It’s officially holiday season in Houston. What the city lacks in scenic, winter-appropriate weather and atmosphere, it compensates for with an abundance of holiday cheer in the form of events, lights, and seasonal festivities.
From ice skating under the skyline’s twinkling lights, to bundling up on a rooftop for a holiday movie, here are our must-do winter activities in Houston in no particular order. [Featured image: @_uvebeenrobd_]
Christmas events in Houston
Christmas pop-ups, winter wonderlands, light festivals, tree lightings, and more. Head our list of the best things to do for the holiday season to get out all your holly jollies!
1. Classic Christmas
From Coca-Cola and Enchant, the creators of the world’s largest Christmas maze, comes Classic Christmas. Taking place at Memorial City Mall, Classic Christmas features a wonderland of lights, markets, and seasonal delights as well as snow tubing, ice skating, and more!
2. Zoo Lights
One of the most beloved holiday traditions has returned to the Houston Zoo for the Christmas season. Pack the kiddos and whisk them down to its wild wonderland of lights, activations, and seasonal treats!
3. Dickens on the Strand
Every year during the first weekend of December, Galveston transforms into 19th century Victorian London for Dickens on the Strand. Here, the classic works of Dickens comes alive with wandering performers, vendors, artists, and more!
4. Christmas pop-up bars
If you’re feeling a little lacking of Christmas spirit this holiday season, head over to one of these fabulously festive pop-ups who’re ready to fill your glasses to the brim! With over-the-top decor, holiday tunes on loop, and plenty of ugly sweaters, you’re sure to make merry at these Christmas bars in Houston!
5. Neighborhood Christmas lights
Who’s ready for a local Christmas road trip? Strap the kiddos in, queue your holiday playlist, make pack a hot cocoa to-go, and cruise through the best neighborhoods in Houston to see Christmas lights!
6. Float through a Winter Wonderland
The Marquis Houston have converted their legendary downtown rooftop into a full-scale Winter Wonderland with Christmas movie nights, festive lights, and one heated lazy river for their Texas Winter Lights event – a poolside winter wonderland complete with snowfall, fireside s’mores, lit-up lawn games, and more!
Additionally, the event will feature a winter-themed dining menu, signature cocktails, 20 new made-for-Instagram installations, as well as new lighting fixtures to make your holiday season sparkle.
7. Holiday Movies At Rooftop Cinema Club
In between the decorating, shopping, and occasional binge eating, it’s good to celebrate the spirit of the season by watching some of your favorite holiday classics. In Houston, you can do just the thing at Rooftop Cinema Club, which will be screening all of your holiday favorites this December!
Screenings include: A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Arthur Christmas, and The Night Before.
8. Take Santa’s Sleigh Out to His Texas-Sized Wonderland
Say “howdy” to the holidays this season in College Station for the annual Santa’s Wonderland, a massive, festive, and bright holiday tradition that features a Texas-sized spectacle of lights, gingerbread village, snow playground, live music, and boundless merriment for the whole family.
For a little more holiday excitement, visitors are invited to mosey down to Frostbite Mountain in the West Pole, where they can glide down a snow-covered luge in snow tubes – just take it easy on the non-chloric, silicon-based kitchen lubricant, eh, Clark Griswold?
9. Downtown Light Spectacles
The holidays are upon us, Houston. This year, the city is getting into the spirit more than ever with brand new holiday festivities in Downtown, Houston. Beginning this November, downtown is transforming into a magical holiday destination for City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic.
10. Venture Into A Galaxy Of Lights At Space Center Houston
When it comes to the most Houston-centric lighting display, nothing says “Space City” more than the Galaxy Lights spectacle that orbits Space Center Houston. Recently, Space Center Houston announced the opening of their annual Galaxy Lights holiday display, from November 13 – January 2, billing it as “the most technologically advanced light display in Texas” – and that’s no hyperbole.
New Year’s events in Houston
11. Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls: Houston NYE Bar Crawl
Get ready to experience the best bars that Houston has to offer—all in one epic New Year’s Eve crawl! Go around for champagne toasts, watch the televised ball drop in times square, and listen to the best music across all of Houston’s hottest venues. You’ll be able to enjoy drink specials all night for an incredible time without breaking the bank.
12-13. Watch Fireworks in Houston
While unfortunately it seems like Houston is going to have as many New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations this year, there are a couple on either side of town for eager NYErs!
14. New Year’s Eve at Wakefield Crow Bar
Rally on this New Year’s Eve at Wakefield Crow Bar. As one of our favorite sports bars and restaurants in town, the venue is celebrating NYE with open-play volleyball, drink specials, and more!
15. New Year’s Eve at Numbers
Numbers Nightclub will once again host one of the most bangin’ NYE parties in Houston! Here, party-goers can enjoy fantastic tunes, midnight champagne toast, complimentary party favors, a cash ball drop, and more!
Other Houston winter events in Houston
16. Holiday Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully unique classical music performance or a romantic candlelit experience, this performance is for you. You don’t need to know all things Tchaikovsky to enjoy the evening, simply sit back and savor the stunning atmosphere and pieces you’ll hear.
Walk into one of Houston’s most exquisite buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with some of the most treasured wintertime classics from Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and other master composers!
17. Glide Under the Stars
Discovery Green in Downtown, Houston has returned their outdoor ice rink for the holiday season. From now until January 19, Discovery Green is hosting public skates at the foot of Houston’s skyline.
As per tradition, Discovery Green will be hosting a series of themed nights for skaters to enjoy on their renewable energy-run rink.
18. Sinatra Under The Stars At Skylawn
Sinatra Under the Stars will transport you back to a time when Sinatra reigned the scene. Enjoy a classic cocktail under the stars and melt away “those little town blues.” Don’t miss this evening of classic jazz with a touch of some hot takes on contemporary songs performed by some of Houston’s brightest talents.
Sit back and relax to the sounds of Sinatra at one of the best venues that Houston has to offer! Enjoy a delicious dinner menu and light bites available for purchase and enjoy the evening at the spectacular Skylawn rooftop.
19. LOVB Professional Women’s Volleyball
This coming January, witness the debut of Houston’s newest professional sports team. League One Volleyball launches its inaugural season this January with a teams across six US cities including Houston.
20. Catch a Game at Daikin Park
Well Houston, it’s official. Minute Maid Park is no more. Beginning this January, the home of the Houston Astros will now be known as Daikin Ballpark.
21. Travis Scott’s Celebrity Softball Classic
Before the Astros are scheduled to play their first game on the newly-named ballpark, Daikin Park will host the third annual Celebrity Softball Classic of Travis Scott at the Cactus Jack Foundation. The annual event benefitting HBCUs will feature a roster of A-list celebrities and iconic athletes. Tentative players include Dave Chappelle, Jeff Bagwell, Don Toliver, C.J. Stroud, Barry Bonds, and more.
See also: 22 enchanting things to do for Christmastime in Houston