Nov. 18-Dec. 24: Visit Santa
Bring the children to Deerbrook Mall in Humble to visit and take pictures with Santa Claus. The mall will host a sensory-friendly event to visit Santa from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4. Mall officials are also inviting families to bring their pets for photos every Monday throughout the event’s duration from 4-8 p.m. Visits with Santa are free with photo packages starting at $39.99. Deerbrook Mall, 20131 Hwy. 59 N., Humble. 281-446-6626. www.shopdeerbrookmall.com
Nov. 24-Dec. 24: Ride amusement attractions
Visit Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures in New Caney for its seasonal Christmas Lights & Winter Nights event. The event will feature free pictures with Santa, crafts for children, live music, free access to amusement park rides, and an arts and crafts marketplace. Additionally, patrons will have night access to the park’s aerial activities, including ziplines, climbing walls, free-fall and challenge courses. $19.99, or free with a 2023 season pass. 6-10 p.m. Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures, 23101 Hwy. 242, New Caney. 832-509-1556. www.bigriverswaterpark.com
Nov. 26: Paint holiday portraits
Grab a drink and come to Painting with a Twist in Humble for its Bougie Holiday Party event. Learn tips and tricks from staff on hand to paint portraits of Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and anything else inspired by the holidays. The event is restricted to individuals age 13 and up, and patrons are welcome to bring their finger foods as well as alcohol for those age 21 and up. 8-10 p.m. $41. Painting with a Twist, 6850-A FM 1960 E., Humble. 832-777-1838. www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/humble
Dec. 3: Run for a cause
Gear up for a run to benefit New Caney ISD at the Sixth Annual Tavola Reindeer Run. The race, hosted by master-planned community Tavola in New Caney, has raised more than $40,000 for New Caney ISD in the past six year. Participants can sign up for either a five-kilometer competitive run or a one-kilometer family event that will see attendees traversing the master-planned community. Awards will be doled out to the top male and female finishers in each age group. Additionally, a $100 prize will be awarded for the most festive holiday costume. $40 for five-kilometer entry and $25 for one-kilometer entry. 8 a.m. Tavola Elementary School, 18885 Winding Summit Drive, New Caney. 281-703-8800. www.tavolareindeerrun.com
Dec. 3: Shop for holiday gifts
Visit the Kingwood Christmas Holiday Market at The Clubs of Kingwood to get holiday shopping done in one place. The event will feature more than 50 Lake Houston-area vendors offering unique items, including home decor, gifts, food, apparel, toys and accessories. The event will also feature holiday food and drinks, musical entertainment and photos with Santa. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $10. The Clubs of Kingwood – Kingwood Clubhouse, 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail, Kingwood. 281-358-2171. www.kingwoodbusinesswomen.org
Dec. 3: Check out Humble vendors
Visit the fifth annual Fall Creek Holiday Market in Humble to shop for a variety of handcrafted goods made from local vendors. The market will feature a variety of holiday items, including wreaths, decor, soaps, baked goods, gifts and accessories. Additionally, the event will feature moonwalks and horse-drawn carriage rides. Parking will be available at Fall Creek Elementary School with free shuttles running to and from the event.9 a.m.-noon. Free. The Clubhouse at Fall Creek, 7930 Fall Creek Bend Drive, Humble. 281-458-8000. www.fallcreekhouston.com
Dec. 3: Watch a tree lighting
Bring the family to Town Center Park in Kingwood to enjoy an assortment of activities culminating with the lighting of a Christmas tree. The event will feature carriage rides, face paintings, moonwalks and photos with Santa Claus. Additionally, a variety of vendors will be present at the event, giving attendees a chance to complete some holiday shopping and enjoy holiday-themed foods. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Town Center Park, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood. 346-600‑2366. www.towncenterevents.com
Dec. 6: Catch a holiday parade
Visit Main Street in Humble for the city’s 31st annual Christmas Parade of Lights. The free event will feature lighted floats and costumed marchers as they traverse the streets of the city’s historic downtown area. The parade will culminate at Uptown Park, where attendees will be able to visit with Santa and listen to live entertainment by local performers. 6:30 p.m. Free. Main Street, Humble. 281-446-3061. www.cityofhumbletx.gov
Dec. 10: Experience old holiday traditions
Bring the family to Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center to learn about 19th-century holiday customs at the North Harris County Dulcimer Society’s Old Fashioned Christmas event. The event, which will be held at the park’s Redbud Hill Homestead, will feature music, holiday crafts, wassail, cookies and an early visit from Saint Nicholas. 3-6 p.m. Free. Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble. 281-446-8588. www.nhcds.org/wp-nhcds
Dec. 10: Learn how to decorate cookies
Visit Med Spa of Kingwood to learn how to decorate an assortment of holiday cookies. Attendees will be taught how to prepare royal icing, the value of different icing consistencies, how to color icing and tricks for filling piping bags. Additionally, attendees will learn several decorating techniques, including marbling, outlining, wet-on-wet, brush embroidery and painting. Children under age 12 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $60. Med Spa of Kingwood, 1409 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood. 832-995-3380. www.medspaofkingwood.com
Dec. 18: Watch a Christmas variety show
Visit the Charles Bender Performing Arts Center in Humble for “An Evening with The Edwards Twins’ Ultimate Christmas Variety Show.” The show will feature impersonations and renditions of songs by Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, Tom Jones, Billy Joel and more presented in a variety show format. Utilizing Hollywood-grade make up and prosthetics, as well as the fashion designers of the stars themselves, the Edwards twins have more than 75 celebrity impressions in their repertoire. 2-4 p.m. $25. Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St., Humble. 281-446-4140. www.humblepac.com
