MUSED HOUSTON ART EVENTS | December 31, 2025

THIS WEEK IN HOUSTON

December 31, 2025–January 4, 2026

Ring in 2026 with movement, music, meditation, art, and film. From New Year’s Eve wellness walks along Buffalo Bayou to a New Year’s Day hike in Memorial Park, Houston offers plenty of ways to start the year grounded and inspired.

Celebrate with Bach Society Houston's free organ recital, a meditation at the MFAH, hands-on art workshops, gallery openings, jazz performances, and a special film screening at River Oaks Theatre.

Whether you’re seeking fresh air, creative energy, or a cultural reset, this long weekend is full of thoughtful ways to welcome the year ahead.

Melissa Richardson Banks

Founder, Publisher & Editor

MUSED HOUSTON

www.musedhouston.com

👉 PRINT & SAVE THIS EMAIL: As I'm now focusing more on curated listings in this newsletter (rather than maintaining a comprehensive online calendar), this email serves as your primary weekly arts guide. Please save or print this issue (or bookmark the "Read this newsletter in your browser" link above for easy reference this week.

My online calendar will remain reserved for submitted community listings, client events and projects, and select special features. And, the newsletter will soon be available to read on my website and on Substack, starting in January.

👉 SUPPORT THIS NEWSLETTER: If my work has helped you discover exhibitions, plan gallery crawls, promote your events, or elevated your own creative work, I invite you to support MUSED Houston and help sustain this independent visual arts platform. Learn more HERE.

WEDNESDAY 12.31.2025

6:30–8 PM COMMUNITY EVENT Urban Paths presents New Year's Eve Wellness Walk at Buffalo Bayou Park near The Cistern (105 Sabine St.) – commemorate 2025 and celebrate the new year!

THURSDAY 01.01.2026 : New Year's Day

9:45 AM–11:45 AM COMMUNITY EVENT Bayou City Outdoors presents New Year's Day Hike in Memorial Park at the Rally Pavilion of the Running Center

6–7 PM MUSIC EVENT Bach Society Houston presents New Year's Day Organ Recital featuring James Bobb of St. Olaf College at Christ the King Lutheran Church – free; donations welcomed (suggested $35 | students $10)

6:30–7:30 PM WELLNESS EVENT New Year Meditation at Museum of Fine Arts Houston – free with museum admission

FRIDAY 01.02.2026

9–10:30 AM COMMUNITY EVENT Urban Paths presents First 2026 Wellness Walk at Memorial Park Running Center – through the forest, across the prairie, and over the hilltops of the park

SATURDAY 01.03.2026

11 AM–3 PM ART WORKSHOP Hands-on Houston: Embroidery Hoop Art at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

11 AM–6 PM ART EVENT First Saturday Arts Market in the Houston Heights (540 W. 19th St.)

5–8 PM OPENING RECEPTION Weather Inside Out: June Woest at Archway Gallery

7:00 PM & 9:30 PM JAZZ PERFORMANCES The Raquel Cepeda Sextet at Doc's Houston – tickets $35 and up

SUNDAY 01.04.2026

7–9:30 PM FILM SCREENING No Other Choice at River Oaks Theatre – From director Park Chan-wook and based on Donald E. Westlake's novel THE AX, the story follows Man-su on his desperate hunt for a new job after his abrupt layoff from the paper company he served for 25 year. Admission is free for annual Cinema Savant subscribers ($2.30 service charge applies) or $14–$16 tickets + $2.30 service charge; other dates and times available through January 11

🌟 LAST-CHANCE HOUSTON HOLIDAY EVENTS 🌟

🔔 Cistern Illuminated at Buffalo Bayou Park

🔔 Holiday Special at ARTECHOUSE

🔔 H-Town Holiday Lights at Discovery Green

🔔 Radiant Nature at Houston Botanic Garden

🔔 Winter Wonderlawn at POST Houston

What Houston holiday events did you attend this year? Share!

NOTE: Event details may change without notice. Confirm with the venue or event organizer before attending. Missed an opening? Visit exhibits during public hours.

MORE EVENTS ON MY ONLINE CALENDAR

SUPPORT THIS NEWSLETTER

Since launching MUSED Houston on July 20, 2023, I’ve featured 2,500+ events at nearly 400 local venues presented by over 400 organizers — highlighting the incredible work of Houston’s artists, curators, galleries, alternative art venues, and museums.

If my MUSED Houston newsletter has helped you discover new art, connect with the scene, support your business, make new friends, or grow your audience, please consider making a gift.

Every dollar — $10, $25, $50, or more — helps keep it going. Thank you to all who’ve already given. Your support means the world.

🔹 Submit Your Events Online (FREE!)

🔹 Share Events by Others to inform the community.

🔹 Partner with Me to reach Houston’s art lovers.

🔹 Support My Work: Help me help artists.

=====

HOUSTON SEEN/SCENE IS HERE! Follow @musedhouston on Instagram for my weekend wrap-up with photos of the art happenings I've attended.

=====

FOLLOW ME ON SUBSTACK! Want behind-the-scenes updates and extra insights? Subscribe for free as a founding member.

SUBSCRIBE IF THIS NEWSLETTER WAS FORWARDED TO YOU

Share This Email