Dec. 16-18: ‘White Christmas’ performance
Class Act Productions will perform “White Christmas” on Thursdays through Sundays. The Irving Berlin musical is based on the 1954 film. Times and costs vary. Class Act Theater, 25275 Budde Road, Ste. 25, The Woodlands. 281-941-8500. www.classactproductions.org
Dec. 16-18: See ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Catch Playhouse 1960’s final performances of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical” under the direction of Trish Gant. 8 p.m. (Dec. 16-17), 3 p.m. (Dec. 18). $22-$25. Playhouse 1960, 6814 Gant Road, Houston. 281-587-8243. www.playhouse1960.com
Dec. 16-18: ‘Elf, the Musical’
National Youth Theater presents “Elf, the Musical” with a cast ranging in age from 8-19. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. (Dec. 17-18); 7 p.m. (Dec. 16). $12-$20. Nancy Bock Center for the Performing Arts, 3800 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands. 281-292-6779. https://www.classactproductions.org/
Dec. 16-20: ‘The Nutcracker’
Boni’s Dance & Performing Arts Studio and The Woodlands Dance Company performances of “The Nutcracker” will take place at the College Park High School auditorium. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. $28-$35. College Park High School auditorium, 3701 College Park Drive, The Woodlands. 281-292-6121. www.bonisdance.com
Dec. 16-24: Sit with Santa
Santa Claus will be returning to Vintage Park to listen to the Christmas wishes of good children in the Spring area. He will make appearances each Saturday throughout the holiday season, and families can also check out shopping opportunities at businesses located throughout the retail center. 1-4 p.m. (Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17). Vintage Park Blvd., Houston. 281-655-800. www.vintageparkhouston.com
Dec. 16-24: Santa at Market Street
Santa Claus will take photos with children at Market Street through the holiday season. Pet nights are held Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 3 p.m. to close. Days and times vary. $35-$40. Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands. www.shopatmarketstreet.com
Dec. 16-24: Ride in a horse-drawn carriage
Old Town Spring will be hosting its annual Home for the Holidays Christmas Spectacular featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, and live music and dance performances. Family activities, such as face painting and balloon art, will also be available while visitors shop at Old Town Spring’s variety of businesses. Festivities will be held every weekend until Christmas Eve. Free (admission). Old Town Spring, 606 Spring Cypress Road, Spring. 281-288-2355. www.oldtownspringshopping.com
Dec. 16-30: Explore a Christmas Village
Have an immersive Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens’ Christmas Village. Wander through a winter wonderland featuring thousands of lights throughout the 14-acre estate. Enjoy carolers, animated projections and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus. The event will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. 5:30-9 p.m. (Sun.-Thu.), 5:30-10 p.m. (Fri., Sat. and Dec. 22). $10-$15. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston. 713-639-7300. www.mfah.org
Dec. 16-31: Holiday pop-up shop at Asia Society Texas Center
This special holiday shop includes vintage kimonos and accessories by Kimono Zulu as well as upcycled items by Magpies & Peacocks, which took unwanted fabrics and textiles from landfills and created new clothing. The shop is open during the center’s regular hours of operation. Free (admission to pop-up shop). 1370 Southmore Blvd., Houston. 713-496-9901. www.kimonozulu.com
Dec. 16-Jan. 1: See the lights
Visit The Light Park to see holiday lights from the comfort of a vehicle. 5:30-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.), 5:30-11 p.m. (Fri.-Sun.). $39+ per car. Typhoon Texas Waterpark parking lot,
555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy. www.thelightpark.com
Dec. 16-Jan. 1: Memorial Park’s Deck the Park holiday lights
The celebration at Memorial Park kicks off Dec. 2 with an event that includes food, hot cocoa and blankets to cozy up under while enjoying a preview of the light show followed by a screening of “Elf.” Then, from Dec. 3-Jan. 1, light displays will be up nightly starting at sundown at the Clay Family Eastern Glades. Food trucks will be available on weekends. 4-9 p.m. Free (nightly light shows)., $5-$10 (opening night event). 552 E. Memorial Loop Drive, Houston. 713-863-8403. www.memorialparkconservancy.org
Dec. 16-Jan. 1: Space Center Houston Galaxy Lights
