Holiday Happenings

Looking for ideas on what to do over the holidays? Here is a good place to start. For more, see our events calendar.

Zoo Lights

Houston Zoo, Museum District

Through Jan. 13, 2019; closed Dec. 19, 24 and 25. 5-11 p.m. (closes 10 p.m. on “value nights;” last entry 1-1½ hours before closing)

Admission: $17.95-$22.95 for non-members; 1 and under: free

Animal-themed light displays surrounded by the zoo’s real animals. Fifteen miles of LED lights illuminate oak trees and decorate paths.

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas

Alley Theatre, downtown

Through Dec. 30; see website for dates and times.

Admission: $37 and up

A family-friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve.

Magical Winter Lights 2018

Gulf Greyhound Park, La Marque

Through Jan. 6, 2019. Sun.-Thurs., 5-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat., 5-11 p.m. Open all holidays.

Huge, illuminated displays, plus a holiday market, photo ops with Santa, acrobatic performances, rides and games.

Every winter, Discovery Green hosts an ice skating rink including fun, special events. (Photo: Katya Horner)

The Ice at Discovery Green

Discovery Green, downtown

Through Jan. 27, 2019. Times vary.

Admission: $11; $4 skate rental

Ice skate outside at Discovery Green all winter. Check the website for special themed skating events. 

7th Annual Southside Place Winter Wonderland Carnival

Southside Clubhouse, 3743 Garnet St.

Sat., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Admission: Free. Wristbands to play games: $20; meal tickets: $7

Carnival games, inflatables, mechanical bull, rock-climbing wall, snow, photos with Santa, face painting, shopping bazaar. 

Bellaire Chanukah Festival

Bellaire Town Square, 7001 5th St., Bellaire

Sun., Dec. 2, 4-6:30 p.m.

Admission: $8-10

The Shul of Bellaire hosts a "Magical Chanukah" featuring magician, illusionist and comedian John O'Bryant. Dinner buffet, latkes, inflatables, carnival, craft booths, “magical menorah.”

30th Annual West U Christmas Tree Lighting

West U Community Building, 6104 Auden St.

Mon., Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.

Admission: Free

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with West U neighbors as the tree is lit.

The Nutcracker

Wortham Theater, downtown

Through Dec. 29; see website for dates and times.

Admission: $30 and up

The Houston Ballet returns to the Wortham Theater with the holiday classic The Nutcracker.

10th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off

City Hall’s Hermann Square, downtown

Sat., Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Admission: Free

Hosted by the Architecture Center Houston, teams create gingerbread masterpieces using 100 percent edible materials. Kids’ construction zone, Santa, food trucks, music.

Jewish CultureFest

Levy Park, 3801 Eastside St.

Sun., Dec. 9, 1-6 p.m.

Admission: Free

The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center hosts a festival with music, crafts, food, art and social-action projects.

Moonlight Movies: Holiday Edition

CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd.

Wed., Dec. 12, 7 p.m.

Admission: Free

Gather in CityCentre’s plaza to watch It’s a Wonderful Life on a massive screen.

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial Dr.

Dec. 14-Jan. 5. Weds., Thurs., Sun., 5:30-9 p.m.; Friday-Sat., 5:30-10 p.m.

Admission: $10-15 for non-members; free for 4 and under.

Thousands of lights plus holiday-themed tours of Ima Hogg’s historic mansion, model train, snow “sledding,” carolers, photos with Santa.

Bunker Hill’s Twinkle Light Parade

Bunker Hill Village 

Thurs., Dec. 20, 6-8 p.m.

Admission: Free

Parade with floats, Santa and caroling. Begins at Bunker Hill Elementary (11950 Taylorcrest), winds through the Village and ends at Frostwood Elementary.

Handel’s Messiah

Jones Hall, downtown

Dec. 21-22, 8 p.m.; Dec. 23, 2:30 p.m.

Admission: $29 and up

The Houston Symphony, chorus and guest soloists perform holiday tunes, including the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

See more events on our event calendar here.