Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! This weekend is the kickoff to so many holiday events – many of these continue throughout the holiday season. As always, please check event websites for any weather-related updates. 

Celebrate as one of Houston’s favorite traditions transforms NRG Center into a shopper’s paradise. (Photo: Daniel Ortiz)

43rd Anniversary Nutcracker Market
The beloved shopping event continues through this weekend. The market hosts more than 270 merchants from across the country, including more than 30 new merchants, showcasing a curated collection of unique holiday items, gourmet food, apparel, jewelry, accessories, home décor, gifts, toys, and more. The market is open today, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $20. 

THE ICE Skate around The Ice at Discovery Green this winter. The annual Frostival event on Nov. 17 (rescheduled from Nov. 10) kicks off the season. (Photo: Lawrence Elizabeth Knox, courtesy of Discovery Green)

The Ice at Discovery Green
The Ice at Discovery Green officially opens tonight. The Frostival celebration was scheduled for tonight as a kickoff to The Ice, but has been postponed due to rain in the forecast. The Frostival event will now take place next Friday, Dec. 17. However, The Ice opens this weekend; admission is $17. 

Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans 
Cheer on the Houston Rockets as they play against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center tonight, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $16. 

Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration  
The City of Houston’s annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration” honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom. The traditional ceremony will be held on Saturday, 10 a.m., with acknowledgements and a distinguished keynote speaker, Dr. Quindola Crowley, recognizing our local heroes. At the 11th hour on the 11th day, there will be a Moment of Silence in memory of the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended WWI. The American Heroes Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Dallas and Bagby, and proceeds east on Dallas, north on Louisiana, west on Walker, south on Smith, west on Lamar, ending on Lamar at Bagby. Local Veteran organizations, ROTC and Junior ROTCs, bands, and supporters will march in the parade to honor our veterans. This parade is open to the public. 

MLS Playoffs, Game 3: Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake  
The Dynamo return to the MLS playoffs, facing off with Real Salt Lake in a best-of-3 series. The game takes place at Shell Energy Stadium, Satruday at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

BELLA GAIA and Earth Harp are planning an epic spectacle concert for Miller Outdoor Theatre’s 100th anniversary. This premiere collaboration between two long-running stage performances dedicated to giving a voice for planet Earth, will bring audiences a new level of inspiration and connection with the sights and sounds of Earth.

Celebrate Miller: Steampunk Spectacular and Hancock Whitney Presents: Bella Gaia and William Close & the Earth Harp Collective
Miller Outdoor Theatre closes out its 100th anniversary season with two fantastic events this Saturday. Starting at 5:30 p.m., join for Steampunk Spectacular, including the Roly Poly dancer, the stilt-walking juggler, roaming dance, live music, a busking band, and more. Then, stick around for Bella Gaia and Earth Harp’s epic spectacle concert starting at 7:30 p.m.  

The Galleria's 34th Annual Ice Spectacular will kick off the holiday season with the lighting of its 55-foot Christmas tree, featuring 450,000 twinkling lights and 5,000 ornaments in a variety of colors and shapes. (Photo: Dave Rossman)

The Galleria's 34th Annual Tree Lighting and Ice Spectacular  
The Galleria's 34th Annual Ice Spectacular will kick off the holiday season with the lighting of its 55-foot Christmas tree, featuring 450,000 twinkling lights and 5,000 ornaments in a variety of colors and shapes. An iconic and time-honored holiday tradition, the 45-minute tree-lighting show will feature a performance by “The Voice” Season 21 contestant Jershika Maple. The event will culminate with the lighting of the tree by Skating Santa and a fireworks display. Families are invited to enjoy holiday activities throughout The Galleria beginning at noon and the show will commence promptly at 6 p.m. Also, Santa arrives at The Galleria this Friday through Dec. 24. Reserve your spot here.  

Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is a space-themed, out-of-this-world holiday light show. (Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston)

Galaxy Lights 
Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is a space-themed holiday light show at Space Center Houston. Launching this Saturday, Galaxy Lights is open through Jan. 7, 6-10 p.m. Admission starts at $19.95 depending on the day. 

Bank of America’s Screen on the Green 
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Discovery Green. This Saturday, there will be a screening of The Little Mermaid (PG, 2023), 7 p.m.

DEBBIE’S LEGACY Children’s book author Ellen Leventhal holds her latest book, DEBBIE’S SONG about Debbie Friedman who became one of the most influential and respected Jewish singer-songwriters in the world, changing the way people related to Judaism. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival
The Jewish Book & Arts Festival continues this weekend with multiple great events, including the 2023 Oliver Lapin Family Day this Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Local children's author, Ellen Leventhal, shares the story of world-renowned singer and composer Debbie Friedman. The day will be full of music and family-friendly activities. The event is free, though registration is required. Find more details here and see the full lineup here. Read more about Ellen Leventhal and her children's book, Debbie's Song, here. 

Diwali at Children’s Museum Houston 
Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at Children’s Museum Houston on Sunday, 1-4 p.m., with interactive story times, a traditional Indian dance performance, Diwali art workshops, and more. General admission. 

Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets 
Cheer on the Houston Rockets as they play against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center, Sunday, 6 p.m. This game will be Military Appreciation Night; the first 3,000 fans will receive a military-themed Rockets hat. Tickets start at $20.