Event Roundup: What to Look Forward to This Weekend

The first weekend of December is kicking off with a bang! There are so many fun holiday events this weekend, from the Mayor's Tree Lighting Concert to the Southside Place Winter Wonderland Carnival, plus holiday festivities in both Hermann and Levy Park.

Journey back in time to 19th-century Victorian London during Galveston's annual Dickens on the Strand. Enjoy parades, entertainment, costumed characters, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, holiday treats, and more. (Photo: Greenwalt Productions/Galveston Historical Foundation)

52nd Dickens on the Strand
Fri., Dec. 5 - Sun., Dec. 7
Galveston's Strand
Adults: $20, Youth (7-12): $15, Children (6 & Under): free
Brush off your bowlers and prepare your petticoats as Galveston Historical Foundation presents the 52nd annual Dickens on The Strand. Held the first weekend in December, the annual festival is a holiday tradition with great family programming, live entertainment, special events and more. Based on 19th-century Victorian London, this year’s festival features parades, non-stop entertainment on four stages, new additions like Tiny Tim’s Play Land, Shopkeeper Skills Village, and roaming characters throughout the festival. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, and gift items.

12th Annual Southside Place Winter Wonderland Carnival
Fri., Dec. 5, 4-7 p.m.
Fields outside Southside Clubhouse
$25/person for age 2+
The annual Southside Place Winter Wonderland includes inflatables, train rides, a petting zoo, hot cocoa, cookies/photos with Sata and friends, and a huge pile of snow. All proceeds go toward funding improvements to Fire Truck Park.

Get into the holiday spirit at Memorial Park Conservancy’s annual Deck the Park, marking the kickoff of the Park’s month-long Holiday Lights display. (Photo: Memorial Park Conservancy)

Memorial Park Conservancy’s Deck the Park
Fri., Dec. 5, 5-9 p.m.
Memorial Park Clay Family Eastern Glades
$10/adults; $5/children ages 2+
Get into the holiday spirit at Memorial Park Conservancy’s annual Deck the Park, presented by ExxonMobil, marking the kickoff of the Park’s month-long Holiday Lights display! Deck the Park will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including letters to Santa and ornament decorating, a tree lighting ceremony, and an outdoor screening of the holiday classic, The Santa Claus, with popcorn and s’mores. Guests can enjoy seasonal refreshments, including hot cocoa, apple cider, and craft beer from Eureka Heights. Holiday souvenirs and pre-order food items are available to add on when purchasing tickets. Holiday Lights at Memorial Park will remain on display at Clay Family Eastern Glades through early January 2026.

Party at the Pavilion ft. Reverb Cartel
Fri., Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m.
Great Lawn at Bellaire Town Square
Free
Join PATRONS for Bellaire Parks, The City of Bellaire and special community partner The Bellaire Culture and Arts Board for the last Party at the Pavilion of 2025, featuring Classic Rock Cover Band Reverb Cartel!

Discover an immersive Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Dec. 5–30.

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
Friday, Dec. 5, 5:30-10 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6, 5:30-10 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7, 5:30-9 p.m.
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
$18 (ages 13+), $12 (ages 5–12); free (ages 4 & younger)
Discover an immersive Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. A dazzling bridge brings you into a winter wonderland featuring thousands of lights. Sled down faux snow, toss cotton snowballs, hunt for Santa's reindeer, enjoy a 3-D video animation, listen to carolers, look for unique holiday gifts, and more. Take a photo with Santa (by Dec. 23) for $10. New this year: New York-based gingerbread artist and Guinness World Record holder Jon Lovitch will be creating a 500+ gingerbread village sculpture. The Weihnachtsfilm Festival Berlin will also show indie short films with a Christmas theme. The Christmas Village will stay open through Dec. 30.

