Visual Art

Opening of La Virgen de Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas

The HMNS examines the history behind Latin America’s devotion to the Virgin Mary with artifacts from as far back as 8th-century Spain, through the Aztec civilization of the 16th century, all the way to the present day.

Dec 11–Sep 5. $35, adults; $25, children & seniors. Mon–Sun, 9-5. 5555 Hermann Park Dr. 713-639-4629. hmns.org 

Film

Hitchcock/Truffaut

Kicking off the museum’s Hitchcock movie fest, including screenings of North By Northwest, Rear Window and Vertigo, this documentary focuses on the Master of Suspense and a week spent with French New Wave director François Truffaut. The two acted as teacher and student, asking and answering questions about cinema and opening a dialogue about storytelling.

Dec 11–13. $9; $7, seniors & members. 1001 Bissonnet. 713-639-7300. mfah.org

Family

Lights in the Heights

The Christmas season gets a little brighter at this annual holiday home tour. Homeowners in the historic Heights community help spread Christmas cheer with their festive decorations and open house parties.

Dec 12 at 6. Free. Woodland Heights, Watson St. 713-200-3610. woodland-heights.org

Concert

The Weeknd

The alternative R&B singer’s mysterious and sexy song “Earned It,” from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, dominated the charts this past spring—pun very obviously intended.

Dec 13 at 7:30. $40–100. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St. 713-758-7200. houstontoyotacenter.com

Classical

Advent Vespers

Bach was known for a couple things: his musical genius and his devout Christianity. This evening pays homage to both with selections from his 300 sacred cantatas.

Dec 13 at 6. Free. First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1311 Holman St. 713-400-0514. bachsocietyhouston.org