Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! This weekend is the start of many more festive holiday events. Highlights include: 

The 8th annual Magical Winter Lights features thousands of intricately designed lanterns, illuminated tunnels, interactive exhibits, music, and entertainment.

Magical Winter Lights  
The 8th annual Magical Winter Lights opens tonight at a new location, Katy Mills Mall. This dazzling spectacle features thousands of intricately designed lanterns in various themes, shapes, and sizes. It is a winter wonderland display that is sure to capture the essence of the festive season during these magical dates. Guests can walk through illuminated tunnels, admire towering sculptures, and even take part in interactive exhibits. With music and entertainment throughout the show, the experience is truly memorable for people of all ages. Magical Winter Lights is open through Jan. 7, Sun.-Thurs: 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat: 5-11 p.m.; Extended Hours: Dec. 24-Jan. 1. Admission: $25/adult; family 4 pack: $88; senior (65+)/child (3-12): $18. 

TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo is back for its twelfth year! Stroll through the Zoo grounds illuminated with earth-friendly LED bulbs and, take photos in front of the 33-foot color-changing holiday tree and sip hot chocolate by one of the smores-making stations.

Houston Zoo Lights 
Zoo Lights opens tonight! Through Jan. 7, stroll through the transformed winter wonderland. Enjoy the beautiful Zoo grounds illuminated with earth-friendly LED bulbs, take photos in front of the 33-foot color-changing holiday tree, and sip hot chocolate by one of the smores-making stations. Snowy Slopes features ski lift chairs near the Reflection Pool. Life-sized animal lanterns and great oak trees wrapped in winter lights along the Zoo Lights path will dazzle families. Guests will enjoy a stroll through the colorful holiday light tunnel and take in the sparkling lights at the Holiday Grove, and the interactive dance floor is back to round out the holiday experience. Zoo Lights is a separately ticketed event, daily from 5:30-10:30 p.m., with the last entry at 9:30 p.m. Admission starts at $22.95 (for children ages 3 and older).

Discovery Green's Frostival kicks off the winter ice season. Skate outdoors, make snow angels, take pictures with Santa, enjoy hip-hop dance performances, and check out incredible art cars. (Photo: Morris Malakoff)

Frostival 
The annual Frostival celebration (rescheduled from last weekend) at The Ice at Discovery Green takes place tonight starting at 6 p.m. Skate outdoors, make snow angels in the Snow Zone, take pictures with their favorite Santa Claus including Houston’s own Pancho Claus and Black Santa, enjoy hip-hop dance performances from J-Dance Company, and check out spectacular art cars from The Orange Show. The evening continues through 10 p.m. with an ice-cold DJ set from DJ Mohawk Steve featuring nostalgic hip-hop and H-Town favorites. The fun begins at 5 p.m., with free ice skating for the first 50 people and Forever Green Members (Discovery Green) until 7 p.m. Performances begin at 6 p.m. Admission to Frostival is free; skating admission is $17. See more about the Ice at Discovery Green here.  

More than 50 larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations come to life in stunning displays at Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden. (Photo: Tianyu Arts & Culture)

Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden 
New this holiday season at Houston Botanic Garden, more than 50 larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations come to life in stunning displays that showcase the beauty of nature and celebrate the promise of the Lunar New Year in a spectacular way. Radiant Nature opens tonight and remains open through Feb. 25. See a majestic 200-foot-long dragon, a soaring 12-foot-tall peacock with a fan that gracefully unfurls, and more. Explore an interactive zone buzzing with illuminated swings, whimsical seesaws, a digital kaleidoscope you can step inside, and other immersive, Instagram-worthy features. The exhibit is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, in addition to certain weeknights around the holidays. Timed entry is offered at 30-minute intervals from 6-8:30 p.m. each night the show is open. Last entry is 9 p.m. Radiant Nature closes at 10 p.m. Admission: $28/person; children ages 3 and under are free. 

Sugar Land Holiday Lights presented by Houston Methodist features 3.5 million lights, themed displays, Santa, and more holiday fun. (Photo courtesy of Sugar Land Space Cowboys) 

Sugar Land Holiday Lights 
The 10th annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights opens tonight. The holiday-themed fun at Constellation Field features 3.5 million lights, Santa Claus (until Dec. 23), a dazzling 40 ft. lit-up tree, light shows, numerous themed displays, plus holiday vendors offering gifts to browse and great food. Sugar Land Holiday Lights is open Nov. 17-Jan. 1; Sun.-Thurs., 6-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday and holidays, 6-10 p.m. Admission varies by event date; no ticket needed for kids 3 and younger. 

Movies Under the Stars: The Sandlot
Enjoy a free movie screening of the classic 1993 film The Sandlot (PG) at Market Square Park, tonight, 8 p.m. 

Houston Margarita Festival
Enjoy tasting more than 17 margarita flavors, food, bands, and DJs outdoors at Water Works Park on Saturday, 2-10 p.m. 21+ only. General admission: $15. 

Alley Theatre presents the classic A Christmas Carol, Nov. 15-Dec. 29. (Photo: Lynn Lane)

Alley Theatre’s A Christmas Carol  
The Alley’s hit new adaptation of A Christmas Carol kicks off this Saturday, 7 p.m. Performances continue through Dec. 30. The production features colorful Victorian costumes, special effects, lively dancing, stunning sets, and just the right blend of Christmas carols. It is a dazzling Christmas feast with Charles Dickens' beloved story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his miraculous transformation. A Christmas Carol showcases Alley Theatre's entire Resident Acting Company. Children under 6 will not be admitted into the theatre. Tickets start at $59. 

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals  
The Houston Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium, Sunday, 12 p.m. Tickets start at $61. 

Visit Rienzi and Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens for an afternoon of free, family-friendly fun. Park at Bayou Bend and take the complimentary shuttle between locations.

Family Day at Rienzi & Bayou Bend: “Celebrate the Season”  
Visit Rienzi and Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens for an afternoon of free, family-friendly fun, Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Highlights include art activities, music, story time, and more. Park at Bayou Bend and take the complimentary shuttle between locations!

More Events 
See our event calendar for more upcoming events. Find a more comprehensive list of holiday happenings in Houston in this November 2023 listing.