Find the perfect things to do in Houston this weekend with our Houston Weekend Guide for Friday, January 4 to Sunday, January 6, 2019. 

Watch skilled felines compete in a fierce competition; test your knowledge of ’90s pop culture; take your favorite bride-to-be to the ultimate wedding-planning extravaganza; catch a free screening of the popular superhero mash-up, Justice League; shop steals and deals from the merchants on 19th Street in The Heights and more.  

Check below to find great things happening around Houston this weekend, from Friday, January 4 to Sunday, January 6, 2019.

Things to Do All Weekend

  • Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo | Daily – Stroll through the Houston Zoo with hot chocolate in hand while you admire glimmering displays made up of more than two million Christmas lights at this annual must-see attraction. You can check out the holiday train village, make your way through an illuminated tunnel, and take photos with Santa on select nights. Tickets start at $12.95. 5pm to 9:30pm daily.
    • Comic Jamie Kennedy at Houston Improv | Thursday through Saturday – Comedian-actor-writer-producer Jamie Kennedy shares hilarious anecdotes from his storied show business career for three nights. $22 to $32. Showtimes vary.
    • Small Paintings Show: In the Spirit of the Season at WAS-H | FREE | Friday and Saturday – Extend the joyful spirit of the holiday season at this month-long artistic showcase, which features local artists’ work designed to share and enjoy with loved ones. 10am to 3pm.
    • Vertigo Movie Screening at River Oaks Theatre | Friday and Saturday – Head to River Oaks Theatre for a special midnight screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, Vertigo, starring James Stewart as a detective obsessed with a mysterious woman. $11. 11:55pm both days.
    • Love & Makes Candle-Making Workshop in Rice Village | Friday to Sunday – Design and create a personalized wax candle with help from the team at Love & Makes in Rice Village. The BYOB workshop also features handmade goods from local artisans to shop while your candles set. $45. Times vary.
    • Death by Natural Causes at Houston Museum of Natural Science | Friday to Sunday – Discover a range of deadly “animal, vegetable, and mineral” specimens from the natural world at this educational exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Full price tickets are $30 for ages 12 and up; $20 for ages 3 to 11; $20 for ages 62 and up. Discounted $17 tickets are available for most dates. 9am to 5pm daily.
    • Bridal Extravaganza at George R. Brown Convention Center | Saturday and Sunday – Plan all aspects of your upcoming wedding at the bi-annual Bridal Extravaganza Show in George R. Brown Convention Center. Featuring more than 400 vendors, the show boasts plenty of giveaways, bridal fashion shows, a wedding-planning seminar, and industry experts. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door; VIP tickets range from $55 to $65. Save $2 per ticket when you order tickets in advance and use promo code Save2019. Times vary.
    • Houston Cat Club Annual Charity Cat Show 2019 at George R. Brown Convention Center | Saturday and Sunday – Watch a fierce competition of feline skill and agility when the Houston Cat Club hosts its 66th annual Charity Cat Show at George R. Brown Convention Center. Cats and kittens will be available for adoption from local shelters. Tickets for spectator fees (at the door) are $9.99 for adults; $8 for military and ages 65 and up; $4 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and under are free. Times vary.

Friday, January 4, 2019

  • ·        Yappy New Year: A Brazos Dog New Year’s Party at Brazos Bookstore | FREE – Bring your pup to Brazos Bookstore for a dog-friendly story time, along with various themed activities, treats and more. 7pm.
  • Nitpick Productions 2019 South Coast Show Case at White Oak Music Hall – Nitpick Productions presents its South Coast Showcase, or “socoshoca,” featuring a lengthy lineup of artists like After Hours, Hank Honey, CapCityJackk, and Secretbeach, all playing at White Oak Music Hall. $10. 7pm.
  • Holiday Hangover featuring KISS Alike at House of Blues – Unwind from the holidays with the music of KISS when Downtown’s House of Blues hosts the Holiday Hangover, featuring tribute band KISS Alike. Tickets cost $12. 7pm.

  • Mini Watercolor Painting Class at Honey Art Cafe – Learn how to paint abstract, modern, and minimalist aesthetics in this mini-watercolor painting class at Honey Art Cafe. Geodes are the subject of this week’s class. $35. 8pm to 10pm.
  • Funfetti Fridays on The ICE at Discovery Green – Skate around The ICE at Discovery Green while jamming out to a colorful light show with beats from DJ Mohawk Steve during Funfetti Fridays. Tickets are $11. Skate rentals cost $4. 7pm to 9pm.

