You’ll be having a wonderful Christmas in Houston this year. From holiday concerts, to winter wonderlands, festive bars, and more: here are 15+ fantastic things to do at Christmas in Houston this merry season!
1. Holidaze at GreenStreet
The mixed-use space spanning four blocks in Downtown Houston is transforming into a wonderfully mischievous holiday experience this November. Taking up multiple floors will be multiple tiers of Christmas experiences for Naughty Listers, including a grungy/elfy dive bar, a disco-ready Santa After Hours bar, photo-op installations, and much more.
📍1201 Fannin St.
📅 November 17 – December 4
2. Go Ice Skating at Discovery Green
Houston’s magical outdoor ice rink returns to the foot of the Downtown skyline this November! Here, patrons can skate under the stars surrounded by enchanting holiday activations including a light display strewn together by Houston’s own Frankie To-ong.
📍1500 McKinney Street
📅 November 21 — February 16
3. Coca-Cola Classic Christmas
Embark on a festive journey through the new Coca-Cola Classic Christmas in Houston! Hosted at the Katy Mills Mall, the new-and-improved Houston Christmas event will feature 55,000 square feet of festivities including a Christmas market, ice skating, snow tubing, arctic alpine adventures, holiday eats, drinks, and more!
📍Katy Mills Mall
📅 November 21 – December 28
4. Houston Nutcracker Ballet Market
Knock out your Christmas shopping in the most festive atmosphere possible this holiday season at the Houston Nutcracker Ballet Market! Taking place from November 13 to November 16, the market is set to host over 270 vendors, 50 booths, as well as a series of special events!
📍NRG Stadium
📅 November 13 – 16
5. Radiant Nature
Radiant Nature is a large-scale light festival inspired by the spectacular Chinese lantern festivals. This November, the wonderful light festival is set to return to the Houston Botanic Garden with new miraculous installations. Kicking off this fall, the Radiant Nature will feature over 50 large-scale installations including a half-football-field light tunnel, a marketplace, and more!
📍1 Botanic Lane, Houston, TX 77017
📅 November 14 – February 22
6. Witness an enchanting Holidays Candlelight concert
Step inside one of Houston’s most splendid venues, where candlelight will cast a flickering spell, crafting a truly enchanting atmosphere. Get ready to be transported to a celestial realm as you immerse yourself in cherished winter classics, from carols like “Deck the Halls” and “Ding Dong! Merrily on High” to works in The Nutcracker and more.
📍Multiple locations
📅 Multiple dates
7. Cruise through Houston’s Most Christmassy Neighborhoods
The holiday season isn’t truly official until the various neighborhoods in the city are completely bathed in holiday lights and decorations. This year, make sure to take a drive through Houston’s most brilliantly adorned and festive streets and neighborhoods.
📍Multiple locations
📅 Mid Novemberish
8. Magical Winter Lights
As the holiday season approaches, the organizers of Magical Winter Lights are excited to announce their return to Houston on November 21. They will be bringing back a winter wonderland filled with enchanting lights, lantern displays, and joyful winter entertainment. This year’s experience will also feature an all-new carnival, petting zoo, as well as new attractions like nightly acrobatic performances!
📍Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 State Highway 36, Rosenberg, TX 77471
📅 November 21 – January 4
9. Get in on all the Festivities at Moody Gardens
Kicking off on November 22, ICE LAND at Moody Gardens is a classic Houston wintertime experience. This holiday attraction features stunning ice sculptures, beloved characters, arctic slides, light trails, festive decorations, and more, including a sparkling ice bar.
📍1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554
📅 November 22 – January 3
10. Ogle at Houston’s Holiday Light Displays
Starting from November 15 and continuing until January 4, you have the opportunity to witness the yearly light exhibition, touted as “the most technologically advanced light display in Texas” – and this claim is no exaggeration. At Space Center Houston, visitors can marvel at constellations of Christmas lights in a galaxy of holiday magic!
📍1601 E NASA Parkway
📅 November 15 – January 4
11. Santa’s Wonderland
Give a warm “howdy” to the holiday season in College Station with the annual Santa’s Wonderland. Touted as “the world’s largest Christmas park”, this grand and festive holiday tradition offers a Texas-sized display of lights, a gingerbread village, a snowy playground, live music, and endless joy for the entire family.
📍18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845
📅 November 14 – January 4
12. Hitch a Ride on the Polar Express
Enjoy hot cocoa, dancing elves, and singing chefs on the real-life Polar Express in Galveston this holiday season! The merry, two-hour trip whisks pajama’d passengers to the North Pole for a truly unique holiday experience for the whole family – perfect for the kids!
📍2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550
📅 November 14 – December 23
13. Dickens on the Strand
The beloved stories of Charles Dickens comes to life once again this December in Galveston for the 51st annual Dickens on The Strand. Kicking off on December 6, The Strand will transform into 19th-century Victorian London with parades, live entertainment, costumed vendors, and roaming characters!
📍The Strand Galveston, TX 77550
📅 December 5 – December 7
14-16. Houston Holiday Pop-Ups
Get your fill of Christmas spirit at Houston’s merry bunch of holiday pop-ups. If you’re one for over-the-top decor, holiday tunes, and themed cocktails, check out our running list below: