Weekend Roundup: Feb. 13-15, 2026

It’s a big weekend: Valentine’s Day on Saturday, tons of Lunar New Year celebrations, weekend two of Mardi Gras Galveston, and President’s Day on Monday! Whether your weekend is all about the heart eyes or the Year of the Fire Horse, there’s tons of activities and events just for you.

Valentine's Day Weekend at The Children’s Museum
Fri. Feb 13 –Sun, Feb 15; from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Children’s Museum Houston
Price: General admission; Adults and Children (Ages 1+) $19.95
This Valentine’s weekend, festive activities at the Children’s Museum include: Zumbini, an early childhood education program that uses original music and movement to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages 0-4; designing and assembling Pop-Up Heart Cards; creating woven paper “Diversity Hearts” that showcase the beauty of unique skin colors and backgrounds; making Valentine headbands, and a playful, interactive mini drama called “Penguin Pals” where families help two penguin friends solve a problem.

Champagne and Chocolates Valentine's Market
Fri., Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Evelyn's Park, Event Center
Free to browse; $3 mimosas
Evelyn's Park hosts its annual Champagne and Chocolates Valentine's Market. Ten percent of purchases will support the park. Enjoy $3 mimosas and free treats.

Chinese Community Center’s 2026 Lunar New Year Festival includes lion and dragon dances, face changing opera, cultural music and dance performances, an onsite cultural clothing parade, Asian food vendors, hands-on workshops, games, and festive shopping. 

Chinese Community Center’s 2026 Lunar New Year Festival
Sat., Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chinese Community Center
Free
Since 2003, the Chinese Community Center has hosted one of Houston’s most beloved Lunar New Year celebrations. Festival highlights include lion and dragon dances, face changing opera, cultural music and dance performances, an onsite cultural clothing parade, Asian food vendors, hands-on workshops, games, and festive shopping—all celebrating the Year of the Horse. To add to the occasion, the festival will feature Valentine-themed activities and photo opportunities for attendees. Admission and parking are free.

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) presents the company’s second annual Family Day, a special presentation of Humperdinck’s enchanting Hansel and Gretel, Feb. 14, 2026, 11 a.m. (Photo: Katy Anderson)

Houston Grand Opera's Second Annual Family Day
Sat., Feb. 14, 11 a.m.
Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Theater
Price: $25 to $157.50
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) presents the company’s second annual Family Day, a special presentation of Hansel and Gretel. Directed by Grammy Award-winning Sasha Cooke, HGO’s Family Day performance of Hansel and Gretel is a 90-minute, English-language adventure presented in a relaxed setting designed for young audiences. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the opera whisks families to a storybook world of dirndls, Alpine hats, and misty clouds, where Hansel and Gretel set off on their quest through the forest, and discover that bravery – and a little cleverness – can save the day. Alongside a welcoming atmosphere, including additional lighting and flexible entry and re-entry to the theater, the event will feature crafts, photo opportunities, character interactions, and more activities for children, all included with ticket purchase.

Re-opening Celebration: The Hill on the John P. McGovern Playground
Sat., Feb. 14, 2-4 p.m.
Discovery Green
Free
Celebrate the re-opening of the hill on John P. McGovern Playground! You're invited to an afternoon of games, crafts and fun at the iconic sliding hill in Discovery Green. This popular kid attraction at the park has gone under a bit of a makeover, as part of the park’s initiative to stay green. This renovation is the first of numerous projects Discovery Green has planned for 2026.

Asia Society Texas will celebrate the Year of the Horse with special Lunar New Year festivities, including various performances, at The Galleria.

Lunar New Year 2026 at The Galleria
Sat., Feb. 14, 3-4 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 15, 12 -5 p.m.
The Galleria, Level One, between Nordstrom and Macy’s
Free
Free Asia Society Texas brings special Lunar New Year activities to The Galleria, including free arts and crafts, games, and festive performances.

Lunar New Year Festival at Market Square Park
Sat., Feb. 14, 12-6 p.m.
Market Square Park
Free
Celebrate Lunar New Year downtown with a festival featuring Lion and Dragon dances, a DJ, cultural workshops by Young Audiences of Houston, and a market offering a variety of food and artisan goods.

Enjoy tasty tapas and perfectly paired libations during Houston Arboretum’s annual, popular Valentine’s-themed event. (Photo: Anthony Rathbun)

Tapas on the Trails
Sat., Feb. 14, 5-9 p.m.
Price: $110 member/$125 nonmember per person
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Arboretum’s annual, popular Valentine’s-themed event includes a leisurely walk along softly-lit trails. Experience six food stops paired with specially selected beers and wines. Menu is crafted by expert chefs at Cotton Culinary, Kelly Prohl of Double Decanted, and Lennie Ambrose of Saint Arnold Brewing Company. The event will help raise funds for conservation and education efforts.