·        Saturday, January 5, 2019

  • ·        Bootcamp at Levy Park | FREE – Keep up with your New Year’s resolutions at a free, 45-minute workout led by TJ from Houston Adventure Boot Camp at Levy Park. 8:30am to 9:30am.
  • Houston Center for Photography Workshop at Levy Park | FREE – Learn the basics of photography every first and third Saturday of the month at Levy Park. 9am to 10:30am.
  • Farmers Market at Elizabeth Baldwin Park | No Cover – Browse vendors offering fresh produce from local farms and prepared foods at this weekly farmers market in Midtown’s Elizabeth Baldwin Park. 10am to 2pm.
  • Semi Annual Tent Sale on 19th Street in The Heights | No Cover – Shop local as the merchants of 19th Street in The Heights team up for this semi-annual tent sale, featuring special deals from places like Bliss on 19th, Emerson Rose, Manready Mercantile, Jubilee, Retropolis, We Olive & Wine Bar Houston, Jumper Maybach Fine Art Gallery and more. 10am to 6pm.
  • Brew Years Resolution: Free Fitness Day at Eureka Heights Brew Co | FREE – Kick your fitness goals into high gear with a full lineup of free workout classes at Eureka Heights Brew Co. You can explore activities like yoga, pilates, boot camp, biking, and running to discover the perfect workout to help you stick to your resolutions. 11am to 4pm.
  • First Saturday Arts Market in The Heights | FREE – Browse artwork and enjoy delicious bites and live music at the First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights. 11am to 6pm.
  • Rice University Owls vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tudor Fieldhouse – Take your seat to watch the Owls when they play the Bulldogs on their home court. Tickets start at $12. 2pm.
  • BYOD Houston Masquerade Pawty at Batanga – Bust out a sparkly mask and bring your furry friend to an enchanting masquerade “pawty” at Batanga in Downtown. You can enjoy tapas, champagne, and plenty of pups. 3pm to 5pm.
  • T Smith: Sentient Meat Opening Reception at Archway Gallery | FREE – Hear from T Smith, the artist behind Archway Gallery’s latest exhibition, Sentient Meat, during an opening reception at the Montrose gallery. Following the discussion, you can stick around for drinks, light bites, music, and conversation. 5pm to 8pm.
  • HTX Indiefest 5 at Houston Underground – Houston Underground presents the fifth annual HTX Indiefest, which offers Houstonians a lineup of local musicians, including Trilly Polk, Swilson, Imani Scott, Caleb The Great, and Phenomenon The Poet. While at the festival, you can also check out live art and graffiti, food trucks, and other vendors. Tickets start at $15. 7pm to 2am.
  • BowiElvis Fest at The Continental Club – Celebrate the shared birthday of two legendary musicians, David Bowie and Elvis Presley, during the tenth annual BowiElvis Fest at The Continental Club. Featuring eight bands and two indoor stages, the event also includes an outdoor party with live burlesque by the Dem Damn Dames, face painting, themed games, a costume contest, prizes, and food. Tickets start at $15. 7pm.
  • Trae Tha Truth in Concert at University of Houston Cullen Performance Hall – Check out a show by Houston’s own Trae The Truth when he performs “The Breakout Tour” concert series, featuring appearances from Pretty Lyon, BMW Meech, BobbyStone Music, and Shem Levi at Cullen Performance Hall. $65.53. 7pm.
  • Heights Funk Collective in Concert at Rudyard’s – Get down to groovy tunes by Heights Funk Collective as the seven-piece powerhouse brings their eclectic music to the stage at Rudyard’s British Pub. $8. 9pm
  • Dollie Barnes in Concert at Axelrad | No Cover – Axelrad’s concert series presents Dollie Barnes, a Houston-based musician who draws inspiration from the ‘60s and ‘70s while infusing pop sensibilities with dreamlike vocals into her unique sound. 9pm to midnight.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

  • ·         Bayou Bikers Ride at Market Square Park | FREE – Join Bayou Bikers for a 25- to 40-mile ride along the bayous. Meet at Market Square Park. 8am.
  • Hip Hop Vintage Flea Market | No Cover – Explore hip hop elements like emcee battles, breaking workshops, graffiti, and live turntablism, while shopping from more than 30 vendors at the Hip Hop Vintage Flea Market Downtown. Noon to 5pm.
  • Sunday Funday Axelmarket at Axelrad | No Cover – Ride out the weekend with Axelrad’s weekly market, which showcases local farmers, artists, makers, drink specials, and food trucks. Noon to 11:55pm.
  • 8th Wonder Comedy Hour at The Secret Group – Crack up as Seth Bullock and Joshua Stokes host a comedic showcase featuring some of Houston’s best acts at The Secret Group. Tickets start at $5. 6pm.
  • Skating with the Stars at Discovery Green | FREE – Skate alongside skilled professionals when they take to The ICE at Discovery Green every Sunday evening throughout the winter season. 6pm to 6:45pm.
  • Galveston Symphony Orchestra at The Grand 1894 Opera House – Enjoy an evening with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra as they play a New Year concert, Russian Capriccios, at The Grand 1894 Opera House. $35. 7pm.
  • Alejandro Escovedo in Concert at Heights Theater – Check out a concert by Alejandro Escovedo, a Mexican-American songwriter who blends rock, country, and even punk into music that highlights personal struggles in his recent release, The Crossing. Tickets start at $22. 8pm.

Until tomorrow, if you want to chat me up, follow me on Facebook @woodlandsgoldwiser , on Twitter @IamGinaOlson or on Instagram @HoustonGoldwiser or visit me in person at 24910 Kuykendahl Rd., Tomball, TX 77375.