A note regarding COVID-19
Upcoming Events in GULF COAST
Houston
“Tacita Dean: Blind Folly”
Oct. 11-April 19
The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross St.
The first major museum survey in the United States of work by the British European visual artist Tacita Dean, the exhibition spotlights her career-defining approach to creating art through unmediated and chance-based drawing processes across a variety of mediums, from film to printmaking.
Bayou City Art Festival
Oct. 11-13
Memorial Park, 6800 Memorial Drive
Bayou City Art Festival brings more than 250 diverse artists to Houston while supporting local organizations and promoting the impact that art has on the community. As the nation’s premier spring outdoor art festival, Bayou City Art Festival provides guests with the opportunity to meet artists, view original works, and purchase one-of-a-kind art, prints, jewelry, sculptures, and functional art. Expect live entertainment stages, a food truck park, a craft beer and wine garden, beverage stations throughout the festival, an Active Imagination Zone, and a VIP Hospitality Lounge.
Rockport
American Dreamer in Concert
Oct. 11
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
Four gifted musicians bring a heavy dose of strings to their unique blend of indie-folk. Each member contributes something distinctive to their rich and remarkable sound. The quartet’s music builds on relatable folk songs, transformed through bold string arrangements (violin, cello, bass) and resplendent three-part harmony.
Wharton
Monterey Square Wine and Arts Fair
Oct. 12
Downtown Wharton, 100 S. Fulton St.
On the Wharton courthouse square, shop from craft vendors and sip wine while listening to live music. Food trucks and a photo booth are available as well.
Katy
Rice Harvest Festival
Oct. 12-13
Historic Town Square, 901 Ave. C
This festival, occurring annually on the second weekend of October in downtown Katy, honors the city’s history as a rice farming community. Enjoy a carnival, craft vendors, live music, food trucks, a kids zone, craft beer, and art and rice cooking contests. There is a free shuttle that takes visitors to and from the parking area at the Merrell Center.
Port Aransas
University of Texas Marine Science Institute Open House
Oct. 12
Patton Center for Marine Science, 750 Channel View Drive
Join in for a day of lectures, boat rides, games, and fun for the entire family.
Lake Jackson
Farmers Market
Oct. 12
Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place
Local vendors sell their homemade goods and farm-fresh items.
Brazosport Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Oct. 12
The Clarion, 500 College Drive
The Brazosport Symphony Orchestra performs “Bohemian Rhapsody” to kick off its 2024-25 season.
Clute
Fall Astronomy Night
Oct. 12
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Each fall, BASF Planetarium hosts an astronomy night, with night sky viewing with local avocational astronomers and hands-on educational astronomy activities.
Victoria
Symphonic Spooktacular
Oct. 17
Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Drive
Bring the kids for a fun night of music and costumes presented by the Victoria Symphony.
Wharton
Party Under the Bridge
Oct. 17
Riverfront Park, 925-999 E. Elm St.
Underneath the bridge at Riverfront Park, find a celebration for all with train rides, face painting, music, and food. Admission is free.
Corpus Christi
Texas Jazz Festival
Oct. 18-20
Heritage Park, 1581 N. Chaparral St.
Texas Jazz Festival, taking place at Heritage Park, celebrates its 63rd year in 2024, making it one of the longest-running annual festivals of its kind. With three stages of live jazz music, plus food and a market full of vendors, the festival offers three days of great music and fun festivities.
Victoria
“1824: A Victoria Origin Story”
Oct. 18-19
Riverside Park, 532 McCright Drive
Experience Victoria’s bicentennial through the lens of what life was like for the settlers and pioneers of 1824 at this historical reenactment.
South Padre Island
Chrome in the Sand Festival
Oct. 18-19
SPI Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
Witness a display of chrome and horsepower as motorcycles and classic cars converge in a celebration of automotive excellence. Marvel at the gleaming machines, each one a testament to craftmanship and stlye.
Corpus Christi
U.S Army Field Band and Chorus Concert
Oct. 18
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center, 6005 Ocean Drive, Unit 5723
The U.S. Army Field Band and Chorus has been thrilling audiences of all ages for more than half a century. As the premier touring musical representatives for the U.S. Army, they travel thousands of miles each year presenting a variety of music to enthusiastic audiences throughout the nation and abroad. Admission is free.
Victoria
Victoria Symphony Concert: Ana and Dmitri
Oct. 19
Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Drive
The Victoria Symphony presents Ana and Dimitri performing “Savannah River Holiday” by Ron Nelson, “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquín Rodrigo, and Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Houston
Energy Day Houston
Oct. 19
Sam Houston Park , 1000 Bagby St.
Area K-12 students and their families join together with Houston’s leading energy companies for a day of interactive learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). More than 40 interactive exhibits and demonstrations from some of Houston’s top companies, universities, and organizations show students exciting career opportunities in energy and energy-related industries.
Corpus Christi
Surftoberfest
Oct. 19
Executive Surf Club, 309 N. Water St.
Grab a stein and head to Corpus Christi to celebrate Oktoberfest with a coastal twist. Enjoy beer samples from local breweries, live entertainment, a stein holding contest, and classic German cuisine.
Galveston
Artoberfest
Oct. 19-20
Postoffice Street
This juried fine arts festival features works by artists using various mediums, plus food and live music on Postoffice Street amid Galveston’s Victorian architecture, galleries, and shops.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
Oct. 19
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station provides an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.
Corpus Christi
Surtoberfest
Oct. 19
Water Street Market, 309 N. Water St.
Surftoberfest is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of the Coastal Bend’s aquaculture for the sustainability of the unique beach environment.
Holiday Hay Maze
Oct. 19-Jan. 1
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.
Bring the kids to what has become a holiday staple at the gardens. Decorated for Halloween and changing to a Christmas holiday theme at Thanksgiving, the maze is one hay bale high so parents can watch children negotiate their way through the maze.
El Campo
Hall-O-Wine Walk
Oct. 19
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 CR 451
Sip as you stroll with wine, live music, food, shopping, a carnival, and haunted cabanas.
Lake Jackson
Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 20
Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive
Dress up in your Halloween costume and enjoy crafts, games, and other special programs around the fish-filled, floor-to-ceilings aquariums.
Houston
Sazon Latin Food Festival in Houston
Oct. 20
Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St.
Join along for a day of Latin food, live music, and a great time at the Sazon Latin Food Festival. Latin food vendors represent all the best flavors from the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
eventbrite.com/e/sazon-latin-food-festival-in-houston-family-friendly-tickets-944786350407
Victoria
South Texas Farm and Ranch Show
Oct. 23-24
Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St.
