Find the perfect things to do in Houston this weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Thursday, December 17 to Sunday, December 20, 2015.
Shortcuts
Visit a galaxy far, far away (all over Houston), put on your tackiest sweater for a party at Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, get running at the Santa Hustle in Galveston, hear Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley perform live or even find tickets to the sold-out Tony Bennett concert and more.
Check below to find great things happening around Houston this weekend, from Thursday, December 17 through Sunday, December 20, 2015.
Things to Do All Weekend
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Movie Theaters Across Greater Houston | Daily – Normally we don’t dwell on film openings, but it’s hard to ignore the wookiee in the room this week. Limited premieres begin on Thursday and the film is screening almost around the clock thereafter. More theaters have been added since tickets sold out online weeks ago, so it’s still possible to see the film on opening day, if not at the most popular time. If you buy your tickets on Fandango using this link, a small portion of your ticket price will go to 365 Things to Do in Houston, at no additional cost to you, and help us in our plans to expand coverage in 2016. May the Force be with you.
- Striking 12 at The Hobby Center | Daily – TUTS Underground presents the charming pop-rock fable that puts a modern New Year’s Eve twist on The Little Match Girl. Created by New York’s power-pop trio band GrooveLily, this production retains the same energy of the original production, featuring actors who play their own instruments. Showtimes vary.
- A Christmas Story: The Musical at The Hobby Center | Daily – Inspired by the classic film, this stage musical chronicles Ralphie Parker’s efforts to ensure Santa brings him a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, despite distractions like tacky leg lamps, tongues stuck to icy flag poles and Scut Farkus. Tickets start at $37; limited discount tickets start at $21 for select shows. Showtimes vary.
- UIL Football State Championships at NRG Stadium | Thursday to Saturday – See Texas’ best high school football teams battle it out on the field at NRG Stadium. $15. Games begin at 10am on Thursday; noon on Friday and Saturday.
- Begin Wide at MATCH | Thursday to Saturday – Experience a unique show at MATCH when 10 dancers take the stage to perform Begin Wide. $25. 8pm nightly.
- Comic Saurin Choski at Joke Joint Comedy Showcase | Friday and Saturday – The hilarious host of White Guy Talk Show on Fuse TV goes off on hipsters, dating and his Indian heritage to the delight of audiences. $16 to $18; comped (you just pay the ticketing fees) and discounted $8 tickets are available for select shows. 8pm and 10:30pm both nights.
- Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday to Sunday – Enjoy works from Handel like “Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted” and the “Hallelujah” chorus as performed by the Houston Symphony during this timeless production at Jones Hall. Tickets start at $29. 8pm Friday and Saturday; 2:30pm Sunday.
- The 12 Dates of Christmas at The Kaleidoscope | Friday to Sunday – Laugh all the way through this hilarious one-woman show about dating and being lonely during the holidays. $35; limited discounted $14 to $17.50 tickets available. 8pm Friday and Saturday; 2pm Sunday.
- Day for Night Festival at Silver Street Studios | Saturday and Sunday – Experience performances from more than 40 musical and visual artists including Kendrick Lamar, New Order, Janelle Monae, Flying Lotus, the Wrestlers, Casey Reas, Nightmoves and Work-Order during this festival at Silver Street. One day passes start at $97.50; two day passes start at $185. Noon to 11pm both days.
- Houston Texans Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Save on Texans games with cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
- Houston Rockets Tickets on Sale | Sponsored – Save on Rockets games with cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
- Wild Wheels at the Houston Zoo – Strengthen your child’s kinesthetic skills through a multi-sensory experience at the Houston Zoo. This class is best for infants to three year old children. $25 includes 1 adult and 1 child admission; $10 per additional child; $10 per child for members; $2 per adult for members. 9:15am to 10:15am.
- Star Wars Force Fest at Memorial City Mall – Head to Memorial City Mall for an interactive Star Wars experience before seeing the lastest movie in the series. 6pm to 9pm.
- Trombone Shorty Avenue in Concert at House of Blues – New Orleans trombone and trumpet player Troy Andrews is heading to the Bayou city to perform his jazzy tunes at House of Blues. Tickets start at $25. 6:30pm.
- Holiday Lights Tour with The Wave – Hop on The Wave and gaze at holiday lights as the bus takes you to see the tree at City Hall, Field of Light at Discovery Green and decorated homes in River Oaks and Woodland Heights. $30. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
- Ho Ho Humbug at Studio 101 – Watch the hilarious 90-minute production of Ho Ho Humbug – featuring Scott Burkell as Santa – at Studio 101. $29; limited discounted $14.50 tickets available. 7:30pm.
- White Christmas Album 4 at The Music Box Theater – Delight in the fourth, all-new edition of Music Box Theater’s Beatles and holiday song mashup with classic songs from the Fab Four and the Christmas season. $27; limited discounted $13.50 tickets available. 7:30pm.
- Alex Metric in Concert at Stereo Live – Listen to tracks from dance music artist Alex Metric during a live show at Stereo Live. Free with RSVP. 9pm.
- Mr Marcelo in Concert at Warehouse Live – See Mr Marcelo perform live with special guests B3, Willa Boy and Bleu Money during a show at Warehouse Live. $15 in advance. 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.
Friday, December 18, 2015
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Concert at Toyota Center – Get into the holiday spirit when the Trans-Siberian Orchestra takes over the Toyota Center for back-to-back performances of their renowned show The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Tickets start at $36.50, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 4pm and 8pm.
- Castaway Radio in Concert at Firehouse Saloon – Put on your boots and head to Firehouse Saloon to hear Castaway Radio in concert with Live Again. $10 in advance. 6pm.
- Grand Chanukah Celebration in The Woodlands | FREE – Witness the lighting of a nine-foot menorah at The Woodlands’ Market Street during the Grand Chanukah Celebration. Stick around after the lighting for food, music and fun for all ages. 6pm.
- Afropolitan Houston at Q Lounge | FREE with Advance RSVP – Mix, mingle and be merry at this monthly networking event and dance party celebrating the African diaspora. The event is free if you RSVP before Friday and arrive by 6:30pm to check-in. $10 day-of the event. 6pm to 10pm.
- The Big Holiday Comedy Jam at Arena Theatre – Laugh all the way through The Big Holiday Comedy Jam featuring Juan Villareal, Grossman, Marcus D. Wiley, Ali Siddiq and Dave Lawson. Tickets start at $19.50. 8pm.
- Chvrches in Concert at Revention Music Center – Don’t miss a performance from Scottish electronic band Chvrches when they take the stage at Revention Music Center. Tickets start at $5, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 9pm.
- Charles Kelley in Concert at House of Blues – See Lady Antebellum frontman Charles Kelley perform solo during his The Driver Tour at House of Blues. $38.33; limited discounted $19 tickets available. 8pm.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Unscripted at ComedySportz Houston – The Improv troupe at ComedySportz retells the Charlie Brown holiday classic based on suggestions from the audience at an anything goes, 18-and-older late night comedy show. $14; limited comped and $7 tickets available. 10:30pm.
- 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.
Things to do on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 20, 2015.
Be sure to subscribe to our free Weekend Planner email and receive a round-up of great things to do this weekend in Houston in your in-box every week. Click here to sign up.
Is your favorite event missing from our list? Add it in the comments below.