Our weekend top picks also include Black History Month events, Winter Festival “Year of the Snake,” Indian Film Festival Houston and more.

The forthcoming world premiere of Stanton Welch's "Raymonda" promises a peacock-theme ball in its third act. On Saturday, Houston Ballet Ball-goers enjoyed a preview of what's to come. Gala co-chairs Kristy Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau raised more than $1.

It’s time to get out the purple beads, take a bite of the king cake and let the good times roll. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday as it’s also known, falls on March 4 this year, but many of the festivities get underway the weekend before. Check out these six great Mardi Gras celebrations we’ve found that are happening around North Texas.

March 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 601 Higgins St., Humble March 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Kingwood Town Center Park, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood March 1, 8 p.m. 808 Russell Palmer Road, Kingwood March 5, 2-4 p.m. 4400 Bens View Lane, Kingwood March 10-14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $250 (per week), $65 (per day) 3939 Glade Valley Drive, Houston 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail, Kingwood

With no sun today, we're likely to stay stuck in the 30s. Chilly northeast breezes will keep wind chills in the 20s for most areas as well.

A cold front is expected to bring evening storms and sleet to the Houston area, affecting weekend plans for events like Mardi Gras and Margarita Day.

Galveston brings two weeks of parades, beads and live performances, featuring Bret Michaels and Kevin Fowler as headliners.

Mardi Gras in Galveston is drawing large crowds, prompting increased security measures by local law enforcement.

HOUSTON - More cold rain is possible on Sunday morning. Houston starts chilly in the 40s but, with the skies slowly clearing in the afternoon, should warm up to the mid 50s. Why you should care Scattered showers and storms continue throughout the morning on Sunday.

Temperatures are going to get rather cold this week in Houston, with a light freeze possible in the urban core of the city on Thursday morning, and temperatures in the upper 20s possible

It’s Mardi Gras time again, and the Galveston Strand will be lit up once again as the annual Mardi Gras! Galveston events will begin on February 21.