TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights, featuring several new additions this year—a 100-foot Infinity Tunnel of Light, 4D Enchanted Forest, a giant ice dragon and “snow” in the Winter Wonderland. LED lighting illuminates the entire zoo, and families have photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 5:30-10:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. www.houstonzoo.org/events/zoo-lights
Dec. 18: Support local children at yoga class
Shaka Power Yoga hosts a Holiday Karma Yoga class. Attendees are asked to bring a cash donation or grocery store gift card. All proceeds will benefit nonprofit Boys & Girls Country, a home for children and young adults from families experiencing crisis. 7-8 p.m. Donations accepted. Shaka Power Yoga, 10611 Fry Road, Ste. 250, Cypress. 832-413-3194. www.shakapoweryoga.com
Dec: 18: Learn about job opportunities in Cy-Fair ISD transportation
Cy-Fair ISD hosts a transportation job fair to fill bus driver and other transportation positions with the district. Pay starts at $17 per hour, and new employees receive paid training. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Westgreen Transportation Center, 21330 W. Campus Drive, Cypress. www.cfisd.net
Dec. 20: Take an evening nature tour
Harris County Precinct 4’s parks division hosts a tour through the 100 Acre Wood Preserve guided by a trained naturalist. Attendees use UV lights provided by Harris County to experience the glow-in-the-dark effects on the natural surroundings. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. 100 Acre Wood Preserve, 14236 W. Cypress Forest Drive, Houston. 713-755-6444. www.hcp4.net
Dec. 21: Bring your best to an ugly sweater party
The Cypress location of World of Beer invites the public to take part in an ugly sweater Christmas party and contest. The winner will receive a prize, and the event also includes live music, a toy donation and pictures with Santa. 5-9 p.m. Free (admission). World of Beer-Towne Lake, 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 120, Cypress. 281-806-5353. www.worldofbeer.com
Dec. 21: See a local Christmas musical
The Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church puts on a performance of “Swaddling Clothes: Christmas Musical Presentation.” The musical tells the story of Jesus’ birth. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 9425 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston. 281-890-1002. www.houstoncentralsda.org
Dec. 21: Find a new furry friend
The nonprofit Houston Pets Alive hosts a pet adoption event at the Pet Supermarket location on Grant Road in Cypress. Dogs available through HPA’s foster program will be on-site and can go straight home with adopters. Noon-4 p.m. Free (admission). Pet Supermarket, 14044 Grant Road, Ste. 200, Cypress. 832-786-9310. www.houstonpetsalive.org
Dec. 21: Stop by the Yuletide Magic Vendor Market
Starting at Tea Bear Teahouse, participants check in and collect a “passport” to be stamped as festive holiday activities are completed at each business in the shopping center, including Snap Fitness, Bicycle World, C4Cryo, Timeless Designs, Fairfield Chiropractic and others. Once the activity is completed, individuals can collect a goodie bag. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free (participation). Tea Bear Teahouse, 16341 Mueschke Road, Cypress. 832-653-7788. www.facebook.com/teabeartea
Dec. 23-Jan. 3: Cy-Fair ISD students get two-week winter break
All district campuses and facilities are closed over the winter break. Staff members return Jan. 3 for a professional development day, and students return for the start of the spring semester Jan. 6. 281-897-4000. www.cfisd.net
Dec. 31: Catch Cypress Creek FACE’s “Buddy, Roy & Elvis” concert
Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment presents an evening of rockabilly, country, gospel, and 1950s rock and roll featuring selections from Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley such as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’ll be the Day,” “Hound Dog” and “Oh, Pretty Woman.” 7 p.m. $45-$75. Cypress Ridge High School, 7900 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston. 281-440-4850. www.cypresscreekface.org
Jan. 1: Start the new year with 2020 Run HoustonThe event, part of the Run Houston series, will include distances of 10K, 5K and a 1K for children. Registered participants receive a T-shirt, and all finishers receive a medal. A post-race party at the Sam Houston Race Park includes food, drinks and awards. 6:30 a.m. (parking opens), 8:30 a.m. (race begins). $27-$45 (prices increase after Dec. 19). Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston. www.runhouston.com
Jan. 2, 4 and 6: Try out for the Houston Choral Society
The Houston Choral Society hosts a tryout for singers to join for the 2020 season, which includes concerts in February, May and June. The audition will consist of vocalization, pitch-memory exercises, sight-reading and a performance of a piece of the auditioner’s choosing. 6-9 p.m. (Jan. 2), 9 a.m.-noon (Jan. 4), 6-7 p.m. (Jan. 6). Free. Foundry United Methodist Church, 8350 Jones Road, Houston. 281-578-3127. www.houstonchoral.org
Jan. 3-4: Show support for Cy-Fair ISD wrestlers
The 18th annual Cy-Fair ISD Invitational Tournament features varsity male and female wrestlers competing for medals. The tournaments will include 32-64 competitors per weight class, and the top eight will receive medals. 8:30 a.m. (Jan. 3), 9 a.m. (Jan. 4). Free (spectators), $75 (wrestler entry fee). Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. 832-287-7565. www.cfisd.net
Jan. 5: Run 10 miles in Bridgeland
The Houston Methodist Hospital System along with the Texas 10 Series hosts a 10-mile run through the Bridgeland community. The event includes a $100 cash prize drawing for all 10-mile finishers and a $50 cash prize drawing for all 5-mile finishers. Children can participate in a 1-mile event. 7-10 a.m. $30-$70. Festival Park, 16902 Bridgeland Landing Drive, Cypress. www.texas10series.com
Jan. 11: Support a 5K fun run for education
Proceeds from the Candy Cane Fun Run support Ault, Keith and Swenke elementary school PTOs as well as Salyards Middle School. The 3.1-mile run through the Fairfield neighborhood is timed and features medals for participants. 8 a.m. $30 (children younger than 13), $40 (adults). Salyards Middle School, 21757 Fairfield Place, Cypress. www.candycanfunrun.com
Jan. 11: Showcase classic cars at Towne LakeTowne Lake Cars on the Lake hosts Towne Lake Cars & Coffee, showcasing classic, import, export, hot rod and muscle cars, trucks, Jeeps and golf carts. 8-10 a.m. Free (admission). Boardwalk at Towne Lake, 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. www.facebook.com/townelakecarsonthelake
Jan. 18: Attend a Drake-themed cake decorating class
The CreATEry presents an adults-only cake decorating clasfeaturing a playlist of music by Drake. Attendees may bring their own drinks. 6-8:30 p.m. $44.99. Cypress Sweets, 11702 Grant Road, Ste. E, Cypress. www.thecreatery.com
See a play at a local theater
Playhouse 1960
6814 Gant Road, Houston
281-587-8243. www.ph1960.com
“Steel Magnolias”
Dates: Jan. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Feb. 1 (8 p.m.); Feb. 2 (3 p.m.)
Cost: $18 (students, seniors, veterans), $21 (adults)
Stageworks Theatre10760 Grant Road, Houston
281-587-6100. www.stageworkstx.org
“Baskerville”
Dates: Jan. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Feb. 1, 7, 8 (7:30 p.m.); Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9 (3 p.m.)
Cost: $19 (students); $23.50 (seniors, veterans); $26.50 (adults)
Cypress Ridge High School
7900 N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston
281-807-8056. www.cyridge.cfisd.net
“James and the Giant Peach”
Dates: Jan. 16-18 (7 p.m.)
Cost: $5