Holiday Market at Nature Discovery Center
Sat., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nature Discovery Center
Free
Sip a cup of hot chocolate with decadent mix-ins or snack on popcorn and other snacks as you stroll through a festive holiday market filled with goods from local vendors that are sure to make great gifts. Don’t miss a cute holiday photo op to share with family and friends. And, in the holiday spirit, we’ll have a giving tree for our beloved animal ambassadors. Please consider making a gift of hay for Clover, crickets for Blaze, bananas for Buttercup, or something special for any of our other hard-working animal friends. Kids can make a winter nature craft, enjoy up close animal encounters, or participate in Nature Discovery Center's Gingerbread Habitats Event (advance registration required). If you’re looking for a professional photo with Santa, Meredith Symonds Photography has you covered with slots between 1-3 p.m.

Levy Park’s two-day festival features a special performance by River Oaks Dance, a festive holiday market, crafts, treats, and more.

8th Annual Levy Park Holiday Festival
Sat., Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Levy Park
Free
Jingle all the way to Levy Park’s beloved Holiday Festival featuring a curated market with local vendors, craft station, live music performances throughout the park, free photos with Santa Claus and a special performance by River Oaks Dance. Guests can also enjoy festive food and beverage offerings from Gaspachos Mexican Bites, Hearsay Levy Park, and Kind Ice Cream.

Hermann Park is hosting a festive day of celebrations including rides on the holiday train and carousel, music, pictures with Santa, story time, games, arts and crafts, followed by a double feature holiday movie night.

Holidays in Hermann Park
Sat., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Hermann Park
Free
Enjoy a day full of holiday festivities in Hermann Park! Join in for rides on the holiday train and carousel, music & carolers, pictures with a roaming Santa, story time, lawn games, arts & crafts, nature activities, and more. Then throw on a tacky sweater or come in your cozy pajamas for the free movie night on the lawn in the Commons. The showings for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Elf begin at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, but be sure to get to the Commons early to snag your spot. Guests are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs to settle in for the movie(s). The showings are free. Food trucks and Koko Cafe will be on-site serving meals and treats for purchase.

Deck the Hall: The Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Concert will take place Sat., Dec. 6, 4–8 p.m. in Hermann Square at City Hall, featuring live music, festive entertainment, and the lighting of Houston’s official holiday tree.

Deck the Hall: The Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting Concert
Sat., Dec. 6, 4-8 p.m.
Hermann Square at City Hall
Free
Mayor John Whitmire and Reliant are proud to present Deck the Hall: The Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Concert, Houston’s beloved official holiday kickoff. The free, family-friendly celebration will feature live music, festive entertainment, and the lighting of Houston’s official holiday tree. The activities start at 4 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s concert experience will bring an exciting mix of national and local talent, with R&B legend Brian McKnight headlining the evening with holiday favorites and timeless hits joined by other musicians. All performers will be backed by The Ernest Walker Band. The celebration will end with a spectacular fireworks finale as snow drifts over the audience. Reliant’s signature blinking Santa hats will return to delight the crowd, while the new Winter Wonderland Kids Zone, co-sponsored by the Houston Public Library, will offer free crafts, games, and interactive holiday activities. Families can also visit Santa’s Workshop for photos and festive fun.

Celebrate the season with Santa Claws at HMNS. (Photo: HMNS | Photographer Mike Rathke)

Santa Claws at HMNS
Sun., Dec. 7, 6:30-9 p.m.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
$25/non-member adult or child; free for kids 2 and under
Ho-ho-ROAR! Celebrate the holiday season by traveling back to the prehistoric era for a holiday party like no other! While Santa Claus won’t be joining us, he’s sending his festive replacement, Santa Claws, and he’s ready to party! Enjoy a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including crafts, a balloon artist, a 360° photo booth, a DJ, and a chance to watch Santa’s elves make candy right before your eyes. Plus, free churros (yes, really!)! Food options will be available for purchase, and free parking is available.

More Holiday Fun 
Find more ongoing festive events, including new event Astros Light Up the Park and community favorites such as The Ice at Discovery Green, Zoo Lights, Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, Sugar Land Holiday Lights, Winter Wonderlawn at POST, and more here.