'Tis the season to celebrate cooler weather, enjoy holiday breaks and spend time with family. The Sugar Land and Missouri City area has plenty of events and activities to explore this winter.

Stroll through 3 million lights

The sixth annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights, presented by Imperial Sugar, will showcase more than 3 million holiday lights at Constellation Field. Attendees can shop vendors, enjoy food and meet Santa. The event runs until Jan. 5 with themed nights throughout. 6-9 p.m., $12-$16 (Sun.-Thu.). 6-10 p.m., $14-$16 (Fri.-Sat.). 1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land. 281-240-4487. www.sugarlandholidaylights.com

December

3—Silver Bells Night: $10 tickets for seniors over 55

4—Santa’s Cinema sponsored by La Subasta: Elf; $10 admission if dressed up like an elf

5—Sensory Night


7—Girl Scout Sleepover Night

8—Ugly Sweater Night: $10 admission with ugly sweater

9—Santa’s Nice List sponsored by Telemundo: $10 admission for kids 12 and under

10—Silver Bells Night: $10 tickets for seniors over 55


11—Santa’s Cinema sponsored by La Subasta: The Grinch (animated)

12—Gingerbread House Day: gingerbread house building competition; $10 ladies day

14—Boy Scout Sleepover Night

15—Rudolph’s Wagon Parade: $10 admission for kids participating in parade


16—Santa’s Nice List sponsored by Telemundo: $10 admission for kids 12 and under

17—Silver Bells Night: $10 tickets for seniors over 55

18—Santa’s Cinema sponsored by La Subasta: Polar Express

19—Pints & Lights/College Night: $10 tickets with college ID; $2 draft beer


26—Lights & Leashes sponsored by Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care: owners with pets get $10 admission

30—Santa’s Nice List sponsored by Telemundo: $10 admission for kids 12 and under

31—New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

January


1—Santa’s Cinema sponsored by La Subasta: Frozen

See a holiday show at the Smart Financial Centre

18111 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land

281-207-6278

www.smartfinancialcentre.net

December

4—The Hip Hop Nutcracker. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 and up.

6—Disney Junior Holiday Party on Tour. 6 p.m. $39.50 and up.

21—A Pentatonix Christmas 2019 Tour. 7 p.m. $39.50 and up.

27—"The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical." 7 p.m. $29.50 and up.

28—Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. $34 and up.

Dec. 4—3D Print a Holiday Ornament

Using Tinkercad software, participants will design and 3D print ornaments to take home for their Christmas trees. Registration required. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Mamie George Branch Library, 320 Dulles Ave., Stafford. 281-238-2880. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us

Dec. 5—Exchange Cookies

Fort Bend Cares Cookie Exchange and Market will feature vendors to shop from, wine and food tastings, and a toy drive all at a beautiful private residence in Sugar Land. 6-9 p.m. $25. 15 Grand Manor, Sugar Land. 832-819-2005. www.fortbendcares.org

Dec. 6—Lend an Ear to Sounds of the Season

The Fort Bend Chamber is hosting Sounds of the Season, a holiday luncheon featuring musicians and singers as well as special guest Frank Billingsley, a KPRC meteorologist and author. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $35 and up. 1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land. 281-491-0112. www.fortbendchamber.com

Dec. 6—Gather for Christmas tree lightings

Sugar Land Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they light Sugar Land’s 40-foot Christmas tree in Town Square. The evening will include live performances, opportunities for photos with Santa and more. 5-8 pm. Free. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. 281-275-2825. www.sugarlandtx.gov

Richmond Watch as holiday tree lights illuminate the Richmond City Hall Park Plaza. Top off the celebration with holiday music and cookies and wassail. 5:45-6:30 p.m. Free. 402 Morton St., Richmond. 281-275-2825. www.sugarlandtx.gov

Dece. 6 & 7—Attend Missouri City’s Snowfest

281-403-8637

www.missouricitytx.gov

6—Kick off Snowfest with a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks, then enjoy snowfest activities including a three-lane snow hill, a holiday light trail and a market. 5:30-9 p.m. Free. 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City.

