Whether you plan to make or break your New Year’s resolutions, we got you covered. Here are 25 exciting things to do this January in Houston!
1. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully unique classical music performance or a romantic candlelit experience, this performance is for you. You don’t need to know all things Tchaikovsky to enjoy the evening, simply sit back and savor the stunning atmosphere and pieces you’ll hear.
Walk into one of Houston’s most exquisite buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with some of the most treasured wintertime classics from Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and other master composers!
2. Enter the Upside Down
Sandbox VR makes its Houston debut this January. Known for its immersive, cutting-edge experiences, Sandbox VR is set to feature 10 unique VR experiences in Houston. Fresh off of the series’ finale, the venue will notable feature a cinematic Stranger Things: Catalyst experience where players can take on supernatural monsters in Hawkins.
3. Get Your Tickets to See Sinatra Under the Stars
Sinatra Under the Stars will transport you back to a time when Sinatra reigned the scene. Enjoy a classic cocktail under the stars and melt away “those little town blues.”
Don’t miss this evening of classic jazz with a touch of some hot takes on contemporary songs performed by some of Houston’s brightest talents. Sit back and relax to the sounds of Sinatra at one of the best venues that Houston has to offer! Enjoy a delicious dinner menu and light bites available for purchase and enjoy the evening at the spectacular Skylawn rooftop.
4. Glide Under the Stars
Discovery Green in Downtown, Houston has returned their outdoor ice rink for the holiday season. From now until February 16 Discovery Green is hosting public skates at the foot of Houston’s skyline. As per tradition, Discovery Green will be hosting a series of themed nights for skaters to enjoy on their renewable energy-run rink.
Furthermore, the Houston ice rink will reprise their beloved new Bumper Cars on Ice on January 2. Running until February 16, visitors will be able to spin, slide, and bump across the downtown ice rink.
5. Louvre Couture
Houstonians can witness the Louvre’s first-ever fashion exhibition now at MFAH! On displays through March 16, Louvre Couture sees 36 stunning fashion ensembles showcased throughout the museum alongside timeless art pieces from MFAH’s own collection.
6. Explore Sugar Land Town Square’s New Social District
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sugar Land has debuted an exciting new social district where visitors can explore the area’s incredible food and bar scene on foot. Walkable dining and drinking is now permitted at First Colony Mall and Sugar Land Town Square, an outdoor space that includes the likes of Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Baker Street Pub & Grill, and Vino & Vinyl.
7. Cozy Up at Houston’s Best Coffee Shops
It’s getting cold outside. Warm up in one of the toasty nooks in crannies in one of our favorite coffee shops in Houston ranging from three-story rooftop cafes to Greek wine houses.
8. Sneak in to a Sneakeasy
Sneaks is a new coffee shop and lounge in Midtown that combines ’90s nostalgia, R&B and hip-hop, and sneakerhead culture. Here, visitors can enjoy a selection of coffee house staples or, at nighttime, slip behind the sneaker display and bookcase, where they’ll find the venue’s special “sneakeasy” cocktail lounge.
9. Stroll through Old Town Spring
Located in Northwest Houston, Old Town Spring is a darling little shopping village where you can find everything from Michelin-Star barbecue to German knick-knacks, homemade fudge, and authentic Kazak wares. All in all, Old Town Spring is home to over 150 retailers, including apothecaries, boutiques, and cottage-like local businesses.
10. Hit the Dive Scene
Houston thankfully has plenty of places to take shelter in a flurry of rain: whether to escape the weather, shoot a round of pool, grab a cheap beer, or to play a song on a jukebox, consult this list to discover where to go.
- An homage to small Texas town dives, specifically the town of Ezzell, EZ’s Liquor Lounge is a late-night vintage bar adorned in Americana relics, hand-crafted furniture, and glowing neon light.
- Those who leave up their festive decorations year round, like the people over at Grand Prize Bar, are complete freaking lunatics – and we love them for it.
- La Carafe Wine Bar is a historic haunt housed in a building that’s stood for over a century and remains to be the oldest in the city of Houston.
11. Share a Bottle of Wine at this Twinkly Courtyard
Find exquisite cocktails, shareable plates, and a breathtaking atmosphere at Simone on Sunset’s European-style courtyard and wine garden.
As stated in its name, Simone on Sunset is located on 2418 Sunset Blvd. Upon approach, the Rice Village hidden gem dazzles with a stunning display of patio lights. Suspended from the awning, spiraling up its trellises, and hovering over the courtyard, lights set the garden aglow with an intimate and effervescent ambiance.
12. Warm up over a Bowl of Soup
Soup’s on! While the winter is at its coldest, it’s the best time to enjoy a nice hot bowl of soup. Warm up this winter at these soup-er restaurants in Houston serving the best lobster bisque, clam chowders, chicken soups, and more!
13-16. Explore Houston’s Awesome Markets
Markets are surging in Houston these days. Recently, the city has been blessed with not one but two mixed-media markets, that which continue to host headlining musicians, art galleries and expositions, and excellent eateries
- The former USPS warehouse as a new a cutting-edge, multi-purpose, multi-layered facility with a complete technical re-design, multiple double-helix staircases, a trio of skylit atriums, and a FIVE-ACRE ROOFTOP PARK.
- Lyric Market, owned and operated by Hospitality HQ, hones predominately on dining and chef-driven experiences.
- Ironworks, a 60,000-square-foot industrial building and development in East End has in the past few years transformed into a cultural hub. Using over 20 re-purposed shipping containers, Ironworks – formerly Cameron Iron Works founded in 1920 – has cultivated the space into a creative work and retail environment.
17-21. Eat Your Heart Out
Houston’s culinary scene is a vast, rich landscape populated with delicious eateries, scrumptious bakeries, and Tex-Mex as far as the eye can see.
- Whether it’s a classic Neapolitan-style Margherita, a traffic cone-sized slice, or some warped creation piled high with everything and the kitchen sink – we don’t discriminate when it comes to pizza. Any way you slice it, here’s 10 of the best pizza parlors in the Houston area!
- Not all buffets are created equal. When seeking out a local in which to stock up on calories to last you the winter hibernation, we recommend heading to one of our 10 favorite all-you-can-eat buffets in Houston.
- Like breakfast tacos, kolaches are synonymous with breakfast in Texas. Savory, comfortable, portable – perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, or bought-by-the-dozen hangover cure. Unlike similar handheld breakfast staples such as donuts, bagels, and croissants, it’s not so easy finding kolaches outside of Texas. We’d probably travel more if you could, but for now, we’ll stay here in Houston with our favorite comfort breakfast food on the go.
22-24. Elevate Your Lifestyle at these Houston Rooftop Bars
Nothing quite says “living the highlife” like clinking glasses on a city rooftop. Touch the sky this season with a brunch, evening, or nightcap on the most jaw-dropping rooftops in Houston..
- Starting off with Texas Winter Nights at the Marriot Marquis Houston, who’ve converted their legendary downtown rooftop into a full-scale Winter Wonderland with movie nights, festive lights, and one heated lazy river.
- The Coffee House at West End is now open at 802 Shepherd Dr., that is, a three-story coffee shop that features top-notch joe, a cozy interior, and a stunning rooftop with sweeping views of the Houston skyline.
25. Drop the Needle at Off The Record
Off The Record, a clandestine establishment situated behind a vinyl shop, is now open at 416 Main Street. Within this chic retreat, patrons can unwind on opulent crushed velvet sofas, indulge in music-inspired cocktails, and relish the tunes curated by resident DJs.