Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This MLK Weekend

Happy Friday! The weekend ahead is full of big Houston happenings, as the Texans are in the playoffs and it’s Chevron Houston Marathon weekend. Plus, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are weekend highlights: 

We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron 
We Are Houston 5K presented by Aramco and Chevron takes place Saturday starting at 6:30 a.m. in front of George R. Brown Convention Center. Following the race, join for RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra at Discovery Green, Jones Lawn. See the full Marathon Race Weekend Schedule here.  

Pictured: A photo from the regular season week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Next, the Texans will take on the Browns in the AFC Wild Card Game, Jan. 13, 2024. (Photo: Mike Welsch/courtesy of the Houston Texans)

Houston Texans vs Cleveland Browns: AFC Wild Card Game 
The Texans are in the playoffs! In the AFC Wild Card Game, the Texans will face off against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. Halftime performance: Bun B, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, That Mexican OT, Funkafangez, DJ Domo. Tickets are sold-out but resale tickets start at $99. Read about Buzz-area fans and their excitement here. Going to the game? Share your photos with us here. The game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock and NFL+. Go Texans!! 

Honor the legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with Children's Museum Houston's 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. 

Children's Museum Houston's 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration  
Each year, Children's Museum Houston honors the legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with messages of unity, justice, and peace. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and includes a musical medley by Dr. Kiana Williams, a peace march, the “I Have a Dream” speech reenactment by Steve Scott, and more. General admission. 

The 52nd annual Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon takes place downtown Sun., Jan. 14. 

Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon 
The 52nd annual Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Half Marathon takes runners on a course through the city, including Montrose, the Medical Center, the Galleria, Memorial Park, and finishes at Avenida de las Americas. Registration is closed, but join to celebrate thousands of runners across the city along the marathon course. Spectating is free. The marathon and half-marathon starts at 6:50 a.m. at Congress and Fannin. RunFest presented by Michelob Ultra Charity and Running Club Village takes place at Discovery Green, 5 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Find spectator info here.  

MATCH Family Fun Day 
MATCH-Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston presents the 7th annual MATCH Family Fun Day on Sunday, 1-5 p.m., offering an afternoon full of fun for the whole family. Free and open to the public, the event includes an afternoon of performances and activities, including performances from Main Street Theater, concerts from Prelude Music, and Open Dance Project, plus activities and entertainment such as bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, chalk artists, and more. Concessions will be open along with food trucks.    

Events Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 15 
Some events taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15, include: 

2024 Annual MLK Parade Houston 
The 2024 MLK Grande Parade takes place in Midtown, starting at San Jacinto Street and Elgin Street at 10 a.m. Watch live or tune in to CW 39 Houston. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Holocaust Museum Houston 
While the Museum is closed on Mondays, HMH's galleries will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mon., Jan. 15, with free admission presented by H-E-B. On this annual commemoration, remember and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership. Friday, Jan. 12 is opening day of The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection at Holocaust Museum Houston, an exhibit celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans from 1595 to present day. The exhibit is considered one of the most comprehensive surveys of African American history and culture outside the Smithsonian Institution.

2024 Annual MLK Birthday Observance: Public Health Epidemic of Gun Violence  
In 1979, The Rothko Chapel started the annual MLK Birthday Observance to connect the contemporary implications of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy to the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights. This year, the observance focuses on the public health issue of gun violence in the United States. The day will include a memorial dedicated to US victims of gun violence on view on the plaza, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; the annual MLK Day audio installation at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; community tables with information on getting involved, 6-6:30 and 8-8:30 p.m. Keynote speaker David Hogg, March For Our Lives, will speak starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by a panel discussion. Tickets: pay what you can, 0-$25. 

More Events 
Find more upcoming events on our calendar here.

Editor’s note: A hard freeze is expected to hit Houston Monday and Tuesday. Find tips and reminders for preparing ourselves and our homes here. Stay warm and safe!