Learn about the farming and ranching industries from educational programs, classes, speakers, and exhibitors. Programs are offered for adults and children.
Corpus Christi
Taste of the Island
Oct. 23
Mansion Royal, 8001 S. Padre Island Drive
Taste of the Island is an official event of the Padre Island Business Association and is one of the most highly attended events annually, featuring cuisine from local island restaurants to an anticipated attendance of 700 food lovers.
Clute
Harvest Fun Fest
Oct. 24
Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive
Dress your kids up for the Halloween costume contest, trick-or treating, and other spooky activities. Admission is two canned goods to be donated to The Food Basket.
Freeport
Frightfest
Oct. 24
Freeport Municipal Park, 410 S. Brazosport Blvd.
This haunted evening features a costume contest, goodie bags, and scary but family-oriented fun.
Houston
Party in the Park
Oct. 24
Menil Park, 1423 Branard St.
The Menil Collection’s fall fundraiser supports the art museum’s operations, which include the parks and green spaces that make up its campus.
Victoria
Cemetery Tour
Oct. 25-26
Evergreen Cemetery, 1868 N. Vine St.
Experience live theater in a historic cemetery setting. Visit with townspeople, portrayed by actors, at their gravesites and learn about their history. The information presented is historically accurate and entertaining.
Galveston
“Stomp”
Oct. 25-26
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
Using everything but conventional percussion instruments (matchboxes, wooden poles, and garbage cans, for example), this eight member troupe creates beautiful music from the strangest places.
Houston
Scream on the Green
Oct. 25
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St.
Houston’s citywide Halloween celebration, Scream on the Green, returns with a costume contest, music, and a screening of a fun, family-friendly movie.
Port Aransas
Wooden Boat Festival
Oct. 25-27
Roberts Point Park, 301 JC Blvd.
An annual celebration of Port A’s boat-building heritage, the Wooden Boat Festival is a three-day, family-friendly event that features handcrafted kayaks, paddleboards, skiffs, and sailing boats as well as historic Farley boats. The family boat build is the main event, where three to four families build a boat in two and a half days, launching the boats after lunch on Sunday. There is also a nautical market featuring a variety of vendors.
Galveston
Island Oktoberfest
Oct. 25-26
First Lutheran Church, 2415 Winnie St.
Celebrate German heritage in Galeston with a full weekend of food, drinks, live performances, games, and kids’ activities. Attendees are encouraged to dress in traditional German costumes.
Corpus Christi
Dia De Los Muertos
Oct. 26
K Space Contemporary, 623 N. Chaparral St.
Join along in the streets of downtown Corpus Christi to celebrate the age-old tradition of remembering and honoring deceased loved ones through music, dance, “ofrendas,” art, food, and fun.
Port Aransas
Flynn’s Beach Run
Oct. 26
Horace Caldwell Pier, 230 N. On The Beach Road
Race a 5K, 10K, or family walk/run on the beach.
portaransas.org/events/festivals-and-annual-events/beachtober/flynns-beach-run
Lake Jackson
Monster Dash 5K
Oct. 26
MacLean Park, 91 Lake Road
The 5K course takes runners through MacLean Park. There’s also a kids 1K race. Costumes are encouraged, and monster-themed decorations can be expected on the course.
Boo Bash
Oct. 26
Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 SH 332
Kids can enjoy this trunk-or-treat event that includes carnival games, costume contests, and other fun Halloween activities.
Fulton
Fall Festival
Oct. 26
Fun and games are available for the whole family including trunk or treat, a costume parade, games and prizes, food trucks, vendors and live music. A kids costume contest awards prizes for spookiest and most creative.
South Padre Island
HalloWings Across South Padre Island
Oct. 26
SPI Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Blvd.
Celebrates the monarch migration with a day of fun activities for the young and young at heart. Learn about the migration through butterfly gardening presentations, nature walks, nature crafts, live music, and games.
Corpus Christi
Be Our Guest: ‘90s/‘00s Disney Throwback Night
Oct. 26
House of Rock, 511 Starr St.
Experience nostalgic Disney magic at Be Our Guest: a touring DJ dance party for adults featuring ‘90s and 2000s classics from “The Lion King” and “Hannah Montana.” This nationwide tour features DJs spinning the hits you grew up with from Disney soundtracks and Disney channel original movies. Guests can expect themed cocktails, audience members in costume, and a chance to go on stage to lip sync your favorite song.
Galveston
Silent Film with Rob Landes: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Oct. 27
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
An annual Halloween tradition, violinist Rob Landes reprises his specially created, totally improvised musical score for the showing of Victor Hugo’s 1920 silent film classic, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
West Columbia
Ghosts Along the Brazos
Oct. 28
Varner Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, 1702 N. 13th St.
Take a spooky nighttime stroll through the woods to the plantation’s 1840s-era Patton family cemetery, and learn about mortality on the plantation during the 1800s and the dangers of the early Texas wilderness.
Houston
Chamber Music Houston: Jerusalem Quartet
Oct. 29
Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center, Rice University, 6100 Main St.
Returning favorite Jerusalem Quartet presents Haydn, Shostakovich, and one of Mozart’s most harmonically complex works, the “Dissonance” String Quartet.
Galveston
Lone Star Motorcycle Rally
Oct. 31-Nov. 3
Various locations
Visit the largest four-day biker rally in the country and see more than 500,000 mortorcyclists gather among hundreds of vendors. The rally includes bike shows, concerts, and celebrity appearances.
Houston
Día de los Muertos
Nov. 1
Discovery Green , 1500 McKinney St.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday where families and friends gather to celebrate and remember loved ones and prepare special foods in their honor. Families enjoy hands-on art activities, artist demonstrations, vendors, live performances, and music. Houston-based artist Angel Quesada builds a community “ofrenda” (altar) to help visitors remember their loved ones.
Clute
“Lobby Hero”
Nov. 1-3, 8-10
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Brazosport Center Stages presents Kenneth Lonergan’s play about four New Yorkers (a security guard, his stern boss, a young police officer, and her unpredictable partner) involved in a murder investigation in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment complex.
Rockport
Film Festival
Nov. 1-3
Rockport Conference Center, 106 Austin St.
The festival showcases the best of independent cinema on the Texas Coast with shorts, features, documentaries, animation and student films. It highlights talent from across the world with an emphasis on Texas storytellers.
Port Aransas
Family Beach Walk
Nov. 1, Dec. 6, Jan. 3
Horace Caldwell Pier, 230 N. On the Beach Drive
Join Master Naturalist Julie Findley on the first Friday of the month to see what wonderful treasures wash up on the beach. Family beach walks take place on the first Friday of the month through Jan. 3.
