Special Holiday Events In and Around Houston

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The Ultimate Guide to Holiday events in Houston from Houston Moms

Get in the spirit of the holiday season with these festive events across the Houston area! From tree lightings and spectacular light installations to holiday concerts, Reliant has you covered with all of the events to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.


KHOU 11 Secret Santa Toy Drive (11/20-12/8)

Help spread holiday cheer to children across the Houston area by donating to the KHOU 11 Secret Santa Toy Drive! KHOU 11 is teaming up for another year with The Salvation Army, Reliant and others to give the gift of holiday memories and bring joy to those who need it most this time of year. Be the difference for a child this Christmas. You can donate simply by visiting KHOU.com/Toys or drop off new, unwrapped toys at a variety of locations throughout Houston, including the Houston Botanic Garden and Space Center Houston.

A BERRY Merry Christmas at Dewberry Farm

This year you don’t have to drive far and spend your entire Christmas budget to experience a little Holiday Magic! Dewberry Farm is going ALL-OUT for the holidays with our ALL-NEW Yuletide event, ‘A Berry Merry Christmas!’ Experience 2 Spectacular new Light Shows, Meet Santa, enjoy our seasonal food & and beverage specials, 40 Farm Attractions, and more! General Admission and VIP ticket options are available. 

Christmas Trees at Dewberry Farm

Catch a wagon ride to the “forest” on the back 40 acres of the farm. After you find the perfect tree, Dewberry will provide you with a saw or will cut it down for you! Dewberry is open for tree sales, food and fun on Black Friday, plus Saturdays and Sundays through December 10. There is no admission to enter the farm to shop for a tree, but you will need tickets to attend A BERRY Merry Christmas (20% discount if you purchase a tree).

Santa’s Wonderland

(November 10-December 30) | Hours vary (see website for dates/times)

Howdy! Welcome to Santa’s Wonderland, the LARGEST Texas Christmas Experience, located in College Station, Texas. Immerse yourself in millions of dazzling lights, REAL Texas snow & ice, and a multitude of cheerful attractions spread across acres of festive wonderland. Discover delightful shoppes and indulge in downright delicious grub. They’ve got something for folks of all ages at the grandest outdoor Christmas celebration in the South! 

Polar Express Train Ride

(November 17 – December 30 | Departure times vary)

ALL ABOARD! The Polar Express in Palestine is ready for you and your family to throw on your favorite Christmas PJ’s and experience a magical journey to the North Pole. After being served cocoa and yummy treats, just 30 minutes later, your children will be greeted by Santa and all his elves, with a special gift from the jolly man himself. Tickets are going fast for this festive event, so get yours soon! CHOO CHOO!

The ICE at Discovery Green

(November 10 – January 28, 2024| Various times)

The ICE at Discovery Green powered by Green Mountain Energy is officially the Southwest’s largest outdoor skating rink. Special events happen all season long at the ICE in addition to the regular skate times, so make sure to check the website for all the details.

Dickens on The Strand

(December 1– 3| Various Times & Events)

The magic of Galveston’s Victorian festival returns yet again for its 50th anniversary! Be transported back in time with elegant costumes, street peddlers, parades, carolers, and plenty of holiday eats and drinks!

Kemah Boardwalk’s Jingle on the Boardwalk  

(Weekends from December 1-17)

From snow patches and Santa’s Workshop to holiday movies and live music, there’s something for everyone at this holiday celebration. Don’t miss the annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade on December 9 where hundreds of decorated boats cruise down the bay. They also have a huge New Year’s Eve celebration with family fun and fireworks too!

Kids & Christmas Annual Pops Concert

(December 16 @ 5pm)

Come hear the talented voices of the Houston Children’s Chorus at the Annual Pops Concert at the Stude Concert Hall! Tickets are $15.

Alvin’s Christmas Train

(November 24-25, December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 20-23 | Departure times vary)

The holidays come alive on this 3/4 mile track accented by over 300,000 lights and Christmas displays, gingerbread houses, and more. The train conductor does recommend purchasing tickets online in advance, but walk up tickets are also available on a first come, first serve basis.

Brenham’s Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade

(December 1 | Events All Day Long!)

Each year, Brenham hosts their fabulous Christmas stroll where you can shop among the beautifully decorated downtown shops, enjoy wonderful eats, and take in a breathtaking lit parade. A completely FREE event that is sure to put a smile on your face as you enjoy the small-town charm of this nearby town.

Tamale Festival

(December 2 | 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm)

Location: Giant Texas Distillers, 5610 Clinton, Houston, Texas 77020

If you aren’t a native Houstonian, you might be surprised to discover that tamales are a BIG deal around the holidays here. This fun and festive event celebrates the diversity of Houston, and of course, all things TAMALES. Come hungry and ready to dance the afternoon away, while enjoying the various vendor booths and local offerings.

58th Annual Tomball Holiday Parade

(November 18 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Be sure to check out this holiday tradition in Tomball! This festive parade is fun for all ages, and the many sponsors and parade entries are sure to put on a great show!

Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens

(November 18- January 6 | 10am-7pm)

As the largest holiday destination in the Southwest, Moody Gardens offers more holiday attractions, activities, festive fun, dining and hotel packages than you can imagine.

Live Nativity at Our Savior Lutheran Church

(December 9 | 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm)

Walk through and experience our free Live Nativity! Come and see the events of the first Christmas in an evening of lights, live illustration, and music. As in Bethlehem of old, our Bethlehem Village will consist of families working at their trade together: the carpenter will be teaching his son, the weaver her daughter, and so on. We will also have related crafts for you to do, which our volunteers will assist.


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The Ultimate Guide to Holiday events in Houston from Houston Moms

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Elizabeth Baker
Elizabeth was raised in Houston and met her husband Ryan shortly after graduating from Texas A&M with a journalism degree. A few years later, Grayson {Sept 2010}, turned Elizabeth’s world upside down, not only with his sparkling blue eyes and killer smile, but with his profound disabilities and diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease. After two years of navigating the world of special needs parenting, Elizabeth and Ryan were blessed with Charlotte {Jan 2013} and Nolan {Sept 2015}, perfectly completing their party of five. Elizabeth and her crew live in Katy, and when she can steal a few moments for herself, she can be found out for Mexican food and margaritas with girlfriends, binge-listening to podcasts and audiobooks, or trying once again {unsuccessfully} to organize her closet. In addition to her role as Managing Editor of HMB, Elizabeth writes about faith, politics and special needs parenting for publications like Scary Mommy and HuffPost.You can connect with Elizabeth on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, or ElizabethKBaker.com

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