Rhino Encounter at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. Photo by Michael A. Murphy
Rhino Encounter Program
Glen Rose: Jan. 5
Discover the world of the wondrous rhinoceros during a one-hour interactive learning session followed by a guided tour of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This event, which has a limit of 12 people, is open to guests ages seven and older.
Ram Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo
Waco: Jan. 3-5
The PRCA brings the top cowboys and cowgirls from among the Texas circuit to compete at the Extraco Events Center. Spectators enjoy seven rodeo events (bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing) along with the fan favorite mutton bustin’.
Bandera Endurance Run 100K, 50K, and 25K
Bandera: Jan. 5-6
Run along a trail of rugged and brutal beauty where everything cuts, stings, or bites–the Hill Country State Natural Area. Top male and female finishers of the 100K earn an automatic entry for the Western States 100.
“Ed Ruscha: Archaeology and Romance”
Austin: Through Jan. 6
It’s the final weekend to see works by celebrated American artist Ed Ruscha at theHarry Ransom Center, including photographs and sketches related to his landmark artist’s books, such as “Twentysix Gasoline Stations” (1963), “Various Small Fires and Milk” (1964), “Nine Swimming Pools and a Broken Glass” (1968), and more. Discover Ruscha’s persistent engagement with the artifacts of American popular culture, the iconography of the road, and the manufactured romance of Hollywood.
“Making Africa: A Continent of Contemporary Design”
Austin: Through Jan. 6
It’s the final weekend to see this showcase of the works of more than 120 artists and designers at theThe Blanton Museum of Art. The exhibit illustrates how African design accompanies and fuels economic, social, and political change in the continent. Through sculpture, prints, fashion, furniture, film, photography, apps, maps, digital comics, and more, the exhibition presents Africa as a hub of experimentation that generates innovative design approaches and solutions with worldwide relevance.
“The Nature of Arp”
Dallas: Through Jan. 6
This is the last weekend the Nasher Sculpture Center will show the first major North American museum exhibition dedicated to Jean (Hans) Arp in three decades, with works rarely seen in the U.S.
Johnson City Lights Spectacular. Photo by Randall Maxwell
Johnson City Lights Spectacular
Johnson City: Through Jan. 6
Cap off the holiday season with the traditional ceremonial lighting of the historic courthouse square, Memorial Park, and Perdernales Electric Coop Company. The opening festivities will include a street dance, a food court, an artisan craft fair, fireworks, and the Lighted Hooves & Wheels Parade.
Magical Winter Lights
La Marque: Through Jan. 6
It’s the final few days to enjoy this 52-day festival, one of the largest holiday lighting events in the Houston area, and the largest lantern festival of its kind in the U.S. The festival features eight fascinating, themed sections including The Kingdom, The Village, The Dino, The East, Houston, The Globe, and the festival’s newest sections: The Ice and The Sea. There are nightly acrobatic performances included in admission, authentic arts and crafts created by skilled Chinese artisans, amusement rides and games, and an expanded dinosaur exhibit complete with dinosaur rides.
Ice Land at Moody Gardens
Galveston: Through Jan. 6
See more than 2 million pounds of ice carved into colorful animals from the North and South Poles. Slide down the ice slide or enjoy a drink from Shiver’s Ice Bard.
The Trains at NorthPark
Dallas: Through Jan. 6
This year marks the 20th year of The Trains at NorthPark, with more than 750 railcars on a 1,600-foot elaborate configuration of tracks and scenes. The Trains at NorthPark features cityscapes like Dallas, replete with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Fair Park; New York with Times Square and Grand Central Terminal; Washington, D.C. with The White House; and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Other highlights include New England’s fall foliage, the Grand Canyon, Garden of the Gods, Mount Rushmore, and Route 66. The charming exhibit has been seen by around two million since its original run over 30 years ago.