Rockport
“Standing Out”
Nov. 1-Jan. 3
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
This exhibition features works by three Merit Artists, a group picked from last year’s Big Wave All Member’s Exhibition to have their own show.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
Nov. 2
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site formerly owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Once a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Learn about the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Alden B. Dow Office Museum Tour
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Alden B. Dow Office Museum, 101 S. Parking Place
Take a self-guided tour of the restored midcentury architectural beauty of Alden B. Dow’s 1943 downtown office. Learn about the city’s beginnings and the indelible mark that Dow left as the principal architect of Lake Jackson.
Surfside Beach
Treasures by the Sea
Nov. 2
Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway
Start your holiday shopping early with dozens of vendors at this annual event which offers hot homemade soups and baked goods for purchase.
West Columbia
Meet Your Ancestors
Nov. 2
Columbia Cemetery, Corner of 16th and Jackson streets
Learn about former West Columbia residents (and possibly your ancestors) at one of the most historic cemetaries in Texas. Guides lead guests to graves of notable occupants.
Rockport
Lamar Market Days
Nov. 2-3
Lamar Fire Department, 302 Bois D’arc St.
At this fundraiser for the Lamar Fire Department, visitors can expect a community-wide garage sale, scavenger hunt, car show, barbecue, and other festivities.
South Padre Island
Muzicians Run
Nov. 2
Beach Waterpark, 33261 State Park Road 100
Choose between a 5K and 10K course, this fun run/walk fuses live entertainment and running. Mariachis perform along the course about every half mile and participants are rewarded with tacos, beer, and margaritas.
Corpus Christi
Harbor Half Marathon
Nov. 2
Whataburger Field , 734 E. Port Ave.
See the city from new heights as you run (or walk) the Harbor Bridge. The 21st annual Harbor Half Marathon is “the highest half in Texas,” challenging the most seasoned runner providing participants with a fun way to experience Corpus Christi.
Clute
Planetarium Show
Nov. 5, 12, 19
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This planetarium show recreates the night sky as it appears to the naked eye and gives viewers a close-up look at comets, exploding stars, and black holes. Showdates vary throughout each month.
Lake Jackson
Mums and Mistletoe Market
Nov. 7-8
St. Michael’s Event Center, 100 Oak Drive
This holiday market attracts shoppers for its variety of vendors and the cheese soup at its café.
Houston
Houston Cinema Arts Festival
Nov. 7-Nov. 17
Various locations
Houston Cinema Arts Society hosts its 16th annual film festival, a multivenue event that features international films, documentaries, and short film competitions, as well as filmmaker panels, interactive media installations, and unique features like Cinespace, a collaboration with NASA. There are also local artisans and vendors, live musical performances, and hands-on filmmaking workshops.
Corpus Christi
Hollydays Market
Nov. 8-10
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
With more than 130 merchants on-site, you’re sure to find lots of new and one-of-a-kind gifts for all your gift-giving needs.
Houston
“Radiant Nature”
Nov. 8-Feb. 23
Houston Botanic Garden, 1 Botanic Lane
The Chinese lantern festival, with larger-than-life installations that showcase the beauty of nature and celebrate the promise of the Lunar New Year, returns with all-new displays and interactive elements.
Galveston
Polar Express Train Ride
Nov. 8-Dec. 23
Galveston Railroad Museum, 2602 Santa Fe Place
All aboard the train to the North Pole. Families are encouraged to dress in pajamas as actors bring the classic book to life.
Houston
Good Brick Tour
Nov. 9-10
Various locations
Take a guided tour of five privately-owned historic homes dating from the Victorian era through the early 20th century. Each tour location has received Preservation Houston’s Good Brick Award for excellence in historic preservation.
Alvin
Novemberfest
Nov. 9
National Oak Park , 118 S. Magnolia St.
The 20th annual Alvin Rotary Car and Bike Novemberfest show includes arts, crafts, antique tractors and farm equipment on display, and the car and bike show. There is entertainment, a raffle, a veteran tribute, food courts, and kids’ games. Proceeds support scholarships and other charitable activities in the area.
Galveston
The Righteous Brothers in Concert
Nov. 9
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
Look forward to a soul-stirring, nostalgic concert experience, as this show promises to be a captivating musical odyssey spanning the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, as far-reaching as the movie “Dirty Dancing.” Hear favorites “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin” and “I’ve Had The Time of My Life.”
Victoria
Red Dirt Barbecue and Music Festival
Nov. 9
De Leon Plaza, 101 N. Main St.
Red dirt music, barbecue samples from over 15 of Texas’ best barbecue joints, food trucks, and a vendor market are on the lineup for this festival.
Lake Jackson
Farmers Market
Nov. 9
Parking Place Pavilion, 110 S. Parking Place
Local vendors sell their homemade goods and farm-fresh items.
Surfside Beach
Kites and Castles
Nov. 9
Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway
Surfside Flyers Kite Club members display their kites and host featured guest Sandcastle Emerson, who is expected to demonstrate how to build sandcastle masterpieces. At night, there are more kites to see.
Clute
Fall Astronomy Day
Nov. 9
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
Along with viewing the sun through a telescope set up for daylight hours, the star party features “ViewSpace,” an exhibit from the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
South Padre Island
Half Marathon Weekend
Nov. 9-10
Isla Blanca Park, 33174 State Park Road 100
Participate in an exciting run on the beach with a half marathon, half marathon relay, and 5K.
Houston
Islamic Arts Festival
Nov. 9-10
University of Houston Student Center South, 4455 University Drive
The largest and oldest festival of Islamic arts in the U.S. attracts visitors and artists from across the country with a film festival, comedy show, music, spoken art, art sessions, workshops, ethnic food, calligraphy, henna tattoos, painting, and children’s art activities.
Port Aransas
Barrier Island Ultra
Nov. 9
Roberts Point Park, 2016 On the Beach Drive
Run along the Gulf of Mexico on a course entirely of sand. You choose your challenge—hard-packed sand near the water or softer sand near the road. After your race, hang with participants on the beach, have an ice-cold drink and food from The Beach Lodge, or enjoy some shopping and sightseeing in town.
Belt Sander Races
Nov. 9, 23; Dec. 14, 28; Jan. 11, 25
The Gaff, 323 Beach St.
Belt sander racing is a longstanding tradition in Port Aransas. Head on over the The Gaff, the “Birthplace of Texas Belt Sander Racing,” to watch competitors race their power tools down the wooden rack.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island Open
Nov. 9-10
Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill, 6900 Padre Blvd.
The Texas Gulf Surfing Association hosts this surfing competition that features a variety of divisions for all ages. The family-oriented organization specializes in grassroots surfing events that are healthy and fun, while still placing an emphasis on maintaining academic excellence, good sportsmanship, and environmental awareness.