Visitors can enjoy a festive themed array of dazzling lights. 6-10 p.m. $15.95 (members), $19.95 (public). Space Center Houston. 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston. 281-283-4755. www.spacecenter.org/galaxy-lights
Dec. 16-Jan. 2: City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
Visit eight themed holiday villages, such as the Holiday Ice Village at Discovery Green and the Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Costs vary based on event. Locations vary throughout downtown Houston. www.visithoustontexas.com/citylights
Dec. 16-Jan. 7: Visit holiday in the gardens
This year’s Ice Land event will be Caribbean themed with a return of the Festival of Lights trail. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 4-10 p.m. (Festival of Lights). $70-$100. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston. 409-744-4673. www.moodygardens.com/holiday_season/things_to_do
Dec. 16-Jan.8: See the zoo lights
Celebrate the holidays with the Houston Zoo Lights. Experience the Holiday Grove, 33-foot tall color-changing holiday trees, a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies in the hanging pollinator garden, and s’mores stations. Take a photo with Santa in his workshop at Twiga Café until Dec. 23. Tickets are required for children age 2 and older. 5:30-10:30 p.m. $19.45+. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. 713-533-6500. www.houstonzoo.org
Dec. 16: Make a wreath
Learn how to make a fresh wreath using natural botanicals sourced from the Spring Creek Greenway at this Art in the Park event hosted by Harris County Precinct 3 Park Programs. All materials will be provided, though participants are encouraged to bring their own garden gloves and pruners. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Dennis Johnston Park, 709 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring. 713-274-0930. www.pct3.com
Dec. 16: Hometown Christmas Hayride
The city of Oak Ridge North will host its annual Hometown Christmas Hayride and Santa in the Park event. Hot cocoa will be served, and Santa Claus will be available for photos. Admission for the hayride is two nonperishable items. 5:30 p.m. Free (with donation). Marilyn Edgar Park, 26531 S. Hillside Drive, Oak Ridge North. www.oakridgenorth.com
Dec. 16: Sing holiday karaoke
City Place will host a holiday karaoke event, during which attendees can take the microphone or cheer on participants from the sidelines. 6-8 p.m. Free. City Place Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. www.cityplacenow.com
Dec. 16-17: Walk through a trail of lights
Tomball Methodist Church invites attendees to walk through a trail of Christmas lights and see Santa. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 1603 Baker Drive, Tomball. www.tomballmethodist.org
Dec. 17-18: Decorate sweets
Learn how to build a gingerbread house or decorate Christmas cookies at these workshops hosted by Wesley’s Treats Hallie’s Sweets and The Cake Whisperer. All materials will be provided, and take-home kits will be available for an additional $35 for each workshop. 10-11:30 a.m. (cookie class), 1-2:30 p.m. (gingerbread house class). $55-$90 (gingerbread house class), $75 (cookie class). Thistle Draftshop, 5210 FM 2920, Ste. 100, Spring. https://shop.castiron.me/wesleys-treats-hallies-sweets
Dec. 17: Have breakfast with Santa
Attendees can head to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Tomball to enjoy breakfast with Santa, complete with pancakes, bacon, orange juice and milk. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. 14408 Alice Road, Tomball. www.facebook.com/TomballVFW
Dec. 17: Enjoy Christmas in the park
Relate Community Church is hosting a Christmas event at Juergens Park that will include food, games, raffle prizes, toys, crafts and vendors. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 1331 Ulrich Road, Tomball. www.facebook.com/relatecommunitychurch
Dec. 17: Listen to live music
The Eagles tribute band Already Gone will be taking the stage this weekend at Main Street Crossing. 6 p.m. (doors open), 8 p.m. (show starts). $25. 111 W. Main St., Tomball. 281-290-0431. www.mainstreetcrossing.com
Dec. 17: Ride with Rudolph
Bicyclists of all ages are encouraged to join the City Place Bike Club on this leisurely ride through City Place’s nature trails guided by Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. 10:30 a.m. Free. Star Cinema Grill, 1495 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. www.cityplacenow.com
Dec. 17: Watch ‘Frozen’
City Place hosts a family movie night and singalong featuring a screening of the Disney animated movie “Frozen.” The event will also include a special appearance by one of the movie’s characters. 6:30 p.m. Free. City Place Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. www.cityplacenow.com
