6 Things To Do In Houston This Christmas!
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Is it just me or can you already hear the distant caroling? Christmas is only a month away and I’ve brought out my holiday sweaters. With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, I began scouring the internet for fun things to do in Houston. From spectacular light installations to enjoyable markets, the city always has something interesting going on for people of all ages. I put all my research together in this list, so check out these 6 things to do in Houston this Christmas while you make your holiday plans!
1. Glow up with Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo
Holiday lights are a big part of making Christmas time magical! Zoo Lights, an annual event hosted by the Houston Zoo, is a tradition that most families include in their winter festivities. Walk under a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies at the Hanging Pollinator Garden, or click a family picture at the 33-foot-tall Christmas tree with changing colors. If you love the waters, then explore the Illuminated Ocean, an immersive underwater experience at the Great Ape Gallery.
There are several events lined up on special days, so make sure you look at the schedule before making your visit. To make your reservations, head here.
Time: 5:30-10:30 PM
Dates: November 15th- January 9th
Location: Houston Zoo
Entry Fee: Varies
2. Get, Set, Skate at the Discovery Green Ice Rink
What’s a better way to bring your favorite Christmas rom-coms to life than gliding around a beautiful ice rink? Skate your way around the massive 7,716 square foot ice rink, chilled with recycled water from Kinder Lake. In the open air, the rink lights up with Christmas décor and brings you plenty of those holiday thrills. What’s more, even Santa comes to hang out at the rink on Thursdays! There’s always a lot of interesting stuff going on for the month so do check for special discounts and events before you glide on over.
Time: Varies
Dates: November 12th – January 30th
Location: The Rink, Discovery Green
Entry Fee: $15 (plus tax)
3. Everyone is wilkommen at the Tomball German Fest & Christmas Market
If you’re in the Tomball area, then this Christmas market is a must-visit! Celebrating the city’s deep German roots, this festival is a three-day gala of music, beer, food and lots of exciting activities for the whole family. Enjoy live music performances on three stages or shop along the open-air market of antique items. You can also cheer on the ‘tapping of the keg’ and the ‘wilkommen’ ceremony of German exchange students and their Tomball hosts. A free shuttle will be available to ferry you to the market venue. Sounds like a great plan, ja?
Dates: December 10-12, 2021
Location: 201 South Elm Street Tomball, TX 77375
Entry Fee: Free
4. All Aboard the Christmas Train
Festive train rides are always such fun! Add Christmas décor and lights to this, and you’ve got a winner on your hands. The Alvin Christmas Train is a popular Christmas attraction in Houston that delivers a great time for the whole family. We’re talking over 300,000 lights and decorations, colorful gingerbread villages, snow lands and life-sized characters! After your joyride, fill up on some hot cocoa, handmade pizza, and other yummy treats. Head over here to
purchase your tickets.
Time: 6-9 PM, extended hours available
Dates: Varies
Location: Victory Camp, Alvin, TX
Entry Fee: $10 online, $12 at the door
5. Escape to the Lightscape
Looking for a new experience this Christmas? This one’s for you! The iconic Lightscape Trail is all set to blow our minds in Houston this year. Nearly a mile-long exhibit of installations created by Texan and international artists will transform the Houston Botanical Garden. There’s even a towering arch, filled with 100,000 sparkling lights that will simply leave you speechless. A special VIP experience offers you free parking and special admission. Head over with your loved ones for a truly unforgettable night!
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dates: November 14th- January 2nd
Location: Houston Botanical Garden
Entry Fee: $21-15 for adults, $14-16 for children
6. Holiday getaway at the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights
If you feel like skipping town this holiday season, a beachy vacay sounds fun! Ride your sleigh over to Moody Gardens in Galveston, where the Festival of Lights will bring you joy and cheer. A Christmas bonanza doesn’t get bigger than this! Rudolph in 4D, train rides, an Arctic slide, walking trails, live Cirque Joyeux shows and so much more is in store. Experience it all with an overnight stay at the hotel, or purchase separate tickets to the holiday attractions here.
Dates: November 20th – January 2nd
Location: Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX
Pricing: Varies
With so many interesting and exciting things to do in Houston this Christmas, our holidays are all set to be busy and memorable! What’s on your calendar? Let us know in the comments, and have a merry Christmas!
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