El Campo
Polka Fest
Nov. 9
El Campo Lost Lagoon, 665 County Road 451
Celebrate Veterans Day and polka music and dancing. Alex Meixner provides live music, and there is food and drink, to provide a great time for all.
Lake Jackson
Brazosport Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Nov. 10
The Clarion, 500 College Drive
Experience a performance by the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra of “Wild Symphony” by Dan Brown.
Galveston
Straight No Chaser in Concert
Nov. 15
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
These talented singers have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold throughout the world. Look forward to nine voices coming together to make extraordinary music—and with a sense of humor.
Houston
Winter Art Installation
Nov. 15
Discovery Green , 1500 McKinney St.
Discovery Green has commissioned internationally renowned, Brooklyn-based artist/engineer Jen Lewin for its 2024-2025 winter art installation. The large-scale, interactive installation is on view daily during park hours.
South Padre Island
Craft Beer and Wing Festival
Nov. 15-16
SPI Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd
Indulge your taste buds at this festival offering flavorful bites, refreshing brews, and live music and entertainment in a vibrant atmosphere.
Rockport
The Malpass Brothers in Concert
Nov. 15
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
Best known as modern-day troubadours who carry the torch for traditional country music, The Malpass Brothers began singing and playing together professionally at a very young age. Alongside their dad, Chris Malpass Sr., the siblings performed at churches all over the southeast, but they continued to hone their traditional sound by working alongside and amongst the legends.
Houston
Ice Rink at Discovery Green
Nov. 15-Feb. 2
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St.
Every winter, Discovery Green’s Kinder Lake transforms into Houston’s only outdoor ice-skating rink. Adults and children of all ages can glide beneath the glittering lights of downtown and enjoy a series of programming throughout the season—from themed music nights to discounted skate nights. The ice rink is open every day.
“Atlas” by Jen Lewin
Nov. 15-Feb. 16
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St.
By internationally recognized artist Jen Lewin, this interactive public art installation features a collection of 24 handcrafted and hand-painted ethereal glowing moths on a monumental scale. The creatures hang suspended from the trees of the Brown Promenade at Discovery Green and react to sound and movement of visitors. Each moth represents a unique endangered North American moth species.
Richmond
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival
Nov. 16
George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive
Fort Bend County Libraries’ annual Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. Keynote speakers, workshops, children’s programs, and author meet-and-greets are scheduled.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
Nov. 16
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The banding station provides an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.
Katy
Home for the Holidays Gift Market
Nov. 22-24
Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane
Shop with 130 merchants to find lots of new and unique gifts all in one place for all of your festive events.
Humble
Home for the Holidays Gift Market
Nov. 22-24
Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy.
Shop with 130 merchants to find lots of new, unique, and one-of-a-kind gifts all in one place.
Tomball
Holiday Parade
Nov. 23
Main Street, 100 W. Main St.
Get in the holiday spirit with a parade featuring over 175 floats and entries and over 40,000 people in attendance.
Lake Jackson
Festival of Lights
Nov. 23
Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 SH 332
Lake Jackson brings the Yuletide cheer with this kick-off to the holiday season. Festivities include a carnival, games, and a parade.
Corpus Christi
Christmas Tree Forest
Nov. 23-Jan. 6
Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.
The 15th annual forest showcases 30 trees decorated by school groups and local organizations to represent a selection of award-winning classic children’s books. Visitors to the museum or website can cast their votes digitally for their favorite tree.
Galveston
Holiday in the Gardens
Nov. 23-Jan. 1
Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd.
Moody Gardens hosts a winter wonderland with a Festival of Lights trail, Ice Land, an ice skating rink, holiday films, and other festivities.
Rockport
“The Big Wave”
Nov. 23-Jan. 3
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
The annual all-member exhibition highlights Rockport Center for the Arts artists and provides a chance to stand out as a Merit Artist the following year.
Wharton
Christmas Holiday Parade
Nov. 26
Outside Courthouse, 100 S. Fulton St.
Ring in the festive season with the Christmas Holiday Parade, which heads west on Milam Street and around the courthouse square, where you’ll find food and craft vendors.
Port Aransas
Turkey Trot
Nov. 27
Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Community, 258 Snapdragon
After the race, stick around for activities for the whole family, including bounce houses, music, and lawn games. Be sure to attend Gobble on the Grand, the Tuesday night packet pickup party.
athleteguild.com/event/port-aransas-tx/2024-port-aransas-turkey-trot
Lake Jackson
Turkey Trot
Nov. 28
Lake Jackson Intermediate School, 100 Oyster Creek Drive
The 5K run/walk and 10K run is held on Thanksgiving Day and benefits the students of the Lake Jackson Intermediate Band Program.
Corpus Christi
Merry Days by the Bay
Nov. 29-Dec. 31
Downtown Corpus Christi, Chaparral Street
From coastal Santas to holiday markets and larger-than-life decorations, the Gulf Coast Capital offers unique holiday experiences all season long to put a jingle in your step.
Clute
Elizabethan Madrigal Feast
Nov. 29-Dec.1, 6-7, 12-15
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This holiday feast offers majesty and pageantry befitting the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Join the Earl of Warwick and his royal guests in the main hall of his castle for an exquisite meal with entertainment provided by the court’s troupe of players, dancers, and singers.
Port Lavaca
Nativity Exhibit
Nov. 29-Dec. 15
Red Barn , 3187 SH 35
See a collection of 700-plus nativities that come from around the world and are made of all kinds of materials. Organizers scour antique shops, flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales across Texas to add to the displays.
Corpus Christi
Holly-Days at the Gardens
Nov. 29-Dec. 21
South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.
See a 20-foot fresh-cut lighted fir tree and 18-foot recycled eco-friendly Christmas tree made of green plastic bottles, plus four smaller ones, created by environmental artist Shelia Rogers. Enjoy holiday light displays, decorated trees, visits with Santa, hayrides, a petting zoo, s’mores and hot cocoa, and photo ops.
Surfside Beach
Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 30
Surfside Beach Main Entrance, Intersection of State Highway 332 and Bluewater Highway
Kick off the holiday season with caroling and the lighting of the community tree.
Houston
Sazon Latin Food Festival
Nov. 30-Dec. 1
Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St.
Latin food vendors represent all the best flavors from the Caribbean, Central, and South America. There is also great music and drinks, so make sure you bring your friends and family for a day of fun and celebration.
eventbrite.com/e/sazon-latin-food-festival-in-houston-two-days-family-friendly-tickets-944774454827
Port Aransas
Sand Santa
Dec. 1-Jan. 3
Roberts Point Park, 301 JC Barr Blvd.