Valentine's Day Twilight Tour at Rienzi
Sat., Feb. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Rienzi
Tickets: $65/Adults; $60/MFAH Members
Looking for a romantic date with your Valentine? Enjoy an enchanting evening at Rienzi with live music, light hors d’oeuvres, and wine – all set against the beautiful backdrop of twilight in the gardens. For an extra dash of romance, let guest calligraphers create a personalized love note for your special someone. Then take a picturesque stroll around the property and learn about the Rienzi Collection in the galleries from docents stationed throughout the house.

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER Let the good times roll at Mardi Gras! Galveston, Feb. 6-17. (Photo courtesy of Galveston CVB)

Mardi Gras! Galveston 2026
Fri., Feb. 13 – Tues., Feb. 17
Downtown Galveston
Tickets vary
Weekend Two of the 115th Mardi Gras celebration will be headlined by GymClassHeroes (Feb. 13), and Lil’ Keke (Feb. 14), and will include more than 3 million beads, over 20 parades, legendary parties, concerts, and more. Mardi Gras! Galveston 2026 will bring back Electric Mardi Gras! featuring nationally recognized DJs from New York and L.A. Plus, there will be a wide range of local and regional performers across multiple stages. See the lineup, parade schedule, and more details at www.MardiGrasGalveston.com.

Lunar New Year-themed Keeper Chats will highlight animals from the Asian region, like the beautiful Malayan tiger, orangutans, and Asian elephants.

Lunar New Year at the Zoo
Sat. Feb. 14 –Sun. Feb. 15, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m
Houston Zoo
Tickets starting at $30.95
Houston Zoo is hosting its first-ever Lunar New Year celebration. During this special weekend guests will welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with themed Keeper Chats, dragon dancer performances and exploring the Zoo to learn more about Asian animals like the Malayan tiger, orangutans, and Asian elephants. Throughout the weekend, guests will enjoy dragon and lion dance performances, participate in the Wishing Tree, where guests can share hopes and intentions for the year ahead, and a dragon and cherry blossom photo op. Meet the Keeper Chats will highlight Asian animals at the Zoo. Activities are included with general Zoo admission.

24th Annual Rockets Run
Sun., Feb. 15; Kids 1K: 7:45AM; 5K Race: 8:15AM; 2K Walk: 8:30AM; Post Race Party: immediately following each race
Toyota Center
Price: $65
Get up and get active with the 24th Annual Rockets Run presented by Children's Memorial Hermann. Featuring a 5K, 2K, and Kids’ 1K, this exciting event brings together runners of all levels to challenge themselves and support our community. There will be a post-race party immediately following each race. Register now to secure your spot!

Keyun and the Zydeco Masters, who have played on Great Day Houston, will be performing on Sunday afternoon at CityCentre.

Roulez at CITYCENTRE!
Sun., Feb. 15, 12-3 p.m.
City Centre
Free
Let the good times roll at CITYCENTRE Plaza, as they bring a taste of the French Quarter to Houston with high-energy zydeco and Mardi Gras flair! Join this free, open-air celebration featuring Keyun and the Zydeco Masters. You may recognize this band from their performance on Great Day Houston. Zydeco is pure joy, driven by lively accordion, irresistible rhythms, and music made for dancing. Bring your lawn chairs, gather your friends, and soak in the sounds and spirit of the Bayou in the heart of CITYCENTRE.

Eat Drink HTX
Feb. 15th – 28th
Multiple restaurants
Dinner $25 / Lunch and Brunch $15
At a time when Houston restaurants are facing rising costs, shrinking margins, and continued closures, a citywide initiative returns this Sunday to drive much-needed traffic during one of the industry’s slowest seasons. The fifth annual Eat Drink HTX, produced by The Cleverley Stone Foundation, brings together local restaurants offering specially priced menus that benefit the Houston Food Bank. With returning favorites like Craft Pita, Molina’s Cantina, State Fare, and Fadi’s, plus new participants including El Tiempo, a’Bouzy, MAD Houston, Tourão Brazilian Churrascaria, and Nando’s Peri-Peri, this year’s lineup reflects the depth and diversity of Houston’s dining scene. See the list of participating restaurants at https://houstonrestaurantweeks.com/

More Events
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