Dec. 1-Jan. 9: Drive into Houston to see Zoo Lights
TXU Energy presents the 10th annual Houston Zoo Lights for the holiday season. During this event, attendees will walk through the zoo after hours and see multiple light exhibits. 5:30-10:30 p.m. daily. Prices vary. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. 713-533-6500. www.houstonzoo.org
Dec. 2: Register for classes at Lone Star College
Lone Star College-CyFair hosts a “Registration Wonderland” event offering help with admissions, advising, financial aid, orientation and registration for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 18. Attendees can take campus tours and win door prizes. 4-7 p.m. Free. Lone Star College-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. www.lonestar.edu/cyfair
Dec. 3: Bring the family to a movie night
TheMET Church hosts an outdoor movie night featuring pizza, hot chocolate, candy, popcorn, drinks and a miniature train. “The Polar Express” will be shown at 6:45 p.m. 6-9 p.m. $10 per family. TheMET Church, 13000 Jones Road, Houston. www.themet.church/family
Dec. 3-18: Attend a showing of ‘Annie’ at a local theater
Playhouse 1960 presents “Annie,” the Tony Award-winning musical about a young orphan who is adopted by a billionaire. 8 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $20-$23. Playhouse 1960, 6814 Gant Road, Houston. 281-587-8243. www.playhouse1960.com
Dec. 3-5: Catch a performance of ‘The Nutcracker’
After being closed to the public for the 2020 season, the Houston Repertoire Ballet is returning for its 22nd annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” A cast of more than 100 dancers as well as professional guest artists will perform five shows. 7 p.m. (Fri.-Sat), 2 p.m. (Sat.) 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Sun). $18-$23. Tomball High School, 3033 Quinn Road, Tomball. 281-940-4721. www.hrbdance.org
Dec. 4: See Santa, snow in Jersey Village
The city of Jersey Village hosts “Holiday in the Village,” a family-friendly event featuring a holiday market with local vendors, a visit from Santa, a candy cane hunt, field games, bounce house and snow. Additionally, the city will hold its first ever holiday parade starting at 7:15 p.m. 4-7 p.m. Free. Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Jersey Village. www.jerseyvillagetx.com
Dec. 4-5: Shop for a cause
Small shops and local makers sell apparel, accessories, home decor, paper goods and other holiday gift options at Heart to Market. A portion of the proceeds will go to local charities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Free (general admission). Boardwalk at Towne Lake, 9945 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress. www.boardwalktl.com/heart-market
Dec. 7 and 10: Attend a luncheon to give back
Harris County Precinct 4 Encore! hosts two senior luncheons featuring catered holiday meals. Donations of blankets Dec. 7 and canned goods Dec. 10 will be accepted for local families. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $10 per person. Champion Forest Baptist Church, 16518 Jersey Drive, Jersey Village (Dec. 7), Copperfield Church, 8350 Hwy. 6, Houston (Dec. 10). 713-274-4050. www.hcp4.net/encore/events
Dec. 9-11: Support student scholarships
The Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational is an annual basketball tournament featuring 24 teams. The championship game will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Berry Center. Proceeds fund student scholarships. Times and locations vary. $3 (students), $5 (adults), $10 (tournament pass). www.thecfef.org/events/cypress-hoops-invitational
Dec. 10-12: Head to Tomball for German Fest
The annual Tomball German Fest and Christmas Market features live music, more than 200 vendors, food, a petting zoo and street performers. 6-10 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun.). Free (admission). Downtown Tomball, 201 S. Elm St., Tomball. www.tomballgermanfest.org
Dec. 10-19: See ‘Holiday Follies’ at Stageworks
The “Holiday Follies” takes inspiration from Vaudeville and Follies shows from the late 19th century through the 1970s and celebrates popular Christmas entertainment. 7:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $23-$34. Stageworks Theatre, 10760 Grant Road, Houston. 281-587-6100. www.stageworkshouston.org
Dec. 11: Sing along with the Houston Choral Society
The Houston Choral Society presents “Joy to the World,” an annual Christmas performance led by Artistic Director Kevin Klotz. The show features classics such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and some contemporary selections including music from “The Polar Express.” 7:30 p.m. $15 (children ages 5-11), $25 (seniors, military, students), $30 (general admission). The Foundry Church, 8350 Jones Road, Houston. www.houstonchoral.org
Dec. 12: Attend a tree lighting
Local nonprofit Cy-Hope hosts a Christmas tree lighting celebration for the community with hot cocoa, cider, s’mores, carols and Santa. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Cy-Hope, 12715 Telge Road, Cypress. www.cy-hope.org
