Here’s a look at this weekend's best culinary happenings:
Tomball German Christmas Market in Old Town Tomball
Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
201 South Elm
The Tomball German Christmas Market returns to Old Town Tomball all weekend long. Guests can get festive with 200+ street and holiday vendors, German-inspired festival food and drink, polka dancing, live music and entertainment, and plenty of family-friendly fun throughout the weekend. Admission is free.
Annual Chili Cook Off at Little Woodrow’s Midtown
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2306 Brazos
Sign up online or in person to show the world what your chili is made of at Little Woodrow's annual Chili Cook Off (every entry receives a $50 gift card). Or just show up to taste the goods alongside stellar beers, craft cocktails, and sure-to-be good times.
Saint Arnold Pub Crawl in Rice Village
Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m.
Under the Volcano (starting), 2349 Bissonnet
It’s Christmas time in the Village, when the famous Saint Arnold Pub Crawl takes over the area offering holiday cheer and Christmas Ale. Crawlers will start at Under the Volcano between 2 and 3 p.m. to pick up a punch card, then move onto bars including Kelvin Arms, 2424 Dunstan, The Big Easy, 5731 Kirby, The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside, and Little Woodrow’s, 5611 Morningside, before finishing at 6 p.m. at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 5510 Morningside, where you’ll get your well-deserved Saint A pint glass.
Lights in the Heights
Saturday, times vary
The annual Lights in the Heights block party will take place along Euclid and Byrne, but plenty of area restaurants and bars are getting in on the holiday fun. Stop by Sonoma Wine Bar, 801 Studewood, for festivities including hot chocolate on-the-go, mulled sangria, pictures with Santa and housemade organic doggie treats from 6 to 9 p.m. Worcester's Annex and Heights Bier Garten, 1433 North Shepherd, will be offering live music, raffle prizes, specialty drinks and more all day. And Christian's Tailgate, 2820 White Oak, is breaking out the ugly sweaters for a festive holiday party, complete with a contest, live music, art vendors, free goodies from santa and more.
Beers & Cheers Holiday Market at Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2000 Lyons
Shop local vendors while enjoy seasonal and year-round brews from Saint Arnold at this holiday pop-up market. The lineup of vendors includes Pop Soap, Nomadic Home + Co. Candles, Taste Ecuador, Cadenza Coffee Co., Diverscity Clothing Co, Sweet Gage Cakes, Hoppy Heat, and Three Lumps of Sugar, to name a few. The family-friendly event will also feature a DJ, root beer floats for the kiddos, ugly sweaters and a gift-wrapping station.