Dec. 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. 5:30-9 p.m. (Sun.–Thu.), 5:30-10 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.). $10-$15. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston. 713-639-7300. www.mfah.org
Dec. 30: Holiday craft camps
Krafty Shack will host holiday craft camps geared for children age 5 and older to keep children entertained throughout the winter break. Online reservations are required, and activities will include canvas painting and crafts. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $20 (per day). Krafty Shack, 22043 E. Hammond Drive, Porter. 281-359-7775. www.kraftyshack.com
Dec. 30-31: Holiday pop-up shop at Asia Society Texas Center
This special holiday shop includes vintage kimonos and accessories by Kimono Zulu as well as up-cycled items by Magpies & Peacocks, in which unwanted fabrics and textiles are taken from landfills to create 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. 30-31: Dasher’s Lightshow
Get into the holiday spirit by visiting Dasher’s Lightshow, which is setting up in Humble this winter. Attendees can drive through a roughly 1-mile lighted tunnel or opt for the park and watch, which features an inflatable obstacle course, a maze, photo opportunities, food and drinks. 5:30-10:30 p.m. (daily). $9.95 (per person for Dasher’s Winterland Park & Watch), $29.95 (per vehicle for Dasher’s Drive Thru). Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble. www.dasherslightshow.com
Dec. 30-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. 30-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. $5-$10 (opening night event), free (nightly light shows). 552 E. Memorial Loop Drive, Houston. 713-863-8403. www.memorialparkconservancy.org
Dec. 30-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. 30-Jan. 2: City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
Visit eight holiday-themed 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. 30-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. 30-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. 31: New Year’s party
Ring in the new year with party favors, a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, champagne and live music by The Eric Demmer Band featuring Jill Donahue at Green Oaks Tavern. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $30. Green Oaks Tavern, 211 E. Main St., Humble. 281-570-4344. www.greenoakstavern.com
Dec. 31: Ring in the new year
Ring in the new year with The Four Freshman at this concert hosted by the Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment. Dubbed “America’s most enduring vocal group,” The Four Freshman’s repertoire includes pop and jazz standards from the Great American Songbook Classics. 8 p.m. $45-$75. The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-440-4850. www.cypresscreekface.org
Dec. 31: Celebrate 2023 early
Visit CityCentre to get a head start on celebrating the new year at Noon Year’s Eve. At this family-friendly event, attendees can dance with a DJ and celebrate the noon hour with bubbles. The event features face painting, temporary tattoos, balloons, caricature artists and a photo booth. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston. 713-463-4692. www.citycentrehouston.com
Dec. 31: Play poker
Play craps, poker, blackjack and roulette at a New Year's Eve Harlem Night Comedy Casino Party hosted by Comedian Stick. Tickets include dinner and a champagne toast, and attendees are encouraged to dress in “Harlem nights” attire. 8 p.m.-midnight. $50-$75. Komedy Lounge, 5060 FM 1960 W., Houston. 281-624-7654. www.komedylounge.com
Dec. 31: Celebrate the new year
Ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve concert at CityCentre. Start the afternoon with a performance by Jon David Finney from 3-4 p.m. before the Mockingbirds take the stage from 5-8 p.m. A photo booth will be available all evening. Fireworks will not be at the event. 3-8 p.m. Free. CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston. 713-463-4692. www.citycentrehouston.com
Dec. 31: Attend a New Year’s Eve party
Kick off 2023 with the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce’s first New Year’s Eve Party. Enjoy live music, dancing, heavy appetizers, a champagne toast and a cash bar. Free parking is available. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $75. Agave Estates, 1250 FM 1463, Katy. 832-600-3221. www.fulshearkaty.com
Dec. 31: Count down to 2023
The Woodlands Children’s Museum holds a New Year’s Eve party during the daytime for children to make New Year’s hats and creative art projects. 9-10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m. $10. The Woodlands Children’s Museum, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Ste. 280, The Woodlands. 281-465-0955. www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
Dec. 31: Spend an afternoon with the family
Dave and Buster’s in Shenandoah plans a New Year’s celebration for families with a video countdown to the new year and ginger ale toast at 6 p.m. Arcade games and an appetizer buffet as well as unlimited soda, coffee and tea are part of the celebration. Party hats and noisemakers will be available, and video game play will be unlimited for games without prize redemption options. 4-7 p.m. $34.99 (per person). Dave and Buster’s Shenandoah, 8915 Metropark Drive, Shenandoah. 936-270-1250. www.daveandbusters.com
Dec. 31: Enjoy the afternoon at Market Street
Live musical entertainment from saxophonist Cloris Grimes will highlight a New Year’s Eve celebration at Market Street’s Central Park. The event includes smooth jazz, R&B, pop and rock. Guests can bring a blanket or lawn chair to the outdoor event. In the event of inclement weather, Market Street will update the event on its website and social media platforms. 2-4 p.m. Free. Market Street, 9696 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands. 281-419-4774. www.shopatmarketstreet.com
Dec. 31: Roll the dice on 2023
The Glade Cultural Center will host a New Year’s Eve Casino Party to celebrate the entry of 2023. The event will feature live music by the Nathania Lind Quintet, hors d’oeuvres, casino games, party favors, a full cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight. 8 p.m. $125. Glade Cultural Center, 2000 Woodlands Parkway, The Woodlands. 832-557-8781. www.gladeartsfoundation.org
Dec. 31: See live music at night
Back Table at The Woodlands Resort holds a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring the Crystal Orosco Duo. A special New Year’s Eve menu begins at 5 p.m. $75 (dinner). Back Table, 2301 N. Millbend Drive, The Woodlands. 281-364-6400. www.backtabletx.com
