Dec 2–4
What to Do This Weekend
Forget Santa—Dolly Parton is coming to town! Plus: Dickens on The Strand makes merry in Galveston and Houston Grand Opera hosts the world premiere of a reimagined It's a Wonderful Life.
Dickens on The Strand
Dec 2–4 | Galveston
Time-travel to 19th-century London for three days of Victorian costumes, parades and, of course, caroling along Galveston's historic Strand for the 43rd annual world-famous celebration.
Free. 2323 Strand St. 409-765-7834. galvestonhistory.org
It's a Wonderful Life Opera
Dec 2–17 | Houston Grand Opera
Image: Tanyia Johnson
Don't miss the world premiere of It's a Wonderful Life, a new opera commissioned by HGO and composed by industry heavyweight Jake Heggie. Veering away from the iconic 1946 film, the opera is told from the perspective of Clara the angel (formerly Clarence in the movie). Psst: Insiders are already dubbing it the "Nutcracker of opera."
$45–127. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. 713-228-6737. houstongrandopera.com
Dolly Parton
Dec 5 | NRG Arena
Image: DFree / Shutterstock.com
Hello, Dolly! While the queen of country music is technically stopping by the Bayou City on Monday night, extend your weekend by heading over to the NRG arena after working 9 to 5. (Parton the pun.)
From $74. NRG Arena, 1 NRG Pkwy. nrgpark.com
Into the Woods
Dec 6–18 | Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Image: TUTS
Weaving together classic fairy tales, including "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Rapunzel," Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning 1987 musical continues to captivate in this production by Theatre Under the Stars.
From $38.50–106. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby St. 713-315-2400. tuts.com
Contemporary Texas Regionalism
Dec 2–23 | William Reaves Sarah Foltz Fine Art
Waldrip Bridge, Colorado River by Randy Bacon
IMAGE: RANDYBACON.NET
Opening this Friday, view artworks by 19 contemporary Texas artists, including Abilene-born painter Randy Bacon, known for his rural West Texas renderings, and Marfa-based landscape painter Mary Baxter.
Free. William Reaves Sarah Foltz Fine Art, 2143 Westheimer St. 713-521-7500. reavesart.com
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Dec 3 | Da Camera of Houston
Jazz vocalist and 2015 Grammy Award winner Cécile McLorin Salvant—described by the New York Times as “the finest jazz singer to emerge in the last decade”—stops by the Bayou City to croon original toe-tappin' songs.
From $37.50. Cullen Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. 713-524-5050. dacamera.com
