Dec. 9-30: 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. 9: ‘Mistletoe Magic’ music and dinner event
Harris County Precinct 3 will be hosting a “Mistletoe Magic” music and dinner event. Featuring a variety of holiday songs performed by Jay Cantu, the event will also offer a chicken marsala meal catered by Ben’s Chuck Wagon. Attendees can RSVP in advance by calling Big Stone Lodge or emailing [email protected]. 12:30 p.m. Free. Big Stone Lodge, 709 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring. 281-350-1029. www.pct3.com
Dec. 9: Attend the Signature Author series
The John Cooper School is hosting its 18th annual Signature Author Series, where visiting authors have a chance to sell their books and engage with luncheon attendees. This year’s author is Elin Hilderbrand, who wrote The New York Times bestseller “The Hotel Nantucket.” 10 a.m. $75-$150. The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Hotel Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands. 281-367-0900. www.johncooper.org
Dec. 9-18: ‘White Christmas’ performance
Class Act Productions will perform “White Christmas” 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. 9-11: Search for a tree
Shop for a Christmas tree at the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm in Spring while enjoying holiday festivities. Attractions such as train rides, a petting zoo and photos with Santa will be offered for attendees of all ages, and children ages 2-12 can enjoy a bounce house and a slide. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Nov. 19-20 and Nov. 25-Dec. 11). Free (admission), $3-$9 (weekend events). Old Time Christmas Tree Farm, 7632 Spring Cypress Road, Spring. 281-370-9141. www.oldtimechristmastree.com
Dec. 9: Flashlight scavenger hunt
Attendees can bring a flashlight and look for hidden candy canes with prizes available for the winners who find the “golden” candy canes. Parents must accompany children. 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. Terramont Park, 8500 Terramont Drive, The Woodlands. 281-516-7348. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
Dec. 9-24: 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. 9-24: 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. 9-10: Ride a Christmas train
Visitors can take a ride on a small open-air train and view various Christmas displays. 6-9 p.m. $10-$12. Victory Camp. 1407 Victory Lane, Alvin. www.thechristmastrain.com
Dec. 9-31: 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 takes unwanted fabrics and textiles from landfills and creates 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. 9-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. 9-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. 9-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. 9-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. 9-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. 9-24: 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. 9-Dec. 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. 10-11 View Islamic art
Calligraphy demonstrations, henna tattooing and painting will be among the festivities at the ninth annual Islamic Arts Festival hosted by the Islamic Arts Society. This year’s event will also feature a display of Islamic art from artists across the U.S. as well as food trucks with a variety of cuisine. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Masjid-Al Salam, 16700 Old Louetta Road, Spring. www.islamicartssociety.org
Dec. 10: Stargaze at the Arboretum
The family-friendly event allows members and nonmembers of the Houston Arboretum to stargaze while enjoying treats, coffee and hot chocolate. The event also includes star-themed crafts, constellation lore and hiking opportunities. 6-8 p.m. $20 (children ages 5-12), $35 (members), $50 (nonmembers). Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston. 713-681-8433. www.houstonarboretum.org
Dec. 10: Get milk and cookies with Santa
Participants can bring the family to get milk and cookies with Santa Claus. Alongside photo opportunities, guests can decorate cookies and make a holiday craft. 3:30 p.m. $15-$20. The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands. 281-210-3950. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
Dec. 10: Browse 100 vendors at winter festival
Urban Harvest will host its third annual winter festival providing Houstonians with the opportunity to shop from more than 100 local vendors offering holiday items. Other activities will include pictures with Santa, cookie decorating from Colleen's Creations, seasonal crafts by Izzie's Jewels and live music by Jay Bee Zay. 8 a.m.-noon. Free. Urban Harvest Farmers Market, 2752 Buffalo Speedway, Houston. www.urbanharvest.org
Dec. 10: Watch the Christmas Boat Lane Parade
Viewers can enjoy the sights of dozens of brightly decorated boats that will travel from the South Shore Harbour Marina to Galveston Bay. 6 p.m. Free. Nassau Bay. 281-488-7676. www.clearlakearea.com/events/annual-events/christmas-boat-parade
Dec. 10: See Santa at Creekside Park
A Winter Wonderland event hosted by The Howard Hughes Corp. and tenants of Creekside Park Village Green will include carnival games, a petting zoo, a pony carousel, photos with Santa, face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and holiday music. The Woodlands mascot, Puffy, will also make an appearance. 1-5 p.m. Free. Creekside Park Village Green, 26400 Kuykendahl Road, The Woodlands. www.thewoodlands.com/event/winter-wonderland
Dec. 10: Join local pride band for holiday cheer
The Houston Pride Band brings a night of snow-inspired holiday music. The concert features works by female and LGBTQ composers as well as composers of color. 8 p.m. $15 ($5 for children ages 12 and under). Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston, 3400 Main St., Houston. 713-521-4533. www.matchouston.org
Dec. 11: The Woodlands Chorale annual Christmas concert
The Woodlands Chorale will hold its annual Christmas concert, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," with the Birnham Woods Elementary Fourth Grade Honor Choir and dancers from Lone Star College-Montgomery dance department as well as The Woodlands Ballet Theatre. 4 p.m. $20-$25. Christ Church United Methodist Church, 6363 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. www.thewoodlandschorale.org
