Correction: The Drag Me To Church event taking place Dec. 5 benefits the Montrose Center.

Several events are taking place in the Heights, River Oaks, Montrose and surrounding areas in December, including carols by the Houston Grand Opera, meditation in the Buffalo Bayou Cistern and a drag show that pokes fun at church life while raising funds for Montrose Grace Place.

Mini Candlelight Tours: The Heritage Society of Sam Houston Park will decorate historic homes with holiday decor, candles and actors reenacting 19th century Houston in December for the organization’s annual candlelight tour. Performances by string ensemble HeartStrings Houston, carols by The Houston Boy Choir, a festive gift shop, a champagne reception and an exhibit from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo History are just a few ways The Heritage Society will spread cheer this year.Drag Me To Church: Trinity Episcopal Church in Midtown hosts a drag show fundraiser benefitting the Montrose Center. The event will feature local drag queens, pizza, wings and drinks with comedic song and dance performances that poke fun at church life.Mind the Gap XXVII: Dance Source Houston brings back the 19th iteration of Mind the Gap, an evening of works by local dancemakers. The program will include works by DSH members ​​Mark Aguilar, Brittany Nicole Bass, Adam Castañeda, Kyle Rucker, Stacy Skolnik and Lori Yuill, including solo and ensemble contemporary and modern works created and performed by dance artists based across the Greater Houston area.
  • Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
  • Pay-what-you-can sliding scale starts at $15
  • Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main St., Houston
  • https://matchouston.org
All Access Arts Market: The market at Finn Hall showcases work from local artists in partnership with All Access Art. A Kids Art Market takes place Dec. 9.
  • 6-11 p.m. (Dec. 8), noon-4 p.m. (Dec. 9)
  • Free (admission)
  • Finn Hall, 712 Main St., Houston
  • www.finnhallhou.com
Carols on the Green: The Houston Grand Opera brings its annual holiday celebration back to Discovery Green. The event will feature music celebrating Christmas, Kwanza and Hanukkah performed by singers from the Houston Grand Opera alongside community partners, including the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus; Indigo Diaspora Dance Company; the HGO Chorus; and HGO’s Bauer Family High School Vocal Studio. Guests are encouraged to wear festive holiday attire, include ugly holiday sweaters.
  • Dec. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Free
  • 1500 McKinney St., Houston
  • www.hgo.org
Lights in the Heights: During the annual event hosted by the Woodland Heights Civic Association, attendees can stroll down several neighborhood streets that are closed off to vehicle traffic, taking in holiday light displays and music hosted by participating residents.Levy Park holiday events: Several free holiday events are taking place at Levy Park in December, located at 3801 Eastside St., Houston.
  • AIA Gingerbread Build-Off 2023: Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Architecture Center Houston hosts a gingerbread build-off using 100% edible materials. The public is invited to attend and cheer on teams.
  • Prelude Family Concerts presented by Rhythm Energy: Dec. 10, 4:30 p.m. The 45-minute music experience features a variety of musical styles arranged and pitched for children.
  • Family Movie Night: The Polar Express: Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Presented by Texas Children’s, the free screening features closed captioning. Pajamas are encouraged. Outside furniture is not permitted, but blankets and park chairs can be used.
Fashion Fusion: Houston Community College teams up with Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for a fashion competition inspired by the Art of Islamic Worlds. Students from HCC's Fashion Design program compete to create original garments in response to designs on display in MFAH's Islamic Worlds collection. Twenty garments will fall into four categories: motifs and mosaics; trinkets and charms; sky and sand; and metallics and mirage. Three winning garments will be displayed at The Galleria mall.Holiday Sip N Stroll: Sip a delicious beverage and stroll along lightly decorated trails at the Houston Arboretum. Soak in the festive cheer at special holiday-themed sip stops. The evening walk includes three glasses of wine or Saint Arnold beer, light bites and a limited-edition etched wine glass to take home. Attendees must be 21 or older.St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Christmas Festival: Church officials present their annual festival, featuring music by composer Taylor Scott Davis with a full orchestra made up of classical musicians from the Houston area and the St. Luke's Chancel Choir. Davis's original music will include Suite 1: “Journey Into Light;” Suite 2: “Ring Out Wild Bells;” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” from "A Choral Christmas;" and “Joy to the World," from "A Choral Christmas." The performances will take place at three services in the church’s main sanctuary.Sights and Sounds Meditation: The meditative experience celebrates the winter solstice and will take place alongside the sounds of singing bowls and wind chimes played by Saumil Manek. Guests can enjoy a special winter light installation by Houston artist and engineer Kelly O’Brien.