Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

 Galveston Historical Foundation's Dickens on The Strand festival highlight downtown Galveston's Victorian-era architecture while providing a one-of-a-kind holiday destination filled with the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' work. (Photo: Galveston Historical Foundation, Illumine Photographic Services)

Check out these fun events in store for this weekend! 

Midtown Mistletoe Market
Held on Friday evening at Midtown Park, this free event includes family-friendly activities, DIY gift stations and live entertainment. There will also be a photo opp under the mistletoe plus an opportunity for kids to write letters to Santa. 

Houston Pablove Shutterbugs Gallery Show
The Pablove Foundation invests in underfunded, cutting edge pediatric cancer research and improves the lives of children living with cancer through the arts. This free, Friday evening event at Winter Street Studios will feature a photography show, silent auction, exciting guest speakers and a cocktail reception. 

Handcrafted Holiday Market at the J
Check everyone off your holiday shopping list at this event organized by The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston. The holiday market takes place all day Friday and Sunday and features more than 20 vendors with unique handcrafted wares including fine art, mixed media, afghans, baby blankets, jewelry, Judaic art, wood workshop and pottery. 

Dickens on The Strand Festival
For 46 years, Galveston Historical Foundation's Dickens on The Strand festival has highlighted downtown Galveston's Victorian-era architecture while providing a one-of-a-kind holiday destination filled with the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' work. This year's weekend-long event continues that tradition with non-stop entertainment, holiday food and drink and Victorian-inspired crafts. 

9th Annual Rudolph Run 
This annual fun run benefits Firefighters Helping Firefighters and includes races for all levels: there’s the Dasher 10K, the Rudolph 5K and even a Cupid 1K. The event takes place Saturday morning at CityCentre. Costumes are encouraged! 

Levy Park will kick off the holiday season with its Holiday Festival Dec. 7-8. (Photo courtesy of Levy Park)

Levy Park’s Holiday Festival
Levy Park is kicking off the holiday season with two days of live music, holiday markets, DIY crafts, food and drink and more. The event takes place from 12–5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and is free and open to the public. 

8th Annual Southside Place Winter Wonderland Carnival 
Play carnival games, climb inflatables, ride a mechanical bull, have your face painted and more at this Southside Place Carnival on Saturday. Kids can have their photo taken with Santa and play in a huge pile of snow while adults bid on a silent auction and shop in the bazaar – proceeds go toward improving Fire Truck Park. 

11th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off 
Architecture Center Houston hosts this annual Gingerbread Build-Off, where competing teams are challenged to build masterpieces using 100 percent edible materials. Cheer on the teams as they build on Saturday, and enjoy festivities including a kids’ construction zone and a visit from Santa. See more gingerbread fun here.

Holiday in the Park with Pop Shop America
Join Pop Shop America and Downtown Houston for this holiday market experience with locally-designed goods, holiday crafting, photo booths, live music and more. The Saturday event takes place in Historic Market Square Houston. 

Chapelwood Christmas Festival
Chapelwood United Methodist Church is hosting a free Christmas festival on Sunday evening. Come with family and friends of all ages and enjoy live music, a petting zoo, hayride, carols, crafts, face painting, a tree lighting, dinner for purchase, and even “snow!”

West U Methodist’s Christmas Alive 
Close out your weekend with this live nativity at West University United Methodist Church. The performance takes place at 6 p.m. on Sunday and will be followed by a community-wide Christmas party featuring a petting zoo, children’s crafts, desserts and a photo booth. 

More Events
See our events calendar for more upcoming events.