Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This New Year's Weekend

Happy Friday and happy last weekend of 2023! Find some fun happenings this weekend, including family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations. However you ring in 2024, wishing you all a joyful, safe weekend and a happy, healthy year ahead! 

Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Watch the Houston Rockets take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Toyota Center this Friday night at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

Discover an immersive holiday experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens during Christmas Village at Bayou Bend, Dec. 8-30. (Photo courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston)

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend: Closing Weekend
It’s the last weekend of this immersive holiday experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, presented by Texas Children's. A dazzling bridge brings you into a winter wonderland featuring thousands of lights throughout the 14-acre estate. Highlights include a handcrafted model train circle the beautifully decorated 15-foot Christmas tree, sledding down a faux-snow slide, cotton snowballs, games for all ages, music from carolers, and more! Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for children, and free for children 4 and under. The event takes place Friday and Saturday, 5:30-10 p.m.

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: Closing Weekend
It’s also the last weekend to see the 10th annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights, presented by Houston Methodist. The holiday experience features 3.5 million lights, a dazzling 40 ft. lit-up tree, light shows, numerous themed displays, plus holiday vendors offering gifts and food. The light display is located at Constellation Field, and will be open from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m.-midnight on New Year’s Eve (including a fireworks display!), and 6 p.m.-10 p.m. on New Year's Day. Tickets are $23 for adults, and $18 for children. Children 3 and under are free. 

City of Bellaire Snow Day 
Play in the snow at this free event at Bellaire Town Square on Saturday! From 9 to 11 a.m., there will be snow slides, inflatables, and a snow area.

University of Houston Cougars vs. Penn
This Saturday at 6 p.m., watch the University of Houston Cougars compete against Penn in Fertitta Center. Standing room tickets are only $10. 

Ring in the new year at the stroke of noon with Children Museum Houston's Rockin' New Year's Noon.

Rockin' New Year's Noon
Children’s Museum Houston’s Rockin’ New Year’s Noon on Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., is the city’s longest-running New Year’s Eve celebration just for kids. This end-of-year bash rings in the New Year at the stroke of noon with a ball drop, just like in Times Square! Artistic talents will spotlight this New Year’s Eve celebration complete with noon countdowns, a ball drop, activities, and DJ dance parties! Kids can also play in real snow at the museum's Polar Palooza, which continues until Jan. 7. Admission is $17, and children under 1 are free.

Noon Year’s Eve
Welcome the New Year at CITYCENTRE with a free family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dance with a DJ and cap the noon hour off with bubbles, and other fun activities for the kiddos.

Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve Bash at Downtown Aquarium Houston
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Houston Aquarium in the Nautilus Ballroom, featuring a buffet, balloon drop, dancing and games, a live DJ, and more. The event goes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and then 3-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 for adults and $24 for kids (10 and under).

New Year’s Eve Concert
Ring in the new year at CITYCENTRE with a free live concert in the Plaza from Dave’s Local Collab, playing everything from Motown to current pop hits. Celebrate the last day of 2023 with dinner and drinks at your favorite CITYCENTRE eatery before heading to the Plaza for exciting entertainment beginning at 9:30 p.m. *CITYCENTRE will not have fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

New Year's Eve at Kemah Boardwalk
Ring in the New Year with this free event at the Kemah boardwalk, featuring live music and entertainment for kids and adults. There will be live music all day, starting with band "Trial by Fire" from 1-5, and "Velvet Punch" from 6-10. Kids crafts will be available from 2-6 p.m., and the fireworks show is at 9 p.m.

Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
Spend your New Year’s Eve watching the Houston Texans face their bitter rivals, the jersey-stealing Tennessee Titans. This intense matchup takes place at noon this Sunday at NRG Stadium. Tickets start at $59.  

Polar Bear Pool Party
Experience a "Polar Plunge" at Colonial Park Pool on New Year's Day, 1-3 p.m., for the Polar Bear Pool Party! Colonial Pool will be open for swimming for those that are brave enough to endure the artic-like temperatures. Admission: 2024 members will get in free; residents that don't have a membership will pay a $6 admission fee; non-resident guests' admission fees will be $12 (West U residents must accompany guests). 

More Events 
See what's coming up on our event calendar.