Make the most of your week with our top 20 festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, November 11 to Sunday, November 17, 2024.
We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our picks for the week, but you can always check out our weekly and monthly lists for more things to do across Greater Houston.
Top 20 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston
The Tailgate by CultureMap at 8th Wonder | Monday – Celebrate all things Houston sports with sports-inspired bites from local restaurant favorites, premium cocktails, bidding on memorabilia from sports legends, and more. 7pm to 9pm. $50; $75 VIP.
Veterans Week at the National Museum of Funeral History | Veterans Day, Monday to Saturday | FREE for Active Duty & Veterans – Veterans and active service members are welcome to visit the fascinating museum that spans science, history, and culture, and features numerous patriotic exhibits, including Presidential Funerals, Reflections on the Wall, 9/11 and Fallen Heroes Tribute, Jazz Funerals of New Orleans, and more. 10am to 4pm weekdays; 10am to 5pm Saturday.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center | Wednesday & Friday – Cheer on the home team, as they face off against the boys from West Coast in an exciting evening of basketball. $22 and up, but you may find cheaper or better seats online. 7pm.
John Waters Live Commentary of Hairspray at the Hobby Center | Thursday – The Pope of Trash comes to Houston to discuss his beloved movie about a girl in Baltimore who just wants to dance. He’ll offer live commentary during the film, followed by a Q&A. $40.80 and up. 7:30pm.
44th Annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at NRG Center | Thursday to Sunday – The wildly popular shopping fest returns with hundreds of vendors offering everything from jewelry and clothing to homegoods, artisan foods and Christmas items galore. $20 and up. Times vary.
Disney on Ice: Frozen & Encanto at NRG Stadium | Thursday to Sunday – Two of Disney’s most beloved modern animated films, Frozen and Encanto, are brought to life on the ice at NRG Stadium. Kids and adults can experience the magic of dazzling ice skating in Frozen’s nordic Arendelle and Encanto’s tropical Columbia. $20 and up. Times vary.
52nd Annual Ann & Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival at the ERRJCC | Thursday & Sunday – The multi-week celebration of books and writing concludes this weekend with appearances by R. Derek Black discussing The Klansman’s Son: My Journey from White Nationalism to Antiracism: A Memoir and Larry Tye discussing The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America. $21; $16 members. Times vary.
Holiday Market at The Club at Riverstone | Friday | FREE – Get in the holiday spirit in Fort Bend County, enjoying lite bites and signature cocktails like the gingerbread martini while browsing for fall and holiday décor, custom jewelry, gourmet foods, handcrafted homewares, children’s gifts, and more. Admission is at least one canned food good that will go to Second Mile Mission Center. 5pm to 9pm.
Opening Night at the Ice at Discovery Green | Friday – One of Houston’s most popular holiday traditions returns, with live outdoor ice skating, music and fun for all ages. The first 50 people in line at 5pm skate for free. Tickets must be purchased online prior to skating. $18. 5pm to 10pm.
Houston Astros: Orbit Holiday Card Photos at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Monday– Strike a pose with the Astros’ beloved mascot Orbit to create a unique holiday card to share with family and friends. Photo sessions are 30 minutes and must be reserved in advance. $199. Times vary.
Magical Winter Lights at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds | Opens Friday – The holiday season unofficially commences with the return of the illuminated wonderland—now at a new location—showcasing artistry to delight families and photographers. Stroll the beautifully lit pathways, take social-worthy photos and enjoy holiday treats. $27 and up. Times vary.
Catastrophic Theatre: Love Bomb at MATCH | Opens Friday – Brian Jucha’s world premiere is about, well, let’s say, taxi dancers. Even if it isn’t. It is about what people will do for love, and it features music by ‘70s folk pop star Melanie (think “the Roller Skates song”). Pay-What-You-Can; $35 suggested. Showtimes vary.
Run in the Park at Hermann Park | Saturday – Kick off Saturday in a 5K, 10K, or the 1K kids route in a race or walk to support the beautiful Museum District destination park and its trail system. The post-run party features food, drinks, music, and live entertainment. $45. 8am.
Market Square Park Farmers Market Friendsgiving Block Party in Downtown | Saturday | FREE – The popular weekly farmers market wraps up its fall season with a super-sized block party, growing out onto the streets with art pop-ups, rollicking live music from Bayou City Funk, great pre-Thanksgiving fresh produce and food shopping, great people-watching and dog-petting, and more. 10am to 2pm.
Depot Day Fall Fest at Tomball Depot Plaza | Saturday | FREE – Tomball’s annual celebration is all about trains, featuring model railroads mixed with classic fall fair fun, old-fashioned country music, carnival games, a pumpkin patch, a kids’ zone and more. 11am to 6pm.
Sonoma County Wine Fest at Kemah Boardwalk | Saturday – Explore and sample 72 wines from 24 Sonoma-based wineries, including La Crema, Frei Brothers, Matanzas Creek and Rodney Strong. $59.95. 2pm to 5pm.
Night at the MFAH | Saturday – Explore all exhibitions inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston while enjoying a complimentary cocktail, local musicians, and more in a special after-hours experience. $40; free for members. 6pm to 9pm.
A Native Feast at Archway Gallery | Saturday – Experience a culinary and artistic journey through Indigenous culture, with a 5-course tasting menu from Chef David Skinner of Ishtia and Harold Joiner’s Homeland: Random Musings of a Native Son exhibition. Dinner features dishes from various Indigenous peoples with a blend of traditional and modern gastronomic techniques, plus a variety of crafted cocktails and wine pairings. $150. 6:30pm.
Houston Women’s 2024 Polo Championship at Houston Polo Club | Sunday – The two leading teams in the largest women’s tournament in the world compete for the big win. $18 and up. 1pm.
Lego Night at North Shepherd Brewing | Sunday – Join the good folks from Houston Toy Museum at a pop-up Lego build party at the Garden Oaks / Oak Forest brewery. Lego sets range from $9.99 to $109.99 based on size and complexity. 4pm to 7pm.
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