Dec. 7: Pancakes with Santa: Santa Claus will be stopping by Katy Fire Station No. 1 to eat pancakes with children and adults. Proceeds from the event will go the Katy Professional Firefighters Association and the KT Firefighters Scholarship Fund. 7:30-10:30 a.m. $5. 1417 Ave. D, Katy. 281-391-3500. www.facebook.com/events/2588289128071114/
Dec. 7: Holiday 5K: Cardiff Junior High School is hosting a 5K to spread cheer and raise money to support local students, families and Katy ISD Police Department Santa Cops, which donates holiday gifts to students. Participants are encouraged to wear an ugly sweater, Santa hat or holiday-themed pajamas. After the race, runners can get a photo with Santa, enjoy carols and make ornaments. 9 a.m.-noon. $10-$20 (per runner). 3900 Dayflower Drive. 281-234-0600. www.eventbrite.com/e/cardiff-jr-high-holiday-5k-fundraiser-registration-76819618547
Dec. 7: Katy Old Fashioned Christmas Festival: Katy Market Day will host the 10th annual festival in downtown Katy. The market will include vendors selling produce, crafts, antiques, clothing and jewelry. Additionally, the event will have carolers, food trucks, a beer garden, live entertainment, photos with Santa and 50,000 pounds of snow for children to play in. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (admission). Katy City Hall, 901 Ave. C, Katy. 281-391-1993. https://katymarketday.com/christmas-festival-2019/
Dec. 7: Candy Cane Market: The Real Craftwives of Katy will host this market with more than 60 vendors. Santa will be in attendance, and the event will also include food trucks and signature drinks. 11 a.m. Free (admission). Cane Island Visitor’s Center, 2100 Cane Island Parkway, Katy. 281-725-6555. www.facebook.com/events/1170723959782913/
Dec. 7: Art in the Park: Central Green Park will celebrate the arts in a fun afternoon event. 2-4 p.m. Free. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. www.facebook.com/events/590459771698767/
Dec. 7: Christmas Home Tour: Second Baptist Church-West Campus will have charted buses to tour five Katy-area homes decorated for the holiday season. The event also includes a reception at the church. There will be two tours from noon-3:30 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. Free. 19449 Katy Freeway, Katy. 713-465-3408. www.facebook.com/events/1123028517896646
Dec. 7: Fulshear Festival of Lights: Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce with the city of Fulshear will host this annual event, which will include live music played by local band Nick and The Groove. Activities include a market for purchasing gifts, food trucks, photos with Santa, fireworks and a children’s area. The parade begins at 6 p.m. 6-9 p.m. Free. Fulshear High School, 9302 Charger Way, Fulshear. 832-600-3221. www.facebook.com/events/fulshear-katy-area-chamber-of-commerce/fulshears-festival-of-lights/943368429358350/
Dec. 7: County Christmas Hayride: The Fellowship church is hosting a holiday hayride with caroling, cookie baking and marshmallow roasting. Santa will also join the festivities. 5-8 p.m. Free (registration required). Fellowship Ranch, 9597 I-10 Frontage Road, Sealy. 281-395-3950. www.thefellowship.org/resources/events/country-christmas-hayride
Dec. 7-8: Santa’s Sleigh: Local nonprofit Katy Christian Ministries will accept donations for its Santa’s Sleigh program. Those interested in adopting one of the nonprofit’s 888 identified children or seniors in need of holiday gifts can sign up on KCM’s website. Last year, the program helped more than 700 children and senior adults celebrate the holiday season despite financial difficulties. Noon-7 p.m. $75-$125 per adoptee. Trinity Faith Church, 5900 10th St., Katy. 281-391-9623. www.ktcm.org/santassleigh
Dec. 8: Sensory-friendly Santa photo experiences: In separate events, Katy Mills and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch with the Autism Speaks organization host Santa Claus in a welcoming environment for children with special needs. Professional photos will be available to purchase. 9:30-11 a.m. (Katy Mills), 10-noon (LaCenterra). Free (registration encouraged). 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy. (Katy Mills), 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Building F, Ste. 130, Katy (LaCenterra). www.eventbrite.com/e/caring-santa-tickets-77508803919?aff=ebapi (Katy Mills), https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-centerra-128-santa-cares-tickets-74827540187 (LaCenterra)
Dec. 8: Brazilian Christmas Festival: Brazilian Women Foundation—a nonprofit that promotes Brazilian culture—will host a festival that showcases Brazilian culture with food, arts and music. Activities include photos with Santa, live entertainment and crafts. The foundation is partnering with Light House Foundation to accept toy donations for sick children in hospitals. Noon-5 p.m. Free. 26913 Katy Freeway, Katy. www.facebook.com/events/386636745322125/
Dec. 8: Nutcracker Ballet: Connolly Dance Arts will perform “The Nutcracker” at Morton Ranch High School. The ballet features a magical adventure after Clara receives a toy nutcracker for Christmas. 3 p.m. $12 (general admission), $20 (priority seating). 281-693-1232. 21000 Franz Road, Katy. 281-693-1232. www.facebook.com/events/761330900991260/
Dec. 8: Messiah Singalong: St. Peter’s United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir and orchestra will perform a portion of Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” Attendees are encouraged to sing along, and child care will be provided. Scores of the music will be available to view or purchase. 7-9 p.m. Free. 20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy. 281-492-8031. www.stpkaty.org/messiah-singalong/
