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There might not be snow in Houston, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t winter wonderlands. Across the area, embrace the holiday spirit with gorgeous lights, spectacular stage productions, Christmas cocktails, and perhaps even a meet-and-greet with the big man in red.
Here’s our take on the greatest festive things to do, see, and enjoy in the Houston area this weekend.
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Holiday bars🎄
Through Dec. 30 — Miracle Pop Up Bar, Various locations: Sip a Christmas-themed cocktail in a kitschy holiday oasis at one of several pop-up bars coming to the Houston area for the holiday season.
Through Dec. 30 — Holly Jolly Holiday Bar, Big Casino: “The halls will be decked with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, trimmings, ornaments and more, allowing you to immerse yourself in holiday magic from every angle and capture memories of your favorite moments. Warm up with seasonal cocktails and bring your friends to partake in some holiday cheers.”
MORE: New Year’s Eve in Houston: 24 ways to welcome 2024
Breakfast with Santa 🎅
Dec. 21-23 — Moody Gardens: Breakfast includes a meet and greet with Santa, a souvenir photo and a buffet featuring biscuits and gravy, waffles, an omelet station, fresh fruit and more.
Dec. 21-24 — Downtown Aquarium: Enjoy a breakfast buffet, Christmas crafts, and photos with the man in the red suit and aquarium mascot, Sharkey. Keep a close eye on the aquarium tank and you may see Santa swimming with the fish. Reservations required.
Dec. 21-24 — Kemah Aquarium: Enjoy a breakfast buffet, Christmas crafts, and photos with the man in the red suit and aquarium mascot, Sharkey. Keep a close eye on the aquarium tank and you may see Santa swimming with the fish. Reservations required.
Dec. 23 — The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston: Enjoy brunch with Santa and his elf, live holiday entertainment and a three-course meal with a decadent dessert buffet in Bloom & Bee. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Dec. 23-24 — Hilton Americas-Houston: Celebrate the holiday season with a signature breakfast at 1600 Bar + Grille. Don’t miss the life-sized chocolate display and festive holiday décor. Breakfast with Santa will be available every weekend in December.
Holiday light displays 💡
Through Jan. 1 — The Light Park, Hurricane Harbor and Typhoon Texas: With locations at Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy and Hurricane Harbor in Spring, the holiday attraction features millions of lights synchronized to holiday music and features dozens of animated figures in numerous displays, including a holiday light tunnel.
Through Jan. 1 — Sugar Land Holiday Lights, Constellation Field: More than three million lights will brighten Constellation Field during Sugar Land’s annual holiday lights extravaganza, held Nov. 17, through Jan. 1. See dazzling light displays, snap a photo with Santa, enjoy carnival rides, attend holiday movie screening and more at this holiday festival.
Through Jan. 7 — Galaxy Lights, Space Center Houston: Galaxy Lights consists of several indoor and outdoor light displays composed of hundreds of thousands of lights. Some of the displays include a high-tech kinetic light show featuring hundreds of suspended LED orbs that move in move in choreographed sequences to holiday music, as well as an LED light tunnel, a simulated indoor meteor shower, a massive model of the solar system, and a 40-ft tall,100-ft long shooting star made from LED lights.
Through Jan. 7 — Magical Winter Lights, Katy Mills: At this attraction on the Houston Raceway in Baytown, journey through more than 100 lantern sets in several themed sections including a magical castle, a Christmas village, a tribute to Houston, a dino fun zone, a space maze, and an ocean paradise.
Through Jan.7 — Cistern Illuminated, Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern: The site-specific winter light installations will cast festive colored light throughout the space. The special angle of these lights will create a mesmerizing reflection of the Cistern’s ceiling on the glassy water below.
Through Feb. 25 — Radiant Nature, Houston Botanic Garden: Sculpted in metal and covered in painted cloth, Radiant Nature’s enormous lanterns occupy several show gardens at the Houston Botanic Garden. The merry and bright displays feature dazzling, supersized flora and fauna.
MORE: Where to find holiday lights shows in and around Houston
Houston holiday shows 🎭
For theatergoers, Houston offers a rich menu from which to choose.
Dec. 20-23 — “Verry Merry Pops,” Houston Symphony: “Gather with loved ones in Jones Hall—decked with boughs of holly—for a sparkling concert filled with all your holiday favorites. Featuring Broadway leading lady Mandy Gonzalez (star of ‘Hamilton’ and ‘In the Heights’) and the Houston Symphony Chorus, this concert is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit quicker than you can sing ‘Jingle Bells.’”
Dec. 23 — “Holly Jolly Holiday,” Houston Symphony: “Make special memories in Jones Hall with the Symphony’s annual holiday concert for kids! One of our most popular events of the year, the concert will include a festive sing-along, free hot chocolate, interactive lobby activities, and a chance to visit with Santa.”
Dec. 23 — “The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show,” The Heights Theater: “Will Hearn’s ‘Grand Ol’ Christmas Show’ returns for a special 20th anniversary tour presentation at The Heights Theater in Houston! Featuring the Dirty River Jazz Band and Americana standout - Blue Water Highway! A staged, live retro radio show broadcasting all-time favorite Christmas classics and comedy antics from the 1225 AM N-O-E-L Radio studios.”
Through Dec. 23 — “A Texas Carol,” A.D. Players: “The Dinkel family is back by popular demand! This laugh-out-loud funny and heart-warming story was a huge success for A.D. Players last season and returns for another year! The Dinkel family is headed to Mee-Maw Jane’s East Texas ranch for what might be her last Christmas. The only problem? When the first grandchild arrives, Mee-Maw is already gone! Now how to keep that fact (and her body) from the rest of the family and save Christmas?”
Through Dec. 24 — “A Motown Christmas,” The Ensemble Theatre: “Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this festive holiday revue. It’s the perfect blend of traditional Christmas carols paired with the soulful sounds from such Motown celebrities as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5.”
Through Dec. 26 — “A Very Cirque Christmas Carol,” Tanger Outlet Mall: After indulging in delicious food, prepare to be captivated by a sensational circus performance as the magic unfolds under the circus tent. Watch acrobats perform jaw-dropping feats, clowns create laughter, and aerialists soar. It’s a show that combines tasty food with mesmerizing entertainment, leaving you completely enchanted.”
Through Dec. 27 — “The Nutcracker,” Houston Ballet: “Following the annual Stahlbaum Christmas party, journey through the glittering Land of Snow to the bright and joyful Kingdom of Sweets with Clara, Drosselmeyer and the Prince as he reunites with the Sugar Plum Fairy amongst the clouds, where the real magic happens.”
Through Dec. 30 — “A Christmas Carol,” Alley Theatre: “Celebrate the holidays with the Alley’s hit new adaptation with colorful Victorian costumes, special effects, lively dancing, stunning sets, and just the right blend of Christmas carols. It is a dazzling Christmas feast with the beloved story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his miraculous transformation.”
Through Dec. 30 — “A Christmas Wish: Holiday Spectacular,” Moody Gardens: “This spellbinding show combines the artistry of Broadway-style song and dance with mesmerizing acrobatics and more. The heart of the show lies in a captivating story of rediscovering the holiday spirit. Join our lead character, Natalie, on her transformative adventure as she dives into her cherished childhood memories inside an enchanting snow globe. With spirited characters, stunning visuals, and electrifying performances, this show is a heartwarming spectacle that will reignite your holiday joy!”
MORE: These electrifying Houston stage spectaculars scream ‘Christmas’
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