Take your family holiday photo at the Sand Santa display. This giant sand sculpture is created by world-class sand sculptors and is on display for the holiday season.
portaransas.org/event/sand-santa-%40-roberts-point-park/4279
Nederland
Lighted Christmas Parade
Dec. 2
Nederland Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau, 1515 Boston Ave.
Experience a nighttime Christmas parade with over 100 entries. All floats are homemade by local civic clubs, churches, businesses, and school organizations. The parade also boasts three school bands.
Clute
Planetarium Show
Dec. 3, 10, 17
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This show features a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector that reproduces the night sky, along with a variety of other high-tech equipment to give visitors a close-up feel of comets, exploding stars, and black holes.
Aransas Pass
Illuminated Saltwater Christmas Parade
Dec. 5
Downtown, 203-360 S. Commercial St.
See floats, vehicles, ATV’s, bicycles, and walking groups lit up in this beach parade. Christmas activities include pictures with Santa, and a bike giveaway happens after the parade.
South Padre Island
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 5
South Padre Island Visitor Center, 321 Padre Blvd.
A musical performance adds extra holiday spirit to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Port Aransas
Winter Wonderettes
Dec. 5-22
Port Aransas Community Theater, 2327 SH 361
The Wonderettes of the hit jukebox musical comedy return in this seasonal celebration that finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. The show features ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland.”
Rosenberg
Hollydays Market
Dec. 6-8
Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 SH 36 South
Shop with 130 merchants to find lots of new, unique, and one-of-a-kind gifts all in one place.
Galveston
“A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 6-7
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
A powerful story of redemption, this production has enchanted audiences worldwide with its message of traditional holiday joy. Ebenezer Scrooge-the most unrepentant and miserly of fellows-is made to see the light as he is visited by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Present, and Future.
South Padre Island
Christmas Parade
Dec. 6
Padre Boulevard
Kick off the holiday season with the city of South Padre Island’s annual Christmas Parade. Watch as festive groups and beautifully decorated floats pass by on Padre Boulevard.
Galveston
Dickens on the Strand
Dec. 6-8
The Strand and surrounding areas, 25th to 20th streets
Downtown Galveston is transformed into Victorian England with roaming characters, parades, live music, and costumed vendors peddling their wares from street stalls and rolling carts. New additions include Tiny Tim’s Play Land and Shopkeeper Skills Village.
Beaumont
McFaddin-Ward House Holiday Open House Weekend
Dec. 7-8
McFaddin-Ward House, 1906 Calder Ave.
Guests begin at the Visitor Center with festive refreshments, music, and children’s crafts. Next is a walk-through tour of the magnificent holiday decorations throughout the first floor of the historic house. Carolers, live music, and a visit from Santa under the twinkle of holiday lights ensure a merry time for all. Admission is free.
Kingsville
La Posada: Parade of Lights
Dec. 7
Downtown, 104 E. Kleberg Ave.
Ring in the holiday season with a festive Parade of Lights. Music, themed floats, and Christmas cheer bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
Holiday Sip and Shop
Dec. 7
Downtown, 104 E. Kleberg Ave.
Experience a wine tasting throughout downtown Kingsville while shopping small. Christmas lights line the street to create holiday spirit while visitors browse and buy gifts.
Port Aransas
Holiday In The Park and Christmas Golf Cart Parade
Dec. 7
Roberts Point Park, 301 JC Barr Blvd.
Enjoy a golf cart parade, see Santa, play games, and delight in the holiday spirit.
South Padre Island
Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 7
The Green on South Padre Island, 211 W. Whiting St.
Watch as boats of all sizes cruise by, all decorated in their holiday best. Designated viewing areas throughout the route offer free public viewing, and the bay sparkles with the light of these beautifully decorated boats.
Winter Wonderland
Dec. 7
The Green at Jim’s Pier, 211 W. Whiting St.
Enjoy the magic of the holidays with Santa, vendors, rides, and music.
Rosenberg
Hometown Holiday Festival
Dec. 7
Downtown, 2100 Avenue G
The Hometown Holiday Festival is sure to ring in the magic of the holiday season. The event is free and open to the public. Enjoy a variety of activities, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, performances, vendor booths, a live ice carving show, a scavenger hunt, the tree lighting ceremony, vendor booths, and shopping.
Port Arthur
Jingle All the Way Family Fun Day
Dec. 7
Museum of the Gulf Coast, 700 Procter St.
Join Santa, the Grinch, and a whole sleigh full of activities for the family including fun crafts and games for the kids, free entertainment, and plenty of holiday photo opportunities. But watch out for the Grinch.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
Dec. 7
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site once owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Formerly a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Clute
Christmas in the Park
Dec. 7
Clute Municipal Park, 100 Parkview Drive
Come out and celebrate the holiday season with fun Christmas activities that include a lighted Christmas trail and seasonal photo opportunities.
Rockport
Tropical Christmas Festival
Dec. 7
Rockport Harbor , 100 Seabreeze Drive
Head to the Downtown Heritage District and the Rockport Harbor area and enjoy birding seminars, an arts and crafts sale, live entertainment, a pet costume contest, a Christmas tree-decorating contest, a children’s ornament workshop, a giant kite display, pictures with “Tropical” Santa, an illuminated land parade, and a fireworks show.
Houston
North West Houston San Jacinto High Rollers Toy Run
Dec. 8
Honda of Houston, 10039 Huffmeister Road
The North West Houston chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers invites everyone to celebrate the 45th anniversary of giving back to the community. A police-escorted motorcycle toy run benefits the Boys and Girls Country of Hockley. There is a free meal with registration, plus a silent auction, raffles, and entertainment.
South Padre Island
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 8
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
Celebrate the magical spirit of the holiday season with a visit from Santa while enjoying breakfast, activities, and photos.
Lake Jackson
Brazosport Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Dec. 8
The Clarion at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive
The symphony orchestra presents “A Very Broadway Christmas,” a show featuring Higgins’ “Christmas on Broadway,” Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Krogstad’s “Christmas at the Movies,” Anderson’s “Christmas Festival,” and songs from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Rockport
Christmas on the Beach
Dec. 8-Jan. 5
Rockport Beach, 100 Seabreeze Drive
The annual light display is a celebration of the season. Local organizations create displays for visitors of Aransas County to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles. The public is invited to stop by the Welcome Station at the Salt Water Pavilion.
Houston
Chamber Music Houston: Pavel Haas Quartet
Dec. 10
Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center, Rice University, 6100 Main St.
