Make the most of your month with our list of the 22 biggest and most notable festivals and events in Greater Houston in January 2025.
Even as the holidays rapidly move into the past, January is no slouch, presenting returning popular yearly festivals, Broadway sensations, concerts, foodie delights, and MLK Day and Lunar New Year’s all incoming, there’s plenty to do.
The Top 22 Festivals & Events in Houston in January 2025
Events are not ranked but are listed in chronological order, by start date and time and then by end date and time.
130th Anniversary Celebration at the Grand 1896 Opera House in Galveston | Friday, January 3 – Celebrating the Grand’s 130 years of elegance, entertainment, and celebration, the evening will offer up cocktails, fine dining, and dancing to the melodies of the Rob Landes Trio in a timeless atmosphere. $175 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
Pink Martini with China Forbes in Concert at Jones Hall | Friday, January 3 to Sunday, January 5 – Celebrating 30 years, the world-famous “little orchestra,” featuring original lead singer China Forbes, brings their heady mix of multilingual delights, from music of Brazilian Samba to jaunty Parisian café songs to retro jazz and old-fashioned pop to Downtown. $58 and up. Showtimes vary.
Apollo Chamber Players: We The People: Opportunity at MATCH | Saturday, January 4 – The multi-faceted program celebrates composers and artists who have nurtured their talents in “the Land of Opportunity,” adding to the musical fabric of our nation and demonstrating the beauty of diversity. The performance will feature guest percussionist Jesús Pacheco and 4 Cuban-bord dancers from Houston Ballet. $35. 7:30pm.
Art Week Galveston in Historic Downtown Galveston | Monday, January 6 to Sunday, January 19 | Some FREE – Galveston’s Cultural Arts District celebrates 2025 with a week chockfull of free events and exclusive paid experiences highlight local talent and culture, including gallery exhibitions, workshops and performances and signature events like the January edition of Galveston ArtWalk and the BlizzArt Market on Saturday. Places, prices and times vary.
Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green | Monday, January 6 to Sunday, January 19 | Closed Saturdays – Introducing a new twist to the beloved Green Mountain Energy Ice on the Green, Discovery Green rolls out big round bumpers cars every evening for 2 weeks only. Slip, slide, spin and crash on a 7-minute ride—no licenses is needed, but kiddos need to be at least 42 inches tall. Ice skating remains open daily. $20, advance booking required. Expect them to sell out. Nightly starting at 6pm.
Galveston Restaurant Week on Galveston Island | Monday, January 6 to Sunday, February 2 – Happening throughout the month of January, the annual Galveston Restaurant Week offers diners a chance to try top dishes from dozens of the island’s best eateries on prix-fixe breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus at very pocketbook-friendly prices. Two- or 3-course dinners range from $20 to $60; 2-course lunches from $10 to $30; and brunches from $10 to $40. Locations, prices, and times vary.
ROCO Connections: Beer & Brass at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Tuesday, January 7 – ROCO’s annual musical beer hall tradition kicks off 2025 with a live show from the ROCO Brass Quintet performing beer hall music (of course) and other favorite arrangements while the audience enjoys craft brews, root beer, and bites from Saint Arnold. $50; $15 ages 12 and under; $75 VIP. Taps open at 6:30pm; show at 7pm.
Broadway Across America: The Book of Mormon at the Hobby Center | Tuesday, January 7 through Sunday, January 12 – The comedic NSFW musical sensation from the creators of South Park returns to Houston. If Cards Against Humanity was a musical, this could well be it. When 2 Mormon elders go to Africa to spread the gospel, things quickly spiral out of hand as they run into cultural differences and disagreements… to say the least. $60 and up. Showtimes vary.
16th Annual BowiElvis Fest at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar | Friday, January 10 – The annual music fest and party returns, this time to the Heights, honoring two music legends with an almost shared birthday—David Bowie and Elvis Presley. Catch tribute tunes from bands, including Pecos Hank and the Turnaways on 2 stages, burlesque, food, birthday cake, a costume contest, prizes and more. $25 and up. 6:30pm to midnight.
2nd Annual Mix-Match: A Mixed Arts Festival at MATCH | Saturday, January 18 – Proving popular in its debut year, Mix-MATCH showcases 20+ local performances by small and mid-sized arts companies, groups, and musicians (Houston’s A.S.S., anyone?), plus interactive exhibitions and food trucks throughout. $40 for an all festival pass with 2 drink tickets; $15 for a single performance. 3:15pm to 10pm. Showtimes vary.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parades, Celebrations & Events Around Houston | Saturday, January 18 to Monday, January 20 | Many FREE – The long weekend is kicks off with fun and celebrations, including The Cookout: A Celebration of Community in Arts District Houston. Monday itself starts with the MLK Jr Day Freedom Run and is headlined by the competing 47th Annual Original MLK, Jr. Parade & Festival in Downtown and the 31st MLK Grande Parade in Midtown. Rothko Chapel hosts the annual MLK Day Observance with a special audio installation playing 4 times that day. Keep your eyes on our events page in the coming days for a comprehensive list of MLK Day 2025 events. Places and times vary.
Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon in Downtown Houston | Sunday, January 19 – Now in its 53rd year, Houston’s signature run event lines up registered runners for a meandering course that takes them through city’s neighborhoods like Montrose, the Med Center, Galleria, Memorial Park and back again to finish at Avenida Houston. While it’s too late to lace ’em up if you missed registration, you can still feel the high and celebrate thousands of runners across the city along the marathon course. 7am to 2:30pm.
Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest in Historic Downtown Galveston | Saturday, January 18 | No Cover – The popular Chili Quest & Beer Fest returns to Galveston’s Historic Strand District, featuring chili sampling from cookoff teams, a beer tasting event, live music, 5K Fun Run/Walk, cornhole tournament, Jackpot Margarita Contest, and tons of vendors along the Strand Merchant Walkabout. Vendors open at 10am with chili sampling kicking off at noon. No cover to explore; $13 tasting cups for the cookoff in advance. Other times and prices vary.
Hop Topic World’s Annual Chili Cook-Off at Equal Parts Brewing | Sunday, January 19 – Taste through chilis and enjoy Equal Parts craft brews at the annual chili cook-off, held just off Harrisburg in the East End. General admission includes unlimited chili samples, a swag bag for early bird tickets, and 1 voting token. $20. Noon to 4pm; judging begins at 2pm.
8th Annual Family Fun Day at MATCH | Sunday, January 19 | FREE – The January family tradition returns to Midtown with an afternoon of kid-friendly, theater, music, and dance performances, along with face painting, bounce houses, balloon artists, sidewalk art, food trucks on site, and more. 1pm to 5pm.
Lunar New Year Celebrations & Events Around Houston | Wednesday, January 22 to Sunday, January 2 | Many FREE – Slither into the Year of the Snake with celebrations, festivals, and events around Greater Houston, includingAsia Society Texas Center, Space Center Houston, Chinese Community Center of Houston, Discovery Green, and more. Watch our home page and events section for a full roundup of Lunar New Year events as the dates grow closer.
Galveston Museum Weekend on Galveston Island | Friday, January 24 to Sunday, January 26 | FREE & BOGO – You can take advantage of free and discounted admission to Galveston-area museums during this annual weekend celebration of Galveston’s history, innovation, industry, and culture—including many kid-friendly destinations and attractions. Locations, prices and times vary.
Houston Astros FanFest at Minute Maid Park | Saturday, January 25 – Gather with fellow fanatics at the annual Astros FanFest held at Minute Maid. You’ll have the chance to meet favorite players, alumni and broadcasters, plus take advantage of photo ops with the World Series trophies, play games and more. Vouchers are $2 and must be purchased online. 11am to 4pm.
ROCO Connections: The DeLuxe Theater | Saturday, January 25 – Guest violinist Nicole Cherry joins ROCO’s Scott St. John at the beautifully renovated historic DeLuxe Theater in the Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District. They’ll perform an evening of chamber works honoring and inspired by the outstanding contributions of London-based nineteenth-century Afro-European violin virtuoso, George Bridgetower. Pay-What-You-Wish; $45 suggested. 5pm.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day at Holocaust Museum Houston | Sunday, January 26 | FREE – Explore one of Houston’s most moving and relevant museums for free in honor and commemoration of the 6 million Jews and victims of the Holocaust. January 27, which lands on a Monday this year, is the official date named by the United Nations, reflecting the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Noon to 5pm.
Houston AutoBoative Show at NRG Center | Wednesday, January 29 to Sunday, February 2 – Two big annual H-Town events have officially been mashed together under 1 ticketed into a 5-day showcase of the latest and best vehicles available on land and sea. $20; $60 for 4-pack. free for ages 5 and under. Times vary.
Houston Grand Opera: West Side Story at Wortham Center | Friday, January 31 to Saturday, February 15 – It’s love at first sight when Tony and Maria meet at the dance at the gym. Transporting Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet to a New York setting, this beloved musical is the creation of composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Stephen Sondheim, choreographer Jerome Robbins, and playwright Arthur Laurents. $25 and up. Showtimes vary.
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