Entrance to Finn Hall. Photo credit: Finn Hall on Facebook
The city of Houston and the area surrounding it offers visitors an eclectic mix of events to get the new year started. From activities that highlight the culture and opportunities to go explore the outdoors to enjoying live music and binging on food and drinks at Houston’s Iconic Chinatown, unique things to do in Houston.
If you are a Houstonian or find yourself in the city in the first week of January, here is the list of activities for things to do in Houston.
Grooves’ Saturday Brunch + Day Party
A day party is a perfect way to ring in a brand new year. So call your friends and schedule Saturday brunch at Grooves of Houston to enjoy affordable, visually appealing drinks and a great atmosphere. Binge on $5 drink specials and $7 frozens and enjoy the delightful cuisines with your favorites by your side.
All reservations for 4 or more come with an exquisite Mimosa Carafe. It really adds a pop of color to the whole experience.
Address: 2300 Pierce Street, Houston, TX 77003
Timing: January 1, 2022, and January 8, 2022. Brunch 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Happy Hours 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Day Party 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Website: https://houstongrooves.com/
Price of Ticket: Free entry. Register here.
Andrew Rayel – Stereo Live Houston
“I believe music is a universal language that unites people with nothing but love. So I intend to make sure that my tracks are all about emotions and happiness. That’s what’s driving music, making the world a better place.”
–Andrew Rayel
Andrew Rayel is a modern-day Mozart, a leading talent in the ever-growing EDM music scene. Thinking of kickstarting the new year with some great music? A visit to Stereo Live Houston—specifically, an Andrew Rayel EDM event—is bound to appeal to your senses.
Welcome the new year with originals, remixes, and trance music filled with melody, harmony, and energy. These rich, pleasing sounds have claimed the hearts of many to the extent that he was voted to become one of the top 100 DJs in the world.
Address: 6400 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057
Timing: January 8, 2022, 10 p.m. onward.
Website: https://stereolive.com/
Price of Ticket: $10-$12. Book here.
A Wizard’s Christmas Dinner And Magical Marketplace
Harry Potter—two words that summarize the life of intrigue, mystery, and some lunatics that hold an unparalleled level of appeal for us Potterheads. And now you get to experience a part of Hogwarts, right here, in the Muggle world.
A Wizard’s Christmas is an immersive annual holiday event complete with a themed 4-course Great Hall dinner experience and Marketplace. Think floating candles, magical special effects, and moving artwork—the whole deal. Guests can also access Harry Potter-inspired sets and storefronts from Diagon Alley. In addition, you can drink handmade Butterbeer and Unicorn blood at a cash bar and shop at magical shops like Flourish and Blotts and the Magical Menagerie at the Marketplace.
Once you’re done living the fantasy world in real life, don’t forget to snap some iconic shots with favorite professors and props like the Sorting Hat, Hogwarts House-inspired Christmas tree, house banners, and more.
Address: The Ballroom at Bayou Place, 500 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
Timing: January 8, 2022, 11 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. CST
Website: https://awizardchristmas.com/dinner-experience
Price of Ticket: $119.99 to $669.99. Book here.
All Access Art Market – Finn Hall
If you’re an art connoisseur, an art enthusiast, or someone who appreciates the feast of the senses that art offers, a visit to the All Access Art Market at Finn Hall is all you need to satisfy your craving. An energetic event, the market provides a platform for 25+ local creatives to showcase their work and sell art pieces to interested buyers in a creative environment.
Sounds like quite a treat, doesn’t it? Well, it’s time to act on it.
Browse through high-quality work of the local emerging talents in a fun and fulfilling setting and explore casual and diverse wine-and-dining options to get the entire Houston art community cultural experience.
Address: 712 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Timing: January 7, 2022, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Website: https://www.finnhallhou.com/
Price of Ticket: Free. Book here.
Praia Urbana – New Year’s Day 2022
Start the new year with a daytime party at the Praia Urbana (Portuguese for Urban Beach). The longest-running and largest outdoor house techno music festival hosts two great headliners and over 20 local and regional artists. All artists bring the A-game to the music fest, so you can be assured you’ll have plenty of opportunities to unleash your inner free spirit and groove to the sickest EDM beats ever produced.
Please note: Prices drive up as soon as the headliners are announced, so make sure to schedule well in advance to avoid pricing inflation.
Address: BauHaus, 1803 Pease Street, Houston, TX 77003
Timing: January 1, 2022, 2 p.m. to January 2, 2022, 2 a.m. CST
Website: https://praiaurbana.com/
Price of Ticket: $20-$80. Book here.
Sunday Funday @ Bar 2200
If mimosas, hookah, and live DJ describe your idea of fun, feel free to waltz through the doors of Bar 2200 for a quick brunch and day party. A Southern-inspired menu, happy hour in stylish digs, photo-worthy backdrops, inside or outside seating, and top-tier DJ music dominate this multilevel sports haunt.
From $5 vodka and $6 cognac, tequila, and whisky to $20 hookahs and a full kitchen serving the best food in River Oaks, Sunday Funday @ Bar 2200 is bound to make celebrating the new year fun, exciting, and fulfilling.
