Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! The weekend is full of fun, festive events, including: 

Party at the Pavilion 
Fri., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. 
Great Lawn at Bellaire Town Square
Free
Patrons for Bellaire Parks and the City of Bellaire host Party at the Pavilion, a free concert outdoors. Tonight, enjoy music from Already Gone, a rock band that initially emerged as a tribute act for the Eagles. Bring your own cooler sand purchase bites from Lankfords. Join neighbors for a fun night out. 

Holidays in Hermann Park 
Sat, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. (holiday movies begin at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.) 
Hermann Park 
Free to view movies; train: $7; carousel: $5 all-day pass
Enjoy a day full of holiday festivities in Hermann Park, including rides on the holiday train and carousel, photos with a roaming Santa, lawn games, arts and crafts, and a free double feature movie night on the lawn. The Polar Express (G, 2004) and A Christmas Story (1983, PG) will be screened at The Commons starting at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively. Free popcorn will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. A variety of food trucks will be on-site offering meals and treats for purchase. 

Architecture Center Houston will host the 15th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off at Levy Park on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Architecture Center Houston)

15th Annual AIA Gingerbread Build-Off 
Sat., Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Levy Park
Free for spectators
Architecture Center Houston hosts the annual Gingerbread Build-Off at Levy Park on Saturday in which competing teams will create 100 percent edible, architectural masterpieces using gingerbread, candy, and all sorts of other sweet treats. More than 4,000 spectators are expected to attend and cheer on the teams, play in the kids’ construction zone, and see Santa. All of the entertainment is free and open to the public. 

Houston Symphony’s Holly Jolly Holiday 
Sat., Dec. 14, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Jones Hall 
Tickets start at $39 
Santa stops by Jones Hall to spread lots of Christmas cheer at Houston Symphony's annual holiday concert for kids, which includes hot chocolate, interactive activities in the lobby, and an opportunity to visit with Santa.

Christmas on the Boulevard 
Sat., Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m.
Free
The Church of St. John the Divine invites the community to its annual Christmas on the Boulevard celebration. The schedule is as follows: 4 p.m.: Live nativity, snow, and food trucks; 5 p.m.: Christmas concert - seasonal favorites with the SJD Chorale, SJD Choristers children and youth choirs, ROCO Musicians, and soloists; 6:15 p.m.: Jazz reception - light bites and Christmas jazz.

Houston Grand Opera's Carols on the Green is a family-friendly evening featuring a program of opera, holiday hits, mariachi, and more. (Photo: LaTroya Brooks)

Houston Grand Opera's Carols on the Green 
Sat., Dec. 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Discovery Green – Anheuser Busch Stage
Free
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) hosts its annual Carols on the Green concert and sing-along, held in partnership with Discovery Green. The family-friendly evening will feature a program of opera, holiday hits, mariachi, and more.  Company favorite Vanessa Alonzo, who has performed in all three of HGO’s world-premiere mariachi operas, will take the stage in the park. She’ll be joined by the University of Houston Mariachi Pumas band, Indigo Diaspora Dance Company, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus, members of HGO’s Butler Studio program and Bauer Family High School Voice Studio, and the renowned HGO Chorus. The free event will feature interactive activities for audience members of all ages to enjoy, with guests invited to don their most festive holiday attire.

Houston Symphony’s Very Merry Pops 
Sat., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 15, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Jones Hall 
Tickets vary 
Very Merry Pops, a festive, family-friendly performance, includes a visit from Santa. Tony-nominated Broadway star Betsy Wolfe joins the Symphony and Chorus for favorite holiday songs. 

Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins
Sun., Dec. 15, 12 p.m.
NRG Stadium
Tickets start at $89
The Houston Texans take on the Miami Dolphins Sun., Dec. 15 at NRG. Sunday is Kids Day presented by Texas Children's. 

Bellaire Open Air Holiday Market & Pictures with Santa 
Sun., Dec. 15, 12-4 p.m. 
Evelyn's Park
Shop for holiday gifts and take photos with Santa at the Bellaire Open Air Holiday Market at Evelyn's Park on Sunday. Kids will enjoy creating winter ornament crafts.  

More Holiday Events
See Festive Fun, our listing of holiday happenings this season, for more ongoing events. Find more on our online event calendar.