Looking for events to attend in the local area? Check out this guide.
Nov. 12-Dec. 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
Nov. 19-Dec. 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 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
Nov. 24: Enjoy a Thanksgiving meal
On Thanksgiving Day, Kinsmen Lutheran Church will be hosting its annual community Thanksgiving feast and “Run for Your Turkey” 5/10K race. A free turkey dinner will be provided to anyone who would like to attend, and children can enjoy crafts at the dinner event. Proceeds from the 5/10K—which can be run or walked—help fund the Thanksgiving dinner. Advanced registration for the 5/10K race is requested. 8 a.m. (race begins). 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (dinner). $20-$30 (run), free (dinner). Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champion Forest Drive, Houston. 281-444-3126. www.kinsmenlutheran.org
Nov. 26-Dec. 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
Nov. 27: Attend a tree lighting
City Place will be holding its third annual holiday lighting ceremony for a 35-foot Christmas tree to be displayed in the park’s main pond through the first week of January. The event will feature appearances from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus as well as music, face painting, balloon art and free hot chocolate. A 16-foot tall gingerbread house display will also be premiered, and additional holiday-themed events will be held on the weekends in early December. 4-7:30 p.m. Free. City Place Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring. www.cityplacenow.com
Dec. 2-4 Shop for Christmas crafts
Celebrate the holiday season with Kinsmen Lutheran Church at its annual Holiday Market featuring hand-crafted goods from global artisans. The event will be held in partnership with Hands of Faith Fair Trade Ministry at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in The Woodlands. 2-7 p.m. (Dec. 2), 5-7 p.m. (Dec. 3), 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. (Dec. 4). Free (admission). Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champion Forest Drive, Houston. 281-444-3126. www.kinsmenlutheran.org
Dec. 3 Celebrate winter holidays
Learn about a variety of winter holidays—including Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa—at Barbara Bush Branch Library’s annual Holiday Open House. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will attend, and visitors can enjoy live music, story times and games at the event. 2-4 p.m. Free. Barbara Bush Branch Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 832-927-7800. www.hcpl.net
Dec. 3 Visit an old-timey market
Attend an old fashioned Christmas festival and market hosted by Wunderlich Farms and the Klein Historical Foundation. Attendees can enjoy live musical performances, historical demonstrations, craft booths and shop for gifts from 50 local vendors. Food trucks will also be parked on site. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry and Bridging for Tomorrow. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5, Free (children ages 2 and younger). Wunderlich Farms, 18218 Theiss Mail Route Road, Spring. 832-249-5800. www.kleinhistorical.org
Dec. 8 Bid for a cause
Sip cocktails, eat appetizers and bid in a live auction at The Village at Gleannloch Farms' annual Parade of Trees holiday event. Live auction gifts will include handmade wreaths, holiday decor and Christmas trees and proceeds will benefit the Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. RSVP in advance online or by calling. 6-8 p.m. Live auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The Village at Gleannloch Farms, 9505 Northpointe Blvd., Spring. 281-407-8151. https://villageatgleannloch.com
Dec. 9 Enjoy dinner and a show
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. 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
HOLIDAY CONCERTS
Nov. 26: "Deep in the Heart of Christmas" by The Texas Tenors. 8 p.m. $45-$75. The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-440-4850. www.cypresscreekface.org
Dec. 11-18: "Holiday Follies." 3 p.m. (Dec. 11 and 18), 7:30 p.m. (Dec. 9-10 and 16-17). $31-$46. Stageworks Theatre, 10760 Grant Road, Houston. 281-587-6100. www.stageworkshouston.org
Dec. 11: “Pearlformance” by Aurora String Trio. 4 p.m. $75-$100. Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, 6815 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-376-6322. www.pearlmfa.org
Dec. 13: "Christmas Characters" by Houston Brass Quintet. 3 p.m. $10-$15. The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-440-4850. www.cypresscreekface.org
Dec 17: "The Christmas Story" by Texas Master Chorale. 7:30 p.m. $20. John Wesley United Methodist Church, 5830 Bermuda Dunes, Houston. 281-440-4850. www.texasmasterchorale.org
