‘Tis the season to celebrate cooler weather, enjoy holiday breaks and spend time with family. The Tomball and Magnolia area has plenty of events and activities to explore this winter.

Nov. 18-25: Operation Christmas Child

Community members can pack a shoebox gift filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items as part of Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child project. During National Collection Week, packed boxes can be dropped off at various locations—including several churches in the Tomball and Magnolia area—to be sent to young children around the world. Locations can be found by city or ZIP code on the project website. Times vary. $9 (suggested donation per box)

Locations vary

828-262-1980


www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child

Nov. 22: City Christmas tree lighting

The city of Tomball hosts its second annual Christmas tree lighting event for families to enjoy. The holiday event features live entertainment, complimentary cookies, snacks and hot chocolate, and children’s activities. 7 p.m. Free (admission, parking)

Tomball Historic Depot Plaza


201 S. Elm St., Tomball

281-351-5484

www.tomballtx.gov

Nov. 23: Tomball Holiday Parade


Hosted by The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, the 54th annual Tomball Holiday Parade returns with James Drury—star of the TV series “The Virginian,” which aired in the 1960s—as grand marshal. The theme of the parade is “A Classic TV Christmas.” The parade travels along West Main Street from Elm to Buvinghausen streets. 10 a.m.-noon. Free (admission, parking)

Main Street, from Elm to Buvinghausen streets

866-670-7222

www.tomballchamber.org


Nov. 23: Thanksgiving crafts

The Malcolm Purvis Branch Library in Magnolia invites community members of all ages to stop by and make a fun holiday craft. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free

Malcolm Purvis Branch Library

510 Melton St., Magnolia


936-442-7704

www.countylibrary.org/malcolm.htm

Nov. 23-Dec. 14: Santa at the farm

Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Spring Creek Growers for the holiday season. Families can take photos with the Clauses. The Christmas tree farm opens Nov. 23 for the 2019 season, offering cut-your-own, precut and living Christmas trees. Dates, times vary. $10 (per family for photos with Santa with personal camera)

Spring Creek Growers

23803 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road, Magnolia

281-259-8114

www.springcreekgrowers.com

Nov. 27: Families Feeding Families

A local organization prepares nearly 2,000 hot meals for people in need throughout Tomball, Magnolia and Waller the day before Thanksgiving. The ninth annual event also includes free haircuts, flu shots, free clothing and toys, and children’s activities. Volunteers are needed. The event has moved to Salem Lutheran Church this year. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free

Salem Lutheran Church

22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball

www.familiesfeedingfamilies.com

Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Texas Renaissance Festival

The final weekend of the 45th season of the Texas Renaissance Festival features a Celtic Christmas theme to celebrate the holidays. This three-day festival weekend features Renaissance-themed live entertainment, interactive characters, games, and hundreds of shopping and food vendors throughout the 55-acre festival grounds. The Texas Renaissance Festival is located just north of the city of Magnolia. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (gates open). Free (age 4 and younger, children age 12 and younger every Sun.), $17 (ages 5-12), $34 (adult)

Texas Renaissance Festival

21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission

800-458-3435

www.texrenfest.com

Dec. 5-7: ‘A Very Tomball Christmas: Home for the Holidays’

Fine arts groups from Lone Star College-Tomball present a Broadway-style musical drama featuring LSC-Tomball musicians, guest artists, Santa Claus, children’s choirs and storytellers. 7 p.m. $5-$10

LSC-Tomball Performing Arts Center

30555 Hwy. 249, Tomball

281-401-1889

www.lonestar.edu/tomball-pac

Dec. 6-8: 'The Nutcracker'

The Houston Repertoire Ballet presents its 21st annual performance of “The Nutcracker” with live music by the Cypress Philharmonic. An abbreviated arts and education performance is held Dec. 6 for younger audiences. Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. $20-$25

Tomball High School Theater

30330 Quinn Road, Tomball

281-940-4721

www.hrbdance.org

Dec. 6: A visit with St. Nicholas

St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church in Magnolia presents a family event with photo opportunities with St. Nicholas, a sweet shop and a craft fair. 4-9 p.m. Free (admission), $5 (photos with St. Nicholas)

St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church

302 FM 1774, Magnolia

www.st-matthias.net

Dec. 7: Pancake breakfast

Abandoned Animal Rescue hosts a pancake breakfast with tours of the animal shelter, pet adoptions and visits with Santa Claus. 10 a.m.-noon. Pet adoptions held noon-3 p.m. Free (donations accepted)

Abandoned Animal Rescue

32632 Wright Road, Magnolia

281-789-4142

www.aartexas.org

Dec. 7: Deck the Depot

The event, hosted by the city of Tomball, features school choirs and orchestras, activities, crafts, vendors, food, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Depot. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free (admission, parking)

Tomball Historic Depot Plaza

201 S. Elm St., Tomball

281-351-5484

www.tomballtx.gov

Dec. 7: Parade of Lights, tree lighting

The Greater Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce hosts “The Magic of Christmas” Parade of Lights through the city of Magnolia. The parade, sponsored by Precinct 5 Constable Chris Jones, starts at Magnolia Junior High School and travels on Nichols Sawmill Road, Commerce Street, Sixth Street and Unity Park Drive. The city of Magnolia’s Christmas tree lighting will be held immediately after the parade at Williams Pavilion in Unity Park with caroling by Magnolia ISD choirs, cookies and hot chocolate, and nonprofit vendors, according to Tana Ross, planning technician and economic development coordinator for the city of Magnolia. 5:30 p.m. Free

Magnolia city streets and Unity Park

19450 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia

281-356-1488

www.greatermagnoliaparkwaycc.org

Dec. 8: Christmas in the Woods

Inspiration Ranch hosts a holiday event open to the community. Activities include photos with Santa, a hayride, shopping vendors, crafts, games, a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and opportunities to support Inspiration Ranch such as adopting a horse or purchasing raffle tickets. 2-8 p.m. Free admission (tickets available for purchase for activity stations)

Inspiration Ranch

33029 Wright Road, Magnolia

281-719-9322

www.inspirationranch.org/christmas

Dec. 13-14: Candlelight tours

The Tomball Museum Center hosts a holiday open house event with candlelight tours of the historic buildings. The event also includes adult and children’s choirs, refreshments, live music, and visits with Santa Claus. 6-9 p.m. Free (donations accepted)

Tomball Museum Center

510 N. Pine St., Tomball

281-255-2148

www.tomballmuseumcenter.com

Dec. 13-15: Tomball German Christmas Market

The annual event honoring Tomball’s German history includes four live music stages, more than 200 street vendors, ethnic food, beer and wine, a petting zoo, street performers, and antiques. 6-10 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun.). Free (admission, parking and shuttle)

Old Town Tomball

201 S. Elm St., Tomball

www.tomballgermanfest.org