Savor Spicy Eats and Frosty Drinks at the Hops n’ Hot Sauce Festival 2018 on Jan. 13

Klowns on Fire! Hot Sauce and SpindleTap Brewery are teaming up on January 13th for the Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival 2018. Now in its second year, Hops n' Hot Sauce celebrates all things spicy—in fact, it even hosts a hot pepper-eating contest. But the peppers are just one example of the many spicy foods that will be on hand for you to try.

So if you love fiery fare, come to the Hops n' Hot Sauce festival for a taste of Meeha Hot Chili Sauce, Crenshaw's C6 Salsa, and food from Foreign Policy and Mikey V's. Then cool off your taste buds with a pint of beer from SpindleTap Brewery's house draft list or a frosty sweet treat from Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company. Kids can come along to play inside of the bounce houses, bop along to the live music, and enjoy some milder grub from the local food trucks. Admission is $5 when you purchase tickets in advance.

Enjoy an Electric New Year’s Eve at Hotel Derek

A pair of the state's best DJs. Four hours' worth of an open bar and complimentary appetizers. Party favors to commemorate the evening. These are all perks of skipping other NYE plans and coming to the Electric New Year’s Eve at Hotel Derek on Sunday, December 31st.

Start partying your way into the new year at 9:30 p.m., when anyone with a ticket can come to Hotel Derek and explore the space for the soiree. It boasts three distinct areas for dancing and drinking, as well as several different bars where you can take full advantage of those complimentary libations. Dance the night away to Top 40 hits, EDM, and other up-tempo tunes, courtesy of high-profile DJs, and make sure you're ready to say hello to 2018 when the clock strikes midnight. Tickets start at $150.

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Explore the Great Outdoors at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

If you are in need of an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, take a trip to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. This 155-acre oasis boasts eight trails, special gardens, a discovery center, and a wide variety of educational programming for nature exploration. The trails are extensive. Whether you’re looking for a spot to jog in the morning with your pup, or a place to take the kids during the day, there is a trail for everyone. Grab a map to decide which is best for you.

The Nature Center provides programs for youth of all ages from toddlers to teens throughout their campus. Join them for a weekly tyke hike, or their tadpole troopers program which exposes toddlers to the wonder of the great outdoors. They also offer summer camps, as well as various education programs for families throughout the year.

Their programs aren’t limited to just youth, with a wide range of adult programs offered as well. Their signature Arboretum at Night series brings adults up close and personal with nature on Saturday nights, while pairing the experience with snacks and adult beverages. Visit their website for a full list of programs and events.

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The Magical Winter Lights Display Pays Homage to Far-Off Lands and the Lone Star State This December

Santa's Christmas Village. Dinosaur Land. The Mystical Forest. These might sound like settings ripped from the pages of fairytales, but they're very real at the Magical Winter Lights display. From December 1st through January 2nd, Gulf Greyhound Park transforms into a twinkling land of holiday lights. It showcases seven distinct areas, each with their own theme, including the new Lone Star State.

Head toward the 36-foot cowboy lantern, and you'll land in the heart of the Lone Star State display. From here, explore a glowing maze that fans out toward eight Texan landmarks. Then make your way to the Holiday Market square for some food, gift shopping, and photo ops. Santa Claus will be there, waiting and ready for his close-up. In keeping with the event's international focus, you can also see acrobats, masterpieces crafted by Chinese artisans, and more at Magical Winter Lights. Tickets start at $15 for children and $22 for adults.

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Come See ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Alley Theatre Now Through December 30th

'Tis the season to embrace old holiday traditions and make some new ones. Consider adding an annual trip to see A Christmas Carol at the Alley Theatre to your December to-do list. The Houston Press praises this local adaptation of the Dickens classic, citing its "spectacular London sets" as a means of transporting audiences to the world of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Now through December 30th, you can follow the tale of Scrooge as it unfolds on stage inside of the Hubbard Theatre at the Alley. Watch as seasoned actors portray the story of a greedy old miser who's forced to face his wicked ways when, on Christmas Eve, three ghosts visit him. Will Scrooge's journey end with redemption or condemnation? You probably already know the answer, but if you have kids or nieces and nephews who haven't been introduced to this classic, bring them along. Tickets start at $35.

