Plan Your Weekend: January 4 to 7, 2024

ALL WEEKEND

• Fade To Black Reading Series 2024 at MATCH | Daily – Back for its seventh year, the Fade to Black series showcases the new works of Black playwrights with two acts of short plays throughout the first weekend of January. Saturday’s performance will also include an artist Q&A afterward. Pay-what-you-can on Thursday; $30 in advance all other days. 8pm; Sunday at 3pm.
• Choral Performances in the Buffalo Bayou Cistern | Thursday to Saturday – Since November, the Schola Cantorum of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has taken to the cavernous cistern for reverberating concerts featuring songs from the seventh century to present day. Catch these final three nights of the series, and get a look at the Cistern’s winter light installation. $25. Sessions at 7pm, 7:45pm and 8:30pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club presents Greg Warren at Rudyard’s Pub | Friday & Saturday – A nationally touring headliner, Greg Warren’s colorful perspective is highlighted by self-deprecation, frustration and an arsenal of lifelike characters. He’ll follow up his 2020 special, Where the Corn Field Grows, with three sets on back-to-back nights in Montrose. $25 and up. Times vary.
• College Football Playoff Fan Central at George R. Brown Convention Center | Friday to Sunday | FREE – With the College Football National Championship taking place on Monday, fans can get a free, family-friendly experience in Downtown with three days of games, clinics, guest appearances, autograph signings, special exhibits and more. Friday noon to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
• AT&T Playoff Playlist Live at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday to Sunday | FREE with RSVP – One of the highlights of the run-up to the National Championship, this three-day concert series offers a free opportunity to catch big shows at the Dynamo stadium in EaDo. Friday welcomes Kidz Bop; Saturday is stacked with performances from Jack Harlow, Latto, 2 Chainz and Paul Russell; and the series caps off on Sunday with country stars Jon Pardi, Jake Owen and Megan Moroney. Free with registration. 6pm.
• Comedian Jared Freid at Houston Improv | Friday to Sunday – The New York comic comes to the Spring Branch laugh house for a weekend of hilarious insights on dating, relationships and more. $50 for 2, and up. Times vary.
• Houston Symphony presents Swingin’ Sinatra: A New Year’s Celebration at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Tony DeSare channels Ol’ Blue Eyes for a weekend of crooner classics from Sinatra, including “Come Fly With Me,” “Luck Be a Lady” and many other popular standards from the golden age of Big Band and Swing. $45 and up. 8pm; Sunday at 2:30pm.
• The Autograph Show of Texas at Westin Galleria | Saturday & Sunday – Sports stars descend on Houston for a weekend of autograph signing in the Galleria. Slated to appear are athletes and celebrities like Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Jerry West, Carl Lewis, Ric Flair, Erik Estrada, Sugar Ray Leonard, and several more. Prices vary by celebrity; $39 for VIP passes that allow early access. Schedule TBA.

San Leon, Bars in Sugar Land & Other Destinations

• Must Do Things in San Leon – This coastal community off the shores of Galveston Bay features some of the region’s best oysters and stunning waterfront views.
• Best Bars in Sugar Land – From an anime-fueled experience to glasses of vino with a side of vinyl, Sugar Land boasts some can’t-miss taprooms and cocktail bars where you can pull up a chair for a drink or two.
• Best Happy Hours in Shady Acres – Hugging White Oak Bayou, this Heights-area neighborhood boasts plenty of leafy patios, scenic views and tasty happy hour specials to hit up.
• Things to Do near Galleria & Uptown – Whether you’re hunting holiday deals, diving into the area’s luxe meals, or treating yourself with sweets and a spa day, there’s plenty of things to get on your radar for the Galleria and Uptown area in our 5 Must Do series.
• Best Brunch in River Oaks – Take to stunning dining rooms and breezy patios across the River Oaks area with our guide to best brunch options in one of Houston’s luxury neighborhoods.

• Polar Palooza Snow Days at Children’s Museum Houston – All holiday season through Sunday, January 7, the Children’s Museum hosts snow days with real snow in the courtyard for a winter play day that so rarely comes to Houston. Stop by on Thursday evening for free admission to maximize your fun on a budget. $17 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 8pm (free from 5pm to 8pm).
• Glassell Studio School Open House at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston | FREE – Learn more about MFAH’s educational classes, short-term workshops, and art history courses open to adults from all skill levels. The Open House night offers tours of the studios, students and faculty that can talk more about the semester, live art demonstrations, free class raffles and complimentary refreshments. 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
• Vortxz in Concert at Warehouse Live Midtown – In the first concert of the year at Warehouse Live’s new location (formerly Rise Rooftop), local indie rockers Vortxz will take the stage with support by Orion 224 and Eucalyption. $10. 7pm.
• John Fullbright in Concert at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter brings his latest songs from his 2022 album, The Liar, and other work to the Upper Kirby stage. $50 and up. 7pm.
• Mackenzie Phillips in Concert at Dosey Doe: the Big Barn – The Christian singer-songwriter brings new songs from a forthcoming album to the Woodlands stage. $12 and up. 7pm.
• Slaughter Beach, Dog in Concert at House of Blues – The Philly indie rockers bring songs from their newest album, Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling to Downtown Houston. $22. 7pm.
• First Thursdays Film Screening at Brasil | FREE – The Houston Film Commission returns to Brasil’s patio for a monthly Thursday screening of short films, and a chance to mingle with local filmmakers. 8pm to 10pm.
• Wrongbird in Concert at Continental Club – Out of Austin, the alt-rock group makes their Houston debut at the Mid-Main stage. $10. 9pm.
• Karaoke at the Secret Group | No Cover – Catch the first Thursday karaoke session of the year at the EaDo comedy and music venue, and enjoy drink specials all night long. 10pm to 2am.