Address: 2200 Southwest Freeway ##150, Houston, TX 77098
Timing: January 2, 2022, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Website: https://www.thebar2200.com/
Price of Ticket: Entry is free.
GHOST SATURDAYS at Rosalie & Main
Ghost Saturdays have made upscale Saturday nights a reality. A ghost bar, complimentary Casamigos and wings before 11 (with RSVP!), and $5 drinks before midnight make it all the more appealing. You can also get bottle service to indeed welcome the new year and all the possibilities it holds.
Powered by BGE & Live House Media, guests can expect to enjoy some high-def audio by Houston’s top DJs at this crown jewel located in the beautiful Midtown of Houston. The perfect setup for parties, birthday celebrations, and casual dinners, wouldn’t you say?
Please note: Printed tickets and proper ID are required to be admitted to the event.
Address: 3101 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
Timing: January 1, 2022, and January 8, 2022, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. CST
Website: https://www.rosaliemainhoustontx.com/
Price of Ticket: Entry is free before 11. Register here.
Standing Ovation for Jerry Carrillo SHOW
Celebrate the life and legacy of the great Jerry Carrillo with one more standing ovation. A quintessential entertainer, Jerry Carrillo excelled at acting, dancing, and producing a vast range of shows and revivals. But, it took him just one open mic and a standing ovation to change the course of his career to become the most gifted artist in the art of comedy.
Become a part of the remembrance crew in a bid to appreciate the legacy that the talented and intelligent comedy king left behind.
Address: 708 Telephone Road, Houston, TX 77023
Timing: January 8, 2022, 8 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. CST
Price of Ticket: $10. Book here.
Shop Small South Park Vendor Markets And Events
Shop Small South Park Vendor Markets & Events allows small businesses to network and showcase their business or products to a broader customer base and gain new customers. So if you have a small business, consider boosting its growth using this networking opportunity.
And while you’re at it, consider supporting small vendors by purchasing from the wide range of collections available.
The event is kid and pet friendly, has a DJ on-site to add to all the fun, and hosts food vendors so you can sneak in a bite while you scout for accessories, workout gear, clothes.
Address: 7929 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, TX 77051
Timing: January 2, 2022, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST
Price of Ticket: For the public: Free. For vendors: $55-$100. Book here.
BRICKLIVE Houston –- Animal Paradise @ Railway Heights
BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise showcases endangered animal replicas and games made from handbuilt brick. It offers an insight into global environmental issues through this colorful and innovative display. This family-friendly experience fosters creativity, interactive play, and collaboration.
Located at the renowned Railway Heights Market, this exhibit lets little guests explore and experience manmade plains and jungles. In addition, you will encounter over 25 life-size brick-built wildlife models like alligators, elephants, dolphins, tigers on their one-of-its-kind safari experience.
Guests can also take advantage of their safari automobile’s photo-friendly backdrops and other interactive photo opportunities in a bid to freeze this highly imaginative and engaging experience forever in time. A visit to BRICKLIVE could make for a fun parent-children bonding experience, don’t you think?
Address: 8200 Washington Ave #300 Houston, TX 77007
Timing: January 2, 2022, and January 8, 2022, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. CST
Website: https://www.bricklivehtx.com
Price of Ticket: Adults (ages 13+)-$12, Child explorers (ages 4-12)-$7, Children (4 and under)-Free. Book here.
Seaside Lounge’s “The Biggest Taco Tuesday”
With free tacos all night with RSVP, $1 frozen margaritas (until 9 p.m.), and $5 premium Happy Hour (until 9 p.m.), Seaside Lounge’s “The Biggest Taco Tuesday” is THE spot for taco lovers.
The vibes at this Seaside Lounge are beyond immaculate. Enjoy cheap drinks, good food, and $2 tacos by booking a free table or section. And if you manage to schedule a reservation for Happy Hour, you can enjoy tequila shots, street tacos, and frozen margaritas at $1 each. Can the start of a new year get any better than this?
Address: 702 W. Dallas St., Houston, TX 77019
Timing: January 4, 2022, 8:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.seasidehouston.com/
Price of Ticket: $0-$100. Book here.
Keith & Dexter Present “New Year, New You, New Normal… Party On!”
Only when normal things aren’t normal anymore do we realize how special normal things are.
This is what The Keith & Dexter’s New Year, New You, New Normal… The party On! event is based on. We’ve survived 2021, and that calls for a celebration! What better way to do that than by starting off a new year just right?
From beats by DJ Sean “Panda” Royal to Louisiana-style cuisine by Chef Kesha B and the best cocktails courtesy of Belvedere Uptown, the event has everything to celebrate all that we’ve survived. Now all that’s left is for you to make an appearance to start a new chapter.
Address: 702 W. Dallas St., Houston, TX 77019
Timing: January 4, 2022, 8:00 p.m.
Price of Ticket: $0-$100. Book here.
Conclusion
Houston has a plethora of events and explorative opportunities to offer to everyone that comes its way. If you like to shop, you will find the All Access Art Market and Shop Small South Park Vendors Market to your liking. You can also browse farmer’s markets to get fresh produce from local vendors.
Apart from the colorful markets, is there an item on the listicle that appealed to you? Do let us know down below.
