Whether you want to travel to Galveston for a chili and beer festival, or get some exercise in before indulging yourself in a chocolate fountain, Houston is full of fun this weekend with a wide selection of event options.
Houston Iranian Film Festival
Jan. 20-24
The 24th annual festival features six films provided by distributors and filmmakers based in Tehran, Canada and the U.S. This year’s festival, which features comedy, drama, documentary and animation genres, will honor late filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. $10 (per film, $2 discount for MFAH members, students with ID and seniors). 7 p.m. (Jan. 20-21, Jan. 24), 5 p.m. (Jan. 22). The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston. 713-639-7300.
www.mfah.org
Yaga’s Chili Quest & Beer Fest
Jan. 20-21
The eighth annual event includes chili and beer tastings, live music, a 5K fun run/walk, a washer pitching tournament, jackpot margarita contest, local vendors and a historical strand merchant walk-about. 7-10 p.m. (Jan. 20), 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Jan. 21). $12-$55. Galveston’s Historic Downtown Strand District, 2300 Strand St., Galveston.
www.yagaschiliquest.com
Rainbow on ICE
Jan. 20
Hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, this annual event is a citywide LGBTQ celebration combing The ICE at Discovery Green with dance and entertainment. The event will be emceed by Mix 96.5’s Lauren Kelly and will feature performances by Crawford Nation’s Aria, Linda D., Alexia D., with Kris and Fidel performing as Janet Jackson, Beyonce and Destiny’s Child, and Lady Gaga. 7-10 p.m. Free. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston.
www.discoverygreen.com
Houston Pancakes & Booze Art Show
Jan. 20
This pop-up art show features the work of more than 120 artists and offers a free pancake bar, live painting, body painting, adult beverages and live music. Participants must be 18 or older. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $5. Houston Warehouse Live, 813 Emanuel St., Houston.
www.pancakesandbooze.com/houston
Arbor Day 2017
Jan. 21
This Arbor Day event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. The event includes guided tree hikes, woodturning demonstrations, nature crafts, food trucks and seed and sapling giveaways. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston. 713-681-8433.
www.houstonarboretum.org
Choco Loco 5K, 10K & Kid's Run
Jan. 22
This event combines a love for chocolate with athleticism by offering a 5K or 10K run, 5K walk, and 1K kid’s run/walk, along with live music, food, drinks, a chocolate fountain and prizes. The first 900 finishers will receive a medal, and the first 900 participants to pick up race packets will receive a shirt. 7:30-11 a.m. $22-$45. Wortham Center, 500 Texas Ave., Houston.
www.runsignup.com