Looking for something to do in the Houston area this weekend? Check out this weekend's guide!

Brazos Home & Garden Show

The first-ever Brazos Home & Garden Show is happening this weekend. Along with home improvement and outdoor living exhibits, there will also be kid-friendly activities, such as cooking classes and wildlife presentations.Writespace Reading and Open Mic

The nonprofit Writespace will host a reading and open mic at Antidote Coffee. The event features author Icess Fernandez Rojas and will also have a small book fair with works by members and friends of the organization.Mother-son date night

The Woodlands Township is holding a Western-themed mother-son date night with dancing, age-appropriate music, refreshments and a special keepsake. Attire is semiformal, and preregistration is required.
  • Jan. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • $25 (resident), $30 (nonresident)
  • Rob Fleming Recreation Center, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands
  • www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
Humble Rodeo BBQ Cook-Off


The Humble Rodeo BBQ Cook-Off is an event where barbecue chefs participate in team competitions to determine the best barbecue. The event includes over 120 teams that compete across multiple categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket, with the competition overseen and governed by the Champions Barbecue Alliance. The event is open to the public.
  • Jan. 26, 4-11 p.m.; Jan. 27, noon-11 p.m.
  • $20 (weekend wristband)
  • Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble
  • www.humblerodeo.com
45 / 53 Mile Pearland Cycling Ride

The Houston-Area AIDS/LifeCycle organization will host a 45-mile cycling ride to prepare participants for the annual AIDS/LifeCycle seven-day race that tracks 545 miles along the California coast, according to AIDS/LifeCycle. The Pearland ride will begin at the Shadow Creek Ranch Sports Complex and will take riders 45 miles into Iowa Colony, Manvel and Rosharon.Houston Racing Festival

The Sam Houston Race Park is holding its Houston Racing Festival. The top four winners will be given a seat at the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas in March.
  • Jan. 27; noon (doors open), 1 p.m. (first post time)
  • $5 (general admission)
  • Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston
  • www.shrp.com
Conroe Exotic Reptile and Pet Show

The largest reptile show in Houston will be coming to Conroe. Visitors can buy or browse thousands of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and supplies in a two-day event.
  • Jan. 27-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • $12 (adults), $5 (kids ages 5-12), free (age 4 and under)
  • The Lone Star Convention and Expo Center, 9055 Airport Road, Conroe
  • www.herpshow.net
Texas Louisiana Mardi Gras Ball


This benefit event at the GSH Event Center combines philanthropy with a night of music, food and dancing. Event planning company The Ordered Step throws this formal ball for guests age 21 and older to celebrate in the spirit of New Orleans’ grandiose Mardi Gras holiday with vibrant colors and parades. A portion of proceeds will support Tatum’s Place, a nonprofit foundation that offers daily respite and emergency child care for families of children with autism and other disabilities.Paradigm Brewing Company Small Business Market

Paradigm Brewing Company’s January small-business market will feature a variety of local vendors, live music, face painting and kids activities.'Katie: the Strongest of the Strong'

As part of its Opera To Go series, the Houston Grand Opera comes to the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center for a performance of "Katie: The Strongest of the Strong." The sensory-friendly show by composer Faye Chiao and librettist Anton Dudley celebrates women's strength and confidence through the true story of Katie Sandwina, a circus strongwoman.Fajitas and Faithbridge

Faithbridge Church will host a Fajitas and Faithbridge event to provide lunch as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of Faithbridge Church for new attendees.
  • Jan. 28, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • Faithbridge Church, 18000 Stuebner Airline Road, Spring
  • www.faithbridge.org