Dec. 4-5: Enjoy the holidays at a winter festival
Levy Park hosts its fourth annual Holiday Festival, featuring two days of a holiday market with vendors, live music performances throughout the park, a free photo booth with Santa Claus and other special holiday-themed guests, and food and drink concessions. Free. Noon-5 p.m. daily. Levy Park, 3801 Eastside St., Houston. 713-522-7275. www.levyparkhouston.org
Dec. 4, 11 and 18: Watch a holiday performance
Main Street Theater is hosting performances based on the “Little House on the Prairie” novel titled “A Little House Christmas,” which tells the story of the Ingalls family, friendship and the Christmas spirit. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. $18-$24. Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Blvd., Houston. 713-524-6706. www.mainstreettheater.com
Dec. 8, 15 and 22: Listen to live music
Rice Village is hosting Winter Wonderland Wednesdays throughout December, giving a chance for guests to listen to live performances. On Dec. 8, Jonathan Finney will perform, followed by Jenna Pierce on Dec. 15 and Melissa Sterling on Dec. 22. 5-7 p.m. daily. Free. Rice Village, 5510 Morningside Drive, Houston. 713-302-8918. www.rice-village.com
Dec. 18: Run a 12K or 6K for the holidays
The Houston Running Co. is hosting the 12K of Christmas, featuring 12K and 6K runs, hot cocoa, appearances by Santa Claus and his elves, and Christmas carolers. 7:30 a.m. (6K and 12K start), 10 a.m. (kids 1K and family walk start). $20 (kids 1K and family walk), $40 (6K), $50 (12K). Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St., Houston. www.houstonrunningco.com
Dec. 18: Bring the young ones to a virtual book reading
Brazos Bookstore is virtually hosting a book reading for the holidays with two of the holiday season’s most famous stories: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas.” 10:30 a.m. Free through the bookstore’s Facebook page. 713-523-0701. www.brazosbookstore.com
Through Jan. 2: Take in an illuminated light show
The Downtown Houston Management District is hosting Winter Wanderland, allowing visitors to experience a series of unique illuminated attractions along Bagby Street from Lamar to Franklin streets. Elements include an 80-foot light tunnel. 6 p.m. Free. Downtown Houston, 901 Bagby St., Houston. 713-650-3022. www.downtowndistrict.org
Through Jan. 9: Celebrate at Houston’s holiday signature event
The Houston Zoo is bringing back Zoo Lights in collaboration with TXU Energy with animal-themed lanterns, an underwater adventure called “Illuminated Ocean,” and a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies. 5:30-10:30 p.m. daily. $14.95-$25.45. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. 713-533-6500. www.houstonzoo.org
Through Jan. 17: Explore 20th century photography
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston celebrates Georgia O’Keeffe with an exhibition detailing nearly 100 photographs from a newly examined archive that reveals the American icon’s modernist approach to the medium. Open during museum hours. Free (children age 12 and under), $12 (ages 13-18), $16 (seniors age 65 and older), $19 (adults age 19 and older). Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston. 713-639-7300. www.mfah.org
Through Jan. 30: Glide beneath the lights at Discovery Green
An ice skating rink is now open at Discovery Green allowing visitors to skate under the lights of Downtown Houston. Nonmotorized wheelchairs are welcome. Tickets include skate rental. 5-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.), 5-11 p.m. (Fri.), 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Sat. and Houston ISD holidays), 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sun.) $8 (Mon.), $15 (Tue.-Sun.). Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St., Houston. 713-650-3022. www.discoverygreen.org
Worth the trip through Jan. 02: Celebrate holidays at Moody Gardens
Galveston’s Moody Gardens is looking to brighten the holiday season with more light displays for guests at its 20th annual Festival of Lights.
Guests can enjoy the 1-mile trail filled with more than 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays themed to holiday music, hot chocolate, fireside s’mores and pictures with Santa.
Guests can choose from a selection of holiday films in the MG 3D Theater and “Rudolph 4D” in the 4D Special FX Theater for families to enjoy special effects, such as snow flurries and the smell of gingerbread.
6 p.m. $18 or 22, depending on non-peak or peak day. One Hope Blvd., Galveston. 409-744-4673. www.moodygardens.com
