Find the perfect things to do in Houston this weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, December 11 to Sunday, December 14, 2014.
[quote_box_right]Weekend Shortcuts
Sunday, December 14[/quote_box_right]Christmas events continue to dominate the calendar. Season-long events and attractions like Zoo Lights, Bruce Munro’s Field of Lights at Discovery Green, the Hermann Park Holiday Train, The Ice at Discovery Green and Ice Land Ice Sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants at Galveston’s Moody Gardens continue to appeal, but there are select secular and non-holiday events for those seeking an escape.
And there’s a lot more great stuff to do in Houston this weekend. Check it out all of our favorites in our full Weekend Guide below.
Things to Do All Weekend
- Sand Mandala at the Menil | FREE | Thursday through Saturday – Observe Tibetan monks from the Drepung Gomang monastery in South India create an intricate sand mandala in the Menil foyer.
- Alley Theatre presents A Christmas Carol at UH | Daily – Follow the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by ghosts of the past, present and future in the Alley Theatre presentation of A Christmas Carol. Tickets range from $25 to $55. 7:30pm Thursday and Friday; 2:30pm and 7:30pm Saturday and Sunday.
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Hobby Center | Daily – Experience the Rockettes high kicks as New York City’s holiday special comes at the Hobby Center this holiday season. Tickets start at $40, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7:30pm Thursday; 8pm Friday; 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm Saturday; noon, 3:30pm and 7:30pm Sunday.
- Campfire Christmas at George Ranch | Friday and Saturday – Escape the hustle and bustle of a modern Christmas and go on a festive journey into Christmases past at the George Ranch Historical Park’s annual Campfire Christmas. $50; $45 for ages 15 and under, seniors and groups of ten or more. 6pm to 10pm both nights.
- Tomball German Christmas Market | Friday to Sunday | FREE – Celebrate the holidays the way the Germans do – with beer! Enjoy street vendors, biergartens, Gluhwein and Dutch Santa during this family friendly market. 6pm to 10pm Friday; 10am to 10pm Saturday; 10am to 6pm Sunday.
- Houston Symphony presents A Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Enjoy a yuletide evening of traditional standards like “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “O Holy Night. $25 to $135. 8pm Friday and Saturday; 2:30pm and 7:30pm Sunday.
- Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Theater Center | Friday to Sunday – For more than 25 years, the Houston Ballet has been telling the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they fight the Mouse King, travel to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Tickets start at $55, but you may find cheaper or better tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7:30pm Friday; 2pm and 7:30pm Saturday and Sunday.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Kaleidoscope Theater | Friday to Sunday – Relive the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special with Snoopy, Schroeder, Linus, Sally, Lucy and, of course, Charlie Brown himself. $30; $20 ages 10 and under. 8pm Friday; 2pm and 8pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday.
- High Caliber Gun and Knife Show at NRG | Saturday and Sunday – Find everything from gun parts to knife sharpeners and coins to camo at the High Caliber Gun and Knife Show. $8; free for children 13 and under. 9am to 5pm Saturday; 10am to 4pm Sunday.
- Holiday Market at San Jacinto Mall | Saturday and Sunday | FREE to attend – Pick up some stocking stuffers at the Holiday Market booths near Santa’s Workshop at San Jacinto Mall. 10am to 9pm Saturday; 10am to 8pm Sunday.
- Rice Village Flea | FREE – Find a unique treasure at the Rice Village Flea Holiday Market. 11am to 6pm.
- 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.
- Houston Texans Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Score tickets to Texans home games. Don’t miss a game and grab hard-to-get seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
- The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop at The Children’s Museum Houston – Take the kids to the Grinch’s interactive holiday workshop complete with an oversized sleigh that kids can sit in. $9; $8 seniors and military personnel plus their family. 10am to 8pm.
- Unsilent Night at Sabine Promenade | FREE – Participate in a unique parade where composer Phil Kline’s piece Unsilent Night, which is intended to be heard outdoors, will be played on participants’ smart phones. 6pm to 9pm.
- Tracy Lawrence at Stampede Houston – See Country music legend Tracy Lawrence perform live at Stampede Houston. $15; $20 for guests 18 to 20 years old. 7pm.
- Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold at Stages Repertory Theatre – Denise Fennell returns as Sister in this production where CSI meets Bethlehem in a hilarious musical history lesson. $19 to $40. 7:30pm.
- Home Alone Movie Screening at CityCentre | FREE – See Kevin fend off burglars on Christmas Eve in this 80s John Hughes holiday classic. 8pm.
- Reverse Happy Hour at Nara – Grab a late night snack and cocktail at Nara Sushi and Korean Kitchen’s newly remodeled bar & lounge during Reverse Happy Hour. Items range from $3 to $10. 9pm to 11pm.
- 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, December 12, 2014
- CASA Christmas Home Tour – Support Child Advocates of Fort Bend while touring beautifully decorated at the annual Christmas Home Tour. $25. 10am to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm.
- Student Performance at Hermann Park | FREE – Hear the Rich Schneider Middle School choir sing as part of the 5th Annual Student Performances in the Park Series at Hermann Park. Noon.
- TBOX Houston VIII: The 12 Bars of Xmas Pub Crawl in Historic Downtown – Put on your most merry duds and pace yourself at the eight edition of this holiday pub crawl around Market Square Park and the Historic Downtown vicinity, starting at OKRA and wrapping up at Little Dipper. No cover. 6pm to 2am.
- Miracle on 34th Street Screening at Discovery Green | FREE – Cuddle up on the lawn or ice rink to watch Miracle on 34th Street as part of the Discovery Green Friday Night Flicks series. If skating, fees apply. 7:30pm.
- The Secret of NIMH Movie Screening at Whole Foods Montrose | FREE – Catch the animated film The Secret of NIMH as part of the Friday Night Films program at Whole Foods Montrose. 8pm.
- Rusty Riders Christmas Lights Bike Ride 2014 | FREE – Ride through the streets of River Oaks to see homes all lit up and decorated for the holidays at the Rusty Riders Christmas Lights Bike Ride. 7pm.
- Ho Ho Humbug at Studio 101 – New York’s biggest cynic finds himself in the unlikely job of Macy’s Santa Claus. The heartwarming comedy was written by and stars Scott Burkell of Broadway’s Titanic. $25; limited discounted $12.50 tickets available on select nights. 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.