Nov. 23: More than 150 vendors offer women’s and children’s boutique clothing; jewelry; home, holiday and garden decor; gourmet food items; and other merchandise. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (admission). Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. www.facebook.com/cyfairholidayextravaganza
Worth the trip: Attend the 70th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Nov. 28: Featuring 12 high-flying balloons and 13 floats, including the famous Tom Turkey and Santa Claus, the annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade takes over downtown Houston. 9 a.m. Free (general admission), $28 (premium seats). Herman Square, 900 Smith St., Houston. www.houstontx.gov
See Santa at the Traders Village holiday market
Nov. 23-Dec. 22: Santa Claus makes an appearance every weekend from Nov. 23-Dec. 22 at Traders Village. Photo opportunities are available. Noon-4 p.m. Free (admission). Traders Village, 7979 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston. 281-890-5500. www.tradersvillage.com
See snow in Jersey Village
Dec. 1: The Holiday in the Village event brings Santa Claus, shopping vendors and freshly blown snow to Jersey Village. Noon-3 p.m. Free (admission). Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village. www.jerseyvillagetx.com
Houston Repertoire Ballet performs ‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 6-8: More than 100 Houston Repertoire Ballet dancers and local children present the 21st annual performance alongside the Cypress Philharmonic orchestra. 7 p.m. (Dec. 6, abbreviated performance), 2 and 7 p.m. (Dec. 7), 1 and 4 p.m. (Dec. 8). $15 (Dec. 6), $20 (students and seniors), $25 (adults). Tomball High School Theatre, 30330 Quinn Road, Tomball. 281-940-4721. www.hrbdance.org
Shop a Christmas art sale
Dec. 7: Shoppers can find holiday gifts by perusing fine art, jewelry and pottery made by local artists. Light snacks are provided. Noon-6 p.m. Free (admission). Purple Elephant Art Community, 12802 McSwain Road, Cypress. 281-352-0861. www.facebook.com/purpleelephantartcommunity
Travel back in time to Bethlehem
Dec. 7-8: A storyteller walks attendees through the birth of Jesus as they stroll through an outdoor interactive scene made to look like historic Bethlehem. Participants can visit the spice merchant and produce market; sample treats at the bakery; make candles, pots and coin bags; and play dress-up. 5-8 p.m. Free. Messiah Lutheran Church, 11522 Telge Road, Cypress. 281-890-3013. www.messiahlc.org
Catch Phil Wickham and Shane & Shane’s Christmas tour
Dec. 8: The Cypress campus of Houston’s First Baptist Church hosts Christian musicians Phil Wickham and Shane & Shane in concert. Their annual family-friendly Christmas tour includes holiday songs and original worship music. 6 p.m. $20. Houston’s First Baptist Church-Cypress, 11011 Mason Road, Cypress. 281-970-6255. www.houstonsfirst.org/cypress
Bring the kids to a Crazy Christmas Show
Dec. 12-14: Second Baptist Church’s Cypress campus hosts the annual Kids’ Crazy Christmas Show, featuring music, singing, dancing and puppets. 6 and 7 p.m. (Dec. 12-13), 10 and 11 a.m. (Dec. 14). Free. Second Baptist Church Cypress, 29900 Hwy. 290, Cypress. 713-365-6011. www.second.org
Stop by the Tomball German Christmas Market
Dec. 13-15: The annual event features four music stages, street vendors, food, wine, beer, a petting zoo, street performers, arts, crafts and antiques. 6-10 p.m. (Dec. 13), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Dec. 14), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Dec. 15). Free (admission). Old Town Tomball, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball. www.tomballgermanfest.org
Houston Choral Society presents ‘A Glorious Christmas!’
Dec. 14: The Houston Choral Society partners with the Texas Medical Center Orchestra and the Clements High School Concert Chorale to present a selection of Christmastime favorites, including Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria!”. Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance. 7 p.m. (preconcert lecture), 7:30 p.m. (concert begins). $15-$25. Foundry Church, 8350 Jones Road, Houston. www.houstonchoral.org
Houston Choral Society presents Handel’s ‘Messiah’
Dec. 20: The local group performs “Part I” and the “Hallelujah” from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” featuring the Houston Choral Society Chamber Choir with a chamber orchestra. 8 p.m. $15-$30. Tallowood Baptist Church Chapel, 555 Tallowood Road, Houston. www.houstonchoral.org
Where to make custom gifts
Acute Workshop: Create wood signs, trays, boxes and blanket ladders. 20510 West Road, Cypress. 281-386-0396. www.acuteworkshop.com
Art Class & Wine Glass: Make wood signs, glasses and pottery. 122 Vintage Park Blvd., Bldg. E, Ste. C, Houston. 832-474-2585. www.artclasswineglass.com
Color Me Mine: Paint plates, bowls, coffee mugs and seasonal decor. 24140 Hwy. 290, Ste. 300, Cypress. 281-758-4139. www.cypress.colormemine.com
Foxfire Candle Works: Craft custom candles, diffusers, scrubs and soaps. 126 Vintage Park Blvd., Houston. 832-458-5392. www.foxfirecandleworks.com
Where to take out-of-town visitors
Boardwalk at Towne Lake: Shop, stroll, see boats and get a bite to eat at the outdoor retail and dining venue. 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. 281-256-2772. www.boardwalktl.com
Brew:30 Taphouse: Grab a local or national craft beer, stop by The Rock food truck and catch live music on select nights. 5914 Telge Road, Cypress. 281-516-9315. www.brew30taphouse.com
Franck Christmas Light Show: The annual Christmas light show runs about 45 minutes on Sun.-Thu. from 5:30-10 p.m. and on Fri.-Sat. from 5:30-10:30 p.m. 15923 Viney Creek Drive, Houston. www.facebook.com/franckchristmaslightshow
Santa’s Wonderland: Take a carriage ride, meet Santa, see the Gingerbread Village and stop by the petting zoo. 18898 Hwy. 6, College Station. 979-690-7212. www.santas-wonderland.com
