Multicultural Holiday Celebrations in Houston Offer a Festive Finale to the Year
Houston’s rich cultural diversity comes alive this holiday season with a lineup of community events celebrating art, music, and traditions from various backgrounds.
Hosted by organizations including Arte Público Press, MECA, the Nia Cultural Center, and the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus, the festivities run from November through December. Events range from family-friendly literacy festivals and traditional Mexican celebrations to Kwanzaa observances and multicultural concerts.
The community is invited by The BIPOC Arts Fund and Network (BANF) to experience these enriching community events hosted by the Houston Cultural Treasures arts organizations and the Cultural Treasure Accelerator.
SELECTED EVENT CALENDAR
Saturday, November 30, NIA Cultural Center: Art Walk Featuring Idiginis Reggae Band, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, MECA: Fiesta Guadalupana
Saturday, December 14, MECA: Nochebuena in the Arts District Festival
Saturday, December 14, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus: Concert: Latin to Latin America, 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus: Carols on the Green, 7 p.m.
Monday, December 16, MECA: La Posada in the Old Sixth Ward,6 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus: Winter Concert,4 p.m.
Saturday, December 28, Nia Cultural Center: Kwanzaa Celebration, 4 p.m.- 7 p.m.
MECA (MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION & COUNSELING THROUGH THE ARTS)
Fiesta Guadalupana
MECA, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007
Celebrate the Virgen de Guadalupe with a mariachi serenade and Ballet Folklórico performances. Free entry includes hot chocolate and pan dulce. For details, visit MECA Houston or email [email protected].
Nochebuena in the Arts District Festival
Saturday, December 14
MECA, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007
This lively evening includes dance, a vendor market, music, food, and raffle prizes. Find more information at MECA Houston or email [email protected].
La Posada in the Old Sixth Ward
Monday, December 16, 6 p.m.
MECA, 1900 Kane St., Houston, TX 77007
Join the community in a re-creation of Mary and Joseph’s journey, accompanied by live music, pan dulce, and hot chocolate. Free event. Visit MECA Houston or email [email protected] for details.
NIA CULTURAL CENTER
Art Walk Featuring Idiginis Reggae Band
Saturday, November 30, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Nia Cultural Center’s Juneteenth Legacy Headquarters, 2217 Strand, Ste. 101, Galveston, TX
Step into the vibrant world of African-American art at this exciting Art Walk, where local creatives showcase their talents. Enjoy live music by the Idiginis Reggae Band, adding a lively soundtrack to an evening of culture and creativity. For details, visit Nia Cultural Center.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 28, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX
Celebrate family, community, and culture at the Nia Cultural Center’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration. The event opens with the Ujamaa Market, featuring African-American vendors, followed by a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony and cultural performances. Highlights include African dance, drumming, the Freedom School Harambee, and awards honoring village keepers and elders. More at Nia Cultural Center.
SEGUNDO BARRIO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Exhibition Opening Performance at CAMH
Thursday, November 14, 6 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX
The Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus opens the exhibition Vincent Valdez: Just a Dream. More at Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus.
Concert: Latin to Latin America
Saturday, December 14, 3 p.m.
Villa de Mattel, 6510 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023
This concert spans choral music from the Renaissance to modern-day Latin America. Visit Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus for more information.
Carols on the Green
Saturday, December 14, 7 p.m.
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010
In collaboration with Houston Grand Opera, this concert features holiday selections celebrating various faiths. Details available at Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus.
Winter Concert
Saturday, December 21, 4 p.m.
Trinity Church Downtown, 800 Houston Ave., Houston, TX 77007
Featuring 130 children and five ensembles, this concert includes the debut of the En Armonía with Segundo Barrio violin program. More at Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus.
Photos courtesy of BANF