Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! Here are some events to look forward to this weekend:

StoryWalk Houston: 'Pick a Pine Tree'
Walk through Whitt Johnson Park for StoryWalk Houston's holiday installation, Pick a Pine Tree, now through Dec. 24. Pick a Pine Tree celebrates the traditions and rituals around choosing and decorating a Christmas tree with family and friends. Read more about the story behind StoryWalk Houston here. Story Walks are free and self-guided. 

2021 Holiday Festival & Laser Light Show
At the West U Rec Center on Friday night, come for the Holiday Festival and Laser Light Show. From 5:30-7 p.m., check out vendors, play holiday games, and watch live performances. At 7 p.m., the laser light show will begin. This event is free and open to the public.

Children's Museum Houston is snowed in! (Photo courtesy of CMH)

Snow Days at Children's Museum Houston
Starting this Saturday and ending the Wednesday after Christmas, the Allen Family Courtyard at the Children’s Museum will be transformed into a winter wonderland, filled with real snow. This event is included in the price of admission.

Very Merry POPS
The Houston Symphony performs holiday classics like “Feliz Navidad,” “O Holy Night,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this weekend! Masks are required. Some sections are socially distanced while others are at full capacity. Purchase tickets online in advance or at the box office. Concert livestream video is also available. Tickets for this concert at Jones Hall begin at $29.

10th Annual Tamale Festival Houston
The 10th annual Tamale Festival Houston is back, in a new location - East River in the East End - this Saturday. The festival features family-friendly entertainment, tasty tamales, drinks, music, and more. Tickets start at $10; free for ages under 12 with an adult. 

The Galleria Snow Spectacular
New this year, the Galleria’s Snow Spectacular allows visitors to skate under falling snow, daily from Dec. 18-24. Admission to skate is $23 for adults and $21 for children.

Glide along The ICE at Discovery Green through Jan. 30. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Green)

The ICE at Discovery Green
The Ice at Discovery Green is a favorite holiday activity. The ice rink is brought in once a year and set up in Discovery Green Park. This year, tickets must be purchased in advance to minimize overcrowding. Admission is $15.

Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden
Lightscape is new to the Houston Botanic Garden this year and runs through Jan. 2. Walk through at night and enjoy the magical light displays along the winding paths. Availability cannot be guaranteed at the door, so buying tickets in advance is advised. Admission starts at $20.

A.D. Players presents The Christmas Shoes
The best-selling novel The Christmas Shoes is being adapted for the stage in this world-premiere holiday play about a young boy from a loving family who crosses paths with a workaholic lawyer and gives him a much-needed wake-up call. Masks are required. Some sections are socially distanced while others are at full capacity. Purchase tickets online in advance or at the box office. Tickets begin at $36, and The Christmas Shoes closes on Dec. 23.

The Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker. In this traditional holiday tale, Clara and Drosselmeyer travel together to the Land of the Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy is reunited with her Nutcracker prince and discovers a world of magic. Masks are required. Purchase tickets online in advance or at the box office. The Nutcracker plays through Christmas Eve, and tickets start at $27.

Santa at Betsy's + Open Air x HTX Market at Evelyn's Park
Santa Claus will make an appearance at Betsy's on Sunday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and will pose for free photos. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and receive a free hot chocolate. Teen ambassadors will be at the park crafting holiday ornaments. At 12 p.m., head to the Great Lawn for Bellaire Open Air x HTX Market. Browse unique goods and shop local this holiday season. The market has extended shopping hours till 6 p.m.  

Editor’s note: Meet Santa and snap a picture with him at one of these festive stops around town! Find a list of ways to give back this holiday season. See a list of upcoming holiday events here. Browse our event calendar for all upcoming events.