $20. Noon to 5pm.
- German Christmas Service at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church | FREE – Enjoy traditional German cookies, music, cider, and hot chocolate at this special Christmas service in Klein. The message will be in English, but the hymns, prayers, and music will all be in German. 3pm.
- Kick In For Houston Celebrity Soccer Match at BBVA Compass Stadium – Celebrities and athletes including Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Mia Hamm, Scott Kelly, and Roger Clemens will take the field in this soccer match for charity, benefiting Harvey relief. Tickets start at $30. 5pm.
- A Plane, a Train, a Bus & a Boat: A Solo Art Show at Rockstar Gallery | FREE – Explore Luxembourg, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan & Venice at Vena Ashley’s solo art show and party, featuring photos, images, and art she collected and created during her recent travels. Items will be available for sale, and there will be light Italian bites, wine, and special Italian craft cocktails available. 5pm to 9pm.
- Music & Mistletoe at Sugar Land Town Square | FREE – Enjoy your favorite contemporary and classic Christmas tunes performed by First Colony Church of Christ at Sugar Land’s Town Square. 6pm to 8pm.
- 2017 Holiday Parade in Downtown Galveston – Watch festive floats, golf carts, and cyclists cruise down the streets of Historic Galveston in the annual Holiday Parade. 6:30pm.
- Houston Rockets vs. Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center – Get on your feet and scream for the Rockets in this highly anticipated game against the Bucks at Toyota Center. Tickets start at $30, but you may spot cheaper, hard-to-find seats on the TicketNetwork online marketplace. 7pm.
- The Best Beatles Holiday Ever at Music Box Theater – Jam to a mashup of Christmas songs and hits from The Beatles at this show from Music Box Theater. Tickets start at $29, but limited discounted $14 tickets are available. 7:30pm.
- 22nd Annual Public Menorah Lighting at Houston City Hall – Head to City Hall for the annual menorah lighting on the fifth night of Chanukah. 7:30pm.
- ComedySportz Match Improv Show at CSz Arena – Crack up as you participate in this interactive improv show from ComedySportz. $20; limited discounted $10 tickets available. 8pm.
- 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.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
- Mistletoe on the Go at Market Square Park | FREE – Steal a kiss, or just a selfie, under the largest ball of mistletoe in Texas, stationed squarely at Market Square Park in Downtown. All day.
- Santa Hustle Galveston 5K and Half Marathon – Dress up like Saint Nick – themed socks, hats and shirts will be provided – and hit the pavement outside of Moody Gardens for the Santa Hustle 5k, half marathon or kids run benefitting Toys for Tots and the Galveston County Food Bank. Registration starts at $45. 6:30am.
- Tis The Season at The Silos on Sawyer – Support local artisans at the Silos on Sawyer by shopping for artful gifts, furnishings, jewelry, and prints while enjoying tastings from Stolen Whiskey & Rum while you shop. 10am to 3pm.
- Massive Mole and Tamale Brunch Buffet at Arnaldo Richards’ Picos – To finish out the restaurant’s 12 Days of Mole celebration, Picos invites you to indulge in a brunch buffet with all things mole and tamales, including chicken in black mole, tamales norteños, tamales oaxaqueños filled with chicken in green chili, and dulce de leche tamales. $29. 10am to 4pm.
- Bitches Who Brunch at Prohibition Supperclub & Bar – Grab a girlfriend and head to Prohibition for brunch and a show from the Moonlight Dolls. $25; limited discounted $15 tickets available. 11am.
- Pop Up at Aurora Art Studio – Stroll through booths from more than 35 local vendors when Aurora Art Studio in the Heights hosts their Sunday craft and artisan Pop Up market. 11am to 5pm.
- Chimney Rock Market in West Houston | FREE – Held on the first and third Sunday of the month near Anderson Park, Chimney Rock Market showcases art, gifts, produce, artisanal food, and refreshments. Noon to 4pm.
- Frozen Holiday Party at A.D. Players: Theatre Arts Academy – Bring your kiddos to A.D. Players: Theatre Arts Academy for an interactive storytime with characters from Frozen and a dance party. Costumes are encouraged. $32. 1pm.
- Holiday Candle Making Class at Midtown Art Center – Learn how to make your very own essential oil scented soy candles (for yourself or to give as gifts) at a special two-hour class presented by Love and Make. $25. 2pm.
- Jewish CultureFest at Evelyn’s Park – The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center hosts this afternoon celebrating Jewish culture with live music, local crafts, specialty foods, art, and mitzvah projects in Bellaire. 2pm to 6pm.
- Chanukah at Discovery Green | FREE – Head to Discovery Green for music from Eli Marcus, Judah the Maccabee Live Statue, balloon artists, face painters, Chanukah-themed arts and crafts, and the lighting of the Houston Astros Ice Menorah. 3pm to 6pm.
- Outdoor Chanukah Concert at Saengerfest Park – Join the Bay Area Jewish community for an outdoor concert, kosher food, and Menorah lighting to celebrate Chanukah. 5:30pm.
- A Christmas Story Movie Screening at Karbach Brewing Co. – The Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow presents a screening of the hilarious holiday movie, A Christmas Story, at the Karbach Brewery. 6pm to 9pm.
- PMT Pop Up: Holiday Cabaret at the Continental Club on Mid-Main – This pop-up, family-friendly cabaret features holiday performances from local artists at the Continental Club. $25; limited discounted $10 tickets available. 8pm.
- 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.
Find More Holiday Fun & Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more Christmas and holiday fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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Is your favorite event missing from our list? Add it in the comments below.