Get ready for an unforgettable Christmas in Houston! Whether you’re looking for magical winter wonderlands, festive holiday pop-up bars, or heartwarming concerts, we’ve rounded up 15+ fantastic ways to make your season merry and bright.
See Houston’s skyline sparkle at POST’s Winter Wonderlawn this holiday season.
Winter Wonderlawn transforms POST Houston’s five-acre Skylawn into a rooftop holiday experience from November 6, 2026 through January 10, 2027, featuring thousands of lights, two 35-foot Christmas trees, and a new 100-foot Polar Express installation. Tickets are required after 5 p.m.; prices range from $8 to $19 and children six and under enter free.
Experience a European-style holiday market with glowing pathways, live music, and cocoa beneath the lights.
The Christmas Village returns to Huntsville for a second season beginning November 12, 2026, offering millions of lights, a holiday market, seasonal food and drinks, live entertainment, and family attractions like a Christmas train and carriage rides. The seasonal event runs selected nights through December 31, 2026, with nightly hours generally 5–11 p.m.
Glide beneath the Houston skyline — the ice rink reopens November 13.
Discovery Green’s outdoor ice rink reopens Friday, November 13, for a winter season running through January 18, 2027, offering regular weekly skating hours, special discounted nights, Santa visits, Inclusive Skaters Nights, and Bumper Cars on Ice.
Experience nearly five million LED lights across a 175-acre Christmas playground.
Santa’s Wonderland in College Station opens its 29th season on November 13, 2026 and runs through January 3, 2027. The 175-acre holiday park features nearly five million LED lights across trails and attractions, hayrides, snow tubing, ice skating, live Texas entertainment and family activities.
Experience a rooftop alpine lodge in downtown Houston with a Texas-shaped lazy river and private igloos.
The Marriott Marquis Houston transforms its Altitude Rooftop & Pool deck into the Marquis Winter Lodge from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027, featuring alpine décor, a Texas-shaped heated lazy river, food chalets, private igloos and seasonal programming. The lodge is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m., with tickets, tasting passports, private lodge rentals and brunch offerings available for purchase.
Shop more than 280 merchants while supporting the Houston Ballet this November.
The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market returns to Reliant Center in November 2026 with more than 280 merchants selling fashion, jewelry, home décor and gourmet treats; proceeds support Houston Ballet programs. The Market runs Thursday–Sunday with special-ticketed events and preview parties.
Radiant Nature
Radiant Nature returns to Houston Botanic Garden for its fourth season with all-new Chinese lantern displays inspired by flowers, wildlife, and the Lunar New Year. This year’s installations include illuminated poppies, lilies, geraniums, azaleas, blue morpho butterflies, and owls, alongside interactive favorites such as moonlight swings and an angel-wings photo spot.
Experience an authentic Bavarian-style Christmas market in Tomball’s historic Old Town.
The Tomball German Christmas Market returns to Old Town Tomball December 11–13, 2026, bringing a Bavarian-style village with 150–175+ vendors, German food and beers, live entertainment, carnival rides, and family-friendly activities.
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens’ Holiday in the Gardens returns with ICE LAND: Caribbean Christmas, a tropical-themed world of hand-carved ice sculptures, a giant ice slide, and Shiver’s Ice Bar. Other seasonal attractions include the mile-long Holiday Lights Trail, outdoor ice skating, holiday films, and live entertainment.
Dickens on the Strand
Galveston’s historic downtown becomes a Victorian-inspired holiday setting for the 53rd annual Dickens on The Strand. Expect parades, roaming costumed characters, vendors, and entertainment across four stages.