As part of a special U.S. tour, the revered Pavel Haas Quartet is sure to flawlessly perform a program of Mozart, Martinů, and Janáček.
Rockport
Christmas in Fulton
Dec. 11
Fulton Convention Center, 402 N. Fulton Beach Road
Create cherished memories by celebrating the holidays with live music, a meet-and-greet with Santa, giveaways, and other festivities.
A Victorian Christmas
Dec. 12
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, 317 Fulton Beach Road
Explore a Victorian Christmas with tours inside a seasonally decorated Fulton Mansion. This night of fun also includes crafts, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, and a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas.”
Bold Watercolor Painting with Tim Saternow
Dec. 12-14
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
The Rockport Center for the Arts offers this workshop with American painter Tim Saternow, who is best known for his watercolors that capture the grittiness of New York City.
Lake Jackson
Sara Evans in Concert
Dec. 13
The Clarion at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive
One of country radio’s most-played female artists over the last two decades, Sara Evans has carved a successful career anchored by her insightful songwriting and warm, evocative voice.
Freeport
Holiday on the Brazos
Dec. 13
Freeport Municipal Park, 421 N. Brazosport Blvd.
Enjoy holiday festivities on the banks of the Old Brazos River, with a special appearance from Santa Claus and a lighted boat parade that fills you with Christmas spirit.
Port Aransas
Santa Soiree: Holiday Shoparound
Dec. 13-15
Various locations
Shop local this holiday season. Gifts galore are waiting for you at Port Aransas shops and boutiques...and at great prices. Find many fun and whimsical treasures and the perfect gifts for your family and friends.
Lake Jackson
Christmas with the Fishes
Dec. 14
Sea Center Texas, 302 Medical Drive
“Sandy Claws” dives with the Sea Center Texas fishes to find out their Christmas wishes and to make sure the aquarium gets a good cleaning in preparation for Santa’s Christmas visit. Children can drop off their letters to Santa, and Sandy Claws makes sure they get delivered to the North Pole.
Surfside Beach
Island of Nighttime Kites
Dec. 14
Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway
All ages can enjoy watching the Surfside Flyers Kite Club light up the sky with their enormous LED kites.
West Columbia
Candlelight Christmas
Dec. 14
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, 1702 N. 13th St.
Tour the plantation house to discover Christmas in the 1800s. Relax outside and sip the beverage of the season, wassail, and Christmas cookies. Enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, and a special visit from Santa. Visitors can also shop for gifts at Santa’s Market.
Port Arthur
Holiday Parade
Dec. 14
Downtown
Get in the holiday spirit in the Cajun Capital of Texas with a downtown lighted parade that showcases the diverse cultures of the city. The parade route goes along Procter Street and ends at Houston Avenue.
A Very Marshy Christmas
Dec. 14
Sea Rim State Park , 19335 Gulfway Drive
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Sea Rim State Park by airboat. Join them for cocoa, crafts, and photo opportunites.
Port Aransas
Santa Soiree: Lighted Boat Parade and Drone Show
Dec. 14
Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf, 900 Tarpon St.
Watch City Marina and the night sky come to life with a parade featuring holiday-decorated boats followed by the second annual Holiday Drone Show. The Dunebillies, who play eclectic rock from the 1960s to the ‘90s, provide holiday entertainment.
portaransas.org/event/lighted-boat-parade-%26-holiday-drone-show/3706/
Rockport
Downtown Farmers Market
Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8
Downtown , 105 S. Austin St.
Held every second Saturday of the month, the market offers vendor exhibits featuring locally grown produce, jams, jellies, pickled items, fresh baked bread, local honey, hen fruit, and freshly made goat soap.
Makers Market
Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8
Downtown , 302 S Austin St.
Find handmade items from local artists and fun, one-of-a kind home décor at the local outdoor market held the second Saturday of every month.
Austin Street Art Walk
Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
Rockport Center for the Arts presents this art walk that offers an ever-changing mix of participants representing various art mediums such as painting, pottery, jewelry, photography, and textiles, as well as live music, artist demonstrations, and food.
Second Saturday in the District
Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Feb. 8
Downtown , South Austin Street
The Rockport District hosts Second Saturday every month with live music and special themes to enjoy along with the Artwalk, Farmers Market, and Makers Market.
rockportculturalartsdistrict.com/event/second-saturday-art-walk
Lighted Boat Parade
Dec. 14
Rockport Harbor , 100 Seabreeze Drive
The Rockport Yacht Club organizes this annual lighted Christmas Boat Parade that starts at sundown at the entrance to Rockport Harbor.
“Tis the Season”
Dec. 15
Martha Luigi Auditorium, 1803 Omohundro St.
Experience holiday magic as the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra collaborates with the Rockort-Fulton High School Pirate Chorale for an afternoon filled with music and merriment.
Rockport-fulton
Market Days
Dec. 20-22, Jan. 17-19, Feb. 14-16
Rockport Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor, 100 Seabreeze Drive
At this pet-friendly market, enjoy live music throughout the weekend, over 100 vendors, over a dozen food trucks and food vendors, and seating under the shade.
Galveston
A Prairie Home Companion Christmas
Dec. 21
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
Some people believe in the story of Christmas in terms of Jesus being born. Other people don’t believe this, but enjoy being with those who do for camaraderie. Join in for an evening of holiday cheer with stories and songs about love, family, and a Christmas singalong.
Surfside Beach
Surfing Santas
Dec. 21
Surfside Beach Pedestrian Beach, Whelk Drive
See a bunch of Santas and their helpers take part in the holiday tradition of catching waves and hanging ten.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
Dec. 21
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The monthly banding station events are an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.
West Columbia
Yuletide Cheer: The History of Wassail
Dec. 21
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, 1702 N. 13th. St.
Staff members at the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site explain the history of wassail, a drink traditionally made from cider and spices and served during the Christmas season. You can even try a sample during your visit.
Spring
“Uptown: A Celebration of Motown and Soul”
Dec. 31
The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive
Fusing Bruno Mars-caliber stage presence with top-tier vocals and wall-to-wall choreography, the men of Uptown combine the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today in a unique and modern show that gets every crowd on their feet.
Port Aransas
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Dec. 31
Roberts Point Park, 301 JC Barr Blvd.
Watch the night sky light up with brilliant colors as Port Aransas celebrates New Year’s Eve with a big fireworks show.
Corpus Christi
Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 1
Emerald Beach Hotel, 1102 S. Shoreline Blvd.
A New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge is an annual tradition shared by communities around the country and the world. Registration includes a souvenir T-shirt or embroidered hat, a decal, a drink, and access to the post-plunge hot tub and snack buffet.
