Top 20 Festivals & Events This Week in Houston: December 11 to 17, 2023

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, December 11 to Sunday, December 17, 2023.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our picks for the week, but you can always check out the extended calendar for more things to do in Houston.

Scroll below to find great things happening in Houston from Monday, December 11 to Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Top 10 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Galaxy Lights at Space Center of Houston | Daily – Space Center Houston welcomes the return of Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant—a stellar spectacle that twinkles throughout the campus and allows guests to step through space-themed light installations, take in high-tech experiences, and walk among flown space craft in a one-of-a-kind holiday event that can only be found in Space City. $19.95 and up; free for ages 3 and under. Save $5 on each ticket when you use promo code 365XLIGHTS at checkout. 6pm to 10pm.
• Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center | Monday, December 11 – Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs to town for another installment of the classic I-10 rivalry. $26 and up. 6pm.
• Houston Symphony presents Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker at Jones Hall | Tuesday, December 12 – The Symphony partners with Jazz Houston for this concert, showcasing the iconic composer’s take on the Tchaikovsky favorite. Originally recorded in 1960, it’s a swinging, brassy riff on a much-loved score. $38 and up. 7:30pm.
• Savor a Season: Festive Lunch on The Lawn at Memorial City | Wednesday, December 13 | No Cover – Enjoy holiday-inspired cuisine from The Cuban Spot and Southern Slider and shop at the lunchtime pop-up Merry Mart at the final Lunch on The Lawn of the year. 11am to 1:30pm.
• Aurora Happy Hour at MKT Bar | Wednesday, December 13 | No Cover – The in-house bar and restaurant at Phoenicia in Downtown hosts a night of delicious light bites, music from DJ Peter Lucas, animation activities and more, to benefit the Aurora Picture Show. 5pm to 8pm.
• Yussef Dayes in Concert at Rise Rooftop | Wednesday, December 13 – One of the Midtown club’s final shows brings the English jazz drummer to the stage, performing works from this debut solo album, Black Classical Music. $25. 7pm.
• A Merry Creepmas Market at the National Museum of Funeral History | Friday, December 15 – Houston’s museum for all things funerary hosts a special small business market just before the holidays. Shop more than 20 local vendors with unique finds, sip on complimentary drinks and enjoy lite bites, and take to the many exhibitions on offer at NMFH. $40 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
• The Riot Comedy Club’s YouTube Special Taping | Friday, December 15 & Saturday, December 16 – Across back-to-back nights, the Riot sends up four different comics each evening for 90-minute shows that will make for the Montrose comedy club’s first YouTube special. $20 and up. 7pm and 9pm.

• Houston’s Urban Nutcracker at the Stafford Centre | Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17 – This new and exciting twist on an the holiday classic explores the story through the proud cultural heritage of the city of Houston through dance, music and narration. $43.50 and up. Times vary. 
• Houston Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17 – The holiday tradition is back with Handel’s enduring oratorio chronicling the greatest story ever told. The Houston Symphony Chorus sings alongside the orchestra, and the score features the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus. $42 and up. Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2:30pm.
• College Basketball Showcase: UT vs. LSU, UH vs. TAMU at Toyota Center | Saturday, December 16 – Downtown hosts a doubleheader of college basketball greatness when the nationally-ranked Texas Longhorns take on LSU, followed by another ranked showdown between Texas A&M and the Houston Cougars. Tickets are good for both games. $45 and up, but you may find better or hard-to-get seats on the online resale market. 11am and 1:30pm.
• Houston Hip Hop 50 with Z-Ro, Lil Flip, Lil Keke & Special Guests at White Oak Music Hall | Saturday, December 16 – Celebrate a night of third-coast rap when H-Town legends of the game and hip-hop heavy hitters like Z-Ro, Lil flip, Lil Keke and more gather together for a night to remember at White Oak Music Hall. $32 and up. 6pm. 
• Pickleball Paddle Battles at The San Luis Resort | Saturday, December 16 – Show your skills in, or try your hand at, the most popular social sport to emerge in years when the San Luis hosts a doubles tourney open to all levels. Single players are encouraged and will be paired with a partner. $35. 7pm.
• A Hogwarts Christmas Feast at Westminster UMC | Saturday, December 16 – Pull up a seat at the great feast when Gastrochurch hosts an evening of Harry Potter fandom, where you’ll get sorted and earn points for your house through trivia, solving riddles, winning the costume contest, and more. Tickets include dinner, two drinks and all the festivities. $55 and up; $45 and up for ages under 21. 7pm to 11pm.

• An Evening With The Duke Ellington Orchestra at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, December 16 – The official modern incarnation of the legendary big band orchestra bring traditional jazz classics like “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”, “Mood Indigo” and more to the historic stage. $25.20 and up. 8pm.
• Otaku Winter Arc Food & Anime Festival at Karbach Brewing Co. | Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 | FREE – For two days before the holidays, you can take in more than 100 food, anime and retail vendors staking out the Spring Branch brewery for the winter edition of this family-friendly fest. Check out a sumo tournament, compete in cosplay contests, and enjoy all-day entertainment while munching on street foods of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. Saturday noon to 10pm; Sunday noon to 8pm.
• Santa Hustle Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Dash at Beach Central | Sunday, December 17 – Jingle all the way as you don your best Santa gear and sleigh the race along the Seawall. Kids Dash participants will receive a long-sleeve shirt, plus a Santa hat and beard. Save $5 on registration by using promo code 365HOUSTON at checkout. Registration is $79.99 for the 5K; $99.99 for the Half Marathon; $34.99 for the Kids Dash. 7:30am.
• PlantMas Market at M-K-T | Sunday, December 17 | No Cover – The Heights destination for dining and shopping hosts a plant market with more than 30 local and small business vendors, plus a holiday scavenger hunt with fun and unique prizes, and a White Elephant plant swap. Noon to 6pm.
• A Magical Cirque Christmas at Cullen Performance Hall | Sunday, December 17 – This holiday variety show is full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. The clever, comedic, acrobatic and stunt spectacular features the talents of world-class entertainers performing to beloved holiday music. $39.50 and up. 4pm.
• Harvey Bott Robott Opera Revisited at The Orange Show World HQ | Sunday, December 17 | FREE – Inspired by H.J. “Harvey” Bott’s groundbreaking experiments with remote-controlled art robots in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, the performance will include a series of hand-made robots, projected video and live musical accompaniment. 4pm to 5:30pm.

Many More Things to Do in Houston

• Top Concerts & Live Shows This Week – Check out our top picks for local and touring musicians, stars, and personalities hitting the stage in H-Town this week.
• Top Games & Sports Events This Week – Scope out professional and select college sports games, touring athletic competitions, local fitness and participatory events, and more.
• Top Things to Do For Kids & Families This Week – Zero in on the best option for families and the junior set around Greater Houston.
• Current Temporary Museum Exhibits & Art Installations in Greater Houston – Explore the newest installations and exhibits on short term display at museums and locations around Houston, with a focus on art, history, and science.
• More Options on Our Calendar – Explore more live entertainment, events, pop-ups, markets, and other options around Houston.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!