7—Participate in Snowfest Shuffle. This 1-mile fun run will begin and end at the Missouri City Rec & Tennis Center. 8:15 a.m. Free with donation of unwrapped toy for the Missouri City Police Department Blue Santa Toy Drive. 2701 Cypress Point Drive, Missouri City.

7—Watch the Snowfest Parade. The 36th annual Snowfest Parade will feature floats from a variety of community organizations along the 2-mile route. The parade will begin at the Public Safety Headquarters. 9 a.m. Free. 3849 Cartwright Road, Missouri City.

Dec. 6 & 7 View the 'Nutcracker' on Ice

Watch Clara and the Nutcracker Prince travel to the Land of the Sweets and battle the Mouse King at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center. 6 p.m. (Fri.); 2 p.m., 6 p.m. (Sat.). WAITING FOR TICKET PRICE. 16225 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-265-7465. www.sugarlandice.com

Dec. 7—Snack on Cookies with Santa

Enjoy the final event of this year’s Jingle Tree holiday fundraiser at the Museum of Natural Science-Sugar Land. This family-friendly party will include holiday crafts, milk and cookies, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 10 a.m-1 p.m. $5 (members), $10 (nonmembers). 13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-313-2277. www.hmns.org/hmns-at-sugar-land/events/jingle-tree

Dec. 7—Shop Miracle on Morton Street

The 17th annual Miracle of Morton Street event will feature vendors, food options, live entertainment and Santa. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 200-400 block Morton St., Richmond. 281-342-5456. www.richmondtx.gov

Dec. 7—Listen to holiday show tunes

The Houston Show Choir will serenade attendees with holiday tunes from every genre. 5-7 p.m. Free. 2700 N. Town Center Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-242-2000. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

Saturdays Dec. 7, 14, 21—Experience Christmas past

Travel back in time at George Ranch Historical Park to see Christmas customs and decorations from the 1830s through the 1930s. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 (ages 13-64), $12 (age 65 and up), $10 (ages 4-12), free (age 3 and under). 10215 FM 762, Richmond. 281-343-0218. www.georgeranch.org

Sundays Dec. 8, 15, 22—Take a photo with Santa

Check taking your Christmas card photo off your holiday to-do list. Families can donate new stuffed animals to the Fort Bend Rainbow Room’s Christmas Project all while visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 1-5 p.m. Free. 2180 Lone Star Drive, Sugar Land. 281-242-2000. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

Dec. 11—Decorate a Holiday Sweater

Ring in colder weather by decking out a sweater of your choosing. The library will provide decorating materials. Registration required. 10-11 a.m. Free. Mamie George Branch Library, 320 Dulles Ave., Stafford. 281-238-2880. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us

Dec. 13 & 14—Tour Holiday Homes

Child Advocates of Fort Bend County showcases homes lavishly decorated for the holidays as part of its fundraising efforts.10 a.m.-4 p.m., 6-9 p.m. (Fri.); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sat.). $31. Various neighborhoods. 281-344-5100. www.cafb.org

Dec. 12—Mix and Mingle in an Ugly Sweater

Join with fellow young professionals at the Fort Bend Chamber’s fourth annual Chamber Young Professionals Ugly Sweater Holiday Party. The person with the ugliest sweater will win a prize. Food and drinks are included with registration. 6-8 p.m. $15 and up. 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-491-0800. www.fortbendchamber.com

Dec. 14—Holiday Dance Showcase

Local dance companies throughout the area will come together for the Holiday Dance Showcase at Sugar Land Town Square. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land. 281-242-2000. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

Dec. 14—Discover Whoville

The First Colony Church of Christ will host a screening of "The Grinch." 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. 281-242-2000. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

Dec. 27—Have a ‘Friends’ holiday marathon

Gather your friends to watch 11 holiday episodes of “Friends.” Noon-4 p.m. Free. University Branch Library. 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land. 281-633-5100. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us