Port Arthur
First Day Hike
Jan. 1
Sea Rim State Park , 19335 S. Gulfway Drive
Join park staff and the Sabine-Neches chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists for a hike on the beach to get the year started. For the truly brave, come prepared to get wet and join park rangers and Master Naturalists in a polar plunge, Southeast Texas-style. After the hike, enjoy a small snack of traditional cabbage, cornbread, and black-eyed peas for some good luck.
Surfside Beach
Polar Plunge
Jan. 1
Surfside Beach Pedestrian Beach
Start the new year off right and join others as they take a cold and refreshing dip in the Gulf. You get nothing but bragging rights.
Port Aransas
First Friday at the Art Center
Jan. 3, Feb. 7
Port Aransas Art Center, 104 N. Alister St.
The Port Aransas Art Center invites art enthusiasts to see the latest exhibits and attend a reception with artists, live music, and refreshments on the first Friday of every month.
Galveston
Marilyn Maye in Concert
Jan. 4
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
A timeless icon who has been entertaining audiences for over eight decades, singer Marilyn Maye is thrilled to be at The Grand to help celebrate the theater’s 130th birthday.
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
Jan. 4
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site once owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Formerly a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Corpus Christi
“The Book of Mormon”
Jan. 6
American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
“The Book of Mormon” is a musical comedy with music, lyrics, and book by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. The story follows two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they attempt to preach the faith to the inhabitants of a remote Ugandan village.
Houston
Bumper Cars on Ice
Jan. 6-19
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St.
Slip, slide, twirl, and crash with Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green. This timeless amusement ride gets an updated twist at Houston’s only outdoor ice skating rink. No license or experience needed to drive.
Clute
Planetarium Show
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This show features a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector that reproduces the night sky, along with a variety of other high-tech equipment to give visitors a close-up feel of comets, exploding stars, and black holes.
Rockport
Gospel Music Festival
Jan. 10-11
First Baptist Church, 1515 N. Live Oak St.
At this annual event sponsored by Rockport’s Gospel Force, Southern gospel groups from around the country perform. Admission is free but donations of canned or boxed foods in plastic bags are requested.
West Columbia
Roots of Healing: Peppermint Tea
Jan. 11, 25; Feb. 8, 22
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, 1702 N. 13th.
Learn about Judah Smith, an enslaved woman who was the plantation cook and a medicinal herb expert who used herbs and teas to treat other enslaved people. During the event, you can try the different types of herbal teas and remedies used by the enslaved people.
Galveston
“Insights Into Early Surgery”
Jan. 16
Moody Medical Library, 914 Market St.
Visit the first medical school west of the Mississippi and be fascinated by Tom Lea’s dramatic painting of the first recorded surgical operation in North America.
“Ain’t Too Proud–The Life and Times of The Temptations”
Jan. 17-18
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
This smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America.
Port Aransas
Restaurant Week
Jan. 17-Feb. 2
Various locations
Port Aransas has been Texas’ premier beach destination for generations. Now you’re invited to take a break from the sand and surf to dive into the island’s unique local culture with Restaurant Week. There’s no ticket purchase necessary, simply select the prix-fixe menus that catch your eye and enjoy all the delicious dishes this island has to offer.
Galveston
Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest
Jan. 18
Historic Strand District, 2302 Strand St.
At this celebration of all things chili and beer, attendees can stroll the historic Strand District and sample chili from participating cook teams; choose from over 100 beers to sample at the Indoor Beer Fest; participate in the Beerfoot Beer Run 5k or cornhole tournament; and enjoy live music and the Strand Merchant Walkabout.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
Jan. 18
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The monthly banding station events are an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.
Brazoria
Preserving Heritage: Photography Workshop
Jan. 18
Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site, 10510 FM 524
Photographs are important for studying history and for telling your family’s story. Learn how to digitally preserve your family photos with nothing but your smartphone and discover how your photographs can be used for genealogy research in this hands-on workshop.
Houston
MLK Grande Parade
Jan. 20
Midtown Houston, 1200 Holman St.
Consisting of more than 100 culturally diverse performance groups from across the nation, the MLK Grande Parade in Midtown Houston is one of the largest single-day multicultural events in the country.
Port Arthur
Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch
Jan. 20
Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center , 3401 Cultural Center Drive
The Martin Luther King Jr. Support Group of Southeast Texas hosts a day of awards, speakers, and entertainment to honor King and his civil rights works.
Houston
Gryphon Piano Trio with James Campbell
Jan. 21
Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center, Rice University, 6100 Main St.
The Gryphon Piano Trio opens the year with Beethoven’s “Archduke” and the Chamber Music Houston premiere of Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time” with Canadian clarinetist James Campbell.
South Padre Island
Market Days
Jan. 24-26
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
SPI Market Days has been bringing buyers and sellers together for over 25 years. Shop for jewelry, fragrances, clothing, collectibles, arts and crafts, treats, and home décor.
Lake Jackson
Lisa Loeb in Concert
Jan. 24
The Clarion at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive
The Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, SiriusXM radio host, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist broke through with the hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the film “Reality Bites.” She has enjoyed a successful career in music, film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings.
Houston
“Joe Overstreet: Taking Flight”
Jan 24-July 13
The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross St.
This is the first major museum exhibition in 30 years devoted to the work of the pioneering abstract painter. Renowned for his innovative approach to non-representational painting, American artist Joe Overstreet consistently sought to intertwine abstraction and social politics.
Galveston
The Flying Karamazov Brothers
Jan. 25
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
Look forward to the unexpected when these four self-proclaimed “eccentric lunatics” spice things up with laugh-out-loud comedy, wild theatrics, arcane errata, and astonishing juggling feats.
Rockport
Smithsonian Museum on Main Street: “Crossroads”
Jan. 25-March 9
Aransas County Community Center, Rockport Cultural Arts District
“Crossroads” is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide that seeks to create opportunities for underserved rural communities across the country to reflect on their history, culture, and people by showcasing their cultural heritage assets. Other cities taking part in Texas are Bandera, Brenham, Buffalo Gap, Clifton, San Augustine, and San Elizario.
South Padre Island
Pickleball on Padre
Jan. 27-Feb. 3
South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd.
A brand new event, Pickleball on Padre offers group lessons and open play for players looking for a court to show off their skills. All lessons are provided by John Raschillia, a certified instructor by the Pickleball Coaching International, Dynamite Doubles, and IPTPA organizations.
Rockport
Billy Hassell Exhibition
Jan. 31-March 30
Rockport Center for the Arts, 204 S. Austin St.
See oil paintings and works on paper by Texas-based artist Billy Hassell.
