Top 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston: November 28 to December 4, 2022

Make the most of your week with our top festivals, events, and things to do this week in Houston from Monday, November 28 to Sunday, December 4, 2022.

We’ve whittled down all the happenings in H-Town to our 15 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, November 28 to Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Top 15 Festivals, Events & Things to Do This Week in Houston

• Judas Priest with Queensryche in Concert at 713 Music Hall | Tuesday, November 29 – The heavy metal wizards are back “defending the heavy metal faith,” and will be wrapping up their 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour with a live performance at the 713 supported by their heavy metal progeny, Queensryche. $59 and up. 8pm.
• Winter Sound Series & Film Screening: Hydeheart & Mija at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | Thursday, December 1 | FREE – Enjoy DJ tunes from Hydeheart and catch a screening of the acclaimed 2022 documentary film, Mija, which follows two daughters of immigrants from Mexico that navigate their careers in the music industry. 5pm to 8pm.
• Energy Corridor’s 2nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Hyatt Regency Houston West | Thursday, December 1 | FREE – Oh come all ye Christmas lovers to the annual tree lighting event that features the district’s 50-foot tree powered with renewable energy. It will also kick off the District’s 12 Days of Christmas donations and feature Santa Claus photo ops, plus more than 20 local vendors offering hand-crafted, unique gifts and goodies along Candy Cane Lane. 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
• Latina Podcasters Posadas Live at Ronin Harrisburg | Friday, December 2 – Enjoy a cultural holiday event from Texas’ Latina Podcasters in the East End. Participate in fireside chats with top Latina podcasters, plus enjoy holiday spirits, a Latina-owned vendor market, posadas and carols, and more. 7pm to midnight.
• 49th Annual Dickens on the Strand in Downtown Galveston | Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4 – The holiday tradition returns with family programming, live entertainment, special events and more. The weekend festival features parades, non-stop entertainment on four stages, new additions like Tiny Tim’s Play Land, Shopkeeper Skills Village, and roaming characters throughout the festival. Free on Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday tickets are $18; $13 for ages 7 to 12. VIP options are $75; $30 for ages 7 to 12. Times vary.
• 13th Annual Trafigura Run for the House at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, December 3 – Kicking off in Downtown, this annual 5K and 10K run helps to raise money and awareness for the Ronald McDonald House of Houston. $40; $20 for ages 7 and under. 8am.
• 12th Annual Katy Old Fashioned Christmas in Historic Downtown Katy | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – The Katy Old Fashioned Christmas returns in a big way, bringing 200 vendors to the open-air market that also includes food trucks, an appearance by Santa, live entertainment, a beer garden, and more. 10am to 5pm.
• The Great Yōkai Adventure at Asia Society Texas Center | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – Asia Society hosts an experience that includes exploring the exhibition, Yōkai: Scenes of the Supernatural in Japanese Woodblock Prints, creating your own art and completing tasks for yōkai and other characters. Family-friendly anime films will also be screened throughout the program and costumes are encouraged. Free with registration. 11am to 2pm.
• Christmas in the Square at Sugar Land Town Square | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – Enjoy a day of ice skating, food and drinks from Town Square restaurants and appearances by the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and Mrs. Claus. There will also be the pop-up Boho Market, a special dance performance, live music, and—if rumors are to be believed—snow. 11am to 4pm.
• Houston Margarita Festival at the Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park | Saturday, December 3 – The 10th annual festival returns to Buffalo Bayou, offering a day of drink tasting and revelry. Pour up a wide range of flavored margs while you enjoy live music, DJs, dancing, food vendors and more. $15 in advance; $30 day of. Noon to 10pm.
• Book Signing with Letitia Huckaby & Earlie Hudnall, Jr. at Art League Houston | Saturday, December 3 | No Cover – Both artists, who are featured in their individual installations at Art League Houston, will be in attendance to sign their exhibition catalogs the day before both exhibits close. Letitia Huckaby is the 2022 Texas Artist of the Year and features in her exhibition, Bitter Waters Sweet; while Earlie Hudnall, Jr. presents a survey of his photography work in Drawn to Communities, in which the artist also received Art League’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts. Free to attend; books are available to purchase for $54.13 each. 2pm to 3:30pm.
• Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular at City Hall | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – Join Mayor Sylvester Turner at City Hall for Houston’s annual holiday extravaganza, which features live entertainment (including a headlining performance by Gloria Gaynor), fireworks, a tree lighting, a visit from Santa and other family-friendly activities. 5pm.
• Channel 5 Live with Andrew Callaghan at the Heights Theater | Saturday, December 3 – Known for his deadpan humor and unfiltered reporting on complex social and political issues via his YouTube channel, Andrew Callaghan brings his Channel 5 live to the Heights. $40 and up. 7pm and 9pm.
• Opera in the Heights presents The Elixir of Love at Lambert Hall | Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4 | Opening Weekend – Nemorino is infatuated with Adina. Dr. Dulcamara sells him a phony love potion. Hijinks ensue in this beloved operatic comedy by Donizetti, which opens the Opera in the Heights season at their home of Lambert Hall—recently saved from development by a coalition of community members and organizations. $42.50 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Sazon Latin Food Festival at Karbach Brewing Co. | Sunday, December 4 | FREE with RSVP – Taste all the best flavors from the Caribbean, Central, and South America as a dozen different Latin food vendors set up at the Sazon Latin Food Festival. 11am to 6pm.

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.