Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Friday! Find ideas of what to do on this first weekend of 2025. 

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics 
Fri., Jan. 3, 7 p.m.
Toyota Center
Cheer on the Rockets as they take on the Celtics. 
$39+

Bellaire Chilly Dip 2025 
Sat., Jan. 4, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Evergreen Pool
Free
Chill with Bellaire neighbors at the Chilly Dip event. Plunge into the cold water at Evergreen Pool and then warm up with hot chili and other snacks and refreshments. Participants must be 8 years of age or older and all minors must have parental consent. Children ages 8-14 must be accompanied into the water by a parent or designated guardian. 

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers 
Sun., Jan. 5, 6 p.m.
Toyota Center
$70+
Cheer on the Rockets as they take on the Lakers.

Final Weekend of These Holiday Events: 

The annual TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights transforms the Houston Zoo into a winter wonderland. (Photo courtesy of the Houston Zoo)

TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights 
Through Jan. 5, 5:30-10:30 p.m. (last entry: 9:30 p.m.) 
Houston Zoo
Tickets vary depending on date; $24.95+
The annual Zoo Lights, presented by TXU Energy, transforms the Houston Zoo into a winter wonderland. The Zoo will be lit with earth-friendly LED bulbs. Highlights include Snowy Slopes, featuring a snow machine and ski lift chairs, life-sized animal lanterns, and s’mores-making stations. New this year: Stroll through the Immersive Twinkle Trail, sponsored by TC Energy, enjoy cookie-decorating stations, and a new holiday tree.

Experience holiday magic with Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas held at Memorial City Mall, Nov. 22, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025. (Photo: Enchant Christmas)

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas 
Through Jan. 5 
Memorial City Mall
Adult: $20; ages 4-17: $14; ages 3 and under: free  
This festive event is filled with tons of joyful activities for the whole family, including larger-than-life light displays, a holiday market, ice skating, a snow slide, seasonal treats, and live entertainment.

Experience an out-of-this-world holiday event at Galaxy Lights, a space-themed holiday light show. (Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston)

Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights 
Through Jan. 5, 6-10 p.m.  
Space Center Houston
$19.95-27.95; free for children ages 3 and younger; not included in general admission 
Experience an out-of-this-world holiday event at Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. Featured activations and presentations include light displays, kinetic light shows, crystal fireworks shows, Apollo-themed lantern displays, a light tunnel, light pods, astronaut “selfie” lantern display, a walk-through space launch system rocket display, a large shooting star display, s’mores fire pits by the launchpad, LED swings under the 747 Boeing Aircraft, and a screening of Holidays in Space.

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
Through Jan. 5, 2025 
Constellation Field
Prices vary; kids 3 and under are free
Sugar Land Holiday Lights presented by Houston Methodist takes place at Constellation Field, featuring more than 3.5 million lights, a dazzling 40 ft. light up tree, light shows, numerous themed displays, holiday vendors, food, and more. New this year: Enjoy a synthetic ice rink on the field.

Immersive art studio ARTECHOUSE presents the first-ever immersive Houston Holiday Spectacular, a dazzling experience that brings the holiday season to life through art, technology, and interactive design. (Photo: ARTECHOUSE)

ARTECHOUSE’s Holiday Spectacular 
Through Jan. 5, 2025
ARTECHOUSE
Prices vary; general admission: Starts at $30; children (4-15): $17; children under 4: free
Immersive art studio ARTECHOUSE presents the first-ever immersive Houston Holiday Spectacular, a dazzling experience that brings the holiday season to life through art, technology, and interactive design. The exhibit reimagines popular holiday and ASMR themes through stunning digital landscapes, including The Tingle Bells Immersion Gallery, which invites visitors into three captivating scenes that evoke comfort, curiosity, and nostalgia, and Spectacular Factory, a whimsical adventure featuring floating bells, candy cane carousels, and dancing nutcrackers.

Play in real snow at Children's Museum Houston during their Polar Palooza Snow Days.

Polar Palooza Snow Days 
Through Jan. 4
Children’s Museum Houston
Play in the snow at Children’s Museum Houston. You’ll find snow covering the courtyard at the museum. Bring your mittens and enjoy playing in the snow. 

More Events
See our event calendar for more upcoming events.