Galveston
The Gatlin Brothers in Concert
Feb. 1
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
From the Grand Ole Opry to Carnegie Hall, Larry, Steve, and Rudy-The Gatlin Brothers-are Grammy Award winners who have wowed audiences for more than 67 years in venues and stages all over the world. Top hits include “Broken Lady” and “All The Gold in California.”
Lake Jackson
Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
Feb. 1
Abner Jackson Plantation Site, Farm-to-Market Road 2004 near State Highway 332
Visit the historic archeological site once owned by Maj. Abner Jackson, the namesake of the city of Lake Jackson. Formerly a prosperous sugar plantation, the site was destroyed by the same hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900. Discover the sugar-making process of the 1840s and how convict labor replaced slave labor during the 1870s.
Brazoria
Public Guided Tour for Black History Month
Feb. 1
Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site, 10510 FM 524
State historic site’s staff members teach about the enslaved people and sharecroppers who lived here during the plantation and post-emancipation eras and the archaeology history associated with them.
Rockport
Clay Expo and Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair
Feb. 1
First Presbyterian Church, 301 SH 35 North
This annual event consists of a pottery fair with over 20 potters and clay demonstrations. There’s also gallery art walks, solo exhibits, a reception, and potters from around Texas displaying their works, which are for sale to the public.
Galveston
Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group in Concert
Feb. 4
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
A singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of “American music” in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues.
Clute
Planetarium Show
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
Center for the Arts and Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
This show features a 30-foot dome equipped with a Spitz Star Ball projector that reproduces the night sky, along with a variety of other high-tech equipment to give visitors a close-up feel of comets, exploding stars, and black holes.
Spring
Asleep At The Wheel in Concert
Feb. 8
The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive
Although the band got its start on a farm in Paw Paw, West Virginia, Asleep at the Wheel became a cornerstone of the Austin, Texas scene upon its arrival in 1973. Inspired by Western swing and honky-tonk country, the band has accrued 10 Grammy Awards.
Galveston
“High Heels and Cowboy Boots. A Life in the Theatre Starring Jaston Williams”
Feb. 8
The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St.
Look forward to hearing tales of Jaston Williams’ theatrical life-from the 90-year-old Radio City Rockette’s last words, to Aunt Pearl and Vera Carp stumbling onto a drug bust, and the Vietnamese waiter who was terrified of champagne, and “doing everything his mama told him not to.”
West Columbia
Voices of Varner-Hogg: Oral History Journey
Feb. 8
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, 1702 N. 13th St.
On a guided tour, hear oral histories from those who lived at the Varner-Hogg Plantation throughout its history. Discover why oral histories are crucial to understanding this site’s story and learn how to conduct your own oral histories using tools you already have.
Lake Jackson
Brazosport Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Feb. 8
The Clarion at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive
For this show, “Traditions, Old and New,” the symphony orchestra performs with the Brazosport College Choirs. The program includes songs from classical composers such as Mozart and Fauré and the marching band composers Sousa and Lowden.
Houston
Escher Quartet with Jordan Bak
Feb. 11
Brockman Music and Performing Arts Center, Rice University, 6100 Main St.
The Escher Quartet returns to play Mozart, Brahms, and a co-commissioned piece by Chris Rogerson, featuring award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak.
Port Aransas
Chocolate Crawl and Shop Around
Feb. 13
Various locations
Spend an evening shopping for last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts at local boutiques while enjoying chocolate treats at all participating places. The Shop Around continues through the weekend with fun deals and specials throughout town.
Rockport
LaMardi Gras
Feb. 14-15
Lamar Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Bois D’Arc Lamar Peninsula
At this annual festival, visitors can enjoy food, live entertainment, a parade, and other festivities on the Lamar Peninsula. The event benefits the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department.
Pasadena
Greater Houston Train Show
Feb. 15
Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway
The Greater Houston Train Show attracts rail fans from across Texas and Louisiana. See operating layouts, take classes on railroads and modeling subjects, participate in National Model Railroad Association contests, and shop from an array of vendors from across the Southwest.
Lake Jackson
Bird Banding
Feb. 15
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 SH 332 West
Watch volunteers collect baseline data on bird populations at the sanctuary. The monthly banding station events are an excellent opportunity to see birds up close and to learn all the birds of the Brazosport area.
Port Aransas
Whooping Crane Festival
Feb. 20-23
Various locations
Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival has celebrated the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas Coastal Bend is the only place where you can see the world’s last naturally occurring population of Whooping Cranes. The event has renowned speakers, birding trips, boating trips, nature tours, photography workshops, and a trade show.
Galveston
Mardi Gras! Galveston
Feb. 21-23, 28; March 1-2, 4
Historic Strand District, 2302 Strand St.
Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebrates its 114th iteration with more than 20 parades and concerts and over 3 million beads. Witness the Guinness World Record-breaking Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade, run in the Jolly Jester Jaunt 5K, and dance to live performances.
Lake Jackson
Phil Vassar in Concert
Feb. 21
The Clarion at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive
Phil Vassar is an artist, songwriter, entertainer and two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, with 10 No. 1 singles and 27 Top 40 hits.
Kingsville
Main Street Wine Walk
Feb. 22
Downtown, 104 E. Kleberg Ave.
Enjoy downtown Kingsville in a whole new way by sipping and shopping the whole way through. Main Street small businesses are open through the evening and visiting vendors line the street.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach Marathon
Feb. 22
Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway
The race offers something for every level of runner, with a marathon, half marathon, 5K, and a kids K. Races start as the sun rises over the water and follow the public beach to San Luis Pass, then return. The entire course is on firm, smooth sand. A post-run party includes Texas barbecue, drinks, and games.
West Columbia
Public Guided Tour for Black History Month
Feb. 22
Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, 1702 N. 13th St.
Learn about the people who lived at the plantation at different times throughout the site’s history. The tour includes information about the enslaved people’s skills and the accomplishments of cowboys like Hal Fields.
Beaumont
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
Feb. 27-March 2
The Event Centre Downtown, 700 Crockett St.
Experience the ultimate celebration of community and culture at Mardi Gras Southeast Texas. There’s fun for all, including parades, concerts, arts and crafts, food vendors, a carnival, and street entertainment.
Brownsville
Charro Days Celebration
Feb. 27-March 1
Various locations
First conceived in 1937 by local business leaders, the event commemorates the Mexican heritage of the area on both sides of the Rio Grande and is named in honor of the dashing Mexican gentleman cowboy. Festivities include parades, a carnival, a costume ball, and the the Sombrero Festival.
Clute
“9 to 5: The Musical”
Feb. 28; March 1-2, 8-10
Center for the Arts & Sciences, 400 College Blvd.
With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, the musical is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.
