Well, I don’t know about you, but I am SO ready for 2018. {Peace out, 2017!} I am typically not one for resolutions, but I am itching for a fresh start across the board. And of course, we can’t wait to kick off the new year with all of you! Houston brings out some of their biggest and best activities in January, and we so hope that you will take time to explore one – or five – of them with your family and friends.
Before we leap into all things January, I absolutely must introduce you to our friends and amazing sponsors at DEFINE: Memorial Green because nothing says January like jumping into a new fitness routine, right?! Want to be your absolute best in 2018? Then DEFINE: Memorial Green is the place for you! The brand-new studio just opened last month and offers barre, cycling, yoga, trampoline, and hammock fitness classes all within an inspired, super chic space. There is literally something for everyone! Plus, for all you parents out there, the studio offers DEFINE: Kids and DEFINE: Baby, a mini fitness and entertainment class that runs in tandem to adult fitness classes throughout popular daytime hours. The cost – only $5 per child!
Additional studio conveniences include a men’s and women’s locker room with showers stocked with luxury toiletries. The studio also offers an assortment of cold-pressed organic juices, organic teas, and salads. DEFINE: Memorial Green is located at 12525 Memorial Drive, Suite 255, with easy access from Uptown, the Inner Loop, Downtown, and beyond. Plus, there’s tons of parking … huge plus! I cannot speak highly enough about the amenities, work outs, and CHILDCARE. {Can I get an amen?} Let’s get this new year off to a fresh start…who doesn’t deserve that more than our Houston mamas, right?
January 1st | 10am :: LifeTime Commitment Day 5K at CityCentre
What a way to start 2018 with a little 3.2 mile run through City Centre! Commit to a better and healthier you this year. Register here.
January 1st | 6:30pm – 8:00pm :: Full Moon Hike at Memorial Park
Celebrate the beauty of the HTX great outdoors with a New Year’s Day hike at Memorial Park. You will be shocked to find that there are actual hills and unpathed paths, making for a fun and challenging event, especially in the dark. Following the hike, you can join the rest of the group for a bite to eat and to refresh.
January 1st – 21st | Times Vary :: The ICE at Discovery Green
January is the perfect time for some slip-sliding action on the ICE at Discovery Green! With the largest outdoor skating rink in the Southwest, this amazing feat of 7,000 square feet of skating ice is something the entire family will enjoy. There is even a pint-sized rink for skaters under the age of 4. Ticket prices range from $14 – $17 per person which includes skate rental, and you can purchase them in advance here.
January 1st – 14th | Times Vary :: Houston Zoo Lights
If you didn’t catch Zoo Lights in December, never fear! You have a few more days to catch this amazing display with over 15 miles of earth-friendly LED lighting this year. Plan to stay for the yummy treats including s’mores, funnel cakes, and sticky buns. If you are a bargain hunter, take advantage of the value nights, typically Monday through Thursday evenings.
January 3rd & January 6th | 11am {Weds.}; 11am & 2pm {Sat.} :: Storytime at the Lone Star Flight Museum
Lone Star Flight Museum launches Fly In for Story Time featuring an aviation-themed book the first Wednesday and Saturday of every month. Located in the Museum’s Flight Academy Gallery, the reading will be followed by an interactive activity. Recommended for future pilots age 4-8. While you’re there, check out the 130,000 square foot space of new exhibits, interactive experiences, and more.
January 4th | 10:30am – 1:30pm :: Elsa Visit at The Woodlands Children’s Museum
What a way to ring in the brrrrrr of January than with a visit by the ice queen herself! Meet Elsa and hear a special reading. Don’t forget your camera as there will be a special photo opportunity afterwards. Tickets are just $6.
January 4th | 6pm – 9pm :: Giant Game Night at Memorial City
We love the The Square at Memorial City for all of their family-friendly activities … and their giant game night is no exception! Bring your “A” game for a wide range of bigger than life games including chess, checkers, Jenga, cornhole, and Connect Four. Grab a bite to eat at Maggiano’s or California Pizza Kitchen and get your game on!
January 4th | 7pm :: Screen on the Green – Elf
Enjoy family-friendly movies at Discovery Green with a view of the downtown Houston skyline. Skate and watch or just enjoy the movie on the hill. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early for fun contests and activities. Admission is FREE!
January 5th, 6th, & 7th | Times Vary :: Willy Wonka JR at Inspiration Stage
Head out to Sugar Land for live performances of the beloved Roald Dahl classic, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth. Tickets are between $12-$25.
January 13th | 9:45am :: Free Bounce Class at DEFINE: Memorial Green
Come try out the beautiful new DEFINE studio at Memorial Green with a heart-pumping bounce Class. Let your inner child out and experience DEFINE bounce, the ultimate low-impact, high-intensity workout designed to free your spirit and create some serious results. With a focus on raising your cardio health and stimulating both large and small muscle groups, DEFINE bounce gets your heart rate – and your whole body – jumping, and inspires as much joy as it does sweat. Contact to reserve your spot, (832) 241-5255.
January 13th | 10am – 6pm :: Snow Day at Baytown Town Square
The City of Baytown Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for almost 75 tons of snow at Baytown’s Town Square. The 3rd annual Snow Day will be a FREE event open to all children and feature two large eight foot snow slides, one extra large 12 foot snow slide complete with snow discs and toboggans, 4 lane bunny hill for smaller children, two large general play areas, and special guest visitors for children to take pictures with.
January 13th | 12pm – 8pm :: Hops n’ Hot Sauce Festival
Beer, food trucks, kids area, and food trucks? Count us in! Head out to Houston’s own SpindleTap Brewery for an afternoon of family-friendly fun. The Little Gnome Zone will have 2 bounce houses, a face painter, and other fun activities for the kiddos. 12 and under are FREE and tickets will be sold at the door for adults.
January 13th | 12pm – 3pm :: Houstonia Magazine’s 5th Annual Gumbo Smackdown
Featuring the best gumbo creations from Houston area restaurants, you won’t want to miss this epic showdown. Stuff yourself full of Cajun goodness and wash it all down with brews from around town. Kids under 12 are FREE; advance tickets on sale here.
January 14th | :: Chevron Houston Marathon
Spots at this annual event are sold out for participants, but not for spectators! Expect 200,000+ to cheer on the 20,000 amazing athletes as they run the streets of downtown Houston. Watch from the comfort of your home via stream or on ABC13/ESPN3. Or join the excitement of all that race day brings! Here is a list of the top places to get in on the action LIVE.
January 15th | 10am – 6pm :: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Children’s Museum
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed for us to live in a world where we would “not be judged by the color of [our] skin, but by the content of [our] character.” Join the Children’s Museum of Houston in honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy during their 22nd MLK Day Annual Celebration. Sing African American spirituals and listen to uplifting, winning words by Gardere’s oratory speech winner,.
January 20th | 10am – 2pm :: Arbor Day 2018
Celebrate the wonder of trees at the Houston Arboretum’s annual Arbor Day! Enjoy FREE and fun activities for the whole family, including guided tree hikes, wood-turning demonstrations, crafts, seed and sapling giveaways, tree sales, and more.
January 20th | 10am – 5pm :: WinterFest 2018 at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum
Don’t miss the 2nd annual WinterFest hosted by the Rosenberg Railroad Museum. Pack those sweaters and gloves and get ready for hours of playing in the “snow”, while their trains roll by. They also will have bounce houses, face painting, a museum open house, and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Grab your tickets to skip the lines.
January 24th – 28th | Times Vary :: Houston Auto Show at NRG
Houston Auto Show, now in it’s 35th year, is the largest of its kind in the South. Come see, touch, hear, and even drive the top cars from the world’s best automakers. To commend the brave and honorable work of Houston’s first responders, the Houston Auto Show and Houston Automobile Dealers Association will host a First Responders Day on Thursday, January 25th. First Responders with a valid I.D. will have the opportunity to enter the Houston Auto Show for just $1. Adult tickets are $12, children 6-12 are $5, 6 and under are FREE.
January 26th – 28th | Times Vary :: Felines, Football, and Fun
Come enjoy a great weekend with kitties! The Feline PAW Foundation will host its 2nd Annual “Felines, Football & Fun!” Cat Expo! They will have over 20 vendors selling awesome things for you and your fur-friend, a fantastic raffle, great food, and LOTS of beautiful cats.
January 27th | 10am – 5pm :: Winterfest in Pearland
Enjoy a fun-filled day to play in the snow, carnival, petting zoo, inflatables, and more in the heart of Pearland. Bring a canned good to receive $2 off your admission price for pre-sale tickets. Ages 2 and under are FREE!
January 27th & 28th | 10am – 6pm {Sat.}; 11am – 5pm {Sun.} :: Spring Katy Home & Garden Show
Get a head start on your home and garden make over and experience two buildings packed with more than 300 exhibits at the 12th Annual Spring Katy Home & Garden Show, the largest home show in west Houston, which will focus on decorating, remodeling, window treatments, kitchens & baths, do-it-yourself workshops, flooring, windows, landscaping, pools, outdoor entertainment, and more. Meet celebrity renovation experts Andy and Ashley Williams from HGTV, and let the kids explore the “Let’s Play House” exhibits featuring a parade of playhouses just for them.
January 27th – 28th | 10am – 9pm :: Houston Tea Festival
Do you love tea and Harry Potter? Then this is the festival for you! They will have speakers, vendors, exhibitors, live entertainment, and even a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt. Plenty of children’s activities will be available along with a Sunday Afternoon Tea. Find your tickets here.
January 28th – 31st | Times Vary :: The Amazing Acro-Cats at Match
The Amazing Acro-cats Featuring Tuna and the Rock Cats are a troupe of REAL performing house cats. The Acro-cats experience all started with Chief Executive Human {CEH for short} and animal trainer Samantha Martin. They have cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, and Alley, their rising star, has even leapt into the Guinness Book of World Records, holding the record for the longest cat jump. Grab your tickets here.
Be sure to visit DEFINE: Memorial Green to start becoming your Absolute Best!
Looking for even more this month? Search no more…
Ultimate Guide to Houston Photographers {Updated!}
Babies & Beer :: A Guide to Houston’s Kid-Friendly Breweries
60 Family-Friendly Houston Area Restaurants
Please Note :: While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and event details on our guides, we always encourage you to do the same before making final plans. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so that we can make every attempt to correct them. And if you know of any other events happening this month, include them in the comments to keep the list going!