Top 14 Must-Do Activities in Houston This Weekend

MLK Weekend Events in Houston: A Celebration of Culture, Art, and Community

As the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) weekend approaches, Houstonians have a unique opportunity to engage in a variety of cultural, artistic, and community-focused events. From immersive art experiences to live performances and film festivals, there’s something for everyone. Below is a detailed look at some of the highlights happening throughout the weekend.

Thursday, January 15

Sloomoo Institute Houston presents Groov’s Groovy Grove

Sloomoo Institute Houston is set to unveil a new immersive experience called "Groov’s Groovy Grove." This event features a glow-in-the-dark, black-light disco room that uses sound-reactive slime to create an interactive party environment. Attendees can touch the slime to ripple the sound or press it firmly to burst into a full groove. The experience allows participants to become the DJ, with the slime acting as the turntable. The event starts at 11 am.

McClain Gallery presents “Nick Vaughan & Jake Margolin: Around the Corner and Two Blocks Down” opening reception

The McClain Gallery is hosting an opening reception for the exhibition featuring artists Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. Their work includes drawings depicting fragments of architecture and details of sites in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas that once housed queer spaces. Through their art, they reveal and protect sensitive histories via careful retelling. The exhibition runs through March 7 and begins at 6 pm.

ISHIDA Dance Company presents Rara avis

ISHIDA Dance Company returns with "Rara avis," a program that follows a singer struggling with imposter syndrome after taking a hiatus. The performance includes "Mutual Comfort" by Edward Clug and a new dance theater work by Kristian Lever. The show starts at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 3 pm on Sunday.

Friday, January 16

Ali Wong Live

Comedian Ali Wong, known for her Emmy-winning Netflix show "Beef," will perform at 7 pm. She recently won a Golden Globe for her 2024 Netflix special "Single Lady" and will be showcasing new material in an intimate club setting. Her other specials include "Baby Cobra," "Hard Knock Wife," and "Don Wong."

DACAMERA presents D’Est en musique (From the East)

French-American cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton and pianist Sarah Rothenberg will bring "D’Est en musique" to Houston. This interweaving of image and music features scenes of Eastern Europe and Russia after the fall of the Berlin Wall, paired with works by Rachmaninoff, Janáček, Chopin, and others. The performance starts at 7 pm.

Stages presents Denise Fennell’s The Bride

Denise Fennell, known for her role in "Late Nite Catechism," returns to Stages with "The Bride: Or, Does This Dress Make Me Look Married?" The play explores a bride’s doubts about love and marriage, drawing from her own life and audience input. It runs through February 8 and starts at 7 pm, with a matinee at 2 pm on Sundays.

River Oaks Theatre presents Live Q&A: F*k My Son! with director Todd Rohal

This event is not suitable for children. The film, based on Johnny Ryan’s graphic novel, is an X-rated descent into demented comedy and horror. Director Todd Rohal will host a post-screening Q&A at both Friday and Saturday screenings, starting at 10 pm (8:15 pm on Saturday).

Saturday, January 17

Citizens’ Environmental Coalition presents Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival

The Wild About Houston Green Film Festival celebrates local environmental stories through short films highlighting conservation efforts, wildlife, and sustainability projects. This is followed by the Wild and Scenic Film Festival at 3 pm. The event starts at 12:30 pm.

LEGO Night at Radiant Nature

LEGO enthusiasts can build at the Houston Botanic Garden during LEGO Night at Radiant Nature. Pre-order sets from the LEGO Botanical Collection and enjoy creating floral designs surrounded by a living natural museum. The event starts at 4 pm.

Community Music Center of Houston presents MLK Tribute Concert

Houstonians can attend the annual MLK Tribute Concert at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday and St. Philip Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Performances include the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra, baritone Dorceal Duckens, and soprano Mahoganee Medlock, along with spirituals and early classical works. Both concerts are free and start at 7 pm (5 pm on Sunday).

Ghostface Killah in concert

Ghostface Killah, a member of Wu-Tang Clan, performs at House of Blues this weekend. He is promoting his latest release, "Supreme Clientele 2," which features collaborations with Wu-Tang members and East Coast icons. The concert starts at 7 pm.

Sunday, January 18

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "Frida: The Making of an Icon"

"Frida: The Making of an Icon" is the first exhibition tracing Frida Kahlo’s transformation into a global icon. It features over 200 works, including more than 30 by Kahlo, along with documents, photographs, and memorabilia. The exhibition runs through May 17 and starts at 12:30 pm.

MATCH Family Fun Day

MATCH’s 9th Annual Family Fun Day offers free activities including live performances, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, and more. The event starts at 1 pm and is open to all.

ReelAbilities Houston presents ReelArt opening reception

ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival promotes inclusion and celebrates the lives of people with disabilities. The exhibition features works by artists from Celebration Company, an employment program for adults with disabilities. The event starts at 1 pm.

Ali Wong performs at 713 Music Hall on Friday.

See Ghostface Killah at House of Blues.

Build a garden-themed LEGO set at Houston Botanic Garden

Get your groove on at Sloomoo Institute.