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Don’t Miss the Bacon Cheeseburger at Rachel’s Cafe

Even the strictest of healthy eaters have to indulge every now and then, which is why restaurants like Rachel's Cafe exist. The no-frills eatery in Houston dishes out classic burgers, sandwiches stuffed between two slabs of Texas toast, and baskets piled high with chicken fingers and fries.

So when you're craving comfort food, head to Rachel's Cafe. The popular bacon cheeseburger should do the trick. Chef's top it with your choice of cheese (Swiss, American, or cheddar) and all of the traditional fixings: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mustard, and mayo. A Swiss mushroom burger or a chili cheeseburger may delight your taste buds, too. But don't forget about the Texas toast sandwiches, like the grilled cheese, the chicken finger sandwich, and the club sandwich with turkey, ham, bacon, and cheese. You can also opt for a basket of fried chicken or shrimp or a salad at Rachel's Cafe.

Begin a Day of Gratitude at the Thanksgiving Yoga Class

Before you embark on a busy day of cooking, eating, and napping, come find some inner peace at the Thanksgiving Yoga Class at Texas Yogini. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, instructors Hope and Stacey will lead a slow flow class set to the soft melodies of live music. It culminates in a soothing round of meditation so that yogis embark on their Thanksgiving days calmly.

The class is donation-based, so attendees are encouraged to pay what they can. You may be inspired to give generously when you learn that the proceeds benefit Camp Aranzazu, a camp that welcomes children with special needs. It was ravaged by Hurricane Harvey—but it's currently in the process of rebuilding—and any dollars you give could help speed up that process so that more children can be reached.

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Jog Through a World of Color at The Fun Run on November 18th

If you're looking for some motivation to get back into running, The Fun Run in Houston might be it. It's not a standard 5K race. Participants get splashed with colored powder at stations sprinkled throughout the course, and since everyone receives a white shirt and headband when they register, you go home with a newly tie-dyed outfit.

So even if you don't consider yourself much of an athlete, you're welcome to come to The Fun Run and take the race at whatever pace you find comfortable. It begins at The Silo at noon on Saturday, November 18th—so it's the perfect opportunity to burn some calories before Turkey Day. Come ready to stroll or jog through the clouds of colored powder and hang out at a lively fest at the finish line when you sign up for The Fun Run.

Find Inspiration at the Jumpstart Your Writing Workshop on November 4th

Every author knows what it's like to experience writer's block. Even if you're working on a project that inspires you, writer's block can rear its ugly head after a few weeks or months of labor. There are ways to break through it, though, and Dr. Cindy Childress will teach you some of them at the Jumpstart Your Writing workshop on Saturday, November 4th.

The class will take place at Writespace from 1 to 4 p.m. Over the course of the afternoon, Dr. Childress will lead writers in free-writing exercises based on specific prompts, visual aids, and props. The exercises are designed to trigger new ideas and inspiration, however, you can also come to the workshop to breathe some new life into a project that's been floundering. All levels of writers are welcome.

Cheers to Your Health: Learn About the Technology of Wines, Tonics, and Potions at The Health Museum

Being healthy isn't all about restriction. You can indulge occasionally and still reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The Health Museum in Houston offers all kinds of insight into healthy living through permanent exhibits that explore everything from the human anatomy to the power of the scientific laboratory. It also hosts regular wellness-centric events like Cheers to Your Health: The Technology of Wines, Tonics, and Potions on Friday, October 27th.

Cheers to Your Health is all about the indulgent side of healthy living, the part that allows you to splurge and enjoy your everyday. When you come to this special event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m., you'll get to learn all about the science behind making wines, spirits, and cocktails as you actually sip on samples of them.

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