Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

Happy Black Friday! It’s the day after Thanksgiving, so it's time for big bargains, holiday decorating, and family fun.

Enjoy a family movie under the stars at Discovery Green. (Photo: Morris Malakoff)

Family Movie Night: The Wild Robot
Fri., Nov. 28, 7-9 p.m.
Discovery Green
Free
Enjoy a family movie under the stars at Discovery Green. Bring a blanket or camping chairs and snacks or a picnic. Please leave alcohol and glass containers at home. Food, beer and wine are also available for purchase at The Grove Market & Park Provisions. This Saturday, enjoy The Wild Robot (PG): After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh surroundings, she bonds with the native animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

The Texas Renaissance Festival draws more than half a million visitors each year to its 70-acre recreation of a 16th-century European village, including live performances, shops, activities, treats, and more.

51st Annual Texas Renaissance Festival
Fri., Nov. 28- Sun., Nov. 30; 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Texas Renaissance Festival grounds
$27-32+ (tickets are date-specific); Kids 4 and under are free every day; kids 5-12 are free every Sunday.
It’s the last weekend of RenFest! The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance-themed event. The festival draws more than half a million visitors each year to its 70-acre recreation of a 16th-century European village an hour north of Houston, including a variety of live performances, shops and treats, activities, and more. This weekend’s theme is Celtic Christmas.

Cistern Illuminated transforms the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern into a transcendent spectacle of color, echo, and optical illusion. On select evenings, Cistern Illuminated will be further activated with live performances by Ars Lyrica.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership's Cistern Illuminated
Tours will be offered Wednesday through Sunday on the hour at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, 3, and 5 p.m., November 28, 2025 through January 18, 2026.
Buffalo Bayou Cistern
$15
Today is the first day of Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Cistern Illuminated, a multi-sensory art experience transforming the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern into a transcendent spectacle of color, echo, and optical illusion. Running through the holiday season, visitors will be invited on a luminous journey through this underground infrastructural relic, created by artist/engineer Kelly O’Brien. 221 towering concrete columns will be illuminated with vivid, shifting hues of light and accompanied by an ethereal soundscape that builds upon the unique acoustic and reflective qualities of this cavernous space. On select evenings, Cistern Illuminated will be further activated with live performances by Ars Lyrica orchestra.

Visit with Santa and two of his reindeer at CityCentre on Sat., Nov. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. during Holiday in the Plaza.

Holiday in the Plaza at CityCentre
Sat., Nov. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
CityCentre
Free
Visit with Santa and two of his reindeer at CityCentre on Saturday during Holiday in the Plaza presented by Sewell Cadillac. Santa will kick off the festivities when he arrives in his Cadillac at 11 a.m. to spread holiday cheer and pose for free professional pictures. Be sure to say hi to Santa's reindeer while you're there - please remember to be gentle as they have a big day coming up! While Santa takes a quick break, dance along to holiday classics with the Houston Show Choir at 12, 2:30, and 4 p.m. Tis the season for giving! Help CityCentre fill Santa’s Cadillac with new, unwrapped toys to be donated in exchange for a complimentary picture with Santa. Tip: Make sure you get there as early as you can. Line times may vary as the event goes on.

Bellaire Open Air Small Business Sunday
Sun., Nov. 30, 12-4 p.m.
Evelyn’s Park
Free
Head to Evelyn’s Park this Sunday for the Bellaire Open Air Market. Visitors will enjoy the luxury of an outdoor shopping experience! Don't miss this market designed to keep visitors in the open air. They will have local artisans and small businesses for the whole family along with a thankful craft at the trevilion.

ALL IS BRIGHT The Houston Zoo offers immersive light displays and festive experiences for the whole family during Zoo Lights. (Photo: Houston Zoo)

More Holiday Fun 
Find more ongoing festive events, including new event Astros Light Up the Park and community favorites such as The Ice at Discovery Green, Zoo Lights, Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, Sugar Land Holiday Lights, Winter Wonderlawn